About Melissa Russell

I didn’t always know I wanted to be a yoga therapist. With an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master’s in anthropology, I spent 20 years leading innovative teams in publishing and educational technology.

How I got here

In addition to my corporate career, I ran my own retail business in downtown Chapel Hill and traveled extensively for work—sometimes for months at a time. I’ve called Boston, New York, San Francisco, and North Carolina home, all while balancing my roles as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend.

Through it all, yoga was my constant. I have practiced yoga almost every day since my 20s, using movement, breath, and meditation to build resilience. Seeing the profound impact these practices had on my own life, I began teaching yoga to colleagues at work—at one point, even leading classes in a glass-walled boardroom.

In my mid-50s, I left my corporate job to fully dedicate myself to yoga therapy.

My work today

As a certified yoga therapist, I work primarily one-on-one with clients at my Chapel Hill studio, helping them alleviate pain and suffering from a variety of physical and mental conditions. Using movement, breath, meditation, and lifestyle modifications, I guide individuals toward better health and well-being—physically, mentally, emotionally, energetically, and spiritually.

In addition to private sessions, I teach a small number of group classes at Yoga Garden Pittsboro, Veterans First, and Carol Woods.

I am a:

  • Certified Yoga Therapist
  • 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, trained in Ashtanga, Anusara, and pelvic floor health
  • Certified iRest Meditation Teacher
  • Duke Trained Health and Well Being Coach

Evolve Yoga Therapy is inspired by my belief that everyone has the power to grow and transform. We are not meant to remain stuck in stress, overwhelm, or physical and mental pain—through the right practices, we can evolve toward greater well-being and vitality at any stage of life.