GROW ALONGSIDE US

NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE ON YOUR PATH TO DEEPER WELL-BEING: MYND CONSERVATORY HAS SPACE FOR YOU. OUR TEAM OF INSTRUCTORS IS HERE TO CREATE SPACE TO GROW.

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BLAKE RÖDER

Founder + Lead Instructor

  • Blake has traveled the world for his self study and training within dance and yoga: finding himself teaching children english and yoga on the footsteps of the Himalayas, dance training in Berlin, and instructing musical theatre in South Korea. Blake holds an MFA in dance from Hollins University and a BFA in dance from University of North Carolina School of the Arts.  He has also studied at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, New York University, Danceworks Berlin, and the Palucca Hochschule für Tanz Dresden. He has studied yoga for over 20 years and is a certified yoga teacher. He is currently completing the 500 hour advanced certificate program with Yogic Studies to further his knowledge.

    His offerings combine somatic movement, poses, flow sequences, meditation, and breathwork to bring the body in alignment with the mind.  His classes are knit together with the philosophies of yoga, vedanta, tantra, and mysticism.

    Every practice is a unique inquiry into the nature of consciousness. He believes we use the vehicle of physical sensation to find higher truth and deeper knowing.

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MELANIE GRACE

Co-Founder + Studio Manager + Designer

  • Melanie is a multi-disciplinary artist, visionary entrepreneur, and intuitive guide who has created three complementary businesses that blend wellness and intuition into practical experience.

    Melanie is the founder of Wildfire Wellness: a holistic wellness sanctuary combining traditional practices with creative expression to offer accessible gates of entry to self care. The space features intuitive reading, holistic care, creative wellness, mindful gatherings, and intentional goods. As studio manager and co-founder of MYND Conservatory (Movement, Yoga, and Non-Duality), she has helped to create "A Place to Grow" that serves the community through yoga, pilates, modern dance, meditation, and self-study. These two entities share a studio space in the historical district, Manchester, of Richmond, Virginia. Here they collaborate to create a comprehensive wellness ecosystem that honors individual exploration, outward expression, and community connection.

    Through her bespoke marketing agency Muse Marketing, Melanie conjures soulful brands through storytelling magic. Inspired by the nine muses of Greek mythology, this branding agency offers intuitive branding, artful graphic design, website design, and other comprehensive creative solutions for conscious businesses.

    Melanie’s professional work is rooted in a desire to create sacred spaces. Melanie has cultivated offerings that foster coming home to oneself. Whether through event management or intuitive branding, she deeply values bringing together creatives and intuitives to offer something sacred to the community.

    Melanie’s professional foundation includes certification as a 200-hour yoga teacher, Reiki practitioner (Levels I & II), and training from NYU Tisch and Parsons School of Design.

  • A young man with short brown hair, light facial hair, and freckles, smiling at the camera, wearing a sleeveless black shirt, standing against a dark background.

    BLAKE RÖDER

    “Growth means willingness to change and evolve as new information and experiences come. Allowing old patterns to be replaced with newer ones. Bringing a sense of openness to ideas. Going deeper into the self, and surrendering to the now.”

  • A young woman with wavy brown hair and makeup, wearing a white spaghetti strap top with lace trim and layered necklaces, standing in front of a dark green curtain.

    MELANIE GRACE

    “Growth in my eyes is a blend of self accountability and self acceptance.”

  • A woman with long brown hair wearing a white sleeveless top and silver hoop earrings, looking directly at the camera with a subtle smile, standing in front of a dark textured background.

    NINA AVERY

    “Growth to me means wisdom”

  • Close-up portrait of a smiling woman with short, curly hair, wearing a sleeveless brown top and a delicate necklace, standing in front of a textured, dark background.

    LILY ROBINSON

    “Growth to me means resilience and dedication: trusting my next step along my path.”

  • A young woman with light skin, shoulder-length wavy brown hair, blue eyes, wearing a beige tank top, gold necklace, and multiple earrings, standing in front of a greenish background.

    EMMA WYNKOOP

    “In my experience, transformation moves through discomfort. As I experience unfamiliarity, I prove to myself that challenges always lead to expansion.” 

  • A woman with short brown hair smiling, wearing a sleeveless beige top, gold earrings, and a necklace, standing against a gray wall.

    ARIANNA LAWSON

    “Growth to me is becoming more aligned with your values, more grounded in your purpose, and more open to learning—physically, mentally, and emotionally.”

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BLAKE RÖDER

• MFA IN DANCE FROM HOLLINS UNIVERSITY 

• BFA FROM UNC SCHOOL OF THE ARTS 

• E-RYT 200 CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR 

• CURRENTLY PURSUING 500-HOUR ADVANCED CERTIFICATION WITH YOGIC STUDIES 

• INTERNATIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE (HIMALAYAS, BERLIN, SOUTH KOREA) 

• STUDIES AT PRESTIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING ALVIN AILEY AND NYU 

• VCU PROFESSOR

Blake originally started yoga as part of a dance training program at Danceworks Berlin (Germany) in 2003. Since then, he has studied yoga in a variety of contexts. he was brought into practice seeking physical strength and flexibility, but found may way into philosophy and spirituality via studies in yoga history and ancient texts, especially Vedanta and Tantra.

“Students can expect to leave my classes with A deeper understanding of the mind and the nature of perception. A more balanced and harmonious body.”

book a class with blake
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MELANIE GRACE

  • RYT 200 CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR

  • Reiki Level 1 + 2

  • Intuitive reader specialized in astrology and tarot - working professionally for over five years

mELANIE was inspired to lean into yoga and movement practices as a way to bridge more of a connection between the metaphysical and physical within HER offerings. HER personal yoga foundation began with restorative and yin yoga, and SHE still feelS very connected to the subtle and grounding nature of these practices. After an emergency brain surgery nearly five years ago, HER health journey has experienced many hindrances and plateaus. Advancing in HER physical asana practice has been a rewarding challenge. Going through yoga teacher training for HER was very symbolic in nature. HER training experience presented the opportunity to make peace with discomfort, stagnation, and all things OUT OF control.

“Students can expect to leave my practice feeling aligned, inspired, and in tune with themselves”

book a class with melanie