MELANI ELANGO PANDIAN (she/her)
My passion for yoga stemmed from my teenage years practicing with my family on the weekends. While I did not take to meditation very quickly, I loved the opportunity to embrace this unique aspect of my South Asian heritage. Practicing with my family and community was an integral part of my childhood. The groundedness I felt through yoga, in challenging my mind and body into new dimensions and shapes, planted a seed which has grown with me as I've explored other methods of fitness.
Towards the end of 2020, I was re-introduced to yoga through a digital platform. As an adult returning to yoga, I was able to practice at home and customize my personal approach. This turned into a daily ritual and brought back that familiar sense of grounding and passion for yoga and meditation. In 2022, I completed a 28-day Meditation and Yoga Teacher Training at Samyama Mindfulness Center in Bali, Indonesia. This immersive experience allowed me to dive deeper into different meditation styles and become familiar with the spiritual, energetic aspects of yoga. My eyes were suddenly wide open to the depths of yoga, and I decided I needed to learn more.
After completing the 200 HR Yoga Teacher Training at JPCY as a 2024 BIPOC Fellowship scholarship recipient, I have become reacquainted with my drive and passion for sharing my practice with those around me, particularly those who may not be as familiar with yoga and the numerous benefits a consistent practice can bring to the mind, body and soul. As a proud Tamil-Canadian with Sri Lankan roots, I believe that representation is incredibly important when paying homage to the origins of the practice. I strive to bring diversity and inclusion into my practice in hopes to create a community that can share all experiences on and off the mat.