Merissa Russie
Yoga Instructor
Hi! I'm Merissa—most people call me Em.
Yoga didn’t always feel like home to me. Growing up, I felt disconnected from my body and believed I didn’t belong in active or spiritual spaces. That began to shift in 2014, when I discovered yoga. Its gentle, grounding nature helped me feel safe in my body for the first time. From there, yoga became a steady companion, helping me rebuild trust in myself and offering a calmer, more connected way of being.
My practice is deeply influenced by the natural world. I see yoga as more than movement—it’s a living, breathing practice rooted in nature, beauty, and embodied wisdom. It shows up not just on the mat, but in everyday life: on the hiking trail, at work, and in quiet, mundane moments.
Because of the unique body I live in, I believe deeply that yoga is for everyone. I completed my 230-hour teacher training in spring 2025 and am a certified Accessible Yoga Teacher. I strive to create inclusive, joyful spaces where all bodies can experience grounding and connection. I’m especially passionate about making yoga accessible, adaptive yoga, and practicing outdoors, where we can reconnect with nature and ourselves.