My very first Svaroopa® yoga class was in 1997 at Kripalu Center. There I met Gurudevi Nirmalananda, the founder of Svaroopa® Yoga. I came looking for stress and pain relief, and found so much more. The principle of Core Opening, was the key to healing years of my misaligned and very tight spine. Better yet, the tensions in my mind and heart, melted away as well. Within 2 days I’d signed up for Svaroopa® Yoga Teacher Training, and have never looked back. The ongoing revelation of the Bliss of my own Being has propelled me to a deep and committed path of personal practice and serving others. Teaching asana and meditation infuses my life with clarity, compassion and joy. It is an honor to introduce you to the transformative power of Yoga!

I am Leading Svaroopa® Yoga teacher, CSYT 750 hrs, as well as a Svaroopa® Vidya Meditation teacher. I have completed multiple levels of advanced teacher training, and have been an assistant teacher at SvaroopaVidya Ashram. For 25 years, I have been teaching yoga and meditation classes and offering yoga therapy throughout Metro-west Boston and Sarasota, Florida. In 2008 I was invited to become a national teacher for Svaroopa® Yoga and Meditation and have enjoyed leading Weekend Workshops for yoga studios across the country ever since.

This year I was honored by Swami Nirmlananda, along with 8 other international Svaroopa® teachers, being recognized as a Yogaratna Yoga Teacher. The honorific title “Ratna” in Sanskrit means, “Jewel.” This title honors one who has “developed their inner depth in such a way that they can shine it into the world.” I accepted this distinction, with gratitude to my students who, have made my wonderfully fulfilling yoga teaching journey possible.

“The ongoing revelation of the Bliss of my own Being has propelled me to a deep and committed path of personal practice and serving others.”

Melissa Yogyananda Fountain