Creator Series: Melissa Cassese
Hi Melissa! We loved having you at This Hudson Studio. Thank you for agreeing to share your experience and some photos with us. Let’s dive in!
What is your title?
Yoga Instructor
What is your company name?
Ethereal Movements
How do you fuel your creativity?
There are so many ways I go about this. I'm lucky to come from a family that has creativity running throughout generations, so it was always something that was supported. Growing up I was encouraged to paint, draw, cook, sew, and play music. A few of these hobbies stuck. My painting throughout childhood eventually led me to be a full time Hair Colorist at The Beauty Box in Rye, New York. Cooking as a child has led to a hobby of cooking and baking as an adult, which has allowed me to be more educated on what I put into my body. I am even selling my homemade baked goods on the side at the moment. In my day to day life I am always surrounded by creative environments.
Traveling to new places and going on adventures also aids in my creativity because I feel I come back with an open mind and new perspective on things.
Another important way I fuel my creativity is spending time alone. This allows me to recharge and be centered in my own energy. Silence helps my own thoughts and feelings get a bit louder, and this can take me into my own energetic flow state. I take all of this and incorporate it into my yoga practice. Just as much as spending time alone helps, being with loved ones, as well as meeting new people, fuels it too.
Yoga isn't just about the movement, it's an overall way of life and how it's weaved into every fiber. Every moment is a part of the practice and how mindful I am during each and every one of the things I've previously mentioned. As far as the practice of Yoga Movement, continuously moving my body is a way of keeping the energy flowing and discovering new ways to move. Going to yoga classes helps as well because there is always something new to learn from other instructors. Creativity can come from anywhere and these are the places where I find mine.
Why do you do what you do?
I was introduced to the practice of yoga in 2015 by a Cognitive Therapist named Merrill Black. Since the age of 6, I have lived with Trichotillomania, a Body Focused Repetitive Behavior(BFRB), that causes me to pull out my eyelashes and eyebrows. I had been seeing Merrill for years and she would guide me towards meditations and natural relaxation techniques in order to enhance my body awareness and calm my physical triggers. Once she opened The Temperance Center, located in Eastchester, NY, she made it a haven for those who have this behavior and invited other services such as Reiki and Hatha Yoga. The yoga class was led by a wonderful woman, Diane Graziosa, who was one of the inspirations that led me to my Yoga Teacher Training. I went to this class every Tuesday and learned techniques, body awareness, and different postures that left me with a greater feeling of confidence.
The practice itself helped regulate my nervous system, which resulted in calming my physical triggers of wanting to pull my hair out. Although I still struggle to this day with this disorder, my triggers are calmer than they ever have been. Using yoga to manage this behavior has been life changing. This behavior is something that has a huge impact on my day to day as it can steal time, confidence and control away from my life. There is also a level of shame and self blame that comes along with it. Using yoga to bring my body into awareness allows me to manage it in a way that enhances my time and energy and I am able to put that into more positive things for myself.
Once I saw how yoga can greatly impact my daily struggles In a positive way, I wanted to share this with others. I received my 200 hour Teaching Training certificate In 2018 and now I am in the process of completing my full 500 Hour Teacher Training. I hope to eventually work with those like me and get involved in the BFRB community to be an active supporter for others along their life journey.
I believe everyone deserves to feel good and think positively about themselves. I've found yoga can be a key component in enhancing positive feelings and deeply exploring oneself.
What do you love about using This Hudson Studio?
This Hudson Studio is truly a haven. The open floor space and minimal decor allows room for the mind to wander and think with a clean slate. The high ceilings allow for a feeling of openness and the white aesthetic helps it feel bright and alive. Right now, it's a game changer for me. Currently, I live at home with my parents, so going to the studio is a space I can go where there is no one else with me. This allows me to be uninterrupted for hours. It's a home away from home and I'm so grateful for it. The space really inspires me to get creative with my yoga videos and allows me to be my best self during my flow.
Image Credits: Melissa Cassese
Creator’s Website: https://www.etherealmovementswithmelissa.com
Creator’s Social Handles: https://www.instagram.com/etherealmovementswithmelissa/
This Hudson Studio is a rentable photo and creative studio in Hudson Valley, NY. If you’re interested in renting the studio, you can inquire here. For more information on our minimal and modern space, click here. If you’ve visited our studio and would like to be a part of our Creator Series, please complete our questionnaire here.