About Marlisa Groff Eyre,
owner/instructor CH-Pilates and Wellness
Welcome to Carriage House Pilates and Wellness. I am so honored that you stopped by. My Pilates journey began about 15 years ago. I tried a mat class at a local gym and I was intrigued. I remember being distracted, though, by the teacher's breathing in the microphone and by the grungy, mismatched yoga mats. And still, the time away from my tasks as a mom, was a bit of a retreat and I felt challenged by the mind-body emphasis. I also felt a bit like a foreigner to my own body. Instead of being discouraged by my early attempts at pilates, I felt inspired to learn more and to find a teacher who could instill in me the foundations of the Pilates method. I soon discovered Winchester's pioneer of Pilates, Lucille Dowell, and her studio, "The Fitness Studio", now called "The Pilates Connection." It was through Lucille and her daughter-in-law, Michelle Dowell, that I became hooked on Pilates in the best possible way. As a young mom, I could only afford to take one reformer class per week, but I looked forward to it and I practiced mat-work at home faithfully between my studio sessions. In 2010, when Lucille and Michelle offered a mat-training class, I officially began my teacher training. The more I learned, the more I knew I needed to learn, so I became "The Fitness Studio's" first apprentice as I completed rigorous comprehensive training that led to full teacher certification through the Pilates Method Alliance in 2012. I am forever grateful to "The Pilates Connection" for the spark that I now continue to spread, with their blessing and support, through my own business at Carriage House Pilates and Wellness, LLC.
At CH-Pilates and Wellness, I bring over 18 years of teaching experience that started soon after completing my Bachelor of Arts at James Madison University in 1999. I worked for over 11 years at Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy as a music teacher and program coordinator. As a Pilates instructor and studio owner for the past 7 years, music (jazz, in particular) continues to energize my classes and truly sets the stage for clients to experience the beauty and wonder of
art in fitness.
Outside of the studio, I have 5 amazing kids and a husband who encourages and supports me in making my dreams come true. Together, we shuttle a bunch of kids to soccer (he coaches and I cheer from the sidelines), dance classes, youth group, theater rehearsals, and robotics competitions...and head to UVA as often as we can to hug our oldest daughter. Our life is full and we lean heavily on the source of our strength, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is our true "Carriage House" where our souls find joy and rest.
"...in Him, we live and move and have our being." Acts 17:28, NIV, The Holy Bible
At CH-Pilates and Wellness, I bring over 18 years of teaching experience that started soon after completing my Bachelor of Arts at James Madison University in 1999. I worked for over 11 years at Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy as a music teacher and program coordinator. As a Pilates instructor and studio owner for the past 7 years, music (jazz, in particular) continues to energize my classes and truly sets the stage for clients to experience the beauty and wonder of
art in fitness.
Outside of the studio, I have 5 amazing kids and a husband who encourages and supports me in making my dreams come true. Together, we shuttle a bunch of kids to soccer (he coaches and I cheer from the sidelines), dance classes, youth group, theater rehearsals, and robotics competitions...and head to UVA as often as we can to hug our oldest daughter. Our life is full and we lean heavily on the source of our strength, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is our true "Carriage House" where our souls find joy and rest.
"...in Him, we live and move and have our being." Acts 17:28, NIV, The Holy Bible
