Melissa Gutierrez

Melissa Gutierrez is the co-founder of SMARTer Bodies and co-creator of SMARTer Yoga™. She is constantly engaged in exploration of how the body moves.  Her practices as a yoga teacher, energy worker and somatic educator have led to many therapeutic discoveries. Because of her extensive training and non-judgmental attitude she is considered an expert in creating movement patterns that help clients release physically, emotionally and mentally to create extraordinary results. Using her background in Psychology, she further facilitates the mind/body connection, so that a client’s understanding of how the internal self shows up in the external world is made clear. Melissa was driven to co-create SMARTer Bodies by her passion to help improve the physical and mental well-being of her clients. To work with Mel is to integrate your body and mental state so that you can move in space in ways you may never have imagined possible. In addition to running SMARTer Bodies Melissa teaches SMARTer Yoga™ in gyms throughout NYC and is a health advisor for WholesomeOne.com. Melissa has a B.A. in Psychology/Religious Studies from Smith College (2003), has certificates from Karuna center for yoga, the Breathing Project, is a level 2 Reiki practitioner, is Redcord Active certified, a NASM Personal Trainer and has ongoing education studying different forms of somatic movement.

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What Clients Say

"Melissa was extremely knowledgeable about the physiology of the injuries that I sustained and how to adapt my yoga practice to ensure it was safe."
I started working with Melissa after sustaining knee and IT band injuries while exercising with a personal trainer. Melissa was extremely knowledgeable about the physiology of the injuries that I sustained and how to adapt my yoga practice to ensure it was safe. She also helped me work on stress management though my yoga practice. Melissa developed a personalized program that I am able to do on my own. Thank you Melissa!
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Valerie F.
"This is not just regular yoga, and you won’t get these kind of results from a regular yoga instructor or just a yoga class! "
I’ve gone from having to take pain killers daily after my gym workouts to feelings amazing, energetic, and pain free even when I really push myself. Melissa is a pleasure to work with, and her genuine caring really comes through. You can tell that she is passionate about helping people, and she won’t stop until a solution to whatever your fitness/pain issues and goals are. She works with you to tailor make a daily yoga and stretching routine that is simple, quick, and that has remarkable results. This is not just regular yoga, and you won’t get these kind of results from a regular yoga instructor or just a yoga class! Melissa is a professional of the highest calibre, and she has found in a few sessions solutions to problems that my doctor could only prescribe a pain pill for! I am pain pill free, and so thrilled that I have taught what she has taught me to my friends and family.
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Casey Grayson
"I had never tried yoga before and was blown away by her skill at teaching me the positions and helping me to tailor each one based on my body type, flexibility, and prior injuries."
Melissa is amazing! I had never tried yoga before and was blown away by her skill at teaching me the positions and helping me to tailor each one based on my body type, flexibility, and prior injuries. She really took the time to understand my needs. I’ve always had problems breathing and she even helped me immensely to improve my breathing techniques.
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Kristy Sisko
Founding Team Member, Zeel.com
"Her yoga therapy gives me relief from any tension or pain that I experience mostly in my back."
Melissa and I go back a long way. Any time I need help with my health or physical problems I know I can count on her yoga and Reiki expertise. Since I practice martial arts on an everyday basis my muscles get tight and sore easily. Her yoga therapy gives me relief from any tension or pain that I experience mostly in my back. Melissa's techniques are very gentle and give me immediate comfort. Her Reiki knowledge helps me with my emotional problems and stress from everyday life. Not long ago Melissa got certified in long distance Reiki when I got very sick with the flu she was able to help me conquer my symptoms from her apartment. I would highly recommend her to anyone who needs yoga therapy or Reiki help.
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Robert Sinka