All the Jobs at a Wellness Studio

It\u2019s just ticked over to 11am and Happy Melon is quiet and still.\r\n\r\nStaff and students at the yoga studio in High Street, Armadale, are seated on the floor focusing on their breathing. Eyes are closed; legs are crossed. They\u2019re in the middle of a group meditation class.\r\n\r\nThe scene is indicative of working at the studio. A handful of full-time staff and 40 contractors teach Pilates and yoga, and cover the fields of physiotherapy, fitness and meditation. Others work behind the scenes to keep bookings, classes and other aspects of the operation running smoothly.\r\n\r\n\u201cThere\u2019s so many different ways to heal the body and each body is different,\u201d says Georgie Reed, Happy Melon\u2019s marketing and product manager. \u201cIt\u2019s important to address all elements; the mental, emotional and physical.\u201d\r\n\r\nReed says the centre is humming well before their first student arrives.\r\n\r\nThe front-of-house team arrives at 5.45am and make sure everything is ready for the day\u2019s first yoga and Pilates classes. The teachers make sure they\u2019re there early, too, so they can chat with each student.\r\n\r\n\u201cChecking in and making a connection with each client is really important,\u201d says Reed.\r\n\r\nAfter class, the teachers wipe down the mats \u2013 \u201cit\u2019s nice for clients to not have to grab a mop\u201d \u2013 and sometimes move on to teach a back-to-back class. \r\n\r\nReed doesn\u2019t start until 8.30am but will often arrive an hour early so she can go to a class of her own. After showering at the studio, she\u2019ll get ready for her day dealing with advertising, design and communications. This week she\u2019s making sure a visiting international yogi has everything he needs for his weekend workshops. With a mixed background in corporate advertising and health and wellness, this environment brings the perfect balance for her.\r\n\r\n\u201cThis is so much more wholesome [than straight] advertising and it\u2019s what relates to me,\u201d she says. \u201cMy days are full and very busy, but I\u2019ve learnt to make time for different priorities like yoga or meditation classes.\u201d\r\n\r\nBy mid-morning, Happy Melon\u2019s meditation staff will be leading mindfulness sessions \u2013 the themes are \u201cclear\u201d, \u201ccalm\u201d and \u201cconnect\u201d \u2013 before heading out to host corporate wellness programs with companies.\r\n\r\nMany staff here have been handpicked for a range of skills. Two in-house physiotherapists spend their days one-on-one with patients seeking treatment. They can also be found leading reformer Pilates classes, pre-natal reformer classes and clinical Pilates.\r\n\r\nStaff member Sreejith Nair practices Ayurveda, an ancient herbal medical practice from India. His days can consist of anything from a full-body massage to a traditional Indian head massage. He\u2019s been treating for 12 years \u2013 eight of which were in India before relocating to Melbourne. \r\n\r\nOther staff members offer remedial and Rolfing techniques, and naturopaths are available to help with diet and nutrition.\r\n\r\nBy mid-afternoon, the sun is pouring into the courtyard where clients are happily sipping tea and reading magazines. Some staff may still be floating around, even if their shifts finished hours ago.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe\u2019re a happy little family \u2013 we\u2019re super respectful, we\u2019re not showy,\u201d Reed says. \u201cWe\u2019ve got quite a few people who practice in their bra; it\u2019s a respectful place like that.\u201d\r\n\r\nThere\u2019s a key element that ties the close-knit team together: they live, breathe and believe in health and wellness.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s interesting to see the paths that people have taken to get here \u2013 many of the yoga and meditation teachers are former lawyers,\u201d she says. \r\n\r\nFor those aspiring to a career in the industry, she says that level of passion is a driver for success.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe common link is authenticity,\u201d she says. \u201cBecause of that we\u2019ve grown into a little community. We all encourage each other to look after ourselves and get involved in what\u2019s important to each other. We want to be the best we can be so we can help others be the best they can be.\u201d\r\n\r\nThis article is presented in partnership with Hostplus, which has your super covered no matter your role and how it changes through your career.\r\n