Hi, I’m Mel, a native New Yorker who grew up in Queens and went to a Quaker boarding school in upstate New York. My style is pretty much the sum of those two things… I’m a tough-talking New Yorker with the kindness of a Quaker. And, of course, I’m a Yogi, committed to building an authentic, compassionate, healthy life, and helping my students on their own journey as well.

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I teach a strong breath-centered and alignment-based vinyasa class. When we’re practicing in person I offer hands-on adjustments, with your consent of course. I’m known for my playlists, which I put a lot of love and energy into. I craft them to insure the best possible experience for you. In my classes you’ll hear everything from A Tribe Called Quest to Krishna Das. I hope you’ll find an old song you once loved but forgot about, or a new song to make you smile.

The first time I stepped onto a Yoga mat was in 1995, while I was living in Los Angeles and working in Hollywood as a P.A. on MadTV. It took two classes and I was hooked.

I began a 6-day a week vinyasa practice. I loved everything about taking a Yoga class - - - the incense smells in the studio, the music teachers played, the commitment I was making to myself, the Yoga community at the studio. I was suddenly so happy and felt an ease I hadn’t felt before…I literally fell in love with Yoga!

It never occurred to me to become a teacher until I returned home to NYC in 2000. A year after being home I took a training and became Yoga Alliance certified. Not feeling I knew enough, I went back to LA and took second training with Max Strom, whom I’d been taking class from once a week while living in LA. He ended up becoming “my teacher”.

Max is a master when it comes to the breath and connecting the mind and body through a Yoga practice. His kindness and open heart spoke to me and I knew exactly the kind of teacher I wanted to be. “My quest is always to help each student deepen their practice by finding what works for their individual body”.

In 2008 along with friend and fellow Yoga teacher Liz Buehler Walker, I opened Yoga High, a vinyasa studio on the Lower East Side. We hosted a thriving community from 2008-2015, at which point the logistics of running a Yoga studio in New York City became impractical. The Yoga High community continues to hold an important place in my life - - - I’m still teaching many of those students today! 

I teach regular classes via Zoom. Trust me, it’s not as bad as you think, Try it, I think you’ll love it!

I’ve completed numerous trainings and workshops throughout the years, some stand outs are: 

  • Fall 2024 — 8-week course with Jenni Rawlings: Yoga Asana Analysis

  • 2020 — 25-hr Trauma Informed training with Sangeeta Vallabhan

  • 2019 — 12-hour Kosha, Kriya: A Parayoga master training with Rod Stryker

  • 2016 — 6-hour Restorative training with Jillian Pransky

  • 2015 — 100-Hr Advanced Anatomy training with Physioglobal Yoga

  • 2009 — ISHTA Meditation Bridge program with Alan Finger