Yoga Testimonials

“Melanie is a force of nature.We have been doing private yoga sessions for 11yrs, and she has been a life saver for me—mentally and physically. I wish I could see her every day!”

— Lisa Shields, VP of Communications and Media at Council On Foreign Relations

“Melanie Johl is a fantastic yoga teacher. She is highly skilled, absolutely lovely and pays very close attention to proper form. In the many years we have worked together, my strength and flexibility have improved so much. Melanie is also a healer and adds so much light to everything of which she is a part.”

— Alexandra Trower, Former Executive VP for Global Marketing for Estée Lauder

“I have enjoyed weekly yoga sessions with Melanie Johl for almost four years. Melanie is an exceptionally skilled and gifted teacher who always encouraged me to shoot for the best and to feel good with what I accomplished each week. She is gentle, patient, compassionate and kind, and she embodies the best spirit of yoga. She has taught me to breathe and live in the moment. She also has healing hands and has helped my neck and back strain as I have improved my yoga postures. I would highly recommend her to students at any level. She is a gift!”

— Dorothy A. Hutcheson, Former Head of School The Nightingale-Bamford School 

“Two weeks to live - is what I was given almost a year and a half ago. I was told I had stage llll colon cancer...The prognosis was grim, but the thought of giving up never crossed my mind. The first few chemo treatments were going to show if I was going to make it or not. The cocktail I was given was very severe and hard to tolerate. Getting out of bed would sometimes take an hour. Luckily, I had a friend, who was working with Melanie and recommended I try doing some yoga. AMAZING!!! Is how I felt after my first pranayama practice. The transformation was simply amazing. I went from being barely able to move to being energized and hungry. From then on Melanie worked with me 3-5 times a week, every week for over a year. I can say with all honesty that without Melanie my healing would not have been as rapid or even possible! After every session my body got stronger and my mind very focused on what it is I have to do to make it. Melanie's ability to recognize someone's needs, both physical and spiritual, is what really sets her apart. Before every surgery Melanie would make sure my body was strong and able to recover rapidly after. It surprised my doctors how quickly I was able to move completely independently after each surgery. Today, my case is mentioned in almost every conference touching colon cancer. It's incredible that I am not only alive, but cancer free! It would not have been possible without Melanie in my life. Her care and patience made this past year much easier. My children adore her and are so very excited to see her every time she comes. Melanie has become more than a friend, she is our angel.”

— Nikolajs Lacgalvis, Artist, Graphic Designer

“I am pleased to recommend Melanie Johl. My husband and I reached out to Melanie soon after the birth of our first child. During birth I had separated my pelvis and required 3 months of physical therapy. The physical therapy was incredibly helpful, however I wanted to continue with a routine to ensure a healthy lifestyle moving forward. After hearing multiple fabulous recommendations regarding Melanie, we reached out to her. Melanie was incredibly accommodating to our hectic lifestyle and incredibly thorough in talking through my health concerns. In addition, my husband and I were able to work out a schedule with Melanie that allowed for both of us to have a session together. Something that we look forward to every week.

Melanie was able to balance both of our needs in one session by giving me a session that encompassed all of my health concerns all while providing a more vigorous session for my husband. As the years progressed, Melanie was able to adjust to our ever changing needs. Working me harder as I got healthier and pushing my husband further. Not only do our sessions help us both get and feel stronger, but they also provide such a relief from the hectic New York lifestyle. It is a little piece of serenity that allows for us both to just take a deep breath. A much needed break from the craziness. Six years (and two children) later, we are still thrilled to have our sessions with Melanie. I can't speak more highly of our time with her. We would both recommend Melanie in any regard. We’ve been fortunate to have Melanie a part of our lives and hope to continue!”

— Kiersten Stein, New York Metro Recruiting Manager, The Boston Consulting Group

“At age 71 I was severely injured in a head-on truck collision. After three months in hospital, during which time I underwent surgery and treatment for acute injuries, I began preliminary rehabilitation at STAR rehabilitation center. I arrived in a wheelchair and within several months I progressed to “cane” ambulation. At that time I was introduced to Melanie Johl as a Yoga instructor. Her credentials were grossly understated. Not just an instructor but a true specialist in her voation having started Yoga as a toddler under the guidance of her two “Yogi” parents. She has studied and practiced the art, science, and philosophy of Yoga to the point where now she is a recognized true “Master” intermingling the philosophical and physical aspects of her Yoga practice.

It has been three years since my injuries. I now walk normally and participate in light athletics. Her perception, kindness, gentleness, perseverance and intense attention to detail has been largely responsible for my recovery. She has brought to me a sense of inner peace and understanding, a result of her Yoga philosophy, which has enabled me to cope with and triumph over my near death experience. Melanie Johl epitomizes the finest aspects of humanity as is manifest by her individual character and expertise under the guidance and influence of Yoga.”

—Norman H. Schulman, MD, Director of Plastic Surgery Emeritus, Lenox Hill Hospital

“I have very fond memories of  Yoga sessions with Melanie, she is without a doubt my favorite teacher by far. How far do we go back? Definitely pre-2000, probably 1999! If I was still living in NYC full time, I would love to continue my sessions with Melanie. Aside from her command and knowledge of Yoga and her relaxing voice, I always enjoyed her classes because I felt challenged but never pushed too far. There are a lot of "yoga nazis" out there and that risks injury, I think it is so important for a teacher to be mindful, not only act as if, of beginner student’s limitations, no one gains by rushing through the basics, one must first master the initial poses. I also absolutely loved her meditations and Kapalabhati breathing techniques as well, it's amazing! I have never had other yoga teachers teach the breathing exercises as she does and I always loved that about her sessions!”

— Alfred Keitkonig, International Investment Consultant 

“I wanted to write to you and tell you about Melanie Johl who I had the privilege of being her student over the past 12 years. As someone who is active in business and public realms, who is often traveling and always on tasks and assignments, getting to know the yoga way of thinking and to understand the body–mind harmony through Melanie was so important to me and helped me reach my balance, my center and my peace. Melanie has a unique combination of bringing high professional guidance through inspiration and light. I would highly recommend Melanie for any person or organization which seeks to bring the professional practice together with a unique sense of harmony.” 

—Erel Margalit, Founder and Chairman of JVP and Margalit StartUp City. Former Member of Knesset

“To Whom it May Concern: My experience of Melanie Johl is that she teaches from her soul. She teaches yoga and she teaches so much more. I have been Melanie’s student for the last seven months. I began my practice of Hatha and other yogas in 1969 and have continued to the present. In addition, I taught Hatha Yoga, Iyengar, in the Boston area for twenty years all with the primary focus on increasing flexibility, the stretch. I have never attended to the fine tuning, body alignment, conscious awareness of movement, and focus on detail that Melanie has introduced to me.

I am impressed with Melanie’s own calm, focused manner as well as her deep knowledge of the anatomy of the human body. I am in awe of her intuitive awareness of the sensations I experience in my body. I appreciate her clear instructions and explanations of the movements she suggests I do. Her positive, supportive, and encouraging approach - which seems to come to her naturally and with ease - makes her an exceptionally good teacher. All of these abilities and attributes will stand her in good stead in whatever teaching she may want to do in the future. She’s great!”

—Ann B. Gordon PhD,  Psychotherapist

BreathWork Testimonials

“It has been a great pleasure working with Melanie over the years. Whether it be for yoga, healing sessions, or breathing exercises; she brings her passion and expertise for a transformative experience. I always enjoy the upbeat and loving energy Melanie brings to every session. No matter what is going on in the outside world, my troubles seem to melt away when in one of her sessions. I highly recommend Melanie to anyone looking to explore and better their spiritual and physical wellbeing. You are in good hands with Melanie.”

— Jorg Rae, Restaurant Management

"Melanie's breathing classes have been a game changer for me! With her great sense of humor and an even greater knowledge of her “craft”, Melanie has reminded me that breathing was my previously neglected birthright. This work has added clarity, focus, and rejuvenated my physical and mental well being. Her class has made a profound change in my life, at an elemental level when you tap into your breath, you allow the heart and spirit to lead..."

— Vas Kozyreff, Photographer

“Melanie’s Breathing sessions provided a welcomed, calm, spaciousness during the Covid-19 “shelter in place”, and continue to do so today. With Melanie’s natural brightness and sincerity, each session is upbeat, down to earth, and light, and brings a relaxed smile to one’s face. Each session is uniquely crafted, as Melanie draws from her vast background and knowledge of various traditions, disciplines, and teachings. She seamlessly incorporates and weaves these into cohesive breathing sessions, which have huge healing effects.”

— Kate Aldieg, MA, BCPP

“First, let me set my credentials: I am a journalist, a just-the-facts gal, who responds "prove it!" to almost everything. I'm about as far from a believer in anything woo-woo or new-agey as can be. So when a friend persuaded me to zoom into breathing sessions with Melanie, I was truly skeptical. Well, guess what? I'm hooked. I close my eyes and follow her instructions, and I feel peace replace stress, strength overcome weakness, light infuses me with energy. She uses Maori chants and breathing techniques to enhance the real world, not replace it, to bring happiness, not doctrine. I am an absolute convert!”

— Claudia Deutsch, Former NYTimes Writer

“Melanie's breathing sessions are such a lovely break in my day. I've found that these simple techniques have a very powerful effect on me. Like they flip a switch inside my body, it somehow allows me to relax and wind down.”

— Jaime Coon, RN 

“Melanie Johl is blessed with a gracious and sensitive disposition, and has clearly worked hard to build an extensive knowledge of her field. Anyone who studies with her will breathe easily and feel themselves as extremely fortunate!”

— Neil Martinson, DJ, Artist