Arianneis the founder and driving force behind Grit + Tonic Pilates. Born and raised on the Monterey Peninsula, Arianne’s lifelong love of movement started early—through gymnastics, cheerleading, tennis, and competitive snowboarding. Her career in fitness took root in the Bay Area, where she discovered barre and trained under Burr Leonard, the Founder of The Bar Method and a pioneer in barre fitness. The experience lit a spark that would guide her next chapter.

Returning home, Arianne realized barre was missing from the local wellness scene. She opened CarmelBarre, a welcoming community fitness space in 2014 that quickly expanded to multiple studios and helped shape the fitness culture on the Central Coast. Along the way, she merged with Go Figure Activewear and launched The Park by CarmelBarre—an online community centered on movement, support, and empowerment.

Now, with Grit + Tonic, Arianne continues to evolve. Her mission is rooted in accessibility, inclusivity, and creating a space where every body can thrive. Arianne holds a wide range of fitness certifications and is always looking for new ways to learn and grow. Her classes are known for their balance of challenge, warmth, and intention.

Arianne holds a B.S. in Journalism and Business from the University of Oregon. She lives in Carmel Valley with her husband, daughters Fiona and Reese, and their two dogs, Penny and Bixby—who occasionally make cameo appearances in her on-demand classes. Deeply community-minded, Arianne champions local collaborations and brings people together with the same energy she brings to every class: bold, kind, and grounded in purpose.

Melody has been immersed in the practice and study of Pilates for over two decades. As the Pilates Director and partner at Grit + Tonic, she is dedicated to cultivating a vibrant, inclusive Pilates community by offering exceptional instruction and mentoring the next generation of teachers. Her mission is rooted in a deep belief in the transformative power of movement. After experiencing chronic low back pain and sciatica, Melody discovered Pilates as a path to reclaiming a pain-free, active lifestyle. Through her personal journey, she developed a profound respect for the subtle yet powerful shifts Pilates inspires—helping to re-pattern movement, restore balance, and build functional strength for everyday life.

Certified through Balanced Body Education in 2018, Melody completed the Comprehensive Pilates Instructor program and began her apprenticeship under Carrie-Ann Belanger at VEZA Pilates, where they explored energetic movement pathways through Classical Pilates. Most recently, she worked as an instructor with Sandy Novembre at Monarch Pilates in Santa Cruz, where she continues to collaborate and further her education. She is currently undergoing the Balanced Body Advanced Movement Principles course with Nora St. John. Melody’s experience spans a wide range of client needs, including scoliosis, sports conditioning, prenatal and postnatal, osteoporosis, men’s health, pelvic health, chronic hip and low-back pain. Her teaching style is thoughtful, attentive, and grounded in precision and compassion.

A Pacific Grove native, Melody lives in Monterey with her husband, Paul, and their daughter, Emma. When she’s not in the studio, you’ll find her running, hiking, dancing, and living life with vitality—always guided by the belief that movement is medicine.