Congrats to our July Teacher of the Month, Melissa McLarney! Whether you join her and fly high in Love Silks or get your sweat on in Pilates, you're sure to challenge yourself, have fun, and try moves you never thought your body could do! Melissa is as kind as she is dedicated, not just as an instructor, but as a friend and a mother.
This woman single-handedly re-booted our Love Silks program, and the House of Love is better because of it! We are so grateful to have her as a part of our family.
Q: How did you get into the fitness/yoga world and when did you know you wanted to become an instructor/teacher?
A: It just kind of happened. I was at Evolution Yoga every day.
Q: What do you feel is your purpose as an instructor/teacher?
A: To be there for my clients by motivating and encouraging them to reach their goals and keep setting new ones. People come to workout to be healthy physically yes, but many (myself included) also for the mental piece of it. I try to make my classes fun so it’s something they look forward to in their day. Whether it’s a really hard new exercise, or a fun playlist in Hot Pilates, or a cool trick in Love Silks, or just to destress by hanging upside down. Everyone comes looking for something a little different and it’s my job to learn what all those things are and weave them into my classes.
Q: Why is movement an important part of your life?
A: First and foremost to be healthy and strong, so that when I want to try something new, like climbing a mountain or some other adventure, it’s not too hard. But also, it keeps me sane, centered, and organized. Being able to move and push my body daily helps me focus on the day-to-day stuff better.
Q: What quotes or mantras currently resonate with you?
A: “Just be.” I don’t remember where I heard it, but it comes into my head a lot lately. You don’t have to be anything anyone expects of you or do something just because you can. It’s ok to just enjoy life and just be.
Q: What are some of your daily rituals?
A: Coffee in the morning and different diffuser blends in my house throughout the day. I’m big into aromatherapy so I mix up what I put in there, depending if it’s for focus, help the kids fall asleep at bedtime, or just to smell nice. I’m a big believer in crystals and their energy too and I’m always moving them around the house.
Q: What inspires/motivates you?
A: I love to teach and to share my passions with others. When people tell me I’m a good teacher, or I see the smile on a client’s face after they’ve gone upside-down for the first time, or watch them finally get a trick I know they’ve been working hard on it really is like no other feeling! Seeing the clients progress and enthusiasm and energy in aerial and in Pilates is what makes it so indescribable.
Q: Why do you love working at Evolution Yoga?
A: Because I truly believe it’s the best yoga/fitness studio around. I’ve taken many classes at so many places and a lot are great but there’s really no comparison to the feeling and the vibes at the House of Love. I noticed it from my first class 4 1/2 years ago, it’s just a place I love coming back to every day.
Q: When you’re not teaching classes at Evolution Yoga, what are you doing?
A: Hanging upside-down from my ceiling!
Finish these sentences:
I'm most at peace when... the kitchen is clean and there is no laundry that needs folding.
My friends would describe me as... always up for a party, the loud one.
I'm currently watching/playing... Wandavision. Patiently waiting for Stranger Things and Cobra Kai to come back. There’s a fun game on PlayStation called Sackboy I’ve been playing with my family. We got it for the kids but started playing with them and it’s actually really fun and relaxing. And always the Super Mario games.
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