By Jared Griffith, October 2008
Photo By Erin Green
In a green room with soft Spanish music setting the mood, Melissa Montilla balances on her forearms, mocking a handstand, and then bends her legs backward over her body to hover above her head, completing the Scorpion Pose. As the owner and an instructor at Sanctuary Yoga, Montilla shows Gainesville residents how to connect with their inner peace by practicing the relaxing breathing techniques and body bending movements.
She fell in love with yoga while she was a dance major at Florida State University and decided to open her own studio with three friends in 2003.
“It was something I felt I had to do,” she said.
In 2004, Montilla traveled to India to study with one of her instructors, Pattabhi Jois, founder of the Ashtanga system, in order to experience the activity in a new culture. Her time in India exposed her to a new world of practicing yoga.
“Indians practice yoga like [Americans work out] in a gym,” she said. “I learned how to lighten up and have more fun with it.”
After spending time in India, Montilla took the lessons she learned back to Gainesville where she offers basic to advanced classes.
“My oldest student is in her 90s and my youngest student, my daughter, is 2,” said Montilla with a smile. “Gainesville is a special place. So much diversity and beauty walks through that door.”