Testimonials

“Before working with Melissa my athletes did core work and circuits on their own.  As a result of training with Melissa my athletes have a better understanding of balance and movement and how it applies to the rowing stroke.  I recommend stop thinking and make the investment.  It will pay huge dividends to your athletes.”

Huge dividends to your athletes Dave D. (Boston, MA)

“I feel much more efficient in my rowing stroke, specifically in keeping the handles at an appropriate height, keeping my shoulders down, keeping the starboard oar from running too deep etc.”

 

Sculling pain free Elizabeth B.(Boston, MA)

“I was way more comfortable in a shell. I became much more efficient.  I definitely have made substantial improvements in sculling this year and many many thanks to Melissa! The corrections Melissa told me to make made sense to me and I could feel the difference as soon as I made them. Melissa is truly an exceptional coach and I’m sad I couldn’t stay for the remainder of the summer.”

 

More comfort in the shell Rachel M. (Boston, MA)

“1) I have more confidence 2) I feel like I am making progress 3) I look forward to sessions.”

 

Sculling with back pain Alice W. (Boston, MA)

“Melissa has been training me for several years now. She is one of the most insightful, thoughtful and knowledgeable instructors I have encountered. She really listens to the needs of her clients and puts in the extra hours to find ways to improve not only their fitness, but their overall health. Melissa takes on a thoughtful and complete approach with her clients, pulling from her knowledge and background in physical therapy, biology, psychology and a variety of sports and activities. Her dedication to her clients’ well-being is impressive and inspiring. Not only does she have a wonderful approach with her clients, but she also has a great sense of humor, making it so much fun to work with her!”

Sense of humor Isabelle Chiradia (San Diego, CA)

“Melissa has been teaching a core fitness class at IPF for the past 6 months or so. She keeps us honest in our exercise — always picking up on poor form and low effort! I take this class as, without it, the back pain I have had for several years returns; with the class I am pretty much pain free — thanks to Pops”

Living pain free Ray Glasstone (Mountain View, CA)

“Melissa makes even the hardest workout a joy with her kind and positive attitude. But, make no mistake, she is truly professional, using “tough love” by listening to excuses and gently steering me back on track. I enjoyed every one of my sessions with Melissa and learned so much from her.”

Tough love Maria Menard (Palo Alto, CA)

“Melissa is professional, knowledgeable and creative in applying her knowledge to my specific requirements and objectives. In all my years of training, I’ve never thought I would get the kind of strength and balance to my core strength that I achieved with Melissa in such a short period of time. I would highly recommend Melissa! I would highly recommend her to anyone who is serious about improving their fitness and flexibility.”

Strength & Balance Martin Lee (Mountain View, CA)

“After persistent back issues that cropped up while biking, I worked directly with Melissa to address those issues. Her knowledge of pilates, addressing specific areas, and focus on proper form helped me quite a bit. While I may have been feeling the burn due to specific exercises while performing them, I also felt their benefit out on the trail. My biking was stronger and my back much happier during extended climbs. She made a point of checking in on not only what activities I had planned, but also how I felt the weekend before after our prior session. Her professionalism, attention to detail and focus on proper form make her a great trainer.”

Mountain biking with persistent back issues Jim Spring (Mountain View, CA)

“Melissa is very knowledgeable about the body and what it takes to get results. I have been working with her for several months, and her attention to detail as well as her inviting personality makes each workout not only productive, but fun as well. She has educated me and empowered me to be the best I can be.”

Fun workout Mary Oliver (San Jose, CA)

“Melissa helped prepare me and several others for the Livestrong Century. With her coaching, I built core body strength and cycling skills that helped me finish one of my strongest centuries ever! Melissa is professional, insightful and truly cares about you, your body, your form and your health. I highly recommend Melissa.”

Livestrong Century training Silvana Torik (San Jose, CA)

“Good posture, more flexibility, much better core strength, basically pain free.”

 

Good posture Elfi A. (Redwood Shores, CA)

“I started taking pilates classes with Melissa in June of 2009, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I suffered from lower back and neck pain from several injuries, and pilates helped immeasurably. Melissa’s pilates classes have improved my posture and flattened my stomach as an added bonus. I actually noticed a difference after just one session! Her classes make me feel long and lean. No wonder so many people rely on pilates to stay fit! It works, and Melissa is an awesome instructor. She’s really hands on and explains everything well. Since she has a background in physical therapy, she’s concerned about your posture and makes sure you’re doing the moves correctly. I couldn’t recommend her more highly!”

Back pain Emily Burns (Palo Alto, CA)

“I’ve been working with Melissa after getting a recommendation from another personal trainer. I’m recovering from a cycling accident and have several issues: loss of strength and flexibility, limitations with movement on my right arm and loss of general fitness due to having been “couched” for several months. Melissa has helped me safely progress over several weeks and I’m already seeing improvements. Each meeting she has added something else to help me reach my goal, which is riding my bike again, gaining fitness and using my right arm as fully as possible after my final surgery. I’ll be taking my first ride this weekend and feel my body is ready for this first challenge. Thanks, Melissa!”

Rehab after cycling accident Peggy Lytle (San Jose, CA)

“As a result of a serious accident and subsequent spinal surgeries, my body can easily get of alignment, causing significant discomfort and pain. Melissa has given me genius strategies to employ that have enhanced my mobility and quality of life. I now travel the world without fear! Melissa is a master Pilates trainer and a kind, caring coach.”

 

Traveling the world without fear! Cheryl A. (Concord, MA)

“Core Balance and Melissa are absolutely fantastic. I have been a client since August, 2013. In that time, I have become more conscious of how I move my body. I am not only physically stronger. My self confidence has grown immensely in the challenges that I face every day. Melissa is truly dedicated to teaching her clients how to live their best and strongest lives.”

 

Absolutely fantastic Nancy Ries (Boston, MA)

“When you do Pilates with Melissa, you place yourself on a road to good health. I am about to turn 84 years young and have been doing Pilates since the year 2000 when my back had me in constant pain.  This summer I did Pilates three times a week, an hour each day.  I travel all over the world and am so grateful to have found this form of exercise. What a lucky woman am I!!!  Try it. DO IT NOW!!!”

 

84 years young and counting! Mary S. (Palo Alto, CA)

“The best decision I have made concerning my osteoporosis was to come to Core Balance! It has made all the difference. Melissa is not only knowledgeable and professional but patient and kind as well.”

 

Osteoporosis Training with Core Balance Movement Mary F. (Amesbury, MA)

Other Testimonials…

 


“The best decision I have made concerning my osteoporosis was to come to Core Balance! It has made all the difference. Melissa is not only knowledgeable and professional but patient and kind as well.”

— Mary F. (Amesbury, MA)

“When you do Pilates with Melissa, you place yourself on a road to good health. I am about to turn 84 years young and have been doing Pilates since the year 2000 when my back had me in constant pain.  This summer I did Pilates three times a week, an hour each day.  I travel all over the world and am so grateful to have found this form of exercise. What a lucky woman am I!!!  Try it. DO IT NOW!!!”

— Mary S. (Palo Alto, CA)

“Core Balance and Melissa are absolutely fantastic. I have been a client since August, 2013. In that time, I have become more conscious of how I move my body. I am not only physically stronger. My self confidence has grown immensely in the challenges that I face every day. Melissa is truly dedicated to teaching her clients how to live their best and strongest lives.”

— Nancy Ries (Boston, MA)

“As a result of a serious accident and subsequent spinal surgeries, my body can easily get of alignment, causing significant discomfort and pain. Melissa has given me genius strategies to employ that have enhanced my mobility and quality of life. I now travel the world without fear! Melissa is a master Pilates trainer and a kind, caring coach.”

— Cheryl A. (Concord, MA)

“I’ve been working with Melissa after getting a recommendation from another personal trainer. I’m recovering from a cycling accident and have several issues: loss of strength and flexibility, limitations with movement on my right arm and loss of general fitness due to having been “couched” for several months. Melissa has helped me safely progress over several weeks and I’m already seeing improvements. Each meeting has added something else to help me reach my goal, which is riding my bike again, gaining fitness and using my right arm as fully as possible after my final surgery. I’ll be taking my first ride this weekend and feel my body is ready for this first challenge. Thanks, Melissa!”
— Peggy Lytle (San Jose, CA)

“I started taking pilates classes with Melissa in June of 2009, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I suffered from lower back and neck pain from several injuries, and pilates helped immeasurably. Melissa’s pilates classes have improved my posture and flattened my stomach as an added bonus. I actually noticed a difference after just one session! Her classes make me feel long and lean. No wonder so many people rely on pilates to stay fit! It works, and Melissa is an awesome instructor. She’s really hands on and explains everything well. Since she has a background in physical therapy, she’s concerned about your posture and makes sure you’re doing the moves correctly. I couldn’t recommend her more highly!”
— Emily Burns (Palo Alto, CA)

“Good posture, more flexibility, much better core strength, basically pain free.”

— Elfi A. (Redwood Shores, CA)

“Melissa helped prepare me and several others for the Livestrong Century. With her coaching, I built core body strength and cycling skills that helped me finish one of my strongest centuries ever! Melissa is professional, insightful and truly cares about you, your body, your form and your health. I highly recommend Melissa.”
— Silvana Torik (San Jose, CA)

“Melissa is very knowledgeable about the body and what it takes to get results. I have been working with her for several months, and her attention to detail as well as her inviting personality makes each workout not only productive, but fun as well. She has educated me and empowered me to be the best I can be.”
— Mary Oliver (San Jose, CA)

“After persistent back issues that cropped up while biking, I worked directly with Melissa to address those issues. Her knowledge of pilates, addressing specific areas, and focus on proper form helped me quite a bit. While I may have been feeling the burn due to specific exercises while performing them, I also felt their benefit out on the trail. My biking was stronger and my back much happier during extended climbs. She made a point of checking in on not only what activities I had planned, but also how I felt the weekend before after our prior session. Her professionalism, attention to detail and focus on proper form make her a great trainer.”
— Jim Spring (Mountain View, CA)

“Melissa is professional, knowledgeable and creative in applying her knowledge to my specific requirements and objectives. In all my years of training, I’ve never thought I would get the kind of strength and balance to my core strength that I achieved with Melissa in such a short period of time. I would highly recommend Melissa! I would highly recommend her to anyone who is serious about improving their fitness and flexibility.”
— Martin Lee (Mountain View, CA)

“Melissa makes even the hardest workout a joy with her kind and positive attitude. But, make no mistake, she is truly professional, using “tough love” by listening to excuses and gently steering me back on track. I enjoyed every one of my sessions with Melissa and learned so much from her.”
— Maria Menard (Palo Alto, CA)

“Melissa has been teaching a core fitness class at IPF for the past 6 months or so. She keeps us honest in our exercise — always picking up on poor form and low effort! I take this class as, without it, the back pain I have had for several years returns; with the class I am pretty much pain free — thanks to Pops”
— Ray Glasstone (Mountain View, CA)

“Melissa has been training me for several years now. She is one of the most insightful, thoughtful and knowledgeable instructors I have encountered. She really listens to the needs of her clients and puts in the extra hours to find ways to improve not only their fitness, but their overall health. Melissa takes on a thoughtful and complete approach with her clients, pulling from her knowledge and background in physical therapy, biology, psychology and a variety of sports and activities. Her dedication to her clients’ well-being is impressive and inspiring. Not only does she have a wonderful approach with her clients, but she also has a great sense of humor, making it so much fun to work with her!”
— Isabelle Chiradia (San Diego, CA)

“1) I have more confidence 2) I feel like I am making progress 3) I look forward to sessions.”

— Alice W. (Boston, MA)

“I was way more comfortable in a shell. I became much more efficient.”

— Rachel M. (Boston, MA)

“I feel much more efficient in my rowing stroke, specifically in keeping the handles at an appropriate height, keeping my shoulders down, keeping the starboard oar from running too deep etc.”

—  Elizabeth B.(Boston, MA)

“Before working with Melissa my athletes did core work and circuits on their own.  As a result of training with Melissa my athletes have a better understanding of balance and movement and how it applies to the rowing stroke.  I recommend stop thinking and make the investment.  It will pay huge dividends to your athletes.”

— Dave D. (Boston, MA)