Melanie Benjamin

I am thrilled you are reading this and learning more about me. I am passionate about life, and about helping others navigate life! It is my calling to help others release the burdens they have taken-on during their life experience. 

How did I get here? After I became a mother in 2004, I became very interested in how (emotional and/or physical) traumas impact us as humans. I was fascinated by how a baby is able to pick up the emotions of his/her mother (and vice versa) and how a calm and mindful parent does wonders for an entire household.  This led to my exploration of mindfulness and self-care, beginning with some (much needed) internal work of my own.  I stumbled upon Dr. Carol Phillips' Dynamic Body Balancing (DBB) technique.  This led me to study the DBB technique, and in 2010 after 100 hours of workshops, I became certified in the DBB technique. 

I was then called to study yoga and I graduated from my 240-hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2020, RYT200. I'm honored and humbled to find myself as a Yoga Teacher.  It feels so natural to rely on my experience and knowledge with Dynamic Body Balancing and Reiki to integrate into Asana (poses).  I am fascinated by the breadth and depth of Yoga and am eager to continue on my path of growth. 

In January 2023, I completed Reiki 1&2 and in February 2024, I received my Reiki Master. September 2024 I will receive animal reiki and in November 2024 Karuna Reiki. I'm also a practicing Reiki Practitioner and craniosacral therapy/Dynamic Body Balancing facilitator. I am not a therapist but facilitate the release of myofascial restrictions and energy cysts within the body and spirit.

I am intuitive and empathic, and this allows me to tune and channel while leading a yoga class. Being a Reiki Master and Yoga Instructor, I offer a unique experience called Reiki Infused Yoga. Reiki Infused Yoga allows space and time for the class to stay in yoga poses while receiving Reiki. Reiki is a healing practice that channels spiritually guided “life force energy” (chi, prana, etc.) and is administered to promote mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. Reiki is a Japanese technique and helps reduce stress, pain, anxiety, depression and allows one to release tension and burdens that are no longer needed. One feels lighter and more at peace after a Reiki session. As a Reiki Infused Yoga class experiences the benefits of each yoga pose, they are also experiencing Reiki to cleanse and recharge their energy field. Reiki Infused Yoga classes typically hold yoga poses longer to receive Reiki while moving through their yoga practice. There is some flexibility on how long the class holds poses and depends on whether it is a restorative setting in a slower paced class or more movement with a Hatha paced class. Reiki is also given during savasana.

I’m also trained in craniosacral therapy, specifically Dynamic Body Balancing technique, which is typically administered in a one-on-one setting. Depending on what your resort is looking for, I’m able to offer group Reiki Infused Yoga classes and/or one-to-one bodywork and energy work sessions. In a Dynamic Body Balancing session, I am spiritually guided to work with the client or student’s physical body in a “dance-like motion” where one is moving in and out of various poses, these poses are similar to yoga poses. Dynamic Body Balancing can also be done in a more passive manner by laying on a massage table and receiving a treatment. Both of these styles allow movements of the physical body to release fascial restrictions held in the body’s tissues. The client’s healing is amplified by my energy field, intuitive work, and Reiki’s energy to accelerate healing and integrate mind-body-spirit connection.

In a Reiki Infused Yoga class, I create a theme for each class or series of classes. For example, the theme for a series could balancing the chakras where I pair particular poses along with music to facilitate balancing the chakras, all while sending Reiki to the class. “Reiki Infused Yoga for the Heart Chakra” would bring in a good balance of heart opening poses centered around warming the body for the peak pose and then cooling down the body and integrating healing with Reiki during  savasana.

In addition to Reiki Infused Yoga, I am well-seasoned in leading Hatha Yoga, Power Yoga, and Yoga Sculpt Classes. I love creating and leading Yoga Sculpt classes where I lead a fusion style class to up beat music while weaving in power yoga flow poses and adding in a cardio track, a glute track, a core track, and a balance track. This is a higher intensity class that sculpts the body and invigorates the mind.  

Yoga is so many things, to so many people.  It is truly beautiful.  I'm excited to see what the future entails.