Welcome to the MWS Team, Melanie!
Melanie is a well-versed, multi-disciplined instructor who is dedicated to improving her clients’ quality of life, while helping them to achieve a better understanding of their bodies and how to best move them. She began as a young mover with dance and gymnastics, which later resulted in a college degree in Ethnic Dance, with a focus in Kinesiology. Initially, she began her Pilates training with Ellie Herman in 2000. She then started teaching in San Francisco and Oakland at Ellie Herman Pilates Studios, along with various other locations in Berkeley. She has spent years conducting teacher training programs for both Ellie Herman Studios and Balanced Body Pilates, the latter of which required travel around the country. She has also incorporated into her training her many years of yoga practice, culminating in becoming a certified yoga instructor, as well as the work of body worker Vladimir Janda, and the Franklin Method, which all have helped to give her a much deeper understanding of the body and its mechanics.
In continuing to master her craft, she is frequently studying with Pilates masters and experts to help ensure she is always pushing forward and always learning. Melanie has to keep her own body moving and lives for helping others to strengthen their bodies in order to gain greater control, while developing a greater appreciation for their own movements.