RUSSIAN-BORNMasha Gorodilova, 31, has
been practicing yoga since she was 13.
Originally inspired by Tao, she came to
yoga during the process of curing a kidney
disease that Western doctors had deemed
incurable. For 18 years, Masha has found
solace in a daily practice on her “magic
carpet”. After travelling and studying yoga
around the world, from New York to India
and beyond, Masha has now settled in
Melbourne where she co-owns and teaches
at Happy Melon Studios, two bright and
homely spaces offering yoga, pilates, fitness
classes and mindfulness meditation.
Before meeting Masha, I attended one
of her classes at the main Happy Melon
studio on High St in Melbourne’s hip,
upmarket Armadale. The vibe was homely,
yet chic ... reminiscent of a fancy hotel with
its rustic white floorboards and marble
bathrooms decked out with luxurious eco
products. Tempting herbal teas were served
outside the bright and airy yoga space.
The studio was full of trendy and
experienced yogis cramming the space, mat
to mat. Teaching is clearly Masha’s passion
and she loves to lead a strong, dynamic
vinyasa class. Her style is militant but
fun; her Russian accent and occasional
imperfect English combined with a
nurturing and maternal nature make her
classes engaging and humorous, and a
funky playlist hummed in the background.
At the end of class Masha was in her
element, sporting a smile from ear to ear
as we got together for a cup of tea in the
sunny courtyard. Masha’s outstanding
reputation preceded her and her photosexuded strength, wisdom and grace, so
I was at first a little intimidated at the
prospect of meeting this yoga-celeb. But
as she greeted me with open arms, I was
immediately comfortable in her warm and
relaxed presence which came across both in
and out of the yoga shala. We chatted easily
about all things yoga, and how Masha has
come to be one of Melbourne’s best-loved
yogis and well-respected teachers.
Masha knew from early on in her
practice that she would one day come to
teach. She said, “I started teaching before I
had any qualifications. It felt so natural for
me.” At 17, Masha’s mother encouraged
her to leave Russia and her place at a
prestigious dance school to move to
Australia and study English. She did not
speak a word of the language and struggled
to find her place in a new and very different
country. “I hated it at first but I’m so glad I
stayed,” she mused with enthusiasm.
Masha based herself in Melbourne,
travelling occasionally and spending some
time in Byron Bay where she completed her
first teacher training. “That was over 10
years ago now,” she reminisced and then
added, smiling, “I knew then that I would
teach forever.”
Masha has come a long way since her
humble beginnings. She has studied with
some of the most inspiring and experienced
yogis, including Laughing Lotus’s Danielle
Hoogenboom and Tara Judelle, two of her
greatest mentors.
Masha lives and breathes yoga.
Her personal practice consists of a focus
on asana for flexibility and strength,and
MINDS
By Jessica Humphries
32
april 2016yogajournal.com.auMasha G is enchanting the Melbourne yoga scene
with her upbeat, passionate approach to asana and a
wholehearted commitment to a thriving community
and inspiring others towards living a mindful life.
PHOTO: MATT KORINEKCAPTURING