MEL ZARATE (she/her)
My yoga journey began as a teenager at my local gym and continues to evolve in my present life. Having begun my practice with open-mindedness, I dabbled in any style that was available to me—vinyasa, ashtanga, yin, restorative, Hot26—and found that I kept returning to the love of the connection between my mind and body, and how it allows me to settle into my present self and emotions. I now incorporate yoga into my daily life, integrating the practice of self-study and balance into how I serve myself and my community.
I moved to Boston in 2018 to pursue a career in evolutionary biology and biological anthropology. My work has deepened my appreciation for the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and the natural world, revealing that we are not separate from nature but an expression of it. This perspective naturally extends into my yoga practice, where I see movement, breath, and mindfulness as ways of reconnecting with the rhythms of the living world and our place within it. Through both my teaching and self-study, I am continually inspired by the relationships that unite us as humans with the environment.
I am grateful to have completed my teaching certification at JPCY under the guidance of Daniel Max and Alana Brennan. This studio has taught me in great lengths about the integration of yoga philosophy into how we practice as yoga students and teachers, as well as how we carry ourselves throughout society. Now, as a teacher, I focus on alignment, balance, and using breathwork and mindful movement to regulate the nervous system. My aim is to help students recognize their own strength and control through the progression poses that allow them to explore their physical and mental edges, all while cultivating a deeper sense of connection to themselves, the community, and the natural world.