Meet Our Instructors

Founder and owner of Pulse Pilates. Elisa received her BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) degree in dance from Adelphi University. Her dance training began with Olga Dunn and continued on to New York City where she joined companies such as Jennifer Muller “The Works” and Randy James. She performed at well-known venues such as Jacob’s Pillow, Tanglewood, and Linhart Theatre in New York. It was during her performing years that Elisa recognized her love for Pilates. While taking Pilates on the upper west side of Manhattan, she began to see improvement in her performance, strength, and body composition. Many years, a husband, and two children later, she decided to share her love for Pilates by receiving her certification and creating Pulse Pilates. Elisa combines her Pilates technique with her knowledge of dance to create her own style. She believes that Pilates is an energetic way of staying in touch with your mind and body.

Rana is a proud graduate of the internationally renowned Balanced Body Teacher Training Program, and was also awarded a certification from the Pilates Method Alliance. Her solid background and credentials translate into an exceptional client experience that is not only enjoyable, but is focused on results, safety, and efficiency. Because of Rana’s dance and baton twirling background, she has first hand knowledge of body position and kinesthetic awareness that strongly carries over into her classes. Rana is very passionate about teaching and brings a smile and positive energy to each class. She looks forward to working with clients of all ages and abilities. Rana’s philosophy is, “Pilates is for everyone and every body!”

Larissa fell in love with Pilates when she took her first mat class in the winter of 1999. Since then, both mat and equipment exercises have challenged and intrigued her. Larissa loves the variety of exercises the Pilates apparatus offers, and the fact that Pilates readily compliments and enhances her performance as a runner. Larissa believes that Pilates is an extremely “centered and balanced” component of mind/body fitness. She feels that the Pilates experience is a great fit with existing fitness interests and active lifestyles. This led her to pursue training to become a certified Pilates instructor. She has been inspired by the many benefits of Pilates and is truly excited about sharing this passion with others.

Lindsay Purrington O’Hara is a former professional ballerina whose career spanned two decades, dancing for The Pennsylvania Ballet in Philadelphia, Ballet NY in New York City, and as a Soloist with Carolina Ballet here in Raleigh. She began her Pilates study in 2001 as a young dancer with Carolina Ballet and immediately noticed improved strength in her dancing, and an empowering control over her body in the studio and on stage. She continued to supplement her professional dance career with classes whenever she could, continuing even after her retirement from Carolina Ballet in 2018. One year later, she decided to train to become a Balanced Body Certified Pilates Instructor, and is thrilled to be teaching at Pulse today.

Tamara is originally from Santiago, Chile and moved to North Carolina back in 2002.She discovered Pilates when she took her first class in 2011, and fell in love with it instantly. After years of taking lessons and learning the benefits of The Pilates methods, she decided to go though the process to became an instructor. She quickly realized that Pilates was the perfect training to find mind-body connection, tone, strength, and stretch. Her intentions have always been helping others to become healthy, strong and experience the joy of working out. She will bring her positive energy and enthusiasm to each class.Tamara became a Barre certified teacher by Carolina Barre and Core in 2021.

Erica is a Balanced Body Comprehensive certified teacher and specializes in athletic Pilates. She has worked with many clients post physical therapy from knee replacements to athletes. Erica is enthusiastic about sharing Pilates to improve your quality of life.

Melanie graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a BS in Statistics, but has always been tethered to her creative side as well as her analytical side. Melanie's journey into Pilates began in high school when she discovered mat Pilates and immediately fell in love with its transformative power. As she delved deeper into the practice, she ventured into reformer/ apparatus Pilates, which only solidified her passion for it. Her heart remains tethered to the Pilates studio where she finds joy in guiding others through their fitness journeys. As a Peak Pilates comprehensively certified instructor, Melanie combines her expertise in movement with her love for teaching, creating an inclusive and supportive environment for her students to thrive. She sees each new body as a unique opportunity to tailor her instruction to suit individual needs and goals.

Brenda was always active in sports as a child growing up. After the birth of her son, she began taking an interest in running and yoga. In 2001, she purchased her first Pilates video in attempt to find a new, enjoyable form of exercise and a way to alleviate her neck and back pain. In 2005, she experienced her first real Pilates class. Brenda found a true love for the art form, and the benefits she noticed spiritually, emotionally, and physically. After practicing Pilates for several years, she embarked on BASI’s CTTC (Comprehensive Teacher Training Course) and became a certified Pilates teacher. Brenda is a devoted teacher who wants to make sure that you feel the benefits she does when you take a class at Pulse Pilates.

Elizabeth discovered Pilates at Pulse Pilates when Pulse began its partnership with Carolina Ballet. She quickly found that it improved her strength and coordination and credits Pilates with keeping her injury free. While she no longer dances with Carolina Ballet, Pilates has continued to keep her healthy and she is excited to share its benefits with others as an instructor. She has trained with Balanced Body and seeks to provide classes that challenge, lengthen and restore the whole body.