Every thought, every movement, every moment in life begins with an inhale and ends with an exhale. The same is true in the practice of yoga.
With intentionality, Yoga Den founders, owners, and couple Heidi Ferreira-Mello and Jason Mello seek to create a comfortable, practical, and positive yoga experience to their members. Yoga Den opened its doors on Highlands Road in August 2024 to provide Franklin a yoga studio focused on community service and professional yoga instruction.
“We have lived in Franklin for several years, and there wasn’t a yoga studio in town. We knew how much this practice could benefit others, and we wanted to create a welcoming space for people to experience it for themselves,” said Ferreira-Mello.
Yoga Den offers expert instruction, unique classes, a diverse class schedule, rental mats and towels, high-quality yoga merchandise, and a full smoothie bar. The studio has four certified yoga instructors – the owners, and Robin Callahan and Faith Krevis.
Around 15 classes are offered each week covering seven styles of yoga at three different studio temperature settings. Special classes have been offered for veterans, seniors, and the Macon County Animal Shelter. The Mellos’ aim is to give back to the community and strengthen it by providing a space for people to get to know one another.
Part of the studio serves as a yoga store, offering quality mats, yoga clothing for men and women, yoga accessories, and other miscellaneous goods. Also offered are smoothies made with real fruit and whole ingredients for its class members as well as the general public. Whether taking a yoga class or not, anyone can walk into the studio and order a smoothie.
Ferreira-Mello’s yoga journey began in 2005 when she attended a yoga class at a YMCA, where she was employed at the time. Initially, she saw yoga as a means of physical wellness, helping ease joint and muscle pain caused by strenuous activity.
“My boss was a yoga instructor. She said, ‘You have to come to one of my classes,’ so I went — and I was hooked,” said Ferreira-Mello. Naturally, she introduced her now-husband, Jason Mello, to yoga as she began regularly attending classes.
From learning to teaching
In 2011, Mello enlisted in the military, and Ferreira-Mello wanted to deepen her understanding of yoga. While working at a hotel and attending school full-time, she enrolled in a 200-hour yoga instructor course.
The curriculum covered asanas (poses), pranayama (breathwork), meditation, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, history, philosophy, and ethics. Initially, her intention was to gain more knowledge — not knowing it would one day lead to teaching. After five months of study, Ferreira-Mello became a certified yoga instructor through Kind Yoga School in Cape Cod, Mass.
“It was the best time of my life. I felt really immersed,” she said.
Ferreira-Mello considers herself a foundational teacher who helps practitioners adapt their yoga experience to maximize personal benefits while honoring their unique principles.
“I try to meet people where they are each day because even each day can be totally different,” she said.
She continues to be a student of yoga, currently working toward completing an additional 300 hours of curriculum. As of now, she holds specialized certifications in hot yoga, yin yoga, restorative yoga, and long slow deep yoga.
For Ferreira-Mello, the most rewarding part of being a yoga instructor is seeing people leave class with a sense of community and accomplishment.
“It’s the best feeling after a class when you have a huge group of people just hanging [out], talking to each other, exchanging numbers. I think that is a missing element sometimes in life — especially if it’s fast-paced,” she said.
Yoga benefits overall lifestyle
The Mellos aim to provide a space for all people to achieve optimal health in every aspect of their lives.
“You need that element of socialization and community,” said Mello. “Health is not just eating well, good movement in the body, breathing well. To live a good life, you need healthy relationships, too.”
“We get folks who come in, lay their mat down, and don’t talk to anyone — and yet they are socializing, just not verbally,” added Ferreira-Mello.
Yoga is a holistic practice that supports the mind, body, and nervous system. Studies have shown that consistent yoga practice increases flexibility and strength while reducing stress and anxiety.
For those unsure or hesitant to try yoga, Mello said, “Yoga is a practice that meets you where you are. You don’t need to be flexible or spiritual. Yoga is a way to take care of yourself — a way to move intelligently in your body and to disconnect for a little bit if you need to.”
Yoga Den welcomes walk-ins and also offers memberships. They are located at 135 Highlands Road, Franklin. For questions, or to obtain more information, email [email protected].