TV & Radio Personality Melanie Bala is no stranger to the limelight and we all admire her for various reasons. This celebrated mother of two started practising Yoga to later become a Yoga teacher among other things her schedule allows. We can also believe that outside of good genes, it is one of the reasons she is always out looking like she is a model on the runway. We speak to her about this spiritual practice that has since transformed her life.

Could you tell us about the many ways yoga changed your life?

The practise of yoga has been transformational in my life, in so many aspects. It has brought about a positive change in my mental health, through self-regulation, and awareness using the techniques learned. An increased level of fitness, which has benefited my overall health and children by being able to be active with them. Lastly, it gave me the courage and belief and to to take ownership of my life. Taking my lessons learnt on the mat, into the world, has shifted how I see the world, and how I move through it.
Were you active before starting yoga?
I wasn’t active at all. I spent a large part of my life believing that exercise wasn’t for me as I didn’t enjoy the gym, running or any of the usual workouts. 

How often do you practice?

Ideally I practise every day but it’s important to honour where your body and mind is at, on a particular day. People tend to think a yoga practise means that every day you’re doing handstands, crow pose or any of the intense poses you might see on Instagram. Sitting on your mat and just doing breath work for 15 minutes, is yoga. Yoga is made up of eight limbs including asana which is the physical poses, meditation, abstinences,  observances, pranayama (breath control) etc and practising any of those, is yoga. 

You are a qualified yoga instructor, how has that been for you?

It was an intense experience to undergo my teacher training. I had initially decided to do my YTT (yoga teacher training) to further my understanding of the practise. I knew what it had done in my life, and wanted to know why that was. I had no plans to teach others but as the weeks went by, the thought didn’t scare me as much. I’ve struggled a bit to be honest, with how to integrate a regular teaching schedule into my life, because no two days are the same, but my plan is to do that regularly in 2023.

For someone that has never tried it, how would you break it down to them?
There is a saying: “The mat is a place of non-judgement”. Come as you are. Yoga is for every body, in the literal sense. No matter what your limitations are or what you think they are. There are modifications that can accommodate your body’s ability. Be open-minded to learning about yourself. And most importantly, its YOUR practise, YOUR journey, not anyone else’s. Honour that. Meet yourself with grace and  compassion. In this pressurised world that we live in, we need to find the things that will bring us peace and joy, and yoga may just be that for you.  

There are different types of yoga, which one do you prefer and why?
There are very many commonalities across the yoga disciplines, because the history of yoga is that it is a practise that comes from people of color, in Northern India. Over the years, the practise was influenced and often distorted by the West but at it’s core, it is a spiritual practise using the mind and physical body. For me, it’s important to honour that. The class may be fast or slow, intense or restorative but no matter which ’style’ of yoga I practise, as a teacher, I immerse myself in the experience because I know why I’m on my mat.