Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Mello
Hi Lisa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My yoga journey began when I started to listen to what my body needed. I was walking on the cold streets of NYC and saw a sign for “Hot Yoga”. I couldn’t wait to take a class and get warm. What I did not realize was that I was also listening to my soul and its need for warmth, strength, courage, and peace. I continued my yoga journey in sunny San Diego and found my body and mind feeling healthier after every class. I have always struggled with stress and anxiety. When I was taking class, leaving class, and looking forward to the next class, I was able to put my anxiety and stress at a safe distance. I dove head first into yoga teacher training.
At the time I was using my Masters in Education to teach at a Montessori School but I knew that would be changing soon. I knew I wanted to support people on a healing path through yoga and I needed to learn more. I continued with trainings in Therapeutic Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Kids Yoga, Breath Work and more. I began to teach Yoga full time. I taught anywhere they would let me teach. I was able to find a job managing a yoga studio for a corporation and began to lose passion. As a mother of two young boys at this time I knew that I had to be living for our community. I strive to incorporate the perfect balance between strength and surrender in each of my classes because these are two essential attributes everybody and every body needs. That is why Mello Yoga offers class to all ages. I was able to start and continue Mello Yoga with an out pouring of support from family, Friends, and Neighbors, and My soul continues to feel the warmth that brought me into that first class.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Anytime someone starts a business with a growing family you have to prepare for a rocky, unexplored path. Unexpected costs, studio up keep, and inner conflicts debating if money should be spent on advertising or diapers forces one to get innovative and develop creative approaches. These were helpful skills when a global pandemic hit and has forced us out of the studio for the last seven months.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Mello Yoga is a family owned yoga studio that offers classes for all ages. We are tied into the surrounding community and we offer Kids Yoga, Family yoga, as well as a variety of vinyasa style classes. We encourage youth to take our classes and have had 12 year old yogis regularly attend class. We were able to rely on our connection to our community and continue to offer classes during this pandemic by utilizing the natural beauty of Aubrey Park in Poway and the amazing outdoor settings at The Rancho Bernardo Inn. Our goal is to make yoga accessible to everyone and there is nothing that can stop us at this point.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
When I found my passion, I found that it was easier to identify others who were following theirs. I have had the most success when partnering with others when I know that they are dedicated to their path even if they only cross for a moment. If you can find people who are dedicated to what they do and create a connection of passion success is always nearby.
Pricing:
- $49 unlimited yoga (first month)
Contact Info:
- Email: melloyogaca@gmail.com
- Website: melloyoga.org
- Instagram: @melloyoga
- Youtube: Mello Yoga
Image Credits
@tinyelephantsphoto @vanhattenphotography.com
