Hello!

My name is Melanie Redel.

Yoga Teacher

I took my first yoga class in 2001, and from that moment something shifted for me. I started my yoga journey as a dedicated ‘hot yoga’ student. Sweating for 90 minutes in a room heated to 105 degrees practicing the same 26 asanas (postures) and two pranayama (breathing) exercises helped to heal my respiratory system and calm my nervous system. At the time, I had chronic asthma and found it difficult to do anything active, even with all the medication I was taking. I was also starting a career in digital forensics which became more and more stressful over time.

After a decade of hot yoga, my lungs were ready for more movement and I discovered other styles of the ancient practice that helped to heal my mind and body. I was specifically drawn to vinyasa, which is more dynamic and incorporates breath, movement, music and sometimes even a little yoga philosophy or ancient wisdom.

In 2021, while living on Maui, I met a teacher that immediately took my practice to the next level. Each class incorporated yoga philosophy, physical alignment, and deep release of layers that I no longer needed to hold onto. I felt called to teach and soon retired from a long career in cyber security and trained to be a yoga teacher.

In 2022 my family and I moved to Central Vermont where we currently reside. I immediately started to teach yoga in this community at Brandon Yoga Center. I continue to study the ancient teachings of yoga philosophy and share with this community ways to return to our true nature, and to come back to optimal alignment, mind, body, energy and spirit.

I am a Yoga Alliance RYT-200 teacher currently working towards RYT-500.

Reiki Master

In 2008 I had my first reiki session, a form of energy work that is gentle and non-invasive. Much like yoga, my first experience shifted something for me. I felt as though I just had a massage for my soul. I started to become more aware of my surroundings, more aware of my body and how I was getting in the way of my own optimal health.

Within a few short months, I met a reiki master who attuned me to the practice and I started to volunteer at cancer centers and hospice facilities to bring reiki to patients and caregivers.

Today I offer reiki at Brandon Yoga Center.