Melissa Sebastianelli
email: MelissaS@BikramYogaEdmonton.com

I took my first Bikram class in 2003, right after Pernille had opened in Edmonton. I went a couple times but in the end I couldn't afford to go to college and pay for yoga classes. In 2005, I received my Arts degree, graduating from Concordia College with a History major and Education minor. For eight years I worked at Goose Hummock Golf Resort becoming the Food and Beverage Assistant Manager. My Auntie Shirley re-introduced me to Bikram Yoga and on October 10th, 2007, I logged onto the BYE website, checked the schedule and decided to try a class again. It was an instant love and I have been a regular ever since. In January 2008, I began to work behind the desk at the studio and in November I graduated from Bikram's Yoga College of India.

Bikram Yoga has taught me how to gain awareness of my body, to trust and accept myself, and that the body is a lot stronger than the mind lets you believe. Seeing people believe in themselves and achieve more than they thought was possible, makes me continue on this journey day after day. I truly believe that one learns something new everyday and that is why I continue to grow, as I learn from myself, the students, and my extended family at BYE every single day.