Grace Ranson-Dieter is the owner of Momentum Pilates Studio. Grace is classically trained through Power Pilates and is fully certified on all apparatus and mat work, beginner through advanced. She is trained in Contemporary Pilates on the Reformer with STOTT. She is also certified in Core Barre™ and Integral Yoga. She has over 500 hours of study in Yoga with certification in Hatha I, Hatha II (Intermediate), Prenatal, Postnatal and Labor Yoga. She has studied Yoga in both the United States and in India.Grace enjoys teaching all levels of participants, but mostly to those who are willing to learn and enjoy their own strengths and abilities. Grace has taught in conjunction with Darden Business School,  Brown College and Hereford College at the University of Virginia, Dance Explosions Studio, Brushwood Dance Studio and Charlottesville City Schools.  

 

Jennifer Arrington discovered Pilates seven years ago while working as an assistant manager for Body Works Studio, a movement center based on the Pilates Method, The Fletcher Work and the Gyrotonic Expansion System. When she first began practicing Pilates, she was training for her second full marathon and was amazed by the difference it made. After returning to Virginia in 2006, following her time in Tucson as an Americorps volunteer and assistant manager at Body Works Studio, she has taught Pilates Mat and Pilates “On the Ball” classes in the Charlottesville area.  Jennifer completed the Power Pilates Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Mat Certification Programs and the Power Pilates Systems Certification Program.  Through certification programs and her own practice, she has acquired a wealth of knowledge on the Pilates apparatus and mat work. She is also a certified Core Barre™ instructor. Jennifer teaches from the heart and it shines through to her students. We, at Momentum, believe her joy of movement and teaching make her classes challenging, fun and empowering. Jennifer is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA).

Carrie Shuler, RYT, graduated from the Asheville Yoga Center, in Asheville, NC, in 2009. She teaches a flow-style class, drawing from her background in Hatha yoga and Vinyasa-flow yoga. She also enjoys traveling and participating in yoga workshops. Carrie has begun working toward a 500-hour teaching certificate that will include, among other specialty areas, therapeutics, yoga and ayurveda, yin yoga, and restorative yoga. Carrie’s classes integrate physical movement (asana) with breathing (pranayama) to enhance and increase the pranic flow in the body. Classes are challenging and fun. Carrie’s hands-on adjustments are intuitive and relaxing. Carrie believes that the yoga practice is a beautiful metaphor for life, and she enjoys sharing this experience with her students.

Maggie McDaniel was first introduced to the Pilates method by her grandmother, Pat Fisher, who has benefited largely from her own practice of Pilates.  Maggie has always enjoyed an active lifestyle, but was struck by the overall balance that the Pilates method of exercise creates in the body.  This balance spilled over into every aspect of her life and affected each of her other activities in a positive way.  Maggie pursued teacher training in 2009 and is excited to share her love of Pilates with others.  She is certified in Power Pilates Beginner Mat and is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance.  When Maggie is not teaching, she is studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Virginia.  She enjoys visiting her family in Houston, being active outdoors, and practicing her own yoga and Pilates.

Kellie Watson began her Pilates practice in 2008 after hearing numerous testimonials to its benefits and was curious to try it for herself.  She fell in love with the Pilates method of exercise and how much it improved her strength, stability, flexibility and posture.  She found that the practice greatly helped to relieve the low back pain she had been experiencing and helped with her alignment.  Kellie was excited to take her Pilates study to the next level and jumped at the chance to pursue teacher training in 2009.  She is Advanced level certified through Power Pilates on the Mat and Apparatus.  She is also a member of the Pilates Method Alliance.  She loves to teach, and is excited to help others discover the amazing benefits while keeping up her own study of Pilates! In 2011, Kellie became certified to teach the Core Barre™ method.

Justine Jones is a 3rd generation Authentic Pilates instructor.  She got her 600+ hr comprehensive certification from Appalachian State University, where, she also graduated from.  Justine majored in elementary education with a concentration in math, science, and technology.  Justine fell in love with Pilates during her college career when she took it as a mat class, which later led to her enrollment in the teacher training program.  She loves how empowered, balanced, and continually humbled Pilates makes her feel.  Teaching Pilates, a true passion of Justine's, brings her great joy and she has experience working with all ages and abilities.  Justine grew up in White Hall, where she currently lives.  Her hobbies include ultimate frisbee, hiking, and being with her niece and nephew.  She is excited to be working at Momentum Pilates Studio!   

Melissa Fountain became a Pilates “lifer” after attending an introductory mat class at Momentum in 2007 to alleviate lower back pain.  She joined the Momentum team as a Beginner Mat Instructor in early 2010 and most recently became Intermediate Mat certified through Power Pilates.  Melissa enjoys teaching Pilates because it increases strength and mobility and is accessible to people of all ages and all levels of physical fitness.  It is also the perfect way to end the work day! 

 

Nina Crawford moved to Charlottesville in 1989 from New York.  She has been the owner of a local interior design business since 1995.  Nina began her study of Pilates in 2004 prior to a scheduled surgery.  She continued her practice and at age 50 she became a certified Power Pilates instructor.  She draws inspiration from her mother who was lucky enough to have taken a class from Joseph Pilates, and at age 80 is still teaching dance classes twice a week.  Nina looks forward to continuing her Pilates education and knows her teaching career has only just begun; she wants to help others of all ages to connect with their powerhouse!