MARIA HILLIER
Maria is a certified Yoga teacher (RYT 500 hour and E-RYT 200 hour) with training in Hatha & Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, Yoga Nidra and Chair Yoga. She is currently in training to become a Certified Yoga Therapist (800 hour) with Ajna Yoga (Victoria, BC) and has completed additional training through this program in Backcare Yoga; Yoga Therapy for Knees and Hips; Yoga Therapy for Shoulders and Wrists; Yoga, Trauma, and Mental Health; Yoga Therapy for Healthy Aging and Chair Yoga; Yoga, Tensegrity and Fascia; Yoga Therapy in Pain Care; Meditation for Yoga Therapy; Yin Yoga Therapy; and Therapeutic Inversions and Backbends. In addition, Maria has trained in Yoga for individuals with cancer and beyond (Yoga Thrive).
She is most at home on her mat leading classes that help her students thrive in everyday movement with self-compassion and self-acceptance at heart. She aims to teach mindful, inclusive and accessible yoga, infusing her classes with knowledge about our body’s anatomy and unique variations.
She hopes that those who practice with her discover more about their body, breath, heart, and mind each time they come to the mat or chair and that with each practice, they welcome themselves with kindness, gentleness, curiosity and lots of love.
Maria teaches through a trauma informed lens with a focus on creating an inclusive and inviting space within her classes, workshops, and sessions.
TESTIMONIALS
In a word, Nova Yoga Retreats are delicious! Melanie and her co-leaders hold space beautifully, guiding the group through yoga and meditation practices and “off campus” excursions with gentle mastery. You can show up and know that everything has been taken care of. Her groups are always welcoming; I attended two retreats solo and left both with amazing friends. Melanie chooses retreat locations with natural and artistic beauty and most importantly–soul. Her love of travel and exploring new cultures adds so much to the experience. Last, but not least, the food and accomodations are always a delight!
It felt like a true escape from my normal life. I feel like I was able to connect to the area and the people who journeyed with me. Your ability to curate a safe space to be and a place to play for people is truly a gift, Melanie. Thank you.
I can’t recommend Nova Yoga’s retreats highly enough. Melanie put together an amazing week that stretched our bodies and our minds, and left both stronger and more restored. This experience was much more than “just” yoga — it was truly a reset physically and mentally, and a wonderful opportunity to restore and refresh alongside amazing and kind women.
From the moment I arrived, I knew it would be a transformative journey. Each class left me relaxed and rejuvenated. This, along with amazing food and people, made for an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for the perfect yoga getaway.
Melanie finds the best places and brings together the most amazing people.
I love the opportunity to get away from the tourist areas and get to know the local scene. The food was fabulous, staff and accommodations were excellent. The yoga was wonderfully therapeutic. And I really enjoyed getting to know the group. This was a wonderful experience for me and my first time travelling as a single. It gave me the confidence to try it again.
Melanie is the most incredible yoga instructor. Her retreats are absolutely amazing. A magical experience of a lifetime. If you haven’t done one of her retreats, you are really missing out!