While still on Johnston Atoll, Melissa took a yoga class while vacationing on the Garden Island of Kauai and suddenly a connection was made – this class felt like coming home. After leaving the Industrial setting, she became certified as a Hatha Yoga Teacher in the Shambhava School of Yoga at Shoshoni Yoga Retreat (Rollinsville, Colorado) in October 2003. Over the past six years, Melissa has been part of the Dean Ornish Program for reversing Heart Disease (Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg, PA), instructed yoga classes at Westmoreland County Community College (Youngwood, PA) in addition to various locations throughout the Laurel Highlands. If there was space for a yoga mat to be unrolled, a class soon ensued! In addition to taking and teaching Yoga, Melissa also has a budding side business as a personal organizer – for Self, Home and the Office. She has also begun to work towards her Master’s Degree in Holistic Nutrition through Clayton College. And in her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Lola, creating kitchy crafts and sharing happy & healthy vegetarian meals with her family and friends. |
Melissa Marasia opened the doors of Earth Lotus Yoga Studio in September 2006. Prior to becoming a yoga teacher, Melissa earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from Westminster College (New Wilmington, PA). While continuing a Master’s Program at Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA), she was given an opportunity to work as an Industrial Safety & Health Inspector/Trainer at a chemical plant in the Pacific (Johnston Atoll). While Yoga had not yet become an integral part of her life, the experience she gained from teaching would move her closer to her current vocation.
