PT, DPT, E-RYT500
Physical Therapist
Certified Yoga Instructor
Melissa Brandfass became a student of yoga in 2005 while completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Dayton where she was a division I collegiate rower. When a teammate recommended going to a yoga class to complement her off-season workouts, Melissa’s entire approach to health and fitness started to change. She was hooked by the empowerment and integration of the body with the breath. After practicing yoga for many years, Melissa earned her RYT-200 in 2011 in the Kripalu Tradition in St. Augustine, FL.
Physical Therapy
In 2018 Melissa Brandfass completed her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh. It was her love of anatomy and physiology that drew her to physical therapy and her wish to help others though movement education. PT has provided Melissa with the education to help people improve their quality of life through exercise, hands-on techniques, and most importantly, education. She loves working with people of all ages and backgrounds to help them regain freedom though health.
Tibetan Medicine
Additionally, Melissa Brandfass has been studying Tibetan medicine and meditation techniques for over a decade. She began her studies while in graduate school at Naropa University. She has continued to study Tibetan holistic systems and how they interface with comparable Western modalities of health and movement. Melissa has completed various meditation retreats and spent considerable time at Kopan Monastery in Nepal for intensive study and meditation. She recently finished an intensive course in Sowa Rigpa, the study of healing in the Tibetan tradition.
Melissa’s approach to teaching integrates her mindfulness training along with her understanding of anatomy and medicine. Her classes focus on establishing safe, smart, and effective approaches to functional movement with the goal to empower each person to be able to take ownership of their body, mind and health.
Courses Taught by Melissa Brandfass
Bodies in Balance
A four part module series in the foundations of movement and anatomy.