MELT METHOD · UNION, NJ
MELT Method
Gentle relief, one session at a time.
MELT is a gentle, hands-off self-treatment that uses a soft roller and small balls to ease the everyday aches and stiffness your body holds onto. Learn it one-on-one or in the Thursday evening class with certified MELT instructor JoAnn DiFranzo.
WHAT IS MELT?
A gentler way to
undo everyday tension.
The MELT Method® is a self-care system designed to help you improve performance and eliminate mental stress that accumulates from daily living before it causes persistent pain or dysfunctions.
The MELT Method is a hands-off bodywork approach that uses specialized soft rollers and small balls, along with mindful breathing techniques, to help you care for your body.
MELT focuses on fascia, the connective tissue network that surrounds and connects structures throughout your body.
Learning about fascia and how your body responds to everyday stress can help you develop greater body awareness and incorporate practical self-care techniques into your daily routine.
Equipment: a soft body roller and small hand and foot balls.
Intensity: gentle, much softer than foam rolling.
Position: lying or sitting on a mat.
Taught by: JoAnn DiFranzo, certified MELT Method instructor.
WHO IT'S FOR
Is MELT right for you?
EVERYDAY ACHES
Neck, back & hips
Discomfort that keeps coming back, especially from long days at a desk or behind the wheel.
STIFFNESS
Tension that lingers
Mornings that start stiff, or a body that never fully unwinds. MELT is designed to help you feel looser and calmer.
RECOVERY
Healing & aging well
A low-impact option after surgery, during cancer recovery, or simply to keep moving comfortably at any age.
ACTIVE
Athletes & Pilates clients
Golfers, tennis players and Pilates clients use MELT to recover between workouts and move with less effort.
GOOD TO KNOW
Low-impact and beginner-friendly. All equipment is provided at the studio.
WHY LEARN MELT WITH JOANN
Taught by someone who uses it herself.
JoAnn has been teaching MELT since 2007. She brings over twenty years of personal training and Pilates experience to every session, plus specialized training in cancer recovery, so she knows how to adapt MELT to the body in front of her.
Certified MELT Method Instructor · Cancer Exercise Specialist · AFAA Certified Personal Trainer · IM=X Pilates Instructor
IN THEIR WORDS
"
JoAnn has been my trainer for fifteen years. As my needs and ability have changed, so has JoAnn altered my workout routine. She knows when to listen and when to push. JoAnn has kept me engaged and motivated. Her positive attitude has been a great contribution to my physical and emotional health.
— Marge, age 91
SESSION TYPES & PRICING
Choose what works for you.
PRIVATE
One-on-one
The most personalized experience. Just you and JoAnn, fully focused on your body and goals. Recommended for all new clients.
$120 intro session
$80 per session after
DUET
Partner Session
Train alongside a friend, partner, or family member. Same personalized attention, shared experience.
$50 per person
SMALL GROUP
Private Group
Bring your people. Sessions can combine Pilates, personal training and MELT, booked in advance.
From
$30 per person
3 people $40 · 4 people $35 · 5 people $30, per person
MELT Method FAQ
What is the MELT Method?
MELT is a gentle self-treatment technique that uses a soft body roller and small balls to ease the everyday stiffness and tension that build up from sitting, repetitive movement and stress. It was developed by manual therapist Sue Hitzmann. At Jo-Lates, it’s taught one-on-one or in a weekly Thursday class with a certified MELT instructor.
Is MELT the same as foam rolling?
No. MELT uses a much softer roller and light, specific pressure rather than deep rolling. It’s designed to be gentle, so it works for people who find foam rolling too painful.
Do I need to be fit or flexible to try MELT?
No. MELT is low-impact and done lying or sitting on a mat. Clients at Jo-Lates range from their 20s to their 90s.
Can I do MELT if I have chronic pain, osteoporosis or am recovering from cancer?
Often, yes. JoAnn is also a Cancer Exercise Specialist and adapts every session to your history. Check with your doctor first if you’re under active medical care, and tell JoAnn about any conditions at your intro session.
How is MELT different from Pilates?
Pilates builds strength, control and alignment through movement. MELT restores and calms the body first. Many Jo-Lates clients use MELT alongside Pilates so their workouts feel better.
How long is a MELT session and what should I bring?
Sessions run 60 minutes. Wear comfortable clothes you can lie down in. Rollers, balls and mats are provided at the studio.
Where can I take a MELT class near Union, NJ?
Jo-Lates Fitness Studio offers a weekly MELT class on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. (60 minutes, $30 per person, up to 5 people), plus private MELT sessions, at 427 Chestnut St, Suite 202, Union, NJ 07083. Call (908) 337-1485 to reserve your spot.