About Me
Hello, I’m Mel Crisp and I’m a 200-hour Hatha and Vinyasa yoga teacher living and teaching in the Orpington area.
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I completed my comprehensive training at Breeze Yoga in Beckenham and the course cemented into my heart a love for sharing yoga. I’m extremely passionate about the positive effects it can have on our bodies and minds. In my teaching I am also keen to dispel the common misconceptions about yoga created by social media like, “I’m not flexible enough for yoga”, “Yoga is only for relaxation” or “If you can’t do handstands you can’t do yoga!”. Let me tell you a little secret: you don’t have to be super flexible, strong or have a handstand practice to do yoga. You just need to have a willing heart and an open mind and the flexibility and strength will follow! Yoga has helped me in so many aspects of my life, not just physically but mentally and spiritually as well, helping me cope with stress and focus my mind on the present, teaching me not to waste time and energy worrying about the past. Yoga is wonderful for calming the chatter of the mind, using your breath to help you find balance and bring you back into the moment.
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Yoga is easily adaptable to be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of age or physical ability. I strive to make all my classes fun and welcoming, within a relaxed and safe environment. A space that is accessible to everyone to achieve their full potential.
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Please browse the site for more info and feel free to email with any questions. I’d love to hear from you!
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I am a Registered RYT 200 Teacher with the Yoga Alliance UK. This accreditation demonstrates the excellent standards set by the Yoga Alliance UK.
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Qualifications and continuing education
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Breeze yoga: 200 hours Hatha and Vinyasa yoga teacher training
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Vicky Fox (Triyoga): 40 hours Yoga for Cancer teacher training
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Elodie Frati (The Power Yoga Co.): 20 hours Anatomy in Action
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Petra Coveney (Yogacampus): 6 hours Menopause Awareness
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Practices
Introduction to Yoga
This is a great place to start out as a beginner. It is a series of three classes, during which you will learn the names of the postures and their correct alignment. You will practise breathing techniques that help to calm the mind and relax the body, and also learn how to link movement to the breath, giving you a taster of what to expect in a yoga class. These sessions, taught on a one to one basis, allow you to develop a solid foundation to your yoga practice.
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Vinyasa Flow Yoga
Vinyasa in Sanskrit means “to place in a special way”. In these classes, we connect each Asana to the next using the breath, linking or flowing into Asanas which is why it is sometimes called “Flow Yoga”. As well as developing strength and flexibility, Vinyasa generates heat and adds a cardiovascular component not always present in other forms of postural yoga. The dynamic nature of the class means that Vinyasa is not always a good fit for the absolute beginner so some experience of the Asanas is recommended. However, as with all my classes I like to teach with a sense of fun and adaptability so you will always feel comfortable working at a level that suits you.
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Hatha Yoga
Hatha practices are designed to align and calm your body, mind and soul.
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Hatha is a grounding practice that can be slow to allow you to really feel the Asana/posture in your body, work on your alignment and really connect with your breath, allowing your mind to focus on the present. A Hatha class can be a great place to start as a beginner, giving you time to build strength and flexibility, but is also challenging and rewarding for those with an established practice. As always, I teach this class with different levels in mind, so there is something for everyone.
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Yoga for Cancer
Yoga can be extremely beneficial for those living with cancer. As well as providing a safe, welcoming environment allowing you to move within your own capabilities, classes also provide a safe space for relaxation and recuperation.
Other benefits include:
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A reduction in fatigue
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Reduced anxiety
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Improvements in strength and flexibility
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Improved lymphatic flow
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Improved quality and quantity of sleep
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Improvements in well being and feeling grounded, centred.
I will be starting yoga for cancer classes very soon. Please email me to register your interest and to ask me any questions: info@melcrispyoga.com
I also offer one to one sessions where we can explore how yoga can best help you – feel free to email me for information.
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Private Classes
Private Classes
Group classes aren’t always for everyone, so whether you’re a nervous beginner hoping to improve your confidence or a more seasoned yogi looking to deepen your practice, I also offer private classes on a one to one or two to one basis. I will tailor the session to your needs, working together to deepen your practice.
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Sessions are in person at your home or via zoom and charged at £50 per session. A 24 hour cancellation policy applies to these sessions.
If you would like more information about private classes, please either email me at: info@melcrispyoga.com or call on 07504 855424.
Testimonials
Valerie from Orpington
Mel is an amazing yoga teacher. I have had a number of sessions with her and through her guidance I have really been able to improve my flexibility. I leave every session feeling that my head is cleared. The sessions are a great de-stressor. Mel is a very patient teacher but still challenging when she thinks you're ready to do more. I would highly recommend her.
Lisa from
Orpington
Mel has a wealth of knowledge about the practice and anatomy. I really enjoyed the Vinyasa flow which was challenging. I felt my balance and muscle strength improve. Mel is very good at determining and adapting a pose to my ability level and giving me alternatives if needed, thank you.
Anna from
Sydenham
Mel brings just the right mix of practicality and spirituality to her classes, as well as a great sense of humour. Her teaching style is precise and detailed without interfering with your concentration or enjoyment of the practice. I have found new benefits in certain poses under her guidance and look forward to many more classes with her to help develop my yoga practice. Some people are natural teachers and Mel is one of those people; I would highly recommend her.
Melissa from Orpington
Mel has been teaching me yoga for the past 6 months and I really enjoy her lessons. She gives me lots of options so you can practice your yoga at your own level while still being able to stretch yourself when you are ready. Mel also explains what each move is doing and how it is benefiting your body, something which I find really interesting and makes her lessons particularly enjoyable for me. I highly recommend Mel’s yoga lessons and think she is an excellent, caring and responsive teacher.
Aisha from Forest Hill
Mel is such a fantastic teacher. Her classes are joyful, accessible and really welcoming. She has a real gift for making people feel comfortable and creating a safe and welcoming space. Mel has helped me connect with myself, deepen my practice with her extensive knowledge and find the fun in yoga again 😊 thanks Mel!
David from Crystal Palace
I have really enjoyed yoga sessions with Mel over the last few months, both via zoom and in a class environment. I particularly like the way she takes time to settle me in to a class using concentrated breath work, allowing me time to focus. I find Mel’s teaching style very encouraging without feeling like I’m being pushed too hard, so I feel challenged without overdoing it. I was unsure about having sessions via zoom but Mel manages to get across exactly what is required for each pose without me even needing to see the screen!
