I’m Mel Mackintosh, a heath-enthusiast, long-time yoga and meditation teacher and Hypnobirthing Australia practitioner. I am blessed to be the co-owner of Australian Yoga Academy in Melbourne, Australia, where, with my best friend and business partner, Adele Conti, I’ve been teaching yoga since 2006.
I came to yoga in the late 90’s whilst working in Human Resources and Change Management with companies like Telstra, NAB and Medibank. It was almost an accident really! Feeling quite stressed-out and conscious of not moving my body as much as I would like to, I went along to a yoga class with a friend. I’ve never turned back.
What I love about yoga and meditation, is that the practice is holistic for the body, the mind and the spirit. Regardless of where we are in our lives with our health, energy levels or physical abilities, we can all “do” yoga; it is a practice that keeps offering opportunities to transform, every day.
Although I loved my corporate job, I realised that I generally sought the answers to my health and well-being questions in yoga, meditation and the complimentary medicine spaces. I started studying Naturopathy and completed my 350 hours Advanced Diploma of Yoga Teaching in 2006. I moved into working in the yoga industry full-time in 2010 when I became part of the Australian Yoga Academy ownership team.
It is critically important to me, as a representative of the yoga industry, that yoga teacher training qualifications are tertiary-level and delivered in the most professional manner possible by the most amazing teachers. Since 2008, I have been managing all of our training offerings. I am constantly looking for ways to improve our already highly-regarded courses, with both better fundamental training and advanced programs for qualified teachers.
The birth of my first child in 2010 initiated a massive interest in prenatal and postnatal yoga. I have devoted many hours to personal development and training in this area so that I can support mums and their birth partners with evidence-based practices to help prepare them for a positive birth experience.
I am a passionate member of the yoga industry in Australia and I am overjoyed to now have many internationally-based students with us in yoga teacher training programs. I feel so blessed to be part of a loving yoga community with such dedicated students, some of whom have practised with us for more than 15 years! My vision is to keep providing opportunities for everyone, regardless of age or ability, to become part of the AYA family. I see AYA as a hub for growth and healing and I feel so supported by my team of talented yoga teachers and health professionals who help to bring this vision to life.
I would love to thank all of my teachers, across many disciplines, for their love and support. I also thank all the students who have worked with me, because without them, I do not get to do what I love to do.
If I can help you with your health and well-being or training needs, please feel free to reach out to me at melanie@australianyogaacademy.com or 0413 298 132.
Love, Mel xoxo
Summary of Main Qualifications
1995: B.A. Com. (Monash)
1999: Grad. Dip. HR (Deakin)
2003: B.S Naturopathy (Endeavour) Incomplete
2006: 350 hours Advanced Diploma Yoga Teaching (Australian Yoga Academy)
2011: 20 hours Advanced Prenatal Teacher Training (Bliss Baby Yoga)
2015: 50 hours Advanced Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training (The Yoga Institute)
2019: 50 hours Yin Yoga Teacher Training (Australian Yoga Academy)
2020: Hypnobirthing Australia Positive Birth Program Practitioner
2021: 50 hours Meditation Teacher Training (Australian Yoga Academy)
