meet Marisa Atula
Marisa Atula is a Wellness Educator specializing in mindfulness practices for helping and healing professions. Prior to her exploration of all things mindfulness, Marisa spent 6 years as an Investigative Analyst with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, investigating crimes against children cases (working with local, state, federal, and international agencies).
It took a few years on the job (and numerous nudges from family and friends) to realize the work was taking a toll on her physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. During her career and in the years following, Marisa sought to understand the effects of witnessing traumatic content and the methods to recover from it. For many years, mindfulness and yoga practices were the only thing to offer relief from the chronically stressful career. Now, using the same mindfulness practices that supported her resilience, balanced her burnout, and promoted a lost sense of peace, Marisa supports those in helping/healing professions - during work hours and long after.
Marisa has studied with numerous individuals but calls Yogrishi Vishvketu her teacher. She earned her 200-hour certification at a southern California studio and completed her 300-hour at Anand Prakash Ashram (with Y. Vishvketu). She has pursued continuing education on the topics of trauma with clinical psychiatrist Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (author of The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, Brain, and Body in the Healing of Trauma), on the brain and nervous system function with Kristin Leal, and countless educational workshops and courses.
Since her days as an investigative analyst, Marisa has studied and shared how vicarious trauma can affect an individual’s mind, body, and relationship to the world. As Marisa’s first steps into yoga and therapeutics were intimidating, you can expect a theme of comfort in her offerings. From a warm invitation to your very first class, a comfortable environment to try something new, to create comfort in the body, and comfort in the relationships between body, mind, spirit, and external world.
She is an E-RYT-500 Registered Yoga Teacher, Continuing Education Provider, Restorative Yoga and Breath-work Guide, Certified Holistic Health Coach, and decade long student of yoga.
reviews & recommendations
“One of Richmond’s best kept secrets. This class brings the body and mind back to calm after a busy week. Unique ambiance and soothing flow is unmatched.”
Brandon C.
Marisa’s classes keep me sane. They are a much needed reminder to slow down, take a deep breath, and move your body. I can’t recommend more.”
Lily M.
“Marisa is great at making the class feel very comfortable...it feels like individualized instruction though it's a group, because she makes sure to give great vocal cues about making sure each person feels permission and safety to find their own way to comfort through gentle suggestion. I always cry, I never know why, but I always feel better after.”
Jason P.
“Practicing with Marisa is like being cuddled by her nurturing voice. Her restorative classes are like a guided nap with a warm hug. Expect to walk out of class floating on a cloud in a peaceful daze. Her vinyasa classes are as equally playful as they are peaceful with just the right amount of intensity sprinkled throughout her sequences. You'll move, breathe, sweat, cry, and meditate. Balance is the perfect word to describe it.
Secondly, but just as important, the accompanying music is curated with intention and detail to complement the spiritual and physical focus of each class. You'll find yourself walking out of class wondering how the feels came up during pigeon pose, realizing it was just the perfect alignment of physical, emotional, musical, and spiritual movement that got you there.”
Melanie T.
“Total bliss. Taking yoga to a totally different level. A rare gem in Richmond. Such a thoughtful class. So grateful for such a great teacher as Marisa.”
Aimee Y.
“First mediation I've ever participated in and it honestly felt like 10 minutes, not half an hour. Marisa has magic and is not from earth.”
Cruz S.
“Marisa’s class is a heavenly sanctuary.”
Sernarra A.
“Practicing yoga, breath work, and meditation with Marisa is such a unique and, in many ways, transformative experience. Whenever I’m done practicing with her, I think how incredible it is that she knew exactly what I needed to do and hear and feel. She has an uncanny ability to ease your mind and move your body in gentle but still incredibly effective ways. She is such a gifted teacher and I feel so lucky to benefit from her knowledge, expertise, and truly special style.”
Deirdre S.
“Marisa is a talented yoga instructor who helps her students find balance, rest, and contentment both in yoga and in life. Marisa’s classes make me feel safe, seen, and cared for - a real treat for students of all levels.”
Laura Jo R.
“Marisa’s classes are by far some of the most relaxing and grounding classes I’ve taken. Marisa helped me immensely in my journey towards a mindset that yoga is not a workout, but a peaceful, self-care practice.”
Aja J.
“Best restorative teacher/class I’ve taken. Her delicate voice just transcends you into a calm and peaceful paradise. Great escape from a long work week.”
Barbara B.
“Marisa has an amazingly soothing voice. I love her practice before bed. I took private practice with her for over a year. She knew exactly what I needed.”
Melissa F.
“Safe to say that Marisa is one of the most wonderful Yoga teachers I have ever had the honor of meeting, practicing with, and learning from.
I met Marisa about four years ago and she was one of my teachers through YTT. Her completely calm, inquisitive, caring self shines through in every single one of her classes. I never would have considered getting trained in restorative yoga if it wasn’t for Marisa. She shares her plentiful knowledge on every posture and breath with her class and makes you feel like she is speaking directly to you all the while making you feel individually supported by her.
I can’t say enough about Marisa as a person or a yoga teacher and you truly can’t understand until you’ve experienced one of her classes yourself. If you’re looking for calm, peace, knowledge, a lighter heart and a yoga class that can turn around your day or even your week, practice with Marisa.. you will not regret it.”
Emma J.
“thanks for shining so much light into my life and the lives of so many - we are better because of your peaceful, grounded, gracious presence.”
Rachel D.
“When I take a class with Marisa its always mat to mat, yet somehow its like she speaks directly to whatever void I need filled at that moment.
Her in person classes are transcending, where space is held for you, the breath work grounds you, and the movements re-center you.
Her online offerings have allowed for a small piece of “normal life”. She’s authentic and real and amazing. And, if you’re truly lucky Laila (her pup) will make an appearance.”
Cristin R.
“Marisa’s Restorative class is a must for Sunday scaries. Deeply rooted in breath work, Marisa has such a calming voice that really helps set your mind at ease. Walking out of class, you will not only feel emotionally more at peace, but you’ll also be fully stretched out and ready for the week!”
Karen S.
