MEET: Shanti Wellness
The latest milestone for Lele Genovesio-Niper on her two-decade journey with yoga is a big one. The longtime yogi recently opened her own studio, Shanti Wellness Inc. in Melbourne.
The former art teacher began practicing yoga as a means of recovery from long-distance running and cycling. It wound up being her salvation as she struggled through declining health, fatigue and pain that took a while to diagnose as thyroid dysfunction. A large tumor had been growing for possibly years.
“It got harder and harder each day. I was barely functioning, and the simplest activities were absolutely overwhelming,” Genovesio-Niper said. “Yoga was the one exercise that was gentle and adaptive enough to meet my ever-changing energy level and constant physical pain. It not only helped prevent injury, but it also made me feel like my mind and body were reset to start a new week.”
The entire experience and recovery were a wakeup call. She knew she needed to stop putting off her goals.
On the road to wellness, she traveled to India where she became a 500-hour certified yoga instructor. After relocating to Brevard from Vermont, she credits weVENTURE with helping set her up for business.
Just when she had her momentum, COVID shut everything down. But Genovesio-Niper saw it as an opportunity.
“Instead of losing my mind, with the entire country on hold, I could focus all of my energy to remodel the space… It took significantly longer than I had expected, but thankfully I had the time to do it. Every plank of flooring, every stroke of paint was well worth my bruises, sweating, sore hands and back. I now love the space, and I smile every time I enter my studio.”
So do many yogis who regularly practice at Shanti. Genovesio-Niper is trained to teach Vinyasa and Hatha, aerial, acro, Thai yoga body-work and Kundalini. She’s also a Reiki master and is completing her prenatal and postnatal yoga training.
“We attract the energy we project, and I am very grateful to say that I have now a beautiful community of yogis that join me each day for a little healing session. I love watching them grow in their personal practice,” she said.
Classes include flow, zen, power, aerial, yin/restorative, Kundalini, chair, gentle, and warrior/Hatha yoga. Aerial classes are in person due to safety concerns, but all traditional classes can be taken in person and online.
As an artist and an art teacher, Genovesio-Niper also offers art sessions, and plans to stay true to her goal to offer free yoga and art for underprivileged children.
Shanti Wellness
235 West Hibiscus Blvd., Melbourne
321-525-6276
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