Melanie's path to becoming a mindfulness educator and mental health advocate is a testament to resilience and transformative healing. Navigating a tumultuous childhood and the foster care system, she encountered significant emotional challenges. Confronting grief and depression following her grandmother's loss in 2001, Melanie found solace in yoga, breath work, and guided meditation, marking the beginning of her healing journey.
In 2011, Melanie traveled to Mysore, India, for intensive meditation and yoga training. This life-changing experience helped her embrace her identity as a warrior, survivor, and ultimately, her own best friend. Her spiritual and professional growth continued through formal studies in Zen practice, Buddhist studies, and Koan practice at the Five Mountain Zen Order under the mentorship of Venerable Sunyananda and Venerable Charama Bhavika. Melanie's journey took a significant turn as she pursued further education at UCLA. There, she not only deepened her understanding of mindfulness and mental health but also shared her knowledge by teaching the very course she graduated from, bridging her personal experiences with her commitment to helping others.
With over 15 years of teaching experience, Melanie’s approach to mindfulness and meditation is both secular and inclusive, grounded in scientific research. She skillfully integrates historical teachings and spiritual practices, enriching her sessions with depth and meaning. Melanie is dedicated to empowering individuals to achieve emotional well-being, heightened self-awareness, and enhanced interpersonal relationships. Her methods are tailored to foster personal growth and a committed practice in mindfulness.
“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” -Thich Nhat Hanh
My Belief / My Teaching / Training Approach
"My journey through a challenging upbringing and living with clinical depression has deeply informed my understanding of mental health. This personal experience drives my commitment to supporting those facing similar emotional struggles. My approach is rooted in empathy and informed by my own journey towards living life with more ease, aiming to help others find inner strength and emotional well-being."
“And the day came when the risk it took to remain tightly closed in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom.” -Anais Nin
When Working With Me
You will explore techniques that are pivotal for mental health:
Meditation: Cultivating a focused, calm mind, essential for mental well-being.
Breathwork: Using controlled breathing to alleviate stress and anxiety.
Mindfulness: Practicing present-moment awareness to enhance emotional regulation.
Power of Pause: Learning to pause, creating space for thoughtful responses and emotional processing.
Responsive vs. Reactive Practices: Developing the skill to respond mindfully, reducing impulsive reactions.
Communication Skills: Improving interpersonal and intrapersonal communication for better mental health.
Relationship Building: Establishing meaningful connections, key to emotional support and resilience.
Stress Relief: Techniques for achieving a balanced state of mind and reducing emotional tension.
Self-Acceptance: Fostering a positive self-view, crucial for mental and emotional health.
Letting Go and Letting In: Embracing acceptance and openness, fundamental for emotional healing.
These practices are designed to empower individuals with tools for mental and emotional health, aiding in the journey towards a more balanced and fulfilling life."
Education, Trainings, Certifications and Endorsements
Zen Buddhism and Insight Meditation:
Ordained as a novice Buddhist monk and trained as a Meditation and Dharma teacher in the Zen Buddhist tradition and in Insight Meditation (Vipassana).
Attended seminary training with the Five Mountain Zen Order.
Mindfulness and Meditation:
Educator at UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Behavior.
Completed the Mindfulness Facilitator Program at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.
Studied under renowned mindfulness teachers Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield in 'The Power Of Awareness' program.