“Melissa is magical, a Spirit of renewal, a delight of the senses.
She has been my teacher for six years, and I learn something new about myself with each experience. Her thoughtful presence inspires, challenges, and connects us to our deeper, higher selves...the essence of yoga.”
- The late and beloved, Jane Scott, Yoga Practitioner & Psychotherapist
“Melissa is a student of all aspects of yoga first and foremost and she combines her wide ranging knowledge of asana, Ayurveda, and energy meridians into a symphony of experience that speaks to new practitioners and adepts equally. She has worked on her own yoga so that she teaches from a space of truly welcoming all who come. Regardless of who you are, you will receive an offering that will meet your needs and those of your students for years to come if you continue to practice and study the materials given in the Yin Teacher Training.”
- Martha Quick, Yoga Instructor
“I feel so blessed to have found Melissa and to have been a part of such an amazing and life changing experience. What started as yoga teacher training transformed into a journey of exploration (of self/others/life/spirituality), deepening my practice and learning the path of yoga as a way of life. She provided insight, knowledge, and resources well beyond the core material and showed us how to be authentic in teaching. I am honored and inspired to move forward and share what I have learned from Melissa with my students.”
- Angela Nations Sparks, Yoga Instructor
“It's because of teachers like you that yoga adds real meaning for people who practice. One of the attributes that impresses me the most about your teaching is the adherence to what I consider to be the main philosophy of any teaching program and that is humility. For me, it seems that this trait is always present in you no matter which class I attend. Thank you for that and for being so knowledgeable and truly professional in your approach.”
-Donna Spicer, Yoga Instructor, Seamstress, and Grandmother
Melissa Spamer
Melissa Spamer, M.A., LPCC, ERYT 500, LMT, C. Ay. She/Her
Melissa has been exploring the world of healing arts for nearly twenty five years. She has been facilitating classes, retreats, groups and seeing private clients since 1997. Melissa holds a Master's degree in counseling psychology and a graduate certificate in holistic healthcare. She has accumulated thousands of hours in Yoga, Body & Energy work, Ayurveda and Psychotherapy training.
Melissa completed her first certification to teach Yoga in 1997 with the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, and has been consistently teaching Yoga for twenty three years. She has completed more then six 200-500 hour teacher trainings since then. Visit her Inspiration Page to read more about her primary teachers and influences. In 2005, Melissa completed a 500 hour teaching certification with the International Yoga College, specializing in Yoga and Conflict Transformation, with the renowned teacher Rama Jyoti Vernon. Her approach to Yoga weaves together a rich tapestry of inspired teachings from around the world. Her practice is continually evolving, always becoming more alive in spirit and form. She feels incredibly blessed to be carrying the light of Yoga beside so many radiant beings in this great ocean of awakening.
Melissa is an Ayurvedic Practitioner and professional member of NAMA. She is a graduate of the Ayurvedic Institute, having completed more than 1200 hours of study. She has studied with Vasant Lad, Swamini Mayatitananda, Sonia Masocco, Claudia Welch, and Robert Svoboda. Melissa offers Ayurvedic consultations, treatments, and educational workshops. In her private practice she specializes in women's health, chronic pain, auto-immune disorders, and nutritional coaching.
Melissa is a licensed massage therapist in the state of New Mexico. She credits the majority of her knowledge of the energetic and physical body to more than twenty years of hands on healing around the globe. She completed her professional certification from the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts and has trained in a range of modalities including myofascial release, reflexology, deep tissue therapy, and craniosacral therapy. Melissa completed a one year internship studying acupressure therapy and has trained extensively in Chakra and Marma Therapy. She incorporates the energetic systems of Asia in all of her treatments. She has traveled to Thailand several times and is certified in Thai Massage.
Melissa is a licensed counselor in the state of New Mexico. She also holds a graduate certificate in holistic health care with an emphasis in expressive arts therapy. She works with a range of modalities to address the individual needs of each client. She has co-facilitated groups and retreats incorporating a full range of therapeutic processes to help unveil the truth of the soul’s yearning for engagement.
Melissa’s own personal healing journey is what has inspired her quest to learn more, implement what she knows, and help others find their way towards more embodied and empowered living. One by one, as we help each other, we support a more vital and connected world. She has lived, traveled, worked, taught, studied, and volunteered on six continents, and currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico with her beloved husband, dog, and gardens.
What others have said about Melissa's teaching...
"Melissa is a true teacher. She allows her practice to be a tool for personal evolution and that brings a deep understanding and creativity to her teaching enabling students to have the confidence to make their own inner journey through Yoga."
-Angela Farmer, World Renowned Yoga Teacher
"You are a teacher to me of many things - inspiration, yoga, loving my body - but most of all by how you live. Your willingness to go deeper, to sustain discipline, to live what you speak, all teach of the beauty and radiance one carries when they are doing what they love."
- Pamela Poley, Therapist/Group Leader
"I extend gratitude to you for creating a space in which I was able to travel deeply within as I explored the practice of yoga under your guidance. Your words are poetic and powerful. Your excitement and love for the practice is inspirational. I was able to hear your words all the way through my being and this allowed me to work honestly towards healing, growth, and strength. It has also encouraged me to live my own practice as it evolves and unfurls towards the light."
- Gina Greene, Momma and Yoga Instructor
“Thank you for your continual, kind attention. You are not just a teacher trainer, you are a real teacher. You care deeply about your students. I feel very lucky to have you as a teacher.”
- Wira Arimbawa, Yoga Instructor