Yoga with Melody Shishido
Melody Shishido began yoga practice in 1991. It was instant love and sense of homecoming. She has the great fortune of having Kofi Busia as a teacher. Kofi Busia is a senior certified Iyengar teacher and Sanskrit scholar, who has studied with Iyengar for many decades and is still advised by him. Melody intends to continue lifelong study with Kofi and is teacher trained by him.
In addition to Iyengar yoga Melody has practiced Ashtanga, Jivamukti, Anusara, Kali Ray yoga and traveled to India. It should also be noted that as a child Melody observed her mother doing “those weird exercises” every morning, therefore her mother may deserve credit as her first teacher. “The benefit of yoga in my life cannot be quantified; it is without bounds. It is my greatest honor to teach yoga. Yoga has meant so much to me! To share it with you is just one part of giving back.”
Melody’s class is Iyengar style, with emphasis on the practice being physically safe and well rounded. Melody teaches yoga asana with the intention that her students have an experience of peace and tranquility. One student suggested the class be called “peaceful yoga”. Students can expect a variety of poses in every class and a full body workout.
Melody’s class (being Iyengar style) can accommodate people of all ages and athletic abilities, from professional athletes to seniors. “The practice of yoga asana is unique in each person, in each moment; it is the practice of being present. How to do yoga is an ongoing inquiry that we each ask and listen for in every practice. The fun of teaching and practicing is that it is never the same and changes every time. That being said, it is an ancient practice that has been developed and refined over thousands of years. We don’t have to wonder if there is benefit for humans to do yoga; it is known and we can trust in it.” “Yoga asana quiets the mind in a more potent way than I have found anywhere else.
Our greatest resource, our greatest ability and the only thing that is truly and irrevocably ours is our attention. We are the only one who can be in charge of our attention. Thoughts and mental activity are often unconscious, unruly and prone to frequent disturbance. The management of attention (also called attitude, consciousness or awareness) is the key to feeling happy. Yoga is the study, practice and art of attention.”
Melody loves to commune with nature with yoga, mountain biking, surfing, snorkeling, snowboarding and running on the beach. She is inspired by the vibrancy with which Mauians interact with the water and land.
Melody has also studied Continuum Movement, capoeira, ballet, creative movement/modern dance, massage therapy, the Hoffman Quadrinity Process, Avatar, Co-counseling (Re-emergence Counseling), Lifespring family workshop, the Human Awareness Institute, Buddhism, Breathwork, Non Violent Communication, and ongoing studies.