Testimonials
One of my favorite parts of teaching Pilates' and dance is the bond between the instructor and the student/client. I have had the pleasure of teaching my current clients for over four years; and I have seen so many improvements in all of them. It is truly a rewarding career. I look forward to teaching everyday.
"I have been taking classes from Melinda for over two years now and she is truly an amazing instructor. Very hands on with individual concerns - resulting in the students doing the exercises correctly with great results."
S. C.
"I just love your classes"
M.M.
Question: Have you seen any physical changes from class? (Pilates Survey)
Answer: "Signifigant physical changes. My abs are much tighter, my buttocks more high/firm and my back muscles stronger. Almost everyone who sees me in a swim suit or tight-fitting dress comments on the muscles that bulge up on the side of my hips because they have never seen them so prominent. They add and hour glass shape to my body (by making my waist look smaller.) I used to have lower back problems. They no longer hurt. I attribute that to stronger back muscles supporting my spine. Many peope, including my husband, have told me I have the body of a person in her 20's (I am 60 years old.) This NEVER happened before I started taking your (Melinda's) Pilates class. I was single when I started your class. I'm now married to a wonderful man. 'nuff said."
Anonymous
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"I really enjoy participating in your class... you are great at demonstrating and talking us through the exercises and you are always encouraging."
C.Q.
"Melinda is a very skilled and FUN instructor. Her classes are small, so you get a lot of one-on-one attention for the price of a full mat class. She always knows exactly how to help me adjust pain or injuries from running, tennis, dance, you name it. She's on it."
O.F.
"For several years I had been suffering from from Sciatica, and wanted to find an alternative method, so I started Pilates'. Melinda had suggested some exercises and stretches and after two months, I no longer required any medication and haven't required any for well over a year.
Melinda's teaching technique is clear, and educational. She focuses on each of her students, assisting us to achieve the full benefit of Pilates'. I look forward to going to her class."
Pat Stout R.N.
Assistant Trauma Program Manager
UCSD Medical Center, Division of Trauma
"you are the most awesome teacher because of your immense skills and knowledge (especially of Kinesiology.) And the fact that you are taking and teaching a variety of classes enables you to grow in your practice- which your students benefit from! You're our Ninja Pilates' teacher!"
L.P.
"I look forward to Melinda's classes as she is caring, knowledgable and provides challenging content for the mind and body.
Melinda explains what to do in detail and why, as well as, what not to do!
I highly recommend any class this skilled instructor would teach."
M. D.
"I feel like I have definitely improved my strength, postrure, and confience since taking your classes."
C. E.
"I enjoy your Pilates classes that you give on Wednesdays and Fridays at UCSD. I always feel like have completely worked my core on those days. I especially enjoy the current routine that we are doing in class this session. I gradually feel the effects of doing the exercise correctly. You have been so patient with us and continually help us to do the movement correctly to benefit that part of our body.
I always look forward to the days that we have classes!
Thanks for all the encouragement you give us."
Kathy Mascari
Facilities Management
Customer Relations Manager
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"Melinda Gafford has done an excellent job as a Pilates Instructor for a class held through Fit Life Mobile here at UCSD over at Campus Services Complex the past two months.
She is extremely knowledgeable and engagingly enthusiastic about her work as an Instructor. Melinda is a tough taskmaster, ensuring the class participants all are working to their full potential and doing so with the correct form to avoid injury. We are in the process of lining up another session here at Campus Services Complex and all participants are very eager to keep the classes going feeling they are doing a lot to help relieve pain, build stronger muscles and increase flexibility. Melinda is a delight and a very hard working Instructor. She is always on time, very positive & upbeat and ready keep the class challenged with new Pilates moves. I cannot endorse her strongly enough!"
Judy Benedict
RMP Human Resources
University of California, San Diego
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"I started taking the FitLife Pilates class at FD&C/TPCS in 2011. At that time we had another instructor but Melinda was a substitute for my first class. Over the last four years Melinda has proven herself to be reliable; she always shows up, and I mean that in many ways. Yes, she is always in class and that makes her students want to come to class, which leads to great success for everyone; but more than that she has built very strong instructor/student relationships. I started the class to get back into shape after having a baby, and her commitment sparked my commitment. She has extensive knowledge and ability to talk about the complexities of the body structure so laymen can undertand. She is very quick to make sure everyone is performing the exercises correctly to aviod injury and to enhance results. She has helped me achieve several of my own personal goals and I couldn't be happier with the class. . . she is worth every penny."
S. Mayoral
UCSD
