Highlighting Our Students – Melanie Duve

This month we want you to meet ACMM student and graduate Melanie Duve.  Melanie is currently completing her Post Graduate Diploma with ACMM and is running regular classes online and in Colac, Victoria. In this blog, she shares how meditation has changed her life and continues to support her mental health.

Continue reading to find out more.

Hi Melanie! Tell us a little bit about yourself 

I completed the Advanced Certificate with ACMM in 2021, and I’m now working towards completing the Post Graduate Diploma.

I’m a mum to three unique, vibrant, strong teenagers, a wife to a talented and passionate Chef and have two four legged babies, both Border Collie cross and both full of energy and mischief. I live in Colac Victoria, which is on Gulidjan Country, located on the edge of the gorgeous Otway Rainforest, whose traditional owners are the Gadubanud people.

I am currently taking a break from my corporate career life and exploring new ideas and dreams, that are better suited to my personality, interests and values. I am very passionate about mental health and wellbeing and creating a world that is safe for those needing help, to speak up and seek support.

My dream is to work with Teenagers, 13-18 years old, developing programs focused on meditation and mindfulness to help them form healthy habits towards supporting their nervous system, and wellbeing. I have always had a desire to be the support I wished I’d had during these important and challenging development years.

What attracted you to become a meditation teacher and study with ACMM?

I had tried meditation on and off for a few years, and whilst I could feel some benefits of meditation, I could not maintain a regular practice or keep my mind focused. After experiencing a mental health crisis in my early 30’s, I came to meditation desperate to find a ‘cure’ from my anxiety and fears. Not finding that cure, but wholly believing there was something to this meditation stuff that I had to be missing, I decided to do a course and learn about meditation.

I found ACMM online, read some wonderful reviews and dived in, with the intention of developing my own practice, for me. By session two I was hooked by fascination and curiosity and by session four I knew this was where I was meant to be and I had developed a strong passion to become a teacher and guide. It was one of the best decisions I have made in my life.

How has meditation impacted you on a personal level – what are the benefits you have seen?

Meditation has changed my life, living with an anxiety disorder is so chaotic and exhausting. I have found so much solace and peace through meditation. I recognise when my body is stressed, I understand sensations and physical reactions for what they are, not what my thoughts tell me they are, I am so much more mindful in challenging situations and less reactive.

I am a calmer and happier Mum, which has been my greatest achievement through mindfulness, after being chronically stressed for years. I am more self-aware and making decisions about my life based on my needs, values and personality, rather than what I ‘should’ do.

What does your personal meditation practice look like? What styles or types of meditation do you enjoy?

My practice when I’m working full time is often at night, I meditate for at least 30 mins then journal for another 15 mins. Now that I am a lady of leisure, I meditate in the morning and in the evening. I love meditating outside in the morning and in my cosy little meditation corner in the evening.

I love to guide visualisation and self-compassion meditations with my groups, I personally love chanting, mala bead and enquiry meditations in my own practice.

After attending my first online retreat a few weeks ago with ACMM, I am now keen to attend more of these and in person.

Do you have your own meditation/mindfulness/holistic business, plans to start one?

I started Melody of Soul Meditation last year, it is almost one year old!

Right now, I guide two in person meditations per week and an online session. I am currently working at expanding this offering and just signed up for the Workshops and Classes elective with ACMM to help me develop my Meditation and Mindfulness Program for Teens.

I have completed training in Sacred Circle Facilitation and plan to run Women’s Circles, Teen Circles and Mother to be blessings. Lots of ideas and projects in the pipeline.

My current offerings have drawn a variety of ages and both male and female, there is a beautiful studio space in Colac I hire that is within a Wellbeing Centre, its traditionally been used for yoga. Long term I’d like to add on to my meditation skills and offer Mental Health Counselling, and a focus area for my programs is teenagers.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about becoming a meditation teacher?

Whether you are new to meditation or experienced in your practice, there is so much to learn when completing your training. Even you have no desire to be a teacher or guide, the course is well worth doing as your own practice will be much more effective with the knowledge you will gain.

What have you enjoyed about studying at ACMM?

I loved my Coach, Jaine. I believe we cross paths with people we are supposed to meet and I believe this is why I was paired with Jaine.

Beyond the one-on-one coaching, all of the Coaches have been so supportive and kind, through online meditations, elective coaching, graduate diploma calls and I’ve found some wonderful offerings from coaches in their private practice.

I finish each session and elective feeling confident and ready to explore further in my personal practice and with my groups.

You can find out more about Melanie and her offerings at:

Via her website and joining her quarterly newsletter & Instagram:
www.melodyofsoulmeditation.com
Instagram