Yoga has been a part of Jen’s life since the late 1990’s. She feels fortunate to have some of the best teachers in the world, including her primary teacher, Shiva Rea. Jen infuses her classes with intelligent sequencing, humor, a kick ass playlist and yogic philosophy. She calls herself a guide, as she hopes to guide each student home to their inner wisdom teacher. Jen is based in Raleigh, NC.

Jen is an experienced yoga teacher and practitioner. She is an E-RYT 500 as well as a RCYT (registered children’s yoga teacher). She also is a YACEP and has been faculty on many teacher trainings for adults and children.

Melissa Kakavas is the founder of Remedy Movement Pilates Studio in North Carolina and a passionate educator, movement teacher, and advocate for the transformative power of Pilates. With more than 30 years of teaching experience and 16 years in Pilates teacher education, Melissa has built a community centered on quality, expertise, connection, and authentic mind-body movement.
Melissa leads North Carolina’s largest Pilates teacher training program through the world reknown Balanced Body Education and works alongside a team of highly experienced instructors dedicated to helping others discover the intelligence and joy of movement.

Her teaching is grounded in Joseph Pilates’ traditional method, enhanced by a modern approach developed through her many years of teaching. She believes that movement is more than exercise—it is a way to reconnect with ourselves, cultivate awareness, and create greater ease in both body and life. Melissa brings a warm, intuitive, and deeply personal approach to her teaching, creating an environment where students feel both challenged and supported.

At the retreat, Melissa invites participants to reconnect with the body through a thoughtful and invigorating Pilates practice while embracing the beauty, magic, and energy of Costa Rica.