About Michelle
Hi, I'm Michelle! Originally from Ohio and transplanted in the beautiful state of North Carolina!
In December 2007, I earned my Bachelor or Science Degree in Consumer Affairs (+Minor in Business Administration) from The Ohio State University. Upon graduating, my competitive-drive allowed me to establish successful careers in both the medical device sales and IT sales industries (2007-2019).
​
In 2011, I found Reformer Pilates which became my passion and preferred exercise modality (3-4x weekly) to stay fit, increase flexibility, and combat chronic migraines and other strains/stress associated with prolonged periods of sedentary desk and travel time.
​
After 9 years of being a Pilates student/client, my competitive-drive and passion for Pilates grew into a desire to teach! In 2019, I began Balanced Body Reformer Pilates Instructor Training: and am now certified in all levels of Reformer.
​
I apply my passion and (student-to-instructor) transformation experience into every private, semi-private, and class-setting workout. I am focused on helping clients discover how good their bodies are designed to feel and work towards optimizing their body's greatest potential!
​
Looking forward to seeing you in the studio!
About Michelle
Hi, I'm Michelle! Originally from Ohio and transplanted in the beautiful state of North Carolina!
In December 2007, I earned my Bachelor or Science Degree in Consumer Affairs (+Minor in Business Administration) from The Ohio State University. Upon graduating, my competitive-drive allowed me to establish successful careers in both the medical device sales and IT sales industries (2007-2019).
​
In 2011, I found Reformer Pilates which became my passion and preferred exercise modality (3-4x weekly) to stay fit, increase flexibility, and combat chronic migraines and other strains/stress associated with prolonged periods of sedentary desk and travel time.
​
After 9 years of being a Pilates student/client, my competitive-drive and passion for Pilates grew into a desire to teach! In 2019, I began Balanced Body Reformer Pilates Instructor Training: and am now certified in all levels of Reformer.
​
I apply my passion and (student-to-instructor) transformation experience into every private, semi-private, and class-setting workout. I am focused on helping clients discover how good their bodies are designed to feel and work towards optimizing their body's greatest potential!
​
Looking forward to seeing you in the studio!
About Michelle
Hi, I'm Michelle! Originally from Ohio and transplanted in the beautiful state of North Carolina!
In December 2007, I earned my Bachelor or Science Degree in Consumer Affairs (+Minor in Business Administration) from The Ohio State University. Upon graduating, my competitive-drive allowed me to establish successful careers in both the medical device sales and IT sales industries (2007-2019).
​
In 2011, I found Reformer Pilates which became my passion and preferred exercise modality (3-4x weekly) to stay fit, increase flexibility, and combat chronic migraines and other strains/stress associated with prolonged periods of sedentary desk and travel time.
​
After 9 years of being a Pilates student/client, my competitive-drive and passion for Pilates grew into a desire to teach! In 2019, I began Balanced Body Reformer Pilates Instructor Training: and am now certified in all levels of Reformer.
​
I apply my passion and (student-to-instructor) transformation experience into every private, semi-private, and class-setting workout. I am focused on helping clients discover how good their bodies are designed to feel and work towards optimizing their body's greatest potential!
​
Looking forward to seeing you in the studio!
About Michelle
Hi, I'm Michelle! Originally from Ohio and transplanted in the beautiful state of North Carolina!
In December 2007, I earned my Bachelor or Science Degree in Consumer Affairs (+Minor in Business Administration) from The Ohio State University. Upon graduating, my competitive-drive allowed me to establish successful careers in both the medical device sales and IT sales industries (2007-2019).
​
In 2011, I found Reformer Pilates which became my passion and preferred exercise modality (3-4x weekly) to stay fit, increase flexibility, and combat chronic migraines and other strains/stress associated with prolonged periods of sedentary desk and travel time.
​
After 9 years of being a Pilates student/client, my competitive-drive and passion for Pilates grew into a desire to teach! In 2019, I began Balanced Body Reformer Pilates Instructor Training: and am now certified in all levels of Reformer.
​
I apply my passion and (student-to-instructor) transformation experience into every private, semi-private, and class-setting workout. I am focused on helping clients discover how good their bodies are designed to feel and work towards optimizing their body's greatest potential!
​
Looking forward to seeing you in the studio!
About Michelle
Hi, I'm Michelle! Originally from Ohio and transplanted in the beautiful state of North Carolina!
In December 2007, I earned my Bachelor or Science Degree in Consumer Affairs (+Minor in Business Administration) from The Ohio State University. Upon graduating, my competitive-drive allowed me to establish successful careers in both the medical device sales and IT sales industries (2007-2019).
​
In 2011, I found Reformer Pilates which became my passion and preferred exercise modality (3-4x weekly) to stay fit, increase flexibility, and combat chronic migraines and other strains/stress associated with prolonged periods of sedentary desk and travel time.
​
After 9 years of being a Pilates student/client, my competitive-drive and passion for Pilates grew into a desire to teach! In 2019, I began Balanced Body Reformer Pilates Instructor Training: and am now certified in all levels of Reformer.
​
I apply my passion and (student-to-instructor) transformation experience into every private, semi-private, and class-setting workout. I am focused on helping clients discover how good their bodies are designed to feel and work towards optimizing their body's greatest potential!
​
Looking forward to seeing you in the studio!
About Michelle
Hi, I'm Michelle! Originally from Ohio and transplanted in the beautiful state of North Carolina!
In December 2007, I earned my Bachelor or Science Degree in Consumer Affairs (+Minor in Business Administration) from The Ohio State University. Upon graduating, my competitive-drive allowed me to establish successful careers in both the medical device sales and IT sales industries (2007-2019).
​
In 2011, I found Reformer Pilates which became my passion and preferred exercise modality (3-4x weekly) to stay fit, increase flexibility, and combat chronic migraines and other strains/stress associated with prolonged periods of sedentary desk and travel time.
​
After 9 years of being a Pilates student/client, my competitive-drive and passion for Pilates grew into a desire to teach! In 2019, I began Balanced Body Reformer Pilates Instructor Training: and am now certified in all levels of Reformer.
​
I apply my passion and (student-to-instructor) transformation experience into every private, semi-private, and class-setting workout. I am focused on helping clients discover how good their bodies are designed to feel and work towards optimizing their body's greatest potential!
​
Looking forward to seeing you in the studio!
INSTRUCTORS
Who We Are
Kara Salerno
Founder/Owner/Pilates Instructor
Growing up, my dream was to become a professional dancer with a ballet company and to perform on Broadway. I trained extensively at some of the most prestigious ballet schools across the country, and moved away from home at sixteen to attend North Carolina School of the Arts as a Ballet major. Upon graduating High School, I joined the Nashville Ballet company and six months later my dream of performing on Broadway came to fruition as I was hired to be in the National Touring Company of "The Phantom of the Opera". After spending almost 3 years touring the country with the show, I moved to NYC, where I continued my professional career performing in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Billy Elliot on Broadway, and was contracted with "The Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway for fifteen years, performing close to 4,000 shows.
I discovered Pilates on the Reformer when I was fourteen, training to become a professional dancer, and immediately fell in love with it. At a young age, Pilates helped me to find my core, and develop long and lean muscle. It helped me to prevent injury and maintain my strength and stamina to perform 8 shows a week on Broadway. It helped me get back in shape after the birth of both of my daughters, and it was my main form of rehabilitation after meniscus surgery. Pilates has changed my life and the way my body moves and feels as I age. When my husband's job moved us to NC, I knew teaching Pilates was my next career.
With the combined knowledge of my extensive dance background, personal Pilates practice, globally recognized Stott and Balanced Body Pilates and anatomy training, Pilates En Pointe was born. I am thrilled to have opened a studio in Apex, NC, where I can share my passion for Pilates, and help others to maximize their body's potential.
919-367-6927
Lydia Howard
MSW/Pilates Instructor/Yoga Instructor/Size Inclusive Fitness Specialist
Lydia holds a Master's degree in Social Work from East Carolina University, where she honed her skills in understanding and supporting individuals' holistic well-being. As a certified Pilates and Yoga instructor, she brings the principles of mindfulness and movement together to promote physical and mental wellness. Her passion lies in being a size inclusive fitness specialist, creating an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals of all body types to achieve their wellness goals. With a commitment to fostering positive connections to movement and empowering individuals, she strives to make a meaningful impact on peoples journey to well-being.
Lydia lives in Apex, NC with her husband and daughter. When she's not spending time with family, she enjoys lifting heavy weights, taking care of all her house plants and spending time with her friends.
Julia Shoffner
Pilates Instructor/Dance Teacher
Hi, I'm Julia Shoffner. I fell in love with Pilates as a dance student at UNCSA, where I began to use it as a cross training tool. I was so happy with the way my stability improved as I gained a deeper understanding of core engagement, and Pilates became a critical part of my injury prevention routine as my flexibility and strength increased.
I began my Pilates certification training while still in college and upon graduation, I immediately started to pursue comprehensive training through Balanced Body.
I really enjoy teaching and meeting new people and I find it extremely rewarding to watch clients improve their overall health and wellness. I am also passionate about sharing Pilates with other dancers to help them find a balanced training routine.
Sarah Tyndall
Pilates Instructor/PT/MPT/OCS
Sarah is a trained Physical Therapist with over 16 years of practice and nearly 10 years as a Board-Certified Orthopedic Specialist. Sarah trained as a classical ballet dancer growing up and performed a wide variety of roles in some of the most famous Ballets. She sustained a few minor injuries along the way, struggling to find access to providers who understood her goals and passion to return to dance. From those experiences, Sarah went on to train as a Physical Therapist with a newly found goal of helping other dancers return to the stage.
Sarah's experience ranges from children to older adults with focused niche skills in Dance Medicine/Performing Arts, and foot and ankle injuries. Previously, she has worked with performers from Pennsylvania Ballet, "So You Think You Can Dance", Rock School for Dance Education, University of the Arts, and touring shows like "The Phantom of the Opera". She has also worked with and learned from medical and therapy team members for the Philadelphia Phillies, Eagles, and Flyers.
Most recently, Sarah has spent 4 years as a specialty Physical Therapy provider for the US Army, treating a wide range of conditions in our nation's soldiers and tactile athletes. Her time spent here has helped her develop a deeper understanding of fast-paced triage and treatment planning, compound lifts, and return to training programs for strength and conditioning.
Sarah recently pursued more in-depth Pilates training through globally recognized, Balanced Body, in order to draw and expand treatment concepts she has used throughout her career. The infusion of Pilates into Physical Therapy is natural and creates a deeper understanding of how and why the body performs the way it does. Sarah also loves the way Pilates creates a complimentary training style for almost any other activity.
