When Melissa Hudson applied to the council to set up her yoga studio, the permit stated that the former Pentecostal church site was a ‘place of assembly’.
Assembly Yoga was meant to be
“I knew then that Assembly Yoga was meant to be,” laughs Melissa. “I’d already landed on the name because I like the word’s meaning of ‘coming together’ and the connotation with ‘school assembly’, as I wanted to teach yoga and train yoga teachers in this space. Seeing the paperwork state that it was a ‘place of assembly’ just sealed the deal.”
Melissa was due to open Assembly Yoga in West Footscray in May 2020 – but due to the lockdowns, she was only able to open for nine days in June, before shutting again for another 130 days.
Uncertainty was so overwhelming
“As a new business owner the uncertainty was so overwhelming,” admits Melissa. “But now that I have students able to come to the studio, I am so proud of the space that I’ve built.”
Assembly Yoga focuses on offering yoga classes to people of all levels of experience, from beginners to teacher training. Melissa firmly believes that you don’t have to be a ‘yoga’ person to do yoga – yoga is for everyone. New students are always welcome and can enjoy 5 classes for $50.
Make yoga inclusive and approachable
“Yoga is really about learning practical skills that will improve your life and help you to calm and regulate your nervous system in today’s stressful times,” she says. “That’s why you’ll find all different styles of yoga in the timetable, so you can find the one that suits how you want to feel – invigorated or relaxed – rather than your level of skill. I aim to make yoga inclusive and approachable for all.”
“As a new business owner the uncertainty was so overwhelming,” admits Melissa. “But now that I have students able to come to the studio, I am so proud of the space that I’ve built.”
Melissa started practising yoga when she was eighteen years old. She stumbled on yoga beginners course and just fell in love with how it made her feel. Since then she has taught yoga for over ten years in various locations in the inner west but felt that the area was lacking in high-quality yoga services and facilities.
Laid back, relaxed and friendly environment
At Assembly Yoga, Melissa wants to create a laid back, relaxed and friendly environment. The upper-level studio was renovated by Melissa and her husband for four months and is now bright and airy, with an expanse of blond wood on the floor, walls painted in a calming grey and yoga props tucked away neatly on the low shelves.
She has also found exceptional teachers who really care for their students and teach yoga because they feel called to share how much it has transformed their life.
Monthly sound bath
The studio also offers a monthly sound bath, various workshops and events and an internationally accredited Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher Training Program,” says Melissa. “More teachers means more opportunities to have a positive impact on people’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing through yoga.”
Melissa is also excited to expand her business and will be adding Pilates classes in the coming months to give her students more options.