Melissa Kakavas, PMA-CPT

Melissa Kakavas is a native of North Carolina and former professional dancer.  She found pilates in 1997 to rehabilitate a chronic hip injury.  She began her training while dancing in New York with Susan Moran-Perich and Phoebe Higgins.  Melissa went on to become certified to teach by Power Pilates, Inc. and The Physicalmind Institute in 1999. Over the next five years, Melissa founded and co-directed a pilates program in New York City.  With partner Ossi Raveh, she developed and taught an in-house teacher-training program.  During this time, she continued her education by becoming certified in Gyrotonic through Matt Aversa, Gyrokinesis through Jurgen Bramburger, and Thai Yoga Body Therapy through Yosel Tarnofsky.  Melissa also holds specialized certifications in pilates for osteoporosis, gait patterning, and pre and post-natal pilates. In 2004, Melissa relocated to Raleigh, NC and joined the Body Balance Movement Therapy team.  In 2006, she began certifying instructors for The Physicalmind Institute and has trained over 100 students to teach the method of pilates.  She is currently Evolve’s Director of Pilates Education and is responsible for continuing education and staff development. She is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance as well as a PMA Certified Instructor.  Melissa is very excited to have recently joined the faculty of Balanced Body University. Melissa’s teaching style is warm and energetic, inspiring a healthy understanding of the body, and a strong passion for movement.  Melissa is most rewarded when a student learns to overcome weaknesses, find new strengths, and nurtures a strong sense of self through intelligent movement.  Certifications: The Physicalmind Institute 1999, Power Pilates 1999, Gyrotonic 2000, Gyrokinesis 2003, The Center for Thai Yoga Body Therapy (Levels 1,2,and 3) 2002, Training the Postpartum Client 2002, Yamuna Body Rolling 2005, Standing Pilates 2007, Jump Stretching Board for Gyrotonic 2008, CPR 2009, PMA-CPT 2009 certification # 11390, Balanced Body University Faculty Training 2010.  Melissa’s favorite quote:  “You were born with wings, why crawl through life?” – Rumi, Sufi poet