Founder of grit + tonic/CarmelBarre

Arianne Bautista Marsh is a certified Pilates instructor through Balanced Body and the founder of grit + tonic and CarmelBarre, studios dedicated to intelligent, athletic reformer Pilates in Monterey and Carmel. Raised on the Monterey Peninsula, she grew up running marathons, playing tennis, and competing in cheerleading and snowboarding—an athletic foundation that shapes her performance‑minded, strength‑focused approach to movement today.

After discovering barre in the San Francisco Bay Area, Arianne trained and taught under one of the method’s early leaders before returning home to open CarmelBarre in 2014. She has continued her Pilates education with respected educators including Tracey Mallett, among others, and is known for building creative, athletic sequences that challenge the norm—borrowing from sport, strength work, and Pilates to keep clients progressing, not plateauing.

grit + tonic is the evolution of her philosophy: precise, purposeful training that refuses to stay on autopilot, delivered in a focused, welcoming environment. Her classes emphasize clean form, progressive strength, and thoughtful programming that support everyday movers and athletes alike—whether they’re cross‑training, building resilience, or coming back from time off.

Arianne is committed to running studios where people feel known, challenged, and supported—not judged or boxed into one “type” of athlete. She lives in Carmel with her husband, two daughters, and their dogs.

Cathy’s passion for Pilates began in 2015 at a small, locally owned studio in Pacific Grove. What started as a personal wellness journey quickly evolved into a deeper appreciation for the benefits of Pilates—improved flexibility, reduced back pain - from past sports injuries - and enhanced functional movement.

Inspired by her own transformation, Cathy felt compelled to help others reconnect with their bodies through mindful movement. Her desire to support community members in recovering from injuries and improving their overall well-being is what led her to pursue teaching.

In February 2025, Cathy enrolled in the 500-hour Comprehensive Teacher Training Program at Club Pilates. This intensive certification includes instruction in Mat, Reformer, EXO Chair, Springboard, and Cadillac apparatus.

In addition to her passion for fitness, Cathy works in Finance and has + 25 years of experience. When she’s not practicing or teaching Pilates, you’ll likely find her spending time with family and friends, enjoying the beach, hiking at Garland Ranch, or practicing QiGong and Tai Chi with her neighbors.

Kelly Salazar discovered Pilates while exploring a new hobby after her workplace closed, and she immediately fell in love with the practice. That connection inspired her to pursue a new career as a Pilates instructor. Kelly’s goal is to share her passion for movement with others while being a positive and encouraging presence throughout their wellness journeys.

Kelly has called the Monterey area home for the past seven years, after transferring to CSUMB to complete her college degree. She now lives with her husband and their two dogs. Outside the studio, she enjoys taking walks, baking, and traveling whenever she can.

Kelly has completed all Pilates coursework through Balanced Body and is preparing to complete her final assessment to earn her certification.

Maureen Boese has been fostering her love of health and wellness for over two decades. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara with extensive studies in exercise physiology and nutrition, earned a health coach certificate from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, is an American Council on Exercise (ACE) Certified Personal Trainer, a former Kaiser Permanente Health Educator and Weight Management Program Facilitator, and is currently finishing her 500 hour Pilates Instructor Certification through Club Pilates. 

Maureen is also a dedicated mom of two, a lover of gardening and household projects, enjoys spending time outdoors in our gorgeous Monterey County, and is happiest when spending time with family and friends.

Mira began studying mat and reformer Pilates over 25 years ago when she became acquainted with it through dance. In 2024, she began Balanced Body Pilates teacher training with the Pilates Education Collective in Santa Cruz, where she recently completed Reformer 3 - on her way to becoming a fully certified Pilates instructor.

Mira’s classes offer thoughtful verbal cuing, imagery, and sequencing to help students broaden their movement repertoires and hone their sense of the inner landscape. Her breath- and rhythm-based approach encourages students to safely build strength, control, and mobility through a dynamic movement practice that aims to spark joy and a sense of wellbeing.

Mira began dance and yoga as a teen (her dad took her to her first yoga class when she was 15). In 1977, she began performing with choreographers in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she lived and danced until 2021. She has taught ballet and modern dance to adults and currently teaches yoga, Pilates, and other group fitness classes in the area. Mira has an MFA in Dance (Saint Mary’s College of CA) and a PhD in Education (UC Berkeley). A Professor Emerita of English at Sonoma State University, she is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT 500, Yoga Alliance).

Mira's abiding love of movement and her enthusiasm for thoughtful education inform her Pilates instruction. Outside teaching, Mira can often be found ambling the beautiful beaches and forests of California’s central coast, gardening, swimming, reading, and spending time with her husband and their two dogs. She is excited to join the grit + tonic team and support the local community through mindful movement practices. 

Blair Cronin is a comprehensively certified Pilates instructor, trained through Balanced Body at Agile Monkey in Santa Cruz. With a background as a dancer and inspiration from Ellie Herman Pilates, Blair blends mindful movement, visualization, and precise technique into her teaching. She has taught mat classes and private sessions throughout the Monterey Peninsula and recently launched her own business, Groove Carmel, where she integrates dance education concepts. After a hiatus to focus on elementary education, Blair is excited to return to Pilates, bringing her creative, encouraging, and body-aware approach to every session.

Jennifer Kuyper discovered Pilates after childbirth 18 years ago. She trained with a Pilates teacher/ Physical Therapist to rehabilitate her core and pelvic floor and fell in love with what the exercise was able to do for her entire self — body and mind. She received her training with the same Physical Therapist and has been teaching for the last 15 years.

Jenn subs at grit + tonic when her busy schedule allows. She works full time at Salinas Valley Bank and enjoys spending time with her two kids.