We had the good fortune of connecting with Melba Payan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melba, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?

I was a high school Spanish teacher for 18 years. I loved the profession but in the last few years, I was suffering from burnout and feeling that there was more to life. A year ago, I resigned, and took 5 months to connect and heal in Puerto Rico, where I am from, and when I returned began the process of stepping into my dream (I had it since 2020) and starting my business.

I was inspired to start Melba Amalie Yoga and Wellness by intuition and a heartfelt nudge to create a bilingual (English/Spanish) community where others can journey inward to their true authentic self, tap into their full potential, and live a more abundant, full and happy life through body awareness, yoga, meditation, retreats, workshops, a positive mindset, and gratitude.

I am also very passionate about bringing yoga and wellness to the Spanish Community as I feel there are not enough offerings for those who only speak Spanish and because of this, I created an Instagram community called YogaEspanolAtlanta. It is a space only in Spanish to promote yoga, wellness, and healing modalities as well as promoting events in Spanish and Spanish-speaking instructors around Atlanta and surrounding areas.

 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

For most of my life, I suffered from stress, anxiety, and a mind riddled with negativity and limiting beliefs. I found yoga in 2016 by following the strong desire in my heart to heal and never looked back. I fell in love not only with the physical asana but also with the spiritual and energetic aspects of the practice. The powerful connection of mind and body through movement and breath has given my life more meaning and has allowed me to live life more authentically on and off the mat. Yoga has taught me that in order for my outer world to change, I had to first change within. The transformation that occurred in my life has been so powerful that this led me to want to share the healing power of yoga.

I am passionate about making yoga accessible to all and I seek to make my classes, workshops and retreats a place where you can cultivate self-acceptance, balance, stillness, abundance, love, and compassion and use movement and breath to transform the mind, body, and spirit.

Melba Amalie Yoga and Wellness’s main purpose is to support you in remembering who you are and to help you manage stress and anxiety in a safe and judgment-free environment. Melba Amalie Yoga and Wellness offers yoga (yin, slow, gentle, restorative, hatha), yoga for teens, yoga for teachers, corporate yoga, meditation, workshops, women’s circles, and retreats. All services can be offered in English and Spanish.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I am from Gainesville, so a visit to Lake Lanier is a must. Also, a day trip to Helen and wineries in North Georgia. Brunch or Lunch at my favorite coffee shop- Diletto’s Bakery.

In the city, I would take them to the High Museum, Georgia Aquarium, the Atlanta Beltline, Piedmont Park, Ponce City Market, the Battery and a Braves Game. As for food, a nice lunch or dinner at Barcelona Wine Bar and dessert at Cafe Intermezzo.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate this shout to my parents and my friends for always believing in me, supporting me, encouraging me, and being there for me, always, and to everyone who has contributed to my journey in one way or another through training, workshops, classes, etc. I also dedicate it to my Mentors/Coaches, Sheila Ewers and Mercedes Guzman. Thank you for your commitment to my success, for your guidance, for seeing my potential and helping me take action, and for your invaluable advice and recommendations for they give me the confidence to excel.

Website: https://www.melbaamalieyoga.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/melbaamalieyoga?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amalieyoga

Other: Spanish Instagram community page: https://instagram.com/yogaespanolatlanta?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng==

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.