Here In Greer

Coffee with a Cop is back! Area 2 Officers encourage ALL of the community to enjoy a cup of coffee and some conversation with them on April 21st at the oh so awesome Barista Alley!

Play your edge at Mel-O-Yoga

By Krista Gibson

Melanie Boulos encourages participants in her classes to play their edge. In this way, they can use yoga to build strength, flexibility, and balance into their fitness routine.
Boulos owns and operates Mel-O-Yoga at 803B W. Poinsett Street in Greer, which opened May 1 of last year. The studio offers 17 classes per week, including a free class open to the public every Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
“There wasn’t any yoga in Greer when we opened,” Boulos said. “A lot of people’s doctors are telling them they should try yoga. It makes me feel better physically, mentally, emotionally. I do feel there is a real benefit to it.”
Mel-O-Yoga offers classes for beginners and advanced students. All levels can participate. Props including bolsters, blocks, straps, blankets, and balls are available to aid participants. The first class is free and then $10 per class after that. New clients can join for 30 days for $40 and try all of the different classes to see where they fit.
Boulos grew up in Greer but work took her out of the area until 1995, when she returned. A yoga place opened up near her home and she practiced there for four years. By the time the owner left that business, Boulos decided to pursue yoga practice as a teacher. She got certified through the Asheville Yoga Center and started teaching classes in her home.
“This space became available last spring and it just seemed like the time to make the move, bring it here and make a step up,” Boulos said. Her husband’s family has owned the business center on Poinsett Street for over 50 years.
“For me, yoga is really good fit,” she said. “I’m not a runner. I don’t lift weights. I stay healthy in the yoga world.”
There are seven teachers, including Boulos, that teach beginner classes through warm power flow. Private sessions are available. The studio also offers workshops. A back care workshop is being offered on Feb 24 for $25. It will focus on learning to strengthen and stretch the back.
A free seminar, Mindful Eating and Movement, is available on March 11. The opportunity to join a six-week program about plant-based eating with yoga classes included will follow. In April, Mel-O- Yoga will offer a 108 Sun Salutations class, a fiery practice to denote the changing of the seasons, Boulos said.
Yoga enthusiasts may use the Mind Body application for smart phones to sign up for classes. For more information about the studio and instructors, visit mel-o-yoga.com or connect through Facebook and Instagram. Office hours are Tuesdays, 11-11:30 a.m.; Wednesdays 11-11:30 a.m. and 5:-5:30 p.m.; and Thursdays 11-11:30 a.m. and 6-6:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 3rd, Greer Athletic Club had their Grand Re-Opening Celebration.

They offered several opportunities during the celebration to help out the Greer community including a workout to raise donations for Cheyenne Vandergrift and her family and a canned food drive for Greer Community Ministries!

Photos: Julie McCombs