Grace Ranson-Dieter is the owner of Momentum Pilates Studio. Grace is fully certified through Power Pilates in Systems 1, 2 and 3; Beginner through Advanced on all apparatus and Mat work.  She is also certified in Hatha Yoga.  She has over 500 hours of study in Yoga, which is inclusive of certification in Prenatal, Postnatal and Labor Yoga. She has studied Yoga in both the United States and in Coimbatore, India.  Grace found the Pilates Method as a complement to her work in Yoga; she found that it contributed to a more balance strength throughout her body, which has helped to prevent injury. Grace is trained in STOTT Pilates on the Reformer and believes in working the body as a whole. She believes in the “basics”, knowing they are the “Heart and Soul” of Joseph Pilates’ Method. Grace is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance(PMA), an international not-for-profit professional association for the Pilates Method. Grace lives in Barboursville with her husband and two daughters.

Jennifer Arrington discovered Pilates four 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 and Intermediate 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.  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).

Jean Schmitt moved to Charlottesville from Omaha, NE in June of 2006 with her husband and two young boys.  She has enjoyed a love of exercise and athletics since childhood. Having played collegiate sports taught her the importance of living a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Jean was introduced to the Pilates method of exercise in 2002 and has enjoyed being a student in a variety of Mat and Advanced Reformer classes. In the fall of 2007, she pursued teacher training and received her Beginner and Intermediate Mat Certifications from Power Pilates. Jean has a BA in Industrial Relations and a MA in Management.  She enjoys being outdoors, playing sports with her boys, running, hiking, lifting weights, reading books and of course, doing Pilates!  Jean is an asset to Momentum and is a terrific teacher.

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.

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Melissa Miller, CSCS is STOTT Pilates certified and teaches reformer and mat pilates classes and individual sessions.  She believes her background in anatomy and physiology has helped her be a methodical pilates instructor.  She has enjoyed teaching Pilates as a way to rehabilitate and help postural misalignments. Mellisa has been personal training in Charlottesville, Virginia since 1999.  She has worked with all ages and abilities from youth to seniors.  She is well known in the community among medical and health professionals and is a nationally certified personal trainer with over ten years of experience in the fitness industry.  Melissa holds a Bachelor in Science in Exercise Physiology from Ohio University.  Melissa is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.   She is also certified in group exercise by the American and Fitness Association of America.  Melissa has experience teaching various classes including circuit, seniors, interval, aquatics, strength training, stretch and meditation.  She is CPR certified. Melissa lives in Crozet with two kids and her husband.  She enjoys spending time with her family; hiking, swimming, cooking and playing outside. Even on the busiest days, she finds time to fit in physical activity. Melissa enjoys to swim, lift weights, power walk, practice yoga and pilates, hike, and bike.  Prior to kids, Melissa has experience running marathons, triathlons, and doing a 100 mile bike ride.  Her first "post kids" race was the Virginia Beach Rock n' Roll half marathon in 2007.  Her next goal is to train for a triathlon. Melissa thoroughly enjoys working with people and making a difference in their lives.  She is passionate about fitness and wellness and is ready to inspire you to make changes in your life!