Our Instructors
Deep Core Toning focuses on foundational Pilates exercises for spinal stabilization to target your deepest core muscles. This class is safe and challenging for all skill and conditioning levels and is formatted to be very challenging with slow, controlled movements. We will tap into your body’s reflexive deep core for changes that go beyond weight loss to radically change the way your body moves and responds to exercise.
Classes are limited and filling up fast. Text Jess at 907-229-6424 to reserve your spot.
Integrated Strength and Flexibility is a high-intensity, full body workout. Formatted with full spinal extension and flexion exercises to tone your core, while adding strength and flexibility to your entire body. This class is appropriate for those who are injury-free. Be prepared for a fun, fast-paced class that will challenge your deepest core muscles.
Classes are limited and filling up fast. Text Jess at 907-229-6424 to reserve your spot.
This class is a perfect blend of Barre & Pilates. This comprehensive core workout incorporates standing balance work to target all around hips, upper body exercises with light weights to tone up the arms, and into a more traditional pilates mat routine to work the core. All levels are welcome with no serious injuries.
This class is by request only — 3 people minimum. Text 912-856-9022 or email studiothrivepilates@gmail.com to sign up.
This class combines the best lengthening and sculpting elements of the Pilates reformer and includes some of your favorite props, such as free weights, stability balls, and bands. Proper posture, form, core engagement, and alignment are emphasized while targeting each and every muscle group. Finish your workout with therapeutic and elongating stretches that not only improve flexibility, but also help to prevent injury. This is just what your body needs to balance out your weekly practice and give your body that extra love.
Classes are limited. Text 912-856-9022 or email studiothrivepilates@gmail.com to sign up.
This class combines Pilates foundations with classic Barre moves for an energizing, high-rep unique workout: deep pliés and lunges to work legs and glutes, balance exercises for a strong core, and graceful, lengthening exercises for toned arms. It’s a fun, whole body workout! All levels are welcome.
In-person classes are limited to 4. Class is also available online via Zoom. Text 912-856-9022 or email studiothrivepilates@gmail.com to sign up.
A mat class for beginners, using props to assist, refine and add fun to your repertoire on the mat. This class will aim to establish a strong foundation in Pilates Principles to enable those just starting their Pilates journey or to help improve the quality of your practice as you advance!
Classes are limited. Text 912-856-9022 or email studiothrivepilates@gmail.com to sign up.
You will get your heart rate up with this fun Reformer workout. We will mobilize and decompress your spine before you start jumping. Then we will go into jumping exercises, adding a bit of coordination to challenge your mind as well as your entire body. Great strengthening for your feet, hips, and core.
Classes are limited. Text 912-856-9022 or email studiothrivepilates@gmail.com to sign up.
This reformer class is a perfect way to start your week. It combines fundamental reformer exercises with restorative and releasing techniques to bring your body and mind into balance. The class is designed to develop flexibility and core strength through finding breath and healthy movement patterns. Awaken every muscle and leave feeling refreshed, lengthened and strengthened.
Classes are limited. Text 912-856-9022 or email studiothrivepilates@gmail.com to sign up.
This class is designed for students who have been taking Pilates classes for a while, feel comfortable enough with intermediate exercises, and who want to learn more advanced Pilates routines. Students should be able to execute all beginner and many intermediate exercises. The pace of this class is much quicker compared to other reformer classes and requires a solid working knowledge of and comfort level with Pilates machines.
Classes are limited. Text 912-856-9022 or email studiothrivepilates@gmail.com to sign up.
Spice up your Pilates workout with this challenging and fun intermediate level class. This class is designed to incorporate different pieces of equipment, such as reformer, EXO Chair, jumpboard, tower, barre, and more. It will work your entire body and never gets boring.
Classes are limited. Text 912-856-9022 or email studiothrivepilates@gmail.com to sign up.
This class provide you with a Mindful stretch and strengthening using Pilates props such as ball, block, circle, and a foam roller to develop a strong core, better posture, quality of movement as well as helping to keep your spine flexible and strong and overall pain-free body. You will leave this class feeling taller, and more energized. All levels are welcome.
Classes are limited. Text 912-856-9022 or email studiothrivepilates@gmail.com to sign up.
This class is designed for students who have a working knowledge of the Pilates fundamentals and who want to step up their workout. This is an excellent class for those who have taken at least 3 private lessons and are ready for a challenging group class. The class is also good for those who have taken many beginner classes and are ready for a new challenge and varied routine every session.
Classes are limited. Text 912-856-9022 or email studiothrivepilates@gmail.com to sign up.
Spice up your Pilates workout with this challenging and fun intermediate level class. This class is designed to incorporate different pieces of equipment, such as reformer, EXO Chair, jumpboard, tower, barre, and more. It will work your entire body and never get boring.
Classes are limited. Text 912-856-9022 or email studiothrivepilates@gmail.comto sign up.
This class is designed for students who have been taking Pilates classes for a while, feel comfortable enough with intermediate exercises, and who want to learn more advanced Pilates routines. Students should be able to execute all beginner and many intermediate exercises. The pace of this class is much quicker compared to other reformer classes and requires a solid working knowledge of and comfort level with Pilates machines.
Classes are limited. Text 912-856-9022 or email studiothrivepilates@gmail.comto sign up.
This class is designed for students who are new to reformer or want to refresh their fundamentals. Previous Pilates experience is recommended but not required. Reformer classes are a fantastic way to improve strength and flexibility whilst having fun. Using Pilates machine you will work on balance, alignment, core strength, and muscle tone. Reformer can be adjusted to suit your personal strength and flexibility.
Classes are limited. Text 912-856-9022 or email studiothrivepilates@gmail.comto sign up.
Keep things simple with this gentle Reformer workout. We work on finding fluidity while staying stable in a spine and pelvis for each exercise to work around injuries while still building core strength. We offer specific cues and options to help keep your spine and body healthy and pain-free.
Classes are limited. Text 912-856-9022 or email studiothrivepilates@gmail.comto sign up.
Jess, a nurse from Anchorage, Alaska, has practiced Pilates there since 2009. There she studied at Studio One Pilates and became a VASIE certified Mat/Reformer/Barre Instructor. Jess enjoys working with all types of clients, but her passion is working with men and women with low back pain and pelvic floor issues. She especially loves seeing clients transform their bodies and hear how it affects all parts of their lives, not just the physical conditioning part.
She came to Pilates as a runner with all the aches and pains she had come to accept as part of “training.” So when she laid down one night and her back wasn’t throbbing, she thought, “This Pilates stuff really works!” You may see Jess as a substitute for one of your regular instructors or you can book a private session with her. Next time you see her make sure to say “Hi!”
Jill has been teaching yoga and pilates fusion classes since 2006. She recently completed her Balanced Body Reformer training and is excited to have joined the Thrive team. Her classes include mindful sequencing and cueing with an emphasis on guided breathwork. Jill believes well-being begins with movement. Please join Jill in a reformer, mat or barre class, you’ll be sure to leave feeling grounded and joyful!
Marissa holds a comprehensive Pilates certification in both mat and equipment through the Kane School of Core Integration in New York, NY under the direct instruction of the program’s founder, Kelly Kane. Her training is heavily grounded in a knowledge of anatomy and an understanding of functional movement. Marissa has worked with a wide range of clients who have diverse needs and goals. She has also worked with individuals with various injuries and chronic conditions. She has a certification in pre and post-natal Pilates and continues to study facial connections in the body through Thomas Myers’ Anatomy Trains workshops. Marissa has been teaching Pilates for six years. She began teaching at Mongoose Bodyworks in Manhattan, working with many dancers, actors, and producers. She then moved to Augusta, GA and taught at Pilates on Riverwatch, working with many equestrians and golfers. She most recently taught at Framework Pilates in Southern New Jersey. Marissa came to Pilates through dance. Her movement experience began when she started dancing at age three. She holds a BA in Dance from Muhlenberg College. She fell in love with Pilates after she recognized how Pilates informed and improved her dancing by helping her to find an ease and efficiency in her movement through breath, balance, mindfulness, and core strength. Marissa is also an American Ballet Theatre Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT National Training Curriculum. Marissa also holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work and works in the mental health field. This informs her passion for making her clients feel present, competent, and empowered. Marissa interweaves her mind/body training and social work practice to create a safe movement environment for her clients. She loves to think with, move with, and experience the presence of others. Marissa strives to create a positive atmosphere for her clients, working with them to craft fitness/corrective sessions that will leave them feeling stronger. She is passionate about meeting her clients where they are and challenging them to reach their movement potential!
After living in the UK for most of her life, Kelly moved to North Carolina in 2018. With a natural passion for health and well being, she has extensive experience in a variety of healthcare areas, a journey she began in 1999 working as a Healthcare Assistant during her holidays whilst at University.Graduating
Kelly met Alisa, the owner of Thrive Pilates Studio which proved to be a fortunate stroke of serendipity! Through Thrive Pilates Studio, she rehabilitated her own body and re-discovered the mind/body connection that had been lacking since 2 difficult births. Alisa supported and encouraged Kelly with her new found passion in Pilates and now 18 months on, she has earned her Barre certification and completed training in Mat 1,2 and 3 and Reformer 1, 2 and 3, including Movement Principles and Anatomy and Release with Balanced Body and aspires to become a comprehensively trained
Alisa is an instructor and the owner of Thrive Pilates Studio. She was born and raised in Ukraine. She came to the United States to play tennis for Armstrong Atlantic State University. She has been highly involved in improving community health and fitness since 2008, when she began working as a yoga teacher, fitness instructor, and personal trainer. Later, as a Graduate Assistant for Fitness at Boise State University, she had an opportunity to work with a wide range of NCAA athletes. Her Pilates journey started in 2010, when she started experiencing issues from old tennis injuries. After earning her Master’s Degree in Kinesiology at BSU, she started working as a Wellness Specialist at a hospital that had a small Pilates studio. It is there that she realized that Pilates was her calling, and she dedicated her free time to mat, chair and reformer training.
Alisa enjoys working with clients of all levels, from beginner through advanced, but her specialty is working with injured clients. Whether that client is dealing with a chronic physical condition or a more recent acute injury, she enjoys the challenge of evaluating the physical body, finding imbalances and inefficiencies, and devising a plan to stabilize and strengthen the injured area. The goal is to balance the entire body by restoring function to the injured area. She uses her understanding of anatomy, biomechanics, and common injuries to make even the most hesitant client feel confident that they can have a safe and productive movement experience during a class or private session.
After a lifetime of training and competing in equestrian sports Anne, a USDF Bronze Medalist, started ADK Dressage, focusing on basic principles and the training scale of the horse. After a riding injury Anne was introduced to pilates by a Physical Therapist and she quickly realized how Dressage training of the horse is similar to pilates training of the human so she became a certified pilates instructor in 2016, with a focus of working with equestrians on and off the horse helping students to become more balanced with their equine partners.
With her appreciation and patience of the fundamentals she loves going back to the basics with existing students and introducing the art of Pilates to new students. Keeping her classes high energy she wants clients to leave the studio feeling like they are successful and have challenged themselves each time. Having accomplished the Balanced Body 3D Anatomy, Reformer 1 and Reformer 2, she is excited to be expanding her training to XO Chair and other equipment classes. When not at a Thrive Studio or ADK Dressage, You can find her trail running, searching new recipes to cook and spoiling her 3 rescue dogs.