Melissa Ayres, MPH

San Francisco, CA 94103

Contact Melissa

I support your path toward a optimally healthier lifestyle, guiding you toward your goals for a well-organized, healthy, balanced body and mind! My background in nutrition: Accomplished Nutritionist with expertise in nutrition care planning, counseling, education, and program development. Dynamic co... moreI support your path toward a optimally healthier lifestyle, guiding you toward your goals for a well-organized, healthy, balanced body and mind! My background in nutrition: Accomplished Nutritionist with expertise in nutrition care planning, counseling, education, and program development. Dynamic consultant, adviser and educator with an extensive background and depth across a wide range of nutritional services and interventions; possesses training and experience in traditional medical models and deeply rooted in holistic perspectives. Notable success in program development, implementation and management as well as health policy and advocacy leadership. Collaborative approach focused on promoting nutrition, health and wellness. Deep understanding of a multitude of cultures, customs and socio-economic backgrounds. Fluent in Spanish. As a BGSU Distance Dietetic Intern, nearing completion toward dietetic registration/CADE (RD) exam, I have a special interest in Fitness and Exercise Nutrition. I am a member of American Society of Nutrition (ASN) and American Dietetic Association (ADA), and a member of SCAN, the Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group of the ADA. I served as Co-Chair of the Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Group of Greater New York Dietetic Association for two years, and currently hold the position of Legislative Ambassador for California Dietetic Association, San Francisco Bay Area District, promoting nutrition and health policy on behalf of the general public and representing the viewpoints of Registered Dietitians. I care deeply about promoting and educating about sustainable food systems, food security, and food sovereignty; Choosing balance and moderation for all people and the planet, now and for the future. As a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher® since 1996, and Instructor of Awareness Through Movement® since 1994, my passion and approaches for teaching this work continues to grow. Along with a strong background in health, fitness, dance and music, I have been involved with The Feldenkrais Method® for over 20 years. I grew up with professional performing artists who used these lessons to improve the attention to their work and physical flow on the stage. I enjoy teaching this work within various contexts, and especially within fitness environments as well as both artistic and athletic performance. An extensive career in Feldenkrais® instruction, I have taught throughout New York and California, including the Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music, Sixth Street Community Center, Kryha Yoga Center, The Jewel Theatre and Acting School, The Center for Movement Education, the Brady Street Dance Center, The Phoenix Theater, Cole Valley Fitness and the YMCA. I am available for teaching (private or public) group classes and workshops in community centers, performing arts, fitness and health centers, etc. to help students discover habitual movement patterns and improved motor function. The Feldenkrais Method® helps participants to explore options for increased comfort and efficiency in motion, for the purpose of improved balance, coordination, flexibility, enhanced performance, and decrease in chronic stress injury. It also addresses the relationships between the health of neuro-muscular, skeletal, and respiratory systems with improved self-perception, leading to more dynamic sensory motor functioning, learning ability, and increased well-being. More about Melissa: Maintained a private practice, providing Functional Integration® lessons, the hands-on guidance form of The Feldenkrais Method® for individual clients within group office setting (The Reunion Center) in Marina District of San Francisco from 1996 until 2000. She also worked as a Certified Massage Therapist at Club One Fitness, The Mindful Body, Spa Radiance, and Integrative Center for Culture and Healing in San Francisco from 1996-1999. less

Profession

Fitness Instructor, Wellness/Lifestyle Coach, Nutritionist or Dietitian

Expertise

Activities:	Bicycling, Body Leverage/Bodyweight Training, Dancing, Hiking, Meditation, Mind & Body, Personal Training, Pilates, Stretching/Flexibility, Walking, Yoga
Specialties:	Diet and Nutrition, Food and Cooking, Injury Prevention, Mind-Body Fitness, Nutrition , Nutrition Coaching

Degrees

BA Humanities, New College of California

BS Didactic Program in Dietitics, New York University

Master's Degree Public Health Nutrition, New York University

Post Secondary Certificate Feldenkrais Practitioner/Teacher, The Institute for The Study of Somatic Education

Post Secondary Certificate Food And Nutrition, Bowling Green State University

Years Experience

16-20 years

Certifications/Trainings

Feldenkrais® - Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner	Agency Unavailable
Feldenkrais® - Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher®	Agency Unavailable

CPR Certified

AED Certified

Liability Insurance

Marsh Affinity Group

Melissa's Locations

Alonzo King's Lines Ballet/San Francisco Dance Center - Trainer/Instructor

26 Seventh Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103

http://www.sfdancecenter.org/ | 415-863-3040 x221

Get Directions

Rate	$14.50 / hr This is the drop-in rate for most classes. Discounts available when signing up for a series, or for certain workshops.
Payment Methods	Cash, Credit Cards, Personal Checks, Cashier's Check
Awards & Accomplishments	Interfaith Medical Center - Primary Care Clinic - Consumer Advisory Board Certificate of Recognition (2010) Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center - Labels for Health Certificate of Appreciation: Health Literacy Program (2009) American Dietetic Association Public Policy Workshop Grassroots Scholarship recipient for New York State (2007) New York State Department of Health - Eat Well Play Hard Certificate of Recognition (2003)
Languages Spoken	English, Spanish
Gender	Female

Sort By: Date | Rating

Client Reviews/Comments

6 reviews

Write a review

Michael Goodman
On Jan 24, 2012

I had a great experience at my first Feldendrais session with Melissa as my guide. I left feeling calm, relaxed and centered. My shoulders, which had been aching, felt better the rest of the day, as did my hips. I am looking forward to futher sessions with Melissa.

Janet DeHart
On Dec 22, 2011

Feldenkrais® with Melissa has gently suggested new ways of movement for me on multiple levels. In her class I feel a sweet curiosity about my body and it's natural patterns without judgement. Her keen awareness and comforting voice makes the whole experience an intellligent moving meditation. She is a very knowledgable and compassionate teacher.

Fiona Taylor
On Dec 14, 2011

Melissa has an amazing tranquil voice to guide her students inward through the Feldenkrais lessons. I invariably come out of her class feeling more aligned and comfortable in my body, with better posture, and feeling reinvigorated. I also find that I refer back what I have learned from her classes at various points throughout my day.. While at my desk at work, walking down the street, laying in bed at night. The lessons remind me to be in my body with ease and they continue well beyond the boundaries of her studio. I would highly recommend her classes.

Anonymous
On Nov 02, 2011

Melissa is an excellent teacher. She knows how to teach and is tuned in to her students. I feel relaxed, energized and refreshed after her classes.

Andrea Jacoby
On Oct 26, 2011

Melissa is helpful, gentle and informative. Her classes are changing the way I experience my body.

Anonymous
On Oct 26, 2011

Mellisa is a patient, experienced Feldenkrais teacher who really knows her stuff. I've been going to her classes for a few months and I have a lot more vitality and ease of movement, which is great as I was not in the best of shape before I started. Melissa has both a trained and intuitive sense of the body and how it works - amazing teacher!