Leigh Anne's teaching is a harmonic blend of classical Hatha and alignment-based yoga. Her classes are warm-hearted and full of spirit. She enjoys opening minds and bringing students toward oneness within themselves. She began studying yoga and meditation 6 years ago and has since received her RYT 200 from Kashi Ashram Atlanta in 2005. Leigh Anne has practiced with Stephanie Keech, owner of the Asheville Yoga Center, in the arts of both pre- and post-natal Yoga. She is a graduate of the 500 hour Advanced Teacher Training at Peachtree Yoga in Sandy Springs with Graham Fowler and Ursula Nix. In April 2006, Leigh Anne opened Nirvana Yoga in the heart of Cabbagetown. She is currently instructing at Nirvana Yoga, Jai Shanti Yoga, Yoga Samadhi and Emory University. Upcoming projects from the heart include a 200 hour teacher training at Nirvana Yoga, a Prenatal Teacher Training at Yoga Samadhi and many workshops to come!

"Let go of all that you know and be open to discovery.”
Bhagwanji

Melissa is grateful for the benefits of yoga and the opportunity to share them with others. She received her 200-hour teacher training at Peachtree Yoga Center and is working toward a 500-hour advanced teaching certification in the Kripalu and Pranakriya yoga traditions. She also holds certification as both a pre- and post-natal yoga instructor. Melissa teaches at several studios in town, including Nirvana Yoga, Jai Shanti Yoga, and Dance411.

In addition to teaching her weekly schedule of classes, Melissa co-leads Yoga for Cyclists and Yoga for Runners workshops on an ongoing basis. Off the mat, she is a co-organizer for the 2008 Atlanta Yoga Conference and works with Bill Hufschmidt to manage Jai Shanti Yoga in Candler Park.

In this journey I have dedicated the last three years to studying the healing practices of Yoga, Reflexology, Reiki and Thai Yoga Bodywork for the development of self and others. Prior to these studies, I spent many years working with children of all ages and adults with developmental and/or physical disabilities both in Atlanta and Los Angeles; this prepared me spiritually to take the next step.

The catalyst for this path was the practice of Nicheren’s Buddhism. I have spent three years studying works such as The Lotus Sutra, The Bhagavad Gita, and Tao Te Ching. Other studies have included authors such as Deepak Chopra, Osho and Elizabeth Clare Prophet and poets such as Hafiz and Rumi.

I have studied Yoga with Lara Ward at Lotus Gardens in Naugatuck, Connecticut, receiving my Yoga Alliance 200 hour certification. I then became a Registered Yoga Teacher through the Yoga Alliance. Shortly after, I studied Reflexology with Dr. Christine Jenson at the Connecticut Center for Universal Reflexology in Wolcott, Connecticut. Reiki studies took place with Beth Leas at the Total Life Care Center in Norwalk, Connecticut, where I received level II Reiki Certification. Finally, I studied Thai Yoga Bodywork with Jonas Westring at the Open Center in New York City, receiving level II certification.

It is my Dharma to serve others in a healing and holistic way, using the knowledge, intuition, wisdom and trust that have been developed and cultivated through these abundant and lifelong practices, because we are all reflections of Divine Consciousness.

–Om Shanti