ABOUT MELISSA

Melissa is a Women’s Work/ Women’s Circle Facilitator, Usui Reiki Master, and Yoga Instructor RYT-500 based in Los Angeles.

As a facilitator of Women's Circles and Feminine Threshold Ceremonies since 2022- Melissa is passionate about empowering women to connect deeply to themselves, to embody the full spectrum of who they are and what they are here to share with the world, while bringing people together as community. Her Women’s Work teachings are influenced by her studies with Michaela Boehm, Ameya Cohen, and Achintiya Devi - including embodiment practices, feminine archetypes, and mystery school teachings. 

Melissa’s private Reiki sessions incorporate intuitive energy balancing with Usui Reiki, crystals, and sacred sound. Melissa completed her Usui Reiki Master Training (Level 4) in 2021 with Sonya Arias in Laguna Beach, CA.

Melissa has taught vinyasa flow, hatha, yin and restorative yoga since 2014 for various yoga, wellness, and fitness studios, private students, corporate clients, and led retreats on the Big Island of Hawaii. She completed both her 200-hour and 300-hour teacher training through YogaWorks Los Angeles, studying under David Lynch and Jorge Luna; and completed Therapeutics Teacher Training at the Green Yogi Manhattan Beach under Chelsea Rothert and Wendy Garafalo. 

What Lead Me to Finding my OM...

Melissa was born and raised in Torrance, California and educated at The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), American University of Paris, and La Sorbonne.

After returning from Paris, France, she originally started practicing yoga for fitness reasons, but quickly realized it was also so beneficial to re-center herself mentally and emotionally during this transitionary period of her life. Melissa loved the mind-body connection, and the worry-free bliss after a great Savasana. However, it wasn't until Melissa started consistently practicing with John Neidlinger at YogaWorks South Bay that she truly fell in love with this practice.

“His classes were challenging- there were many times I wanted to physically "give up" or come out of a difficult pose, but when I allowed myself to stay just one breath longer, I learned how mentally strong I was. Over time, 1 breath longer became 10, and those poses I thought I'd never be able to do, became familiar and a welcomed challenge.”, says Melissa.

In 2013, Melissa decided to do her first 200 Hour Teacher Training at YogaWorks South Bay with David Lynch and Jorge Luna. At that time, she had no anticipation to teach at all, she simply wanted to deepen her practice. However, David and Jorge encouraged Melissa to give it a shot, and she is so very grateful they did. 

After graduating from the 200 Hour Program, Melissa began teaching a weekly Vinyasa Flow class in Redondo Beach. 

From there, Melissa continued her yoga education with a Therapeutics Teacher Training in 2014 with Wendy Garafalo and Chelsea Rothert at the Green Yogi Manhattan Beach. This training provided further practical training and modifications for injury management, chronic conditions, pregnancy, and yin/restorative instruction. 

Finally, in 2015, Melissa completed the 300 Hours Professional Program through YogaWorks Los Angeles, under the mentorship of David Lynch.

In 2018, Melissa co-led a Sold-Out Yoga Retreat to the Big Island of Hawaii, alongside her dear friend and fellow yoga instructor colleague, Kalina Salvador.

In 2021, Melissa completed her Usui Reiki Master Level 4 Training with Sonya Arias in Laguna Beach, CA.

“I hope to pass on the gift of yoga to my students just as my inspiring instructors have done for me. I hope to provide a space for grounding and centering, self awareness, self confidence, self-love, and spiritual growth.”

Photos copy right of melissa okabe,

Professional Photo Credit: Kevin Nakasone