All Levels Yoga / Butterfly Yoga

This is an eclectic hatha practice open to students of all levels. We will be utilizing postures (asanas), breath (pranayama), inner sensing (pratyahara), and deep relaxation to increase awareness of our bodies and our body patterns. Students are encouraged to discover their limitations and strengths, and to work with these to promote healing, strengthening, and increased flexibility. Poses are modified to suit each student's individual needs, and are demonstrated in organic progressions, or steps, providing a safe and challenging experience for all participants. Holding the poses for extended periods of time gives a uniquely deep and transformative experience of the poses as well as the body's (and mind's) responses to various forms of movement. This slower approach to Yoga can be both calming and invigorating, while safely utilizing the body's own weight and structural form to dramatically improve strength and flexibility. Individual attention and hands-on assisting give added insight into the intricacies of every pose. Beginners will leave with a comprehensive understanding of how to use alignment, awareness, and breath to unravel the mysteries of the postures. More advanced students will be given the chance to move deeper into the poses, address misalignments from learned movement patterns, and be reminded why they continue to practice this beautiful healing art. Every Yoga class can be an exciting and revelatory adventure as you begin to form a new and friendlier relationship with your own unique body. Let the adventure begin! STUDENT TESTIMONIALS: “Through Melanie I have learned the importance of guidance in the endeavor of Yoga. As her student, she has guided me into the exploration of Yoga and all that lies beyond the ‘exercise' and hype of Yoga. Her knowledge of human nature and physical biology has greatly enhanced her ability to teach me individually and further my understanding of how to move and even stand. But what Melanie has really taught me is how to find the open space between the chaos. It is there that I have seen my old friends and the person I left behind so long ago: Me.” Laura Silvestri, Yoga practitioner "With compassion, gentle adjustments, and humor, Melanie artfully brings the therapeutic principles of alignment to every movement in class. Her encouragement to stay in and savor poses helps me deepen my practice." Lisa Lashuk, yoga teacher and student “Melanie's Butterfly Yoga helps me stay balanced throughout the week, no matter how busy I am. Her classes make me feel strong, confident, and happy to be alive.” Grayson Jones, yoga student “Melanie's Sexy Yoga workshop was a fantastic gathering of amazing women. She created a comfortable, fun atmosphere for us all to explore our inner goddesses. I loved it!” Grayson Jones, yoga student I was nervous when I walked into Melanie's Sexy Yoga workshop, but she put me at ease with her honest, open-minded approach. We started out with simple poses that release and strengthen the pelvis, and Melanie explained how they can support or resist a pregnancy. The most fun part was learning a sexy yoga burlesque-style dance, complete with glitter and accessories. I think that helped release the saucy inner goddess in us all. Melanie's workshop was a positive step in my path towards embracing sexuality in a holistic, healthy way. --Danielle, student GENERAL INFORMATION: Melanie Hayes has been practicing Yoga since 1999. She received yoga teacher certification by completing a rigorous 600+-hour course of training in the Yoga Alliance-registered Esther Myers Yoga Teacher Training program. She is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Melanie founded Butterfly Yoga: Yoga for Transformation in 2002, offering individual and group instruction in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro/Durham areas. Her classes reflect the joy and freedom of transformation that Yoga has brought into her own life, as well as an exploratory curiosity of the body's reactions to movement patterns and emotional experiences. A licensed massage and bodywork therapist, Melanie is constantly developing her knowledge base of anatomy and kinesiology, and strives to teach her students how to discover (and work with) these principles in theirown bodies. As a result of her experience in massage therapy, she is better able to assist students in experiencing true deepening within the asanas (postures) in a safe and comfortable manner. Melanie is also the force behind the Sexy Yoga workshop as seen at Carrboro Yoga Company. This playful and powerful workshop for ladies only focuses on the feminine experience through movement, breath, and even a sexy, sassy burlesque-inspired yoga dance. A fun and enlightening experience, the Sexy Yoga workshop is designed to bring out every woman's inner sex kitten. (A new Sexy Yoga workshop will be offered in the fall ... look for more information on the workshops page in the coming months.) She is happy to be working with the wonderful folks at Carrboro Yoga Company, and looks forward to seeing you there! These photos are to inspire and show the enjoyment our instructors get out of their practice. They in no way indicate the level of exertion or expectation of your participation in the class. They are just pretty and I thought they would look nice! Back to Home Page. Back to Bio Page Back to Schedule Page.