Melanie Tormos

Melanie credits both art and yoga with saving her life. She is an artist and teacher, but no longer derives her identity from her achievements. Athletic and strong, she is learning to make peace with her body after a long battle and to honor its limitations, making time for rest and healing. She is excited to begin an MFA program in Creative Inquiry and Interdisciplinary Arts at California Institute of Integral Studies in August, where she will further explore the interplay between art and consciousness. Her tumultuous journey has shown her the value of compassion, acceptance and awareness, and opened her heart to the sweetness on being human.

In speaking with yogis, it seems there is often an event or series of circumstances that leads one to yoga? Was this the case with you?

There was a time in my life when I didn’t know how to – be. I am a born perfectionist and over-achiever, driven by some unseen force, that pushes my limits over and over again. I graduated from high school at the top of my class and was accepted into some of the top UC schools at age 17. I chose UC San Diego, where I excelled academically and began training for the University’s cross country team. The pressure proved to be too much, however, and I landed in the hospital, diagnosed with anorexia and depression.

Over-exercising, malnutrition and stress rendered my bones as brittle as a 60-year-old’s, and my heart was on the verge of stopping altogether. After a brief hospital stay to try and normalize my vital functions, I was admitted into an inpatient eating disorder program at UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Hospital. This is where I found yoga, a practice that was physical but soothing, to help me through the emotionally exhausting recovery process. I continued to practice after being discharged from the program, and began to deepen the study of the ancient art of yoga on my own.

How has yoga impacted other areas of your life?

Around the same time, I began to rediscover my love of visual arts. I had been creative and an exceptional artist at a young age. Yoga allowed me to reconnect to the source of my creativity and I began to teach myself to paint. I soon began taking classes in printmaking, sculpture, life drawing and art history. I earned my A.A. in Fine Art from a local community college and transferred to California State University Channel Islands. I eventually graduated Magna Cum Laude with my B.A. in Art and began working as a freelance artist doing commissions.

So, you received your degree, you were working artist, and already had paying freelance clients. You could easily have pursued your art as your career. Obviously, you chose yoga. Why?

My devotion to yoga opened up an opportunity to teach. I took my training under Audrey Walzer of Camarillo Yoga Center and began teaching yoga to teen girls, knowing on a very intimate level the pressures of growing up female in contemporary society. I also began teaching workshops on meditation and chakras, and found ways to incorporate art-making and yoga. In a beautiful exchange, my yoga practice began to influence my artwork. My paintings became more vibrant and visionary, exploring the energetic value of color and playing with symbols borrowed from both Eastern and Western philosophy. My yoga classes are often described as flowing and rhythmic, much like the energy I employ when putting brush to canvas.

How has lucy played a part in your journey?

The absolutely wonderful people at lucy reached out to me shortly after I moved up to the Bay Area from Southern California. I began to teach on-site yoga classes at lucy headquarters and realized that this is a company that really values the health and well-being of its employees. The men and women I’ve met at lucy are vibrant and talented people. I participated in a focus group for them a few months ago and quickly realized that lucy really cares about what the consumer has to say. I’ve also acted as a consultant on some of their photoshoots and know that their attention to detail is what sets them apart from other activewear companies. Lucy creates products made by women, for women: they take into account that women are complex with a variety of tastes and needs, and a lot of care goes into the process of meeting these needs in the utmost style. At lucy it’s all about empowerment and confidence, being fearless and fun...being your best YOU, and it really resonates with me. I hope to continue working with the ladies at lucy for a long time...and I’ll definitely be sporting lucy gear until the end of my yoga days!

Check out Melanie's website at yogaattheendoftheworld.com

Melanie is wearing the Lotus Power Capri and the X-Back Tank with Power Flex Jacket.