Hi, I’m Melissa, Certified Massage Therapist and owner of Be Free Bodyworks. I hail from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, though I grew up in the western part of the state, so, alas, no fancy “Bahston” accent here. Western Mass is fairly rural and so as a kid, I spent a lot of time climbing trees, picking fruits and vegetables at local farms, and hanging out with cows and goats. I also played volleyball, practiced gymnastics, and performed ballet and modern dance. I completed a 200-hour power yoga teacher training program at Zuda Yoga in Sacramento and an 80-hour hot yoga teacher training program at the Barkan Method Hot Yoga Studio in Fort Lauderdale.
I know firsthand the important role massage therapy has in maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle. In 2010, I joined SacFit, a Sacramento-area running club. When a psoas/piriformis injury sidelined me, massage therapy played a key role in my recovery. Within 4 months of starting treatment, I completed the Urban Cow Half Marathon. I went on to complete the Shamrock’n Half Marathon as well as an 8-mile relay leg of the California International Marathon.
After working in the financial and ed-tech sectors for many years, I obtained my massage therapy certification so that I could share the benefits of massage therapy with others. I received my massage education from the Healing Arts Institute and the California Institute of the Healing Arts & Sciences and have deepened my knowledge through advanced massage and bodywork classes and college-level courses in Anatomy & Physiology.
I live in Sacramento with my husband and our two children. We have a houseful of pets, including Fudgie the Chinchilla, Nugget the Chiweenie, and two feline fur babies – Pocket the Maine Coon Kitty and Rex aka Wreckers. We’ve also acquired a few outdoor kitties — Cyclops (he has only one eye), Pretty Baby, and Cookie. Both my children love animals and are junior volunteers at Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary, a local non-profit no-kill shelter. My husband is an astronomy professor at Sac State — if you get the chance, check out a show at the Sacramento State Planetarium.
When I’m not at my studio, you can find me at my jeweler’s bench/art studio making treasures for my boutique, stretching out on my yoga mat, or learning to play the violin. My favorite place in the world is the ocean. I especially love the beaches “down the Cape” in Massachusetts, and travel there as often as I can ~ which isn’t nearly often enough!
Education and Affiliations
Somatic Affiliations
California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC #60311)
Certified Massage Therapist, 2014 – present
Associated Bodyworks & Massage Professionals (ABMP)
Certified Member, 2014 – present
Somatic Education
Spirit Winds School of Thai Massage: Thai Massage for the Table
Nevada City CA, May 2023
UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health: Oncology Massage Therapy Level 1 Course
San Francisco CA, April 2023
Cupping Workshop
online, Sept 2022
Introduction to Lomi Lomi/Mana Lomi
Grass Valley CA, Aug 2019
Bastyr University – Body Therapy Education: Pre & Perinatal Massage Therapy
Seattle WA, April 2019
NeuroKinetic Therapy Workshop
Corte Madera CA, Sept 2017
Massage Therapy Institute: Low Back Pain Workshop
Davis CA, Oct 2016
Healing Arts Institute: Massage Therapist Certification
Citrus Heights CA, Nov 2014
Healing Arts Institute: Massage Practitioner Certification
Citrus Heights CA, July 2014
California Institute for Healing Arts and Sciences: Massage Therapist Diploma
Sacramento CA, Feb 2004
Yoga
Yoga Alliance
Registered Yoga Teacher 200 hours, 2021 – present
Barkan Method Hot Yoga, Ft Lauderdale, FL
80 hour yoga teacher training, 2009
Zuda Yoga, Sacramento CA
200 hour yoga teacher training, 2008
Academic
Sacramento City College, Sacramento CA
Anatomy & Physiology, 10 credits, 2015 & 2016
University of Massachusetts, Amherst MA
Bachelor’s in Finance, Minor in Information Systems, 2003