A New Chapter for a Beloved Space: House of AUM’s Next Evolution

Finding House of AUM

I came to yoga during a season of personal transformation. While studying self-care and healing more deeply, I attended a workshop at a yoga studio in Dayton. A fellow participant sensed what I was seeking—something nature-rooted and spiritually alive—and said, “You should visit House of AUM in Yellow Springs.”

I took my first class at AUM shortly after. When I expressed my gratitude and curiosity about the way the practice was held in that room, the teacher told me, “You must meet Melissa.” I started coming daily, asking around until, one day, I walked in and finally met her at the front desk. That meeting changed the course of my life with a clarity I can still feel.

Meeting Melissa and Discovering Home

Melissa had built House of AUM with love, intuition, and the courage to let spirituality stay wild. Her presence was steady and luminous, and she had a gift for making every student feel safe enough to soften. That first real conversation with her felt like remembering home.

I began showing up every day—not out of obligation, but out of reverence. AUM became my sanctuary for somatic healing and personal evolution. It held me through shedding and renewal, the way only a space born of devotion can.

A Full-Circle Moment

On May 26, during the new moon in Gemini, Melissa visited us at home and offered me the chance to steward the studio. At the time, my partner Cullen and I were exploring how to create a wellness space without competing with what already existed here. Her invitation aligned everything. I became the owner in July 2025, stepping into the role with gratitude and respect for what AUM already meant to so many.

Honoring the Legacy

Melissa continues to teach classes, lead trainings, and guide retreats—her presence remains part of AUM’s living fabric. Lauren, our studio manager for more than ten years, is an integral anchor for the studio’s daily rhythm. Her kindness in phone calls, emails, and support ensures every student feels welcomed and cared for.

This next chapter is collaborative: Melissa’s ongoing guidance, Lauren’s steady stewardship, Cullen's support, and my responsibility as owner all work together so AUM can keep serving the community with clarity and heart.

Leading with Balance

Cullen is my partner in this work—my right hand in operations and a steady presence in the studio’s evolution. I lead as owner and visionary; together, we bring balance. I’m a Sagittarius (expansive, meaning-driven); he’s a Capricorn (grounded, consistent). We see that blend as a practical expression of the divine feminine and divine masculine: creativity and structure, intuition and follow-through. We’re grateful for the challenges and opportunities that help us grow as we steward this space.

Looking Ahead

As we continue to evolve, you’ll begin to see offerings and community rituals that deepen our connection to nature and the rhythms that guide healing. I hope that House of AUM remains both a sanctuary for movement and a vessel for spiritual growth—a space where ancient wisdom meets modern life, and where everyone feels invited to explore what wholeness means for them.

A Student-First Future

At its core, House of AUM exists for the students. Every decision we make begins with the question: What will serve our community best?

“Student-first” means our teachers and offerings are guided by the real needs of those who practice here—nervous-system regulation, spiritual connection, belonging, and renewal. It means pricing that feels fair, communication that feels human, and a studio culture built on listening rather than hierarchy.

Yellow Springs has always been a village of seekers. Long before any of us arrived, the natural spring itself was known for its healing properties. This town grew from that same energy of restoration and wholeness, and House of AUM continues that lineage—a sanctuary for everyone walking their path of wellness and awakening.

Our teaching community reflects that diversity of path and purpose—each teacher bringing unique wisdom while upholding the same heart-centered ethos that has always defined AUM.

A Closing Blessing

To everyone I’ve already met—thank you for the warmth you’ve shown me and the care you give this space. To those I haven’t met yet—welcome. I hope to see you in class soon. Come visit us, experience the refreshed studio, settle your breath, and feel how AUM continues to evolve while remaining true to its soul.

May this studio remain a place where each of us is met with dignity and presence. May we keep growing together—rooted in gratitude, guided by love, and attuned to the rhythms that restore us. And so it is.