Melissa Hentschel

200 Hour RYT Yoga Teacher, DONA certified Birth Doula

Tell us, when did your mind-body first bend or move you to it's will? I started practicing Yoga in 2000 in the gym. I was lucky to have found an awesome teacher there that inspired me and encouraged me to locate a Yoga studio and deepen my practice of Yoga. I fell in love with Yoga and have been practicing ever since.
Besides your obvious coolness, what makes you so qualified to teach? I was fortunate to participate in Blue Anjou's Yoga Teacher training program. That combined with my years of experience and my dedication to teaching a safe, but strong and fun class, I believe make me nicely qualified to teach at Blue Anjou. (ed. we agree!) I view it has an honor to teach at Blue Anjou! (ed. I think we're more honored to have you)
What other things are you qualified to do? I am a birth Doula ... so I am qualified to support woman during pregnancy and birth. I feel it is a huge honor and privilege to be chosen by a woman to be with her during this very special and intimate time. In addition to my Doula training, I also incorporate the principles of Yoga (especially breathing and relaxation) into my work with laboring moms.
What can we expect to see, hear and do in your classes? You can expect a powerful but safe class if you come to one of my Flow classes. I encourage students to challenge themselves while also honoring where their mind and/or body may ‘be' that day. You can also expect ‘fresh' classes, as I work hard to offer something different each week. If you attend one of my Prenatal Yoga classes, will you experience a class dedicated to enhancing the bond between mom and baby, preparing the mind and body for labor and building relationships with other expectant moms.
What pose/move do you dig the most and why? Balancing Half Moon because I feel free and beautiful and at total Peace when I am in this pose.
If you could push a button and remove a pose/move from history, which one and why? Oh, I did not even have to think twice about this question ... that is easy ... EAGLE! errrrr ... I think my legs are just too ... ah ... muscular ... to wrap them around each other like that ... yeah, that's what it is. And what is with the arms ... 8 years of practicing and I still cannot work the arms in that pose ... I have a total dislike for Eagle ... I cringe. Ya think I need more Eagle? (ed. this is a good point; no pun intended given all the elipses. A little surprised your period key still works.)
Like, what's your sign man? Total Aries.
What are 3 things that make you smile real big and cheesy?
- Listening to my husband try to explain the "nose" of a wine he is drinking all serious and stuff like he is some pro ... only to read the description and find he is WAY OFF! (ed. you have no idea how much DeAnna can relate to this)
- Watching my two kids play and giggle together ... the fighting stage has not yet begun
- Riding some serious single track on a beautiful day with old friends ... Mountain Bike Riding is my 'other love'. (ed. nothing wrong with this ...)
What is your favorite quote when you're in need of a little inspiration? I have several...I like "fake it until you make it'...that got me off my butt a time or two....I also like "If you want something, give something" - Deepak Chopra. And a take on Gandhi's famous quote, "Act as you want the world to be" - John Sweeney
If you could do anything to change the world, what would it be? I no longer take part in road rage...I cannot recall the last time I used my middle finger to do anything except practice the patience mudra. But I do practice the patience mudra often while driving. (ed. if one uses one's middle finger while driving behind obscuring tint, and the recipient doesn't see it, did it really happen?)
Any other interesting information you would like to share with the nice people reading this here Bio? I thoroughly love teaching Yoga and I hope to see you in one of my classes!