Michelle Maniaci Biography, Nurturing Moves Maternal Fitness Mission

About Michelle

Michelle absorbed a passion for music, dance, learning, and fitness since the age of 3 from her Peruvian parents. She began studying different styles of yoga at the age of 18, while completing her degree in Physical Therapy at Florida International University. She has studied extensively many different styles of Yoga and has been greatly inspired by the teachings of Viniyoga, Integrative Yoga Therapy, Y. Krishnamacharya, and Satyananda Yoga. Michelle has specialized trainings in Energy Medicine, Cardiopulmonary, Pediatric, and Womens Health Physical Therapy, Aquatic Physical Therapy and Bodywork, Belly Dance, Neurodevelopmental Treatment, Yoga For The Special Child, Healing Touch, Shamanic Healing, and Integrative Yoga Therapy. She is a certified Instructor of Infant Massage, and has developed A Touch Of Love Infant Massage Program which is currently taught at Mercy Hospital in Miami. Michelle has created Nurturing Moves to empower and educate individuals to self-heal, calm, and energize by uniting current scientific knowledge with ancient energetic practices in an easy to learn approach. Michelle has added scientific integrity to prenatal yoga and belly dance to facilitate a safe and empowered form of birth preparation and therapeutic exercise. Michelle currently resides in Miami with her husband and daughter. Currently, she provides Energetic Wellness and Healing services at CANYON RANCH Miami Beach, Fl and offers educational workshops and courses at various locations.

Michelle has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Miami Herald, Sun-Sentinel, WSVN Channel 7, Key Biscayne Magazine, Univision & WPBT for her pioneering work with pregnant/postnatal women, special needs children, and families. Michelle is deeply committed to sharing the experience of peace, love, and joy for our children (beginning in utero) and families. She and her husband recently assisted in organizing and building a playground in collaboration with Peace For The Children Foundation, Kaboom, & Miami Childrens Museum with over 150 volunteers. Michelle volunteers for the Alonzo and Tracey Mourning Honey Shine Mentoring Program and offer monthly community gatherings to raise awareness of the benefits of practicing activities that bring love, joy, and healing to our world.

Michelle is passionate about raising the level of safety, scientific integrity, and effectiveness to the teachings and practices of energy medicine, yoga, and belly dance. Michelle has created courses called "Integrating Effective Pediatric Physical Therapy with Yoga and Massage" which she has presented at the Florida Physical Therapy Association's Spring Conference and "Therapeutic Dance for Fitness and Healing" that integrates therapeutic yoga and belly dance with traditional physical therapy. She has taught the Prenatal Yoga Portion of the Synergy Yoga and Yoga Works Yoga Teacher Trainings. Michelle has lectured on Yoga Therapy and Therapeutic Dance for Medical Students, Phd and Doctor Physical Therapy students at both Florida International University and University of Miami, and the school of midwifery at The Miami Birth Center on the benefits of integrating evidence-based complementary with traditional medicine approaches. Michelle has developed Parenting Enrichment Workshops and trainings to inspire mindfulness, peace, love, and playfulness in our families as she believes this is key for a healthier world. She recently taught at Birthworks International Conference and recently attended the first World Conference on Birth and Primal Health Research led by Dr. Michel Odent, MD in Spain. Michelle has written articles and presented for International Belly dance Magazine Nafoura, Natural Baby Pros, Mommy-Muse Radio Talk Show, and Birthworks International Newsletter. She is currently on the panel of Pre/Postnatal Experts for Natural Baby Pros and Mommy-Muse.