Empowering people to feel confident in both their bodies and their voices
Creating safe spaces filled with nourishment, community & a deep feeling of belonging
Fostering self-expression through yoga, somatic practices and music
Two very talented girls with lots of knowledge, creativity, and soft energy who helped me find a way back to myself.
- Lavinia
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Our Mission
Methods
Yoga, meditation, breathwork
Through mindful movement and breath, yoga becomes a path of returning to presence — harmonizing body, mind, and spirit. Each practice invites grounding, openness, and a deeper connection to the self beneath the surface.
Music
Vocal somatics bridges sound and embodiment, using the voice as a tool for healing and expression. Gentle toning, breath, and resonance practices help free the natural voice, allowing inner truth to vibrate through the whole body.
Somatic work cultivates awareness of the body as a living source of wisdom. By tuning into physical sensation and subtle impulse, we learn to release stored patterns and reinhabit ourselves with authenticity and ease.
Somatics
About Us
Two yoga teachers and musicians striving to create a world where people are connected to one another, feeling safe in their bodies and their self-expression.
Lauren Pyjar
Lauren is a pianist, yogi, somatic coach, and aspiring harpist. She found yoga when she was fourteen, and since completing her training in 2022, she has taught almost 1,000 hours of yoga classes. Lauren is based in her hometown of San Diego, California, where she also holds women's circles.
Lauren designs her classes to unlock her students’ chakras through intentional movement, powerful breath work, and focused meditation. She is dedicated to honoring yoga's history and traditions, beginning and ending each class by singing a mantra.
In addition to formal training in yoga teaching, Lauren has spent hundreds of hours pursuing independent study of yoga tradition and philosophy, including studying at ashrams in India and learning the Sanskrit language.
Education:
200h Hatha/Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training (San Diego, CA)
120h Mind-Body Somatic Coaching Training
35h Yoga Nidra Teacher Training
Melina Röder
Melina is a singer-songwriter, yoga teacher, and voice coach, currently based in Cologne, Germany.
She has practiced yoga since a child, as her mother taught yoga to children. Years later, she found her own passion in yoga & meditation, breathwork, and vocal sound healing.
As an artist and musician, she sings and performs as 'Melina Delaney' and loves to end her classes by singing. Melina aims to connect her passions yoga & music/voice, as they became essential parts of her self-expression.
Right now, she teaches classes and workshops in German & English in Cologne and on her online Patreon platform.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts - Focus: Jazz/Pop Vocals (Münster, Germany)
200h Hatha/Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training
(San Diego, USA)Master of Education - Music, English, Pedagogy (Cologne, Germany)
50h Somatics and Voice Training (Hamburg, Germany)
"This week was maybe the most relaxing week of my life – even though it was surrounded by some really stressful work! The energy was so positive and light, the food was AMAZING, and the place itself is just like heaven. It felt so good to do that much yoga and to have so many beautiful opportunities for reflection, slowing down and connecting with myself. :)"
- Ann-Kathrin
"A beautiful location, great yoga classes, and inspiring workshops led with genuine passion! There was a good balance between group activities and free time, which gave me plenty of space to relax and enjoy the experience at my own pace."
- Patrick
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can attend the retreats?
Our retreats and workshops are for everyone who resonates with the retreat themes such as yoga, somatics, voice and community.
Some retreats might be specifically for women or people who identify as such - please review each retreat page to see if you qualify as a guest.
Do I need singing experience?
How will I know when I can sign up for a new retreat?
Does Afterglow Retreats host day events as well?
How long are the retreats?
Subscribe to our email list or follow us on social media to be the first to know when a new retreat makes it on the calendar!
Retreats are typically 4-6 days, but can last anywhere from a weekend to an entire week. More info in our calendar.
Definitely not – our teachings are for any level from beginner to advanced.
Our vocal workshops are created to guide participants to discover one's own voice, experience its resonance within the body, and learn how to regulate the nervous system through the voice. There is no previous experience needed.
Lauren is based in San Diego, California, and Melina is based in Cologne, Germany. We both lead workshops in our hometowns and nearby, along with the occasional online workshop. Sign up for our email list to receive updates about workshops happening near you.
Do I need yoga experience?
Both Melina and Lauren are very experienced teachers who are accustomed to leading students with a wide range of abilities. If you have specific concerns or limitations, we encourage you to reach out via email to discuss how we can accommodate.