Melissa Rockwell, LMT, E-RYT-200 is a Level 2 CranioSacral Therapy Practitioner with advanced training in the Brain Curriculum offered through Upledger Institute, as well as SomatoEmotional Release. She has also taken classes in Visceral Manipulation and Lymphatic Balancing. She has extensive experience treating concussions, TBIs, neck pain, chronic pain, migraines, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Long Covid, low back pain, TMJ dysfunction, hypermobility/EDS, anxiety, and depression. Most of her clients are medically complex with several issues competing for attention. She is also a Licensed Massage Therapist (CT License #9043) and Kripalu Yoga Instructor. She has trained with Lee Albert at Kripalu in Integrated Positional Therapy, a neuromuscular pain relief technique. She credits her mindful and gentle yoga practice in addition to craniosacral therapy with helping her manage chronic systemic pain and recover from chronic illness. She has a personal interest in helping people find relief from traumatic brain injury and migraines.

Her Story

Melissa has been practicing yoga since 1997. Progressively integrating yoga into her life over the years, she credits her practice with easing the stresses of motherhood, managing a dual career household, her husband's military deployments, and major life upheavals. Yoga has been a consistent complement to other forms of exercise and strength training for her. Melissa credits her practice of yoga on and off the mat with bringing her to a new overall level of health and wellness.

In addition to a keen interest in the anatomy details of yoga postures, Melissa brings extensive experience with the chakra system and knowledge of the stress response system to her practice of teaching. Her teaching style embodies a playful and down to earth spirit with attention to details that ensure personal comfort while building strength and flexibility during yoga practice. Melissa has a personal interest in making yoga accessible to people who have never practiced before for a variety of reasons. Above all there is always an emphasis on compassion for self and others. She has also assisted Kripalu Yoga Teacher Trainings.

She has a strong interest in improving and maintaining quality of life for seniors and those working with physical and emotional issues through gentle movements and breath work. She has honed her communication skills to meet everyone where they are in their bodies with no judgment and encourages her students to do the same for themselves, often rebuilding a healthy relationship with their own bodies and experiences. If you can breathe, you can practice with Melissa!

Formerly an analytical chemist, she lives on a small hobby farm in North Stonington with her husband, two children, honeybees, chickens, and three cats. When she is not on the mat Melissa is usually working in the kitchen with her husband canning batches of jam and soups.