Melanie Woods

Full CV / Resume

I am a Californian yoga instructor on the road searching for new experiences to share my love of yoga as I go. Currently teaching at a surf camp in Morocco until the end of the season that is approaching soon. I am heading to Italy and Greece for the summer and am hoping to find a place I can share my love of yoga.

My journey with yoga began when I was 19 years old traveling in India. Seven years later, I have built a daily practice, read literature, take classes, and continue to participate in workshops/trainings when I can to deepen further into yoga. I received my 200 hr teacher training certification July, 2012 from the Yandara Yoga Institute in Baja, Mexico. Returning to San Francisco, I refined my skills teaching vinyasa flow and restorative/therapeutic classes to all levels of students. I continued my education with Yoga Tree SF and have almost completed my 500hr certification with them. This strong foundation has helped me become the confident and capable teacher I am today.

Alongside my yoga experience, I have enriched my understanding of the human health with other modalities and further education. In 2014, I achieved an undergraduate degree in kinesiology -exercise and movement science from San Francisco State University. Classes like motor learning, biomechanics, and anatomy have greatly impacted my teaching skills to give classes in a safe, educational, and effective way. My experience in holistic healing and working in therapeutics has also greatly benefited my teaching. While living in San Francisco, I worked as a physical therapy aide that taught me an incredible amount about prescribing, evaluating, and leading therapeutic exercise. I have also taken massage courses and reiki attunement workshops that I offer my clients depending on their needs. I was happy in San Francisco but knew my soul was craving adventure and what better way to explore the world than offering yoga, healing, and connection as I go!

In the 5 months I have been working for Mint Surf Morocco, I have had the opportunity to teach students coming from all over the world to surf the Moroccan coastline. I get great feedback that my class helps them relax and release tension, opens up range of motion, and supports essential surfing actions like increase core stability and balance. I also offer massage and reiki treatments for sore and tired surfers. The other part of my job here is to manage guest relations, host, socialize, and help create a fun environment for our guests. I feel well seasoned in the surf business after my experience here.