Heather Day-Melgar
I am a geographer, naturalist, writer, researcher, activist, herbalist, and yoga instructor living in Portland, Oregon. My journey into the philosophical path of yoga began in 2000, in a tiny Ozark mountain town, when I stumbled across a fabric bag with an “om” symbol printed on it. I felt an inexplicable pull to understand its meaning, which led me to years of transcendental meditation practice and mythic studies. And the rest, as they say, is history.
I began a dedicated asana practice in 2015, completed my 200-hour certification in 2017, and have continued to build my foundation through ongoing workshops, study, and a solid personal practice. My favorite class to teach is a well-balanced vinyasa practice for all levels, offering many accessible modifications. My goal is to help students feel liberated and joyful in their movements, fully embodying the sacred wild. I have experienced firsthand the life-changing power of breath, mantra, and movement to heal trauma, anxiety, and substance abuse, as well as support injury recovery.
As an activist, I believe in Ahimsa as both liberation and action. I firmly believe that businesses and practitioners in this space must be vocal against injustice, because spiritual practices that don’t engage with the shadow are not whole practices. I am always looking for ways to make yoga as accessible and equitable as possible.
I hold an M.S. in geography and a B.A. in psychology. With a background in environmental science, nature is my muse. I am constantly practicing to reweave my relationship with land and spirit, and that connection is woven into my teaching. I have a special love for classes that incorporate altar building, goddesses, moon phases, plants, the seasons, astrology, and myth.
