Business Details
7 Years
experience
Your Trusted Pilates & Barre Studio in Portland, ME
At Move ME Pilates, we are dedicated to transforming lives through the art of movement. Founded in 2019, our studio specializes in Pilates and Barre, offering a welcoming environment where clients of all fitness levels can build strength, improve flexibility, and reduce physical discomfort. Our mission is to inspire joy in movement, helping individuals achieve better posture, core stability, and overall well-being. As the only Balanced Body Instructor Training Center in Maine, we prioritize certified expertise, ensuring our instructors deliver personalized, evidence-based instruction.With a focus on community and accessibility, we provide private lessons, group classes, and comprehensive teacher training programs designed to meet diverse needs. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our rigorous instructor certifications, including Balanced Body Master Instructor Trainer credentials, and our dedication to fostering a supportive, energizing space for growth. Whether you're new to Pilates or seeking advanced training, our team is here to guide you toward measurable, lasting results.
Services
Pilates Reformer Classes
Barre Classes
Private Pilates Lessons
Pilates Mat Classes
Instructor Training Programs
Details
- Year established: 2019
Highlights and features
- Our Balanced Body certified instructors undergo extensive training.
- We offer personalized private lessons tailored to individual goals.
- We provide the only Balanced Body Instructor Training in Maine.
- Classes combine classical Pilates with modern, evidence-based techniques.
- We prioritize client safety with small group sizes and proper form.
Associations and certifications
- Balanced Body
What people say
Amazing instructors
Visible results
Supportive community
Personalized attention
Well-structured classes
Services
Pilates Reformer Classes
Reformer classes use spring-based resistance equipment for full-body workouts. These sessions improve muscle tone, core strength, and flexibility through classic and contemporary Pilates exercises. Limited to six participants, they ensure personalized form adjustments and progressive skill development.
Barre Classes
Barre combines dance-inspired movements with isometric exercises to sculpt muscles and enhance balance. Classes use rhythmic sequences and music to create engaging, low-impact workouts that improve endurance and body awareness for all fitness levels.
Private Pilates Lessons
Customized private sessions address individual goals, from rehabilitation to athletic enhancement. Instructors assess strengths and weaknesses to create tailored programs, ensuring proper technique and measurable progress in posture, strength, and mobility.
Pilates Mat Classes
Mat classes focus on core stability, alignment, and controlled movements using props like therabands and magic circles. These sessions build functional strength and body awareness through classical Pilates principles adapted for modern fitness needs.
Instructor Training Programs
Balanced Body-certified training programs prepare instructors with comprehensive knowledge of Pilates and Barre techniques. Curriculum includes anatomy, movement principles, and hands-on practice to develop skilled professionals for diverse teaching environments.
People
Melissa Connolly
Owner & Master Instructor
PMA-certified instructor with 25+ years of experience, Melissa founded Move ME Pilates after training under Pilates elder Mary Bowen and leading Balanced Body programs. She specializes in instructor mentorship and adaptive movement techniques.
Amity Chadbourne
Pilates Instructor
Amity transitioned from cardio-focused fitness to Pilates after physical therapy revealed its benefits for alignment and strength. She teaches reformer and mat classes, emphasizing body awareness and balanced muscle development for improved daily function.
Diane Dombrowski
Pilates Instructor
A former biotech professional, Diane discovered Pilates post-retirement and completed Balanced Body training. She focuses on accessible, age-inclusive instruction, believing Pilates enhances mobility and confidence for all life stages.
Shannon Collum
Barre Instructor
Shannon combines her teaching background with Barre expertise to create energetic, empowering classes. A cancer survivor, she values movement as resilience and fosters a joyful, community-driven environment in her sessions.
Renee Li
Pilates Instructor
Renee integrates her dance background and Montessori teaching experience into Pilates instruction. She emphasizes core strength and mindful movement, helping clients achieve physical and mental balance through structured, compassionate guidance.
Questions
What Pilates equipment do you use?
We use Balanced Body reformers, Cadillac, chair, and barrels for comprehensive equipment-based Pilates sessions.
Do I need prior experience for group classes?
Yes, we require three private lessons or our intro program to ensure proper form and equipment familiarity before joining group classes.
Are virtual Pilates classes available?
Yes, we offer live-streamed mat classes via Zoom for remote participants maintaining their practice.
What certifications do your instructors hold?
All instructors are Balanced Body certified, with additional credentials including PMA, Stott, and pre/post-natal specializations.
Can Pilates help with injury recovery?
Yes, our instructors work with physical therapists to design safe, rehabilitative Pilates programs focusing on alignment and controlled movement.
Do you offer corporate wellness programs?
We provide customized onsite or virtual Pilates sessions for businesses seeking to enhance employee wellness and reduce stress.
