MELANIE FERNANDEZ (SHE/HER)

HATHAT, VINYASA Flow

Melanie is an English Professor at Ohlone College in Fremont and a wellness champion in her school community. She has a B.A. in English Literature from UC Berkeley and a master's degree in English TESOL from CSU East Bay. She received her 200-hour yoga teacher training certification in the fall of 2018 and 300-hour in 2023, both through Breathe for Change, a specialized program for educators. Melanie works closely with Latino students at Ohlone and is the Co-Coordinator of the Puente Project, a learning community that provides immense support for under-represented students, so they can attain academic success, transfer to a four-year university, and return as mentors in their communities. She strives to help her students and fellow colleagues decrease their anxiety and stress levels and to improve their overall well-being through the transformative power of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. in 2022, Melanie completed a 30-hour Language Course to Teach Yoga in Spanish with a YACEP instructor, Andrew Singer at Flying Tree Yoga

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CLASSES AT PRANA?

I teach Hatha and Vinyasa Flow classes appropriate for all levels that typically begin with a mindful breathing meditation and include some dynamic movement. I offer options, encourage the use of props, model poses, and gently remind students to listen to bodies and make the practice their own.

  • I typically have a playlist that includes calming instrumental music or nature sounds during the opening meditation fused with French pop, Spanish, and/or Indie music.

  • 70-72 degrees.

  • Yoga has helped me to live a life that is more centered around gratitude, compassion towards myself and others, intentionality, and awareness. It has enabled me to ride the highs and lows of life with greater ease and stay connected to the present moment.

  • The Yamas and Niyamas by Deborah Adele, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, and Yoga Mind, Body, and Spirit by Donna Farhi

  • I love making the beautiful practice of yoga accessible to all, which is one of the reasons I recently learned how to teach yoga in Spanish. It’s incredibly inspiring to see the transformative impact this practice can have on a student during a single class and over time.

  • Legs up the wall

  • I hope they feel rejuvenated, grounded, and relaxed. I also want them to feel more connected to the present and their community.