Local Delray Beach Barre, Yoga Sculpt, + Lagree Pilates certified instructor, Mallory Hopes, provides an integrated approach to yoga and therapy. Her extensive study of yoga therapy brings consideration to the mind-body connection of yoga and the impact of human movement on mental health.
Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Mallory has lived in four states and two countries, but now calls South Florida home. She grew up dancing and always enjoyed the energy of performing and being on stage. Her love for body movement continued as she got into college and led group fitness classes at The University of South Carolina. It was through this experience that she realized her passion for helping others engage in a positive mind and body. After college, she tried the corporate route but recognized the nine-to-five desk life didn’t align with her true passions.
Mallory pivoted from her office life and leaned into dance fitness through barre classes and morning power yoga. This further enhanced her passion for mind-body fitness and the benefits of physical movement to mental well-being. After a few years, she got certified in yoga sculpt and continued group fitness. At the same time, zoom classes were gaining popularity so Mallory found a way to offer her yoga fitness expertise virtually. It turned out to be good timing for online services because the COVID19 pandemic hit the world, and in-person classes were no longer doable. Through her online presence Mallory found that participants were coming to her for deeper emotional mental needs within yoga. She was giving a lot of energy out through her web classes and offering support to those who wanted a deeper connection to mind-body fitness during a really stressful time full of unknowns. After moving back stateside, when the global pandemic had slowed, Mallory received her 200-hour certification to be a yoga teacher. With the rise in social media and virtual classes, she wanted to ensure that she was providing a holistic approach to yoga and not just speaking out of her own needs. She saw the benefits of becoming a professional fitness and health yoga instructor with the backing of science and education. A yoga therapy certification was her solution.
A yoga therapy certification is a two year, 800-hour practice that includes a certification in meditation and yoga science and research. The process involves analyzing case studies from medical publications, the National Institute of Health (NIH), and other widely recognized health organizations that have introduced ways to quantify and test the benefits of yoga to overall health. For example, there are cases where participants who were previously unable to fly on an airplane utilized breathwork and movement to reduce anxiety and ultimately conquer that fear of flying. Yoga therapy combines eastern and western medicine into a safe complementary addition to physical, emotional, and mental health. An example of this is seen by combining traditional cancer treatments with yoga therapy to enhance the lives of cancer patients. Doctors are gaining awareness of the benefits of yoga therapy and are referring patients to yoga therapy providers to reduce anxiety, help with lethargy, and enhance overall mind-body health.
Yoga therapy includes both psychological and physical approaches to well-being. It connects into Eastern medicine practices like acupuncture, acupressure, and EFT tapping. You get a truly holistic approach to healing with yoga therapy. The big thing about being a certified yoga therapist is that there’s no diagnosing. Yoga therapy operates as a middle ground. Mallory looks at the physical and mental limitations of participants and uses her training to direct and guide clients to the specific type of yoga therapy needed. Mallory mixes talk therapy with movement and meditation in her yoga therapy approach to overall physical and mental well-being.
Where can you find Mallory teaching or leading classes?
Mallory teaches power yoga at Bamboo Garden Yoga in Delray Beach every Monday and Wednesday from 12:30-1:30. Bamboo Garden Yoga is located at 88 SE 4th Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33483.
Mallory also does a variety of pop-up classes and other workshops so follow her on Instagram at @malloryhopes to keep up to date with her class schedule and offerings.
If you’re interested in private sessions, want to arrange a group class, or want to contact Mallory for additional information you can reach out to her at hello@malloryhopes.com or visit her website at https://malloryhopes.com.
