GROW ALONGSIDE US

no matter where you are on your path to wellness: MYND CONSERVATORY HAS SPACE FOR YOU. OUR TEAM OF INSTRUCTORS IS HERE TO CREATE SPACE TO GROW.

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 E-RYT 200 teacher, completing his training at The Yoga Dojo. 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.

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.

  • 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.”

  • MELANIE GRACE

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

  • NINA AVERY

    “Growth to me means wisdom”

  • LILY ROBINSON

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

  • EMMA WYNKOOP

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

  • 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.”

  • LANY PROUSALIS

    ~

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.”

Current Class Offerings

  • Somatic movement | Mondays | 5:30PM-6:30PM

  • MYND FLOW | TUESDAYS | 12PM-1PM

  • BREATH + MEDITATION | WEDNESDAYS | 9AM-10AM

  • ASANA CLINIC | WEDNESDAYS | 7PM-8PM

  • HATHA YOGA | THURSDAYS | 12PM-1PM

  • YOGIC STUDIES + MEDITATION | THURSDAYS | 6PM-7PM

  • MODERN (DANCE) | FRIDAYS | 10:30AM-11:30AM

  • MYND FLOW | SATURDAYS | 10:30AM-11:45AM

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”

Current Class Offerings

  • Intuitive flow | SUNDAYS | 10AM-11AM

  • YIN + RESTORE | MONDAYS | 7PM-8PM

NINA AVERY

  • E-RYT 200 CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR 

  • RYT 300 in training

  • chair yoga certified

  • Trained in ashtanga

  • trained in hands-on assist

  • Studied yoga philosophy in india

Nina’s personal healing journey through yoga fuels her passion to share this transformative philosophy with others. For 15 years, she has maintained a consistent practice and experienced the real benefits of yoga - finding santosha (contentment), increased self confidence, strength, and gratitude.

“Students CAN EXPECT TO LEAVE CLASS WITH A RECLAIMED SENSE OF compassion, resilience, and joy.”

Current Class Offerings

  • vINYASA | TUESDAYS | 6PM-7PM

LILY ROBINSON

  • E-RYT 200 CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR 

LILY came to yoga looking for some peace and quiet within the chaos of HER mind and circumstances. Over the years, HER practice has been a sustaining and invigorating influence in HER life. SHE feelS more freedom, ease, joy, and adaptability than SHE thought was possible for HER EXPERIENCE.

“Students OF MINE can expect to feel welcomed, accepted, and inspired.”

Current Class Offerings

  • VINYASA | fRIDAYS | 7:30am-8:30am

EMMA WYNKOOP

  • E-RYT 200 CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR 

  • BFA in Dance and Choreography from VCUArts

  • NASM Certified Personal Trainer

  • Elemental Body Alignment Systems Certified

EMMA found HERself diving deep into HER practice at the beginning of covid. With the sudden halt of her responsibilities and dance classes, she was searching for a sense of purpose. she started practicing 1 on 1 with her mentor where she was introduced to new philosophies and concepts which truly changed her outlook: beginning her journey with spirituality.

“Students can expect to leave my classes with a renewed sense of presence and mental clarity.”

Current Class Offerings

  • Stretch + Core | Fridays | 9am-10am

  • Vinyasa | Saturdays | 9am-10am

LANY PROUSALIS

~

Current Class Offerings

  • RESET FLOW | FRIDAYS | 12PM-1:15PM

ARIANNA LAWSON

  • Professional ballerina for 8 years at Oklahoma City Ballet and Dayton Ballet

  • Trained for dance at Portland School of Ballet, Houston Ballet, and Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Russia

  • Currently completing pilates training at Niche Pilates and Stott Pilates.

Since SHE was younG, ARIANNA haS always been drawn to movement. It was essential for HER training as a professional ballerina, but as SHE stepped away from the stage SHE realized that not only is it essential for physical health, but for emotional and mental well-being. ARIANNA haS drawn from all HER experiences dancing, teaching barre, and doing pilates to create HER own practice.

“Through teaching, I aim to create a space where individuals can explore, connect with themselves, and find joy in movement.”

Current Class Offerings

  • FLEX + FLOW | TUESDAYS | 10:45AM-11:45AM