Mello Yoga was created to provide its local Poway community with uplifting and nurturing yoga, resulting in an enriching experience that leaves its participants recharged and re-energized.
We are passionate about:
Accepting everybody.
Creating a space where students feel safe, where they can explore their bodies and minds without judgment or fear.
Valuing the relationships we build together.
Creating a space for the whole family.
Offering spectacular classes for adults and kids
Miki is a San Diego Native, and an SDSU graduate, and received her Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, California. Her yoga practice started over 20 years ago but only in recent years, she gifted herself the time and discipline to go deeper as she was able to experience its life-changing benefits.
This connection ignited a passion to unite her diverse physical therapy background and to teach that Yoga is beneficial and accessible to Every-Body!
Miki’s teaching style is enriched by 35 years of treating patients, a strong foundational knowledge of anatomy, injury prevention, and recovery as well as my passion for health, fitness, and wellness.
She treasures her family (husband, 2 kids, and 2 dogs), her friends, and nature. Miki finds solace on her mat, at the beach, or in the mountains. She loves living and working in Poway and looks forward to walking alongside you on your yoga journey!
Tracy started her yoga practice over 15 years ago after a move to San Diego from the Midwest. New to the city, yoga provided a much-needed space to connect to a community. She found her passion for vinyasa style yoga and breath-to-movement flow style classes. She noticed after yoga, she felt more calm and less anxious. As her yoga journey continued, she came to love many styles of yoga that she blends into her classes. She is certified in Power yoga, Yin yoga, Gentle Flow & Restorative yoga.
She completed her 200-hour teacher training at CorePower Yoga in 2018 and her 300-hour advanced teaching training at Soul of Yoga to become a 500 RYT in 2023. She loves to teach and share her passion for yoga. Her teaching goals are to offer her students a welcoming space to explore their yoga practice and find confidence in their own practice. She loves to infuse yoga philosophy into her classes and teach ways for students to bring their practice off their mats and into their own lives.
As a practitioner of yoga for 14 years, with an extensive fitness background and a degree in Psychology, Kierstie has combined her love for the movement of the physical body with her interest in the human psyche to build a repertoire of holistic healing skills that transform and encourage individuals to seek their utmost, authentic selves.
Kierstie provides a range of classes from restorative, thought-provoking meditations to strong, upbeat, and playful flows. She enjoys teaching a style that is firm to the roots and traditions of the ancient art of yoga while also combining my fun, lighthearted spirit. Yoga has helped her create a new relationship with herself and the way she views the world. Kierstie believes that everyone can receive something magnificent from practicing yoga and it is her goal to help you find whatever it is that you are searching for and bring balance into your everyday life.
Lisa is a radiant being and a beautiful soul who strives to incorporate the perfect balance between strength and surrender in each of her classes. The mother of two and founder of Mello Yoga believes that yoga can be for everybody and every body. Her Master’s in Education and background as a teacher give her a natural grace and intuitive approach to guiding your practice. Lisa is dedicated to providing an enriching experience that leaves you recharged and re-energized.
Lisa is passionate about not only training teachers to excel at leading classes themselves but also specializing in kids’ yoga. Her inspiration to open Mello Yoga was born out of creating an all-inclusive community that also serves special populations like our local teens, kids, and athletes. She is always open to collaborating with other small business owners and is currently excited to work with our local soccer community.
Meesha, aka Michelle Rene in some circles, is 200-hour certified with extra certifications in hot yoga, and yin yoga and studies other styles passionately. She has been a teacher training facilitator in 25 CPY TT programs and has taught at international meditation destinations like Rancho Valencia (CA) and Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, MX.
In Meesha’s classes, you will get a layer-based, grounding foundation in alignment and anatomical cues, juxtaposed alongside unexpected sequencing to promote presence and body awareness in creative mandalas and evolutionary flows. She teaches a blend of restorative, yin, hatha, and vinyasa styles predominantly, but has also studied the healing style of viniyoga (therapeutic style) as a side passion for years. As an English master, Michelle infuses her classes with poetic use of imagery exemplifying the yogic philosophical tenets while teaching not only how to do the postures, but how to connect deeply to your body, mind, and heart.
Sheri's yoga journey began in 2016 when she took a college course in yoga, which introduced her to the philosophy and history of yoga. Since then, Sheri has used yoga as a tool to find inner peace and a deeper connection to her mind, body, and breath. The benefits of yoga that she experienced inspired her to dive even deeper and learn how to share these benefits with others. She received her 200-Hour Teacher Certificate in San Diego and teaches with the intention of guiding her students to find comfort and strength in their bodies through a deep connection to their breath. Outside of the studio, she takes any opportunity to be outside, which includes camping, climbing, and paddle boarding! She is excited to be a part of the Mello Yoga community!
Except for a few trial classes, Erika didn't practice yoga until she retired her college cheerleading career. She wanted a good workout and mental challenge. Those benefits were great, but when she graduated college she needed yoga more than ever.
Erika’s practice became her anchor through good and bad times as she navigated big life changes. It helped her establish a more trusting and kind relationship with herself. Because of her own experience, Erika believes yoga & meditation are useful tools for anyone that is open to it. She recently started leading the Teen Yoga Series and Teen Yoga Mini Retreats at Mello Yoga and has fallen in love with bringing yoga to this age group. Erika is excited and honored to support her students on their own personal journeys. See you on your mat!
When Erika is not in the studio, I she is enjoying life outdoors as a professional dog mom, amateur crafter, & handstand junkie. Her passion is for helping heal the physical, mental, and spiritual body through empowering movement, mindfulness, and self-love.
Sarah first became enchanted with yoga about 10 years ago. She completed her 200-hour certification in 2018 and began teaching in 2019. Her first love was Vinyasa style yoga, but she has expanded her practice to include Hatha, Yin, and Restorative. Sarah has over 600 hours of teaching experience and is continuing her journey of self-study with a 300-hour certification. She loves connecting with her students in our shared love of yoga.
Kelsey has been practicing yoga on and off for the past 10 years, flowing between ashtanga, yin & vinyasa. Initially tied to improving flexibility in rock climbing and avoiding injuries while running, she quickly realized the benefits of yoga in and of itself. In 2020, Kelsey created a dedicated yoga room in her home in Poway and credits her daily moving meditation to surviving and thriving in turbulent times. In teaching, she hopes to share the empowered, joyful, and creative energy that she experiences practicing with her own teachers.
When not teaching or practicing yoga, Kelsey facilitates anti-bias workshops for students and educators throughout Southern California. She relaxes by hiking with her dog and husband, floating in the pool and reading/listening to as many books as she can.
Rachel's yoga journey all began with a bargain bin Rodney Yee yoga flow DVD sometime in the early 2000s. She has had an on-again, off-again relationship with yoga ever since. Sometimes she opted for weight lifting, swimming, or bouldering, always returning to her mat. Now, a massage therapist and yoga instructor, Rachel is committed to the ongoing practice of yoga as she helps others to feel well within themselves. Rachel loves to learn and explore and is committed to growth through all things.
After being diagnosed with late-onset Type 1 diabetes in 2012, Ian was seeking a form of low-impact exercise and was introduced to yoga and immediately recognized the powerful healing effects which evolved into an intimate journey of self-discovery and transformation. Seeking to deepen his personal practice, Ian received his 200-hour Teacher Training certification focusing on multi-style teachings of Hatha/Vinyasa/Yin, along with my 500-hour certification based on course-specific trainings in Yin/Restorative, Yoga Nidra, Life Coaching, Yogic philosophy, and meditation.
In the last few years, Ian has explored the teachings of sound healing and vibrational medicine. Bhakti Yoga has been a big part and foundation of his yogic/sound journey. Ian loves to play and sing Kirtan music whenever possible. Ian carries a belief that sound/frequency and yoga are the future of medicine for all physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing. His passion is to offer and share vibrational and movement medicine, sound therapy, and transformational healing for all.
Off the mat, Ian is often playing music in his sound room. He loves to travel and takes every opportunity to do so. Ian particularly loves Mexico and spends much of his free time down there. Ian looks forward to guiding you in your own personal practice and journey in one of his Sound Healing Workshops soon!
Karley was drawn to yoga for the physical and mental well-being aspects. With over 13 years of experience, the Yang side of her loves teaching a Vinyasa Flow. The Yin side loves a deep stretch from Yin yoga or the total mind, body, and nervous system relaxation of Restorative yoga.
Karley is also a Certified Life Coach, supporting others in their journey of being their best self after a chronic disease diagnosis. She has Chronic Lyme Disease and understands the overwhelm of not knowing how to move forward, navigating lifestyle changes, and overcoming negative self-talk.
When not teaching yoga, Karley works full-time in project management and spends her free time at the beach, trying new restaurants (especially ones with great wine) and hiking with her husband and dog.
Michelle’s personal yoga practice began humbly. She stumbled upon yoga while searching for the ever-elusive “perfect work-out” to keep in shape. Little did she know that this would end up being her lifeline through the years. It has carried her through the physical challenges and emotional roller coasters that life brings. She has come to depend on yoga for both physical and mental health. The evolution of her practice, along with opportunities and synchronicities, led her to complete her Teacher Training in 2023. She has been a part of the Mello community as a student, and is now thrilled to be able to share her energy and passions and give back to that community as a teacher. She enjoys all class formats, from vinyasa free flow to slow flow and yin. Her perfect class is one that leaves you feeling strong, flexible, grounded, and balanced. She believes that yoga is a powerful tool that every human can utilize in incredible ways. If she can be a part of sharing this magic with others, as a catalyst for healing and growth, that is her true reward.
Carolyn began practicing yoga in high school and it has been a safe harbor supporting her through major life transitions for the last 20 years. Now as a mother to a toddler and preschooler, Carolyn treasures time spent on her mat and appreciates the calm and clarity her practice infuses into daily life. As a teacher, Carolyn hopes to empower each student to more deeply connect with their own mind, body, and breath. She enjoys teaching a range of classes including upbeat vinyasa, gentle flows, and meditative yin.
Carolyn earned a children’s yoga teaching certification in 2018 and completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2023. She looks forward to supporting you on your yoga journey. In addition to yoga, Carolyn loves to go on walks with her family, get together with friends and spend time outdoors.