Instructors
JESS BARZELL
Jess began her professional teaching career as a Lecturing Professor of Dance at the University of Virginia. She then became the Head Pilates teacher at the Kirov Academy of Ballet before moving to NYC to fulfill her dream of teaching private Pilates and performing Improv comedy.
Jess holds Pilates certifications from STOTT Pilates and the Kane School of Core Integration, is a NASM certified personal trainer, is BarWorks certified, and has completed Anatomy In Motion (AIM) and level one in Anatomy Trains and Neurokinetic Testing (NKT).
Over the last 11 years Jessica has built a busy private and group Pilates and movement practice with exceptional people who have deepened her appreciation the body and it’s healing powers. She relocated to Portland part time in 2016 and is now loving it full time since March! Jess is also a printmaker at Running with Scissors Art Studio in East Bayside, Portland.
MAGGY BASSINGTHWAITE
Maggy was born and raised in southern Maine. She grew up as a competitive dancer until she was 18 and has always enjoyed trying new fitness endeavors. Once she went to college, she found a new love for strength training and now Pilates! She recently completed the 200-hour comprehensive mat, reformer, and chair Pilates certification with Salud and is so excited to teach classes that are fun and inviting, but also leave members feeling challenged! In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family in Rhode Island, going to the gym, or spending time at home with her husband and two cats.
RAYNE CHASE
I’m Rayne, born and raised in Maine! I recently took the barre and bounce certification in the fall and loved it! I started going to Salud last winter and completely became hooked! When I’m not at Salud I enjoy dancing, rock climbing, roller skating and crafting! As a Dancer and Dance Teacher, movement has always been a huge part of my life.
In 2021 I completed my restorative Yoga teacher certification . I love making playlists and finding new music to move too!
CATE BEEHAN
A native New Yorker, Cate has been teaching pilates for over a decade. A former classically trained ballet dancer, Cate studied with New York City Ballet and Pennsylvania Ballet. Her background of ballet brought the precision essential to the pilates practice. Cate taught in Los Angeles for 6 years before returning to New York, where she taught in Manhattan and Brooklyn. A recent transplant to Maine, Cate is currently enrolled in Tom Myers Anatomy Trains Structural Integration course with a graduation date of June 2023. Cate is certified in pre/post natal pilates.
HEATHER LAFFELY
Heather Laffely moved to Maine in 1994 to attend UMO where she graduated with a B.A in Women's studies, focusing on Women's Reproductive Health and Advocacy. Remaining in Maine to raise her five children, she has spent the last 30 years developing her skills and passion for movement, rhythm and their connection to health and vitality. This has inspired her work across the decades as a dancer, former deejay, doula, and movement instructor and enthusiast.
Heather holds many fitness/yoga certifications, most recently receiving her Barre certification through Salud in 2022. She received her YT-200 through the Maine Yoga-Fest School of Scarborough Yoga, and is certified Trauma-Informed trained in Vinyasa, Yin, Gentle, Chair, Recovery, Restorative and Buti Yoga.
She is a certified Fiesta Fitness(Latin Dance-Fitness) Instructor through Tony Dance Fiesta and a certified POUND Fitness instructor.
Heather's classes are creative, energetic and inviting; Blending her passion for physical movement with awareness of the mind-body connection.
PAIGE GURNEE
Paige is from Florida but has lived in Maine for the past few years. Fitness has always been a a part of her life, mostly focusing on weightlifting. Now transitioning into motherhood, she enjoys the variety of movement Salud has to offer and feels that it has been the best forms of movement her body has responded to. She has recently passed the Barre/Bounce certification and looks forward to teaching fun and energetic classes! In her free time, Paige works as a cook at a small farm to table market and enjoys going for walks with the baby!
K BUNTEN
My name is K Bunten and I am a born and raised Mainer. I grew up in Castine ME and have lived in Portland for the last 15 years. I have always loved dance ,and I have a long history of athletic training so becoming certified in barre seemed like the right fit for me! In my classes I desire to combine empowerment, embodiment, and connecting with all bodies in a fun and free way. I provide a space for members to come let loose, be yourself, feel strong and confident while working out. I am also a licensed massage therapist and healer for 12 years now, and have my practice here at Salud! I can’t wait to party with all of you!!
RACHEL HALL
Born and raised in Maine. I grew up cross country skiing and running. When I stopped competitively skiing, I no longer had a team training routine to fall back on. I landed upon hot yoga and pilates in the last couple years and they have been a constant in my life ever since. After taking my first pilates reformer jump class at Salud, something clicked and I decided to pursue my practice further to teaching. This past fall I completed the 200 hour teacher certification program at Salud.
Pilates offers so many incredible benefits for everyone, at all stages of life and fitness levels. I love that the practice encourages a mind - muscle connection through breath work and provides a full body, low impact workout that improves strength, mobility, and balance. Pilates requires your present awareness, which has significant impacts on your body and mind that go well beyond the studio.
I will be building my reformer and jump classes off exercises that combine both classical and athletic movements. I’m grateful to be teaching something I’m passionate about and that I know from my own practice, can really improve your overall fitness and quality of life. Health is truly wealth :) I’m excited to see you in class!
LAUREN BAECHER
Lauren brings a diverse wellness background with knowledge in physical therapy, pilates and nursing! She completed her Polestar Pilates certification in 2018. Since then, she has incorporated her education in physical therapy and pilates to create strength and rehabilitation based sessions and classes for clients. Pilates has been part of her own active lifestyle and professional practice for many years. She is currently taking her healthcare career in a slightly different direction by going back to school to receive her Bachelors in Nursing. She is hoping to someday discover innovative ways to merge pilates, physical therapy and nursing in a holistic wellness program.
Lauren is originally from Massachusetts but moved to Maine four years ago and shows no signs of leaving. Outside of her work and studies, she is running with her dog, Ollie, exploring the maine coastline, hiking and spending time with her many nieces and nephews!
CHRISTINA FERRAGAMO
Christina is a barre & pilates instructor and has been teaching for over 6 years.
As someone who lives with chronic illness, she believes that we’re here to live long and beautifully in our bodies, and hopes to ground students in this practice of building strength and mobility. She promotes a self-love, rest, and a wellness lifestyle. Each class is meant to energize the soul and revitalize the body (and of course get a little groovy along the way!).
Christina moved to Maine from Boston in early 2021, and lives in Portland with her partner and many plant babies!
DORIENNE LEWIN
Dorienne Lewin graduated from Point Park University in Pittsburgh with a BA in Modern Dance. Having a strong understanding of movement and body awareness, she continued her education becoming a nationally certified Personal Trainer, Pilates, Yoga, Barre, and Bounce instructor. She received her certifications through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Temple of Kriya Yoga, Physical Mind Institute, Pilates Method Alliance and BarSculpt. Through the system of self-improvement and realization Dorienne’s students will uncover strength and flexibility in the mind and body.
LAUREN BATH
Lauren is a Registered Dietitian with a Master's Degree in Nutrition, specializing in sports nutrition. Lauren has been teaching group fitness for several years in New Jersey and during her free time can be found paddle boarding, kayaking, or hiking.
CAILI ELWELL
Caili Elwell is a holistic life coach and kids yoga teacher who has been teaching meditation for 10 years. Her background in various types of meditation and breathwork, along with her work with United We Om and those in recovery has led her to teaching classes all over New England.
Born in Connecticut and growing up all over New England, she always knew she wanted to raise her family in the nature and kindness based communities Maine has to offer.
In her Grounding Meditation class you can expect to always learn something about the practice, types of meditation, breathwork exercises, and/or about yourself. She writes all her own guided meditations which are accompanied by soothing music and vibrations. Caili believes that meditation is the medicine we all can seek inside ourselves.
Outside of teaching meditation, she owns three businesses that advocate and educate those with food allergies and the hospitality industry to better serve those with food allergies.
ALLYSON CRASNICK
Allyson is a lifelong fitness devotee who fell in love with Pilates after her good friend taught her a private class! She earned her 280 hour Mat and Reformer Certification from the Club Pilates Training Program in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Born and raised in Portland, Maine, Allyson graduated from the University of Southern Maine and has bachelor’s degrees in nursing and psychology as well as a master’s degree in nursing. Allyson values maintaining strong connections and relationships, which serves her well as a full-time nurse practitioner at Maine Neurosurgery and Spine. In her free time (is there such a thing?!), Allyson enjoys speed reading on her kindle, drinking coffee, singing along to 80’s pop, trying new vegetarian recipes, laughing with friends and above all else, living life to the fullest with her very patient husband Silas, her children Ryleigh and Kellen and her two dogs, Jack and JJ.
HALEY MCOKSER
Haley grew up in the Portland area and is a food and fitness enthusiast. She grew up dancing and competing on the East Coast and has a passion for all forms of movement. From dancing in Nutcracker performances, to dancing in an NBA G League dance team she has a love for performing and connecting to any audience. Haley is a certified barre/Pilates instructor through BarSculpt. She most recently completed her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of New England. She has an advanced understanding of how physical disability or injury can affect range of motion, strength, and overall health. She strives to bring a positive energy to every class and support individuals to reach their personal health and movement goals.
LIA TONNESON
Lia was born and raised in Scarborough, Maine. She graduated from the University of Tampa with a B.S. in Human Performance, Exercise Physiology. This degree provided her with an advanced understanding of the function and optimization of the human body. She was introduced to Pilates while she was in school and completely fell in love with it. After years of taking classes, she was hooked on learning about the mind-body connection that Pilates provides and wanted to be able to teach that knowledge to others. She decided to put her heart and soul into becoming a certified instructor along side of her full time job. She recently completed her 200-hour comprehensive Pilates certification in Mat, Reformer, and Chair. She is excited to share her love for Pilates with her students and is ready to offer support and encouragement in reaching health and fitness goals.
Come meet her at her Reformer classes on Tuesdays at 6:30pm and Saturdays at 8:00am and 9:00am! She can’t wait to meet you all!
KAYLEY ROCHE
After two years of consistent practice, Kayley began her teaching journey by getting certified to teach barre and then completing her 200HR YTT at The Daily Sweat in 2020. Since then, she has had the opportunity to teach many different kinds of classes and loves to focus on yoga, strength and meditation-based practices. She has been teaching bounce and yoga sculpt since 2021 and loves a workout that feels like a dance party. Kayley is now completing her 200HR certification in Katonah Yoga which is a syncretic Hatha yoga practice developed over 40 years by Nevine Michaan. The practice layers material from Taoist and Buddhist theory, geometry, magic, mythology, metaphor and imagination into a practical framework designed to potentiate personal and communal wellbeing. Kayley’s biggest passions are yoga, nature and helping others to find joy. When she’s not on the mat, you can find her at the beach, in the white mountains or spending time with her family. Playlist favs include Lauryn Hill, Mac Miller and Beyoncé.
MACKENZIE REILLY
Meet Mackenzie!
I moved to Portland, ME from Brattleboro, VT in 2022 to be closer to friends who live here. I had been practicing yoga at home daily for a couple years at that point, and I wanted to try going to a studio to take group classes, which is how I found SALUD. I fell in love with Pilates the first time I tried it a little over a year ago because it made me feel so good and energized after class and helped me to stretch and strengthen muscles that I had never known how to access before. Structured exercise has been something I’ve gone through cycles of doing more or less regularly throughout my life but it has been huge for helping me feel more at home in my body and for managing pain and for helping my mental health. I decided to take the Pilates teaching certification course at Salud last year because I wanted to have the opportunity to learn more about it and to be able to do something that I love for work and I’m so excited to be starting to teach it and to be able to share it with others! I am also a musician and artist of many different forms. I’m looking forward to meeting you and exercising together!
MIRIAM ZEFZAF
Meet Miriam!
I was born in Boston and raised on Cape Cod Massachusetts. I moved to Portland 4 years ago. I’ve always loved working out whether it be running, circuit training or hot yoga. Fitness has always played a huge part in my life so naturally I was instantly hooked on Pilates once I tried it for my first time at Salud. I recently completed the Pilates Certification at Salud and am excited to have started my teaching journey with such an amazing community of people. In my free time I love cooking, working out, and traveling.
EMILY ELWARD
Emily is a certified Pilates instructor who completed her training through the Pilates Instructor Academy (PIA), a 500 hour comprehensive Pilates curriculum. Emily found her love of Pilates in 2011 and as a military spouse has continued to practice at various studios across the U.S.
Emily has always been passionate about health and fitness. She founded a successful women's running group consisting of 1000 members while her husband was stationed in Corpus Christi, TX, and has competed in numerous triathlons. Exercise and fitness has helped Emily find balance during her husband’s military deployments and many years of service. Emily hopes to help others achieve their fitness goals through the mind and body approach of Pilates.
RENIE ALLEN
If you don’t know what fascia is and how it may be affecting how you feel in your body, I’m here to help!
I’m Renie Allen, Myofascial Release Therapist extrodinaire. In my 20+ years of therapeutically touching bodies, I’ve seen how the health of your fascial system can make or break feeling and moving with ease.
Whether you want to optimize your workout and recovery, whether you recognize how feeling bound up in your body influences your mind and emotions, or whether you are curious about how to access the wisdom that lives in your body, the fascial system holds those answers.
I’ll see you on the mat for Myofascial Stretch and Roll.
SARAH GEORES
Sarah lives in Portland Maine with her partner and children and has been practicing yoga since 2009. She is a 200 hour yoga teacher registered with the Yoga Alliance. Sarah trained with the Alanna Kaivalya Yoga School, and also trained in prenatal/postpartum yoga through the Uplifted Yoga Teacher Training. Recently she has also completed a Trauma Informed yoga teacher training through the Bridge Art Of Awareness center. Sarah is passionate about the mind body connection and believes yoga has strong healing powers for our whole self. When she’s not practicing or teaching yoga Sarah works as a doula, and loves to spend time outside with her kids, read, and garden.
KAIA BECKER
Kaia was first introduced to Pilates in college, being a Division I collegiate Pole Vaulter, she has dealt with many injuries, including breaking her back twice. Kaia discovered the many benefits of doing Pilates, including how it strengthened and lengthened all of her muscles, to both better her physically and to prevent further, or new, injuries.
After Kaia graduated from the University of Vermont with a Bachelors Degree in Early American History and a minor in Special Topics in Healthcare and Medicine, she moved to South Carolina. Once there Kaia started to use Pilates as cross training for surfing, and rediscovered her passion for Pilates. Wanting to share her love of Pilates with others and advance her own knowledge, she enrolled in the Ab & Flow Pilates Training Program. During the course of the program, Kaia intensified her love of Pilates and for teaching. Upon receiving her certification she began teaching full time at Ab & Flow, as well as teaching online mat classes privately.
RENIE QUINN
Rene has been coming to SALUD since August and fell in love with the studio and practice of Pilates. She recently went through the Pilates certification course at SALUD and is excited to get started. During her free time, Rene loves to explore the great Maine outdoors with her dog Kona or traveling somewhere new. Catch her on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for reformer and jump classes!
MICHAELA FRANCO
In taking her passion for Pilates a step further, Michaela recently went through the Pilates certification course at SALUD. She could not be more excited to be part of the Salud community, now as an instructor! In her free time Michaela enjoys trying out different work out classes and spending time with her partner and their pup Roo. She loves skiing in the winter, gardening and spending time on the ocean in the summer. Catch her on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for reformer and jump classes!
PATRICIA RYBAK
After my first Pilates class I was hooked. It is an excellent blend of strength, balance, core, and flexibility for the total body. When an instructor class became available I jumped at the opportunity to learn, practice, and eventually teach. Salud is the perfect welcoming environment for all ages and fitness levels. I highly recommend it for everyone.
ALEX THOMPSON
Alex was born and raised in Portland, Maine. She graduated from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine in 2016 with a degree in Nursing. She currently works at Maine Medical Center in the post anesthesia care unit. In her free time she enjoys being at her families house on Sebago Lake, exploring cocktail bars in Portland with friends and hanging with her two cats and pup.
She started taking Pilates classes at Salud in the Winter of 2021 and instantly fell in love! She recently completed her 200-hour comprehensive Pilates certification in Mat, Reformer and Chair. She is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and excitement about Pilates to clients.
ERIN MCCRAE
Erin grew up in Southern California as a competitive swimmer. After graduating from college, she moved to Seattle, where she was introduced to Pilates. She got her certification from Vitality Pilates in 2014, and has been teaching ever since. She has taught at both classical and modern studios, and as a result her classes are often a combination of both. In summer of 2023 Erin moved to Portland with her husband and cat.
DEVONN MCKENNA
Devonn McKenna (she/her) is a New York native with a passion for dance and theatre. With degrees in both fields from SUNY Brockport and an MFA in Dance from Hollins University, she's all about blending creativity with inclusivity. Her dance journey isn't just about performing- it's about connecting with students as a pedagogue and helping them explore their identities through movement, especially when it comes to queerness. Devonn believes in the power of collaboration and connection, shaping a future where dance is for everyone. Join her dance revolution where authenticity and acceptance take center stage!
MEGHAN ASH
Meghan grew up in mid coast Maine where she began dancing ballet at the age of three. Throughout her dance career she was introduced to Pilates as a way of rehabbing her body. She began Pilates instructor training in West Palm Beach Florida. Throughout training she worked closely with physical therapists and took extensive courses on Anatomy and Kinesiology. Once certified, Meghan began teaching classes and private client sessions and continued doing so when she moved out to Portland Oregon. Meghan has continued taking instructor workshops throughout the years gaining knowledge of how best to work with all clients. Recently having moved back to New England, Meghan is happy and excited to continue teaching and learning.
