SuperNova —Melanie Caines
Melanie Caines is a Certified Yoga Teacher and the owner/operator of Nova Yoga, a staple of the yoga scene in St. John’s, Newfoundland for the past 9 years. She is passionate about helping people improve their mental and physical well-being and has been named one of the Top 100 Health Influencers in Canada in 2018 and 2017. Melanie is the host of three seasons of The Nova Yoga Show on Rogers TV and the creator of Move with Melanie, an online membership site for yoga on the go. Melanie also runs a successful retreat business, Nova Retreats, and leads multiple international yoga adventures each year to bucket list destinations from Costa Rica to Greece. www.melaniecaines.com.
- How do you measure your success as a teacher?
I ask myself two questions: Am I feeling fulfilled by what I’m doing? Am I reaching people and helping them feel better? I think a successful teacher can say yes to both.
2. Do you have a teachable moment that you’d like to share?
In my first year of teaching my own practice went by the wayside as I focused on my teaching (I think this happens a lot with new teachers); my students were really hungry for challenges, like arm balances, and I remember someone requesting to work on Side Crow in a particular class. But I didn’t actually know how to do Side Crow, let alone teach it! I knew in that moment if I was going to be able to serve my students I would need to get on my mat and cultivate a daily practice.
4. What inspired you to start your studio?
I enrolled in my teacher training for me: to deal with my demons and further my personal development. But I was so excited when I graduated: I just had to share this practice and its benefits with others. I taught in rental spaces and gyms around the city for 9 months before deciding I wanted my own space. I wanted to keep things small and manageable so it was just me teaching out of the space for 2 years. I recognized the need for growth and the increasing demand for classes so I found a couple of amazing teachers that I invited into the space to become part of the team. Everything I have now grew organically from there!
5. The most important wisdom you wish to impart to your students
I think we are really hard on ourselves, we often say “no, I can’t” without even trying something first. I wasn’t always able to do what I can do now, which I make sure people know. I was born with a debilitating hip condition that doctors said would leave me with arthritis by 16 and require a hip replacement by 30. I struggled with yoga when I started. It was hard. But with patience and practice and breath I overcame the struggle and found beautiful ease. I’m now 37 and have never suffered from arthritis and haven’t required a hip replacement. If I can do it, you can do it.
7. Is there a quote or saying that you consistently use in your teaching or that you live by?
I love the affirmation “I have all possibilities within.” Cultivating a belief in yourself and your potential is powerful and can make all the difference in whatever goal you are pursuing, on and off the mat.
9. How do you aspire to influence the world /your community/ your students’ lives, via your teaching (if in fact you do aspire to!)
My aim is to get more people connected to themselves: taking deep breaths, being mindful, tuning in, and finding time to take care of themselves. I like to remind people that a little goes a long way; I used to think that if I didn’t have an hour to practice I might as well not do anything. But now I know the power of a one minute meditation, the beauty of 5 breaths in Child’s Pose, or the effect of a single Sun Salutation. The more we can add little bits of yoga, breath, meditation, and mindfulness into our day the better we will feel. How awesome would it be if a one minute meditation became as routine as brushing our teeth or taking out the garbage?
11. The greatest lesson you’ve learned in the studio setting… as an owner/leader.
Do what you do, and do it well. Don’t worry about what other studios are doing. Know your aim, be authentic, and your people flow your way.
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