Melissa Wolken

My purpose is to make fitness accessible to those members of any community who are willing to try. I want to share fitness with others, to influence peoples lives positively, and to connect with people on a more meaningful level using my certifications, life experience, and acquired knowledge. I strive to surround myself with mentors, inspiration, authenticity, and positive energy so that I can experience life to its fullest, and then share these experiences with others! Some of these experiences include Midwest Mania in Chicago, California Mania in San Francisco, Wanderlust 108 in Kansas City, LUXE Cowgirl Yoga Retreats in Nosara, Costa Rica, as well as the Patagonia Cowgirl Yoga retreat in Argentina and a Holistic Nutritional Healing Retreat at Mystica in Lago Arenal, Costa Rica. I am trained and certified in various styles of fitness activities and classes and have taught or trained in many places I have lived and traveled including Iowa, Illinois, Lake Tahoe, Hawaii, Colorado, Ireland, Chile, Costa Rica, Panama, Argentina and of course my own personal study and practice! 
 
I’ve  taught Yoga, Active Aging, Group Fitness, HIIT, Circuit Training, Strong Bodies Strong Minds (Body Weight Interval Training, Yoga and Meditation Fusion)
 
I have been teaching on and off since 2009. I’ve taught in various places around the world including gyms and studios, at corporate events, at parks and pavilions, in yards and homes of clients, in front of 25 foot statues of Grant Woods American Gothic, Hay Mows of Barns, Community Events, at Dreams Delight Playa Bonita All Inclusive Resort in Panama, as part of a yoga retreat in Bariloche, Argentina, at a beatiful Yoga Retreat lodge in Lago Arenal in Costa Rica, and in the jungle on a beautiful platfrom along the river at La Carolina Lodge in Costa Rica 
 
My favorite part about teaching is the meaningful connections I make with people. It’s so humbling to hear positive feedback from clients. I love when I can see change in someone or hear that I somehow made a difference in their life. 
 
My motivation is self care. I am a busy person, constantly on the go. Both physically and mentally. Fitness is a way for me to get out of my head. More specifically, yoga is a time for me to slow down, breath, focus, and be present.  It helps me find inner balance, guidance, strength, and awareness. It also benefits me physically because it relieves tension and stress, which provides a solid foundation for a healthier, happier lifestyle. A lot of people have the misconception that you have to be flexible to do yoga. I usually respond by saying you just have to have a flexible mind. There are so many benefits of group fitness and yoga, you just have to be open to trying.  
 
Favorite Quote: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Mark Twain
 
Career: Fitness Chaser Instructor (A Traveling Fitness Instructor and Adventurer), Business Owner, Equine Therapy Instructor, Farmer, Bartender/Server, teacher/private tutor. 
 
Certifications: Primary Group Exercise Instructor (Fitour)
Yoga Instructor (Fitour)
Advanced Yoga Instructor (Fitour)
Meditation (SCW)
PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (Professional Assoc. of Therapeutic Horsemanship-PATH)
Certified Wilderness First Responder (National Outdoor Leadership School-NOLS)
CPR/First Aid
MAT in Elementary Education from Sierra Nevada College
Former certifications in PiYo from Beachboday and Yoga Fundamentals I from SCW.