Wellness with Melissa Mac (2026)

15/11/2021

To say I'm an aspiring reader is an understatement. In fact, growing up in a house where my Dad, a walking library of information, reads for hours a day I always knew there was some kind of bliss to be found there. Struggle was the name of my reading game, and after so many years of that, and indignifying school experiences intended for good but misfiring like crazy, I just didn't think that bliss was attainable for me.
I still struggle, as an adult. When I find a read that pulls me in and allows me to flow on, not noticing page or chapter numbers and totally disconnected from the clock, I feel like I've been given a secret pass into the bliss club! 📚✨
Thank you, , for gifting me this experience. To say I have more fingers on one hand than I need to count the number of times it's happened is accurate...or maybe now I'm rounding the bend, and need a few more fingers. 💙
All things are a process, differently for all of us. Don't miss the chance to experience this beautiful humans amazing masterpiece. This book will warm your heart, inspire your soul and enliven your mind. Kelly's poetic nature and brilliant story telling make this page turner (or scroller for now🙃) a joy to experience.
I'm so proud of you, my friend! Thank you for sharing your story, and to those in it who gracefully, by extension, shared theirs.
I hope everyone that needs to has a chance to know this incredible story of what it means to humbly and vulnerably move forward, with love, like a bad ass soul warrior bound to heal yourself and the world!
Go sign up folks!!!!!....unless that is, you had something to do today! 😜

17/05/2021

Sometimes, despite all your best efforts and expectations, outcomes can be frustrating.
Have you ever worked hard on something? Really poured your time, energy, efforts, resources into it? Imagined, and dreamed about the outcome? What a gift it would be?
Let's get honest, maybe even imagined the way you would seem to others when you accomplished this? 🧐😉🙃😁
Most of us get behind the universal knowing that all of life's beauty is in the journey, not the destination. What is so amazing about the time we spend on our mat is we have the chance, over and over again, to practice this. What is so funny, is that in life, our humanity calls us back to the inclination to get frustrated, annoyed, upset, disgruntled, and so on. 😖😣

In reflection, I usually find, if you connect with a light heart, and a good sense of humor, you can usually laugh alongside the universe at the bloopers of your life. ✨

Here's one of mine!
Sunset yoga photo op.= sunset doggy photo!
Good thing that pup is such a cutie!🐕

💫Keep on keepin' on
💫Don't cry about the photo bombs!
💫Ride the bloopers
💫Find awareness
💫When you know better, do better!

12/04/2021

It's been over a year since I stepped into this space. It is so odd for that to be true. The Yoga Loft was my teaching home, where I studied, the first space I taught in, and a space I came back to week after week for years! I didn't even know the last time I walked out, I would never walk back in. But to tell you the truth, I think it's better that way. 🕉️
Before all of the 2020 excitement began I lost my maternal grandfather. He was the last slice of authentic Italy in my family. He spoke the language, lived the traditional lifestyle, dressed the part, all of it! 🇮🇹 I know he is happier to be elsewhere than enduring this massive experience. Just like with The Yoga Loft, I didn't know the last time I walked out of my grandparents house, I would never walk back in. Again, I think it is probably best. The house is on the market now. While I currently live 5,000 miles away from that property, the energetic shift of it no longer being theirs, ours, is felt. 💙
Change is the only thing we can really count on. That being said, a certain amount of grief lingers with us all the time. I work hard be present, to really soak up and capture all of the beautiful moments of life, because all too often, we never know it's the last sweet experience just like that.
Please understand, this post is not to whine, sob or wallow in anything that has or hasn't happened in my life. Just a noticing. Time keeps passing, and life will always change. Sometimes right in front of our eyes, in ways we can't even process as quickly as it is happening. At these times, I feel tremendous gratitude for all the savored moments. It is the proactive healing. ✨
What did you not know you were leaving when all of this began? What small parts of grief still permeate your reality as you move through the days? Let's connect about those bittersweet passings together.

05/04/2021

"And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul" ~John Muir

There is something so wonderful about finding the magic that exists off the beaten path! While this is usually about the wonder of the world and the beauty of nature, every now and then experiences will surprise you. On this beautiful morning I was blown away by the love and spirit of the messaging around me. ✨
Of course, the views were epic, the land is beautiful, the ocean is so calming. While these are the reasons I put my sneakers on and head up the mountain, I found my noticing more focused on all the beautiful contributions other hikers had made to this space. ⛰️🌊🤙
On Oahu, we have several pillboxes, former WWII bunkers, that today provide amazing lookout spots on some of the most fun hikes we have here! While many of them are decorated, these ones are covered in loving, uplifting, positive messaging. Reading them and imagining the love, heart and humanity that went into sharing them was the perfect morning sunrise meditation.
There are SO MANY BEAUTIFUL people in this world! In a time where it can be so easy to focus on division, I encourage you to choose otherwise. Look around, maybe a bit outside of the places you usually glance, and find them! 💙💙💙

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE! May your week be filled with beauty, learning and wonder! If your body is calling for it, come practice with me this evening! I'd love to share some mat space. 🕉️

01/04/2021

Inversions were one of the first things I wanted to learn, and probably one of the things I do least often on my mat now. 🤸‍♀️
While I always include it in a practice, I don't practice with the same aggressive, and competitive style I once did. Today, I crave the gentle flowing movements of foundational poses and deep stretches. I enjoy a practice that feels like a massage from the inside of my body out. 🤗
Don't get me wrong, with a warm body, engaged muscles, and a full breath I absolutely love a good inversion, especially with a twist. 🙃 It's amazing to see and experience the world upside down, or from any new perspective. There is a natural engagement of the core, that grounds you into the moment. Just like the internal experience you have in the world when you experience something from a new perspective for the first time! ✨
The funny thing is, often times what attracts us or drives us initially, changes as we continue down the path. It's interesting to reflect and remember the reasons and motivating factors that pushed the onset of a lot of my lifestyle routines today. While those seeds still exist, just like a tree, the manifestation is so much fuller, wider and different than the origin. 🌳

I wish you all love, and a healthy embrace of new perspective!!....today, and everyday! Let me know how you experience the wonder of new information, perspective and outlook! 💙

30/03/2021

Did you know that the word "asana" means "to sit quietly"? 🧘‍♀️

Turns out, that reference is for the mind. Can you continue to keep the peace, quiet and stillness in the mind, despite the challenges your body faces? This is the beautiful practice that yoga offers. 🕉️

Each time you return to your mat you get to settle your breath, ground into the present moment, and further connect with your deepest mental clarity. 🤍

Is it easy???? HECK NO! Calming the mind and finding that deep connection is as tough as settling down a rowdy toddler. 🤣🤣 But when you do, just like during nap time, the bliss is magical! ✨

What poses make it hard for you to keep a quiet mind? Is it side plank, or vasisthasana? Maybe a warrior pose or an inversion? Perhaps you find it more difficult in the less challenging poses, seated in sukhasana? Where do you find your mind taking off?

16/03/2021

How often to you stretch beyond your reach? Like really stretch? BEYOND your reach.
Humans.... such creatures of habit. In truth, all of us beings are. What makes humanity so magical is the choice we have to do things differently. To think, reflect, and stretch, way outside of our comfort zone.
One of the things the physical practice does for me is allow me to stretch beyond my reach, daily! It is through this practice, and the experience of growth on my mat, that builds my ability to stretch and reach in my life off the mat.
The edge of our flexibility will always feel a bit uncomfortable, no matter how close your nose is to your toes, or how many times you have taken on risk and opportunity in your life. The magic, is that we get to keep doing it.

How will you stretch beyond your reach this week? How will you grow in a way that pushes you beyond your comfort zone? Not sure? Come practice with us and build those muscles!

31/12/2020

First thing I saw today, last thing I'm getting to.🙃
, your turn for some 😂😂
Thanks for the challenge!

31/12/2020

🎄For me, this was a wonderful holiday. While it was different than every other one of my life, it was truly, just wonderful.✨
I've spent every other Christmas in the same routine. Christmas Eve at my parents house, big Italian style, and Christmas day with the other side of the fam, a crowd just as large, at my Grandma's, which has slowly evolved to my Aunt's.🗽🇮🇹❤️
Christmas was always in the winter, filled with tradition, responsibility, lots of people, a schedule to keep, and so on. I imagine many can relate. Until this year, I wouldn't have changed a thing about it! It felt necessary and special!❄️⛄
Well, 2020 had other plans for me just like everyone else. This was my first Christmas in Hawaii, time spent on the beach instead of bundling up, with my sister, her husband, and , my main squeeze!🥰 It was small, intimate, cozy and special. It is something the four of us would never have had, if not for this drastic change of plans. We zoomed with both sides of our family, and still had the chance to connect and love on those we hold dearest to our hearts! We connected with or neighbors and friends here, sharing sentiments, baked goods and holiday cheer in a way we normally don't have the chance to at this time each year.🎅🙃🤶
2020 has forced us into new patterns, required grace and flexibility like maybe no year has before. We have had no choice but to slow down, regroup, entertain ourselves differently, and connect in an intentional way. For all of this, I am so grateful. Despite all that is happening in the world, my internal world feels filled with a sense of peace that is heart warming, and perhaps was long overdue.☮️
While all of this is true for me, I am well aware that this experience is not the same for all. I send all the love and best vibes to anyone who is struggling this season in a way that is new and different. 🙏
I encourage you to find the silver linings, however small or distant, that keep the momentum moving towards a less eventful and more manageable new year! May we all keep this wisdom and awareness close to our hearts as we move into 2021!✨

12/12/2020

Aloha,🌺
I'm Melissa MacIntosh.😁 I wanted to take a moment to formally introduce myself! I’m here on IG sharing my passion for wellness! A lil’ peep into who I am! 🤙
I was born and raised in Bedford Hills, NY. My amazingly wonderful parents adopted my sister and me into the greatest family ever (I know, I’m biased). 🗽💙
I spent the first 21 years of my life in NY and after graduating decided to move to Hawaii and teach there for a bit. Now, when I say a bit, I mean that I intended to live there for 6 months. Well, here we are, 13 years later, and I’m coming to ya live from the land of aloha!🌈
I left HI for a year and half, and spent that time in Boulder, CO. This is where my yoga practice came to life! I walked into a studio, on a particularly tough day, hoping to take one, wonderful yoga class. I couldn’t even get past the front desk without them insisting I needed to sign on for their 30 for 30 special. Already tired and eager to just settle down, I took the deal and found a space for my mat. This has to rank up there in the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life.🙏🧘‍♀️
This physical practice began to facilitate emotional and spiritual changes in me that were unlike any I had experienced before. Beyond the amazing transformation my mind and body was going through, the community of people I engaged with began to shift and change, and eventually so did my lifestyle and my diet.✨
While I have also taken the deep dive into hypnotherapy, and other healing modalities that feed my heart and soul, yoga is still the backbone of it all! My favorite thing about the opportunity to teach and lead classes is the chance to spark this possibility in another.🕉 Foundational/beginner yoga is such a magic space to be in, because it is the birthplace of these amazing and fulfilling transformations.
IF YOU or someone you know has been yearning for a yoga practice I’d love to work with you!🌟
🔗CLICK THE LINK IN MY BIO🔗
Yoga for YOU is a program launching in January geared towards building a foundational and sustainable yoga practice. DM me with any questions you may have. I hope to have the chance to share this magic with you! 💙

02/12/2020

YOGA for YOU!
Develop your yoga practice with support, guidance and, of course, fun!
🕉️🧘‍♀️😁🧘📿

Join me for this 30 day program designed to leave you feeling confident, knowledgeable and capable in your yoga practice. 💪🧠⭐

✔️Have you always wanted to participate in yoga classes? Or know enough to enjoy practicing on your own?

✔️Has this wild and unpredictable year pulled your farther from your mat and into the craze of life, only longing for more grounded, connected and juicy moments?

✔️Keep hearing the same recommendation from trusted sources that yoga is a great practice that will improve your health?
✨Plan to invest in YOU this year!

JOIN ME in January for YOGA for YOU! 💙
What you’ll get: 👀

TWO live classes a week in a safe space with other yogis at your same level, available in person or virtually.

ONE video recording a week allowing you to continue your practice and reinforce the material we are focused on.

WEEKLY newsletter with engaging reading material, reflection opportunities and journal prompts, allowing you to deepen your focus, and move closer to a life filled with happiness and health!

FREE consultation opportunities to work one on one, focused on techniques and development opportunities for your physical and emotional practice.

What you can expect: 🥰

YOU can expect to encounter other friendly, like minded yogis of your same level all practicing together in a safe and comfortable space. Plan to complete the program feeling grounded, connected and confident in your ability to join a yoga class, roll out your mat at home, or practice in any other place you choose! 🕉️

CLICK the link in my bio (bit.ly/yfyreg)

I look forward to practicing with you!💙

10/11/2020

I wouldn't be the first to say that life is like a roller coaster. The funny thing about that, is that we all have a different perspective of what that means. If you love roller coasters, it’s great news! Maybe you hate the unpredictably unknown nature of such things and would just as happily and politely decline from the experience. Regardless, we are all on it, here, together.🎢💙

Each of the ups, down, twists and turns gives us a new opportunity. Growth is not linear, it rushes forward and then loops back around just like those machines do. It is, however, available to you everyday! 🙃

Find yourself getting stuck on old or critical thought patterns? So many of us do! Let’s release all of that, it doesn’t serve us! 💫

Jump into a 30 day yoga exploration with me! Give yourself the chance to get to know the practice, and grow confident and independent on your mat! Stay tuned for details….🕉️

Everyday is a new day for growth! 🌱

How are you growing? 💚

Check out my plant babies 😊

They are growing like mad! 🙌

Love the grounding, discipline, patience and consistency they so gracefully teach me 💚💙

Wellness with Melissa Mac

15/11/2021

17/05/2021

12/04/2021

05/04/2021

01/04/2021

30/03/2021

16/03/2021

31/12/2020

31/12/2020

12/12/2020

02/12/2020

10/11/2020

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