This Spin Studio Founder Has a Refreshing Take on Wellness

Embia House – a boutique studio in Richmond offering spin, hot Pilates, yoga and breathwork – is doing group fitness differently. Here, getting toned is just a side perk. Founder Melissa Nixon is building a family, underpinned by values of acceptance and belonging. And she believes wellness runs deeper than the body. “It’s about your heart. We get a lot of people through the door who are healing. I want to be there for all of it,” she says.

Nixon’s been in the fitness game since she started dancing as a child. She worked as a professional dancer for 25 years, going on to teach. “But there’s always an expiry date with dance,” she says. When Nixon reached her forties, she found herself in a lull. Something needed to shift. Then a friend dragged her to a spin class at United Ride: “It wasn’t as sexy as it is today – it was quite forbidden. Only the fittest of the fit ever did spin.” That day, she made friends that remain some of her closest. Two classes a week became three, became two classes a day, seven days a week. “It became my safe space. I could let it all go in that room.” Years later, when the owner decided to sell, she bought the studio.

Now, Nixon combines her love for spin and community at Embia House. “That’s what drives me here every morning. I do it for my people.” And on August 16, Broadsheet Access members are invited to experience every class at Embia House for free, over the course of one packed day. Start with spin, before getting sweaty in hot Pilates and hot yoga. You’ll finish with a breathwork session and a free Greenstreat smoothie.

Here’s how Nixon approaches wellness. Spoiler: she’s human like the rest of us.

Ideal exercise schedule?

Movement isn’t just in the [exercise] room. If I’m vacuuming the studio every day, that’s movement, because I’m moving in a space that I love. Anything you do, where you find happiness, is going to benefit you. I teach four times a week, and I make sure those classes aren’t back-to-back. I ride two classes on the floor. If I’m not doing rides, I’ll jump into the Pilates room. Which is very new for me! It’s extremely humbling. I listen to my body. I do things that feel good. If they don’t, I’m okay to say no.

Tip for staying motivated through winter?

I think variety is the spice. Winter is a great time to try new things and set some personal challenges. We tend to be a little more dormant, whether that’s sitting on the couch or having lots of comfort foods, which I am a huge fan of – I eat a block of chocolate a day. But to stay motivated, I think it’s about being around people that make you feel great. I don’t think it’s that deep. Motivation comes from feeling supported and safe.

Non-negotiable wellness ritual?

I will not negotiate on being outside for at least an hour a day. If I need to force myself to walk to Officeworks, if I haven’t been outside, I won’t drive. And I will not skip food. While I have a very significant sweet tooth, I make sure I’m fuelling my body. It’s not fair to be asking your body to perform miracles when you’re not going to love and nurture it. I meditate twice a week, and I do breathwork at least once a week. They’re not daily practices, but they’re important to me.

How do you make time for rest?

A lot of people deem rest as closing your eyes. I’m not going to lie and say I get eight hours a night. I’m lucky to get four to five hours of sleep a night, and I don’t advocate that. So my rest time is when I’m decorating the studio, or doing the plants, or when I see my mum. We don’t do much, because she’s not well. So I sit on the couch and we have quality time. That is rest.

To nab your mat at the Embia House x Broadsheet Access wellness day, join the Access community today.

It’s one of many perks of membership – you’ll be first to eat at the hottest new restaurants, tour exhibitions after-hours and score VIP invites to all the best parties. Plus, meet people who love culture as much as you do.

Access weaves you into the fabric of your city. Did we mention it’s only $12 a month?