Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Martin.
Melissa first found Yoga and Pilates in 2005 after graduating from Bryant University. She was a two time All American Field Hockey player at Bryant and was looking for another way to build strength and flexibility. She has been a student of Ashtanga Yoga, Baptiste Power Yoga, and Vinyasa for 12 years and continues a dedicated practice of her own.
She holds a 200-hour ERYT from South Boston Yoga where she trained under David Vendetti and Todd Skoglund.
She also holds a Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga certification through Sadie Nardini and a Mat Pilates certification through AFAA and Fitour. Melissa holds a Barre certification through Boston Barre where she trained under the expertise of Julie Erickson. She also holds a basic Pilates Reformer Certification in which she also trained under Julie Erickson. She is the creator of Barrecept ™which are classes that are offered at her studio and include deep core work, yoga with weights, and Barre.
She specializes in fun and creative sequencing with a strong emphasis on the core and proper alignment. Her style is very athletic often adding in other elements such as cardio weights. She has been teaching for 9 years and has owned Downdog Flow for 3 years.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I am very fortunate to have such support for what I do through family and friends. When I first opened my studio I worked full time as a seventh grade teacher. I since have left education and have been full time fitness for almost a year and a half. Some days are very tiring but I over all absolutely adore what I do and I still do not feel as though I am working! Running your own business is a challenge in itself especially in the early years but asking for help and advice from the right people and continued drive I believe are the keys to success.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I own and operate a small Yoga, Pilates, Barre, and fitness studio. We specialize in intense classes that get results. I am known for adding in lots of core work to my classes and I try to challenge each and every one of my students but also I am serious about alignment and safety. I am most proud of the community we have created as a studio. We have so many amazing students who support and care for one another. Our studio is different from others we are friendly and welcoming but also motivate each other its truly magical!
We blend so many different things together into our classes and no two classes are the same. Our students get results!
What were you like growing up?
I was kind of a lazy kid until the age of 10 when my parents started to encourage me to play more sports and participate in fitness. My mom especially was very motivating to me and supportive as she started me on a running program when I was in 5th grade. I felt really good about myself and I am still a runner to this day! I played numerous sports in my younger years. I was recruited and award a full scholarship to play collegiate Field Hockey at Bryant University. I played four years of Field Hockey at Bryant and was a two time All American. I will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on 11/3/2017!
Contact Info:
- Address: 167 South River Road
Bedford NH, 03110 - Website: downdogflow.com
- Email: downdogflow@gmail.com
- Instagram: @mmartin_yoga
Image Credit:
Liesl Clark Photography and Todd Ward Photography
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
