Meet Papaya Pilates Founder

Carissa is deeply committed to movement. She is the founder and instructor of Papaya Pilates. She is a dance educator at a public school in Massachusetts. Her teaching repertoire includes: Pilates mat, Pilates reformer, barre fitness, and many styles of dance. 

Upon graduating with a BA in Dance, she became a director of a dance studio and a dance team performer. Some of her most cherished performance and promotional credits include being a member of the New England Revolution promotional team, Springfield Armor dance team, and Springfield Falcons cheer team. Her dance world expanded to fitness, after joining the Pure Barre team in 2016. She had the pleasure of instructing at nine locations and continues to teach when able. Her love of movement and teaching evolved her to her dream job in public-sector dance education. Carissa has taught dance to nearly two thousand, K-12 students throughout MA and CT.

In 2021, she debuted her first Papaya Pilates pop-up class in Western MA. Her events have since reached CT, NH, and NY. She trains private clients in-home and virtually and has traveled twice to South Carolina to guest teach. The Springfield J.C.C. has graciously offered a standing weekly Papaya Pilates class to their members and community. Carissa loves training her clients and helping them reach beyond their goals. She gives this adventure 100% and is grateful for the many supporting her Pilates dreams. She is inspired to keep as many people as possible moving in the world through the brightest classes.

Carissa has been a vegetarian for sixteen years and is an advocate for holistic living. She enjoys spending time with her fifteen nieces and nephews and exploring beach towns and peaceful surroundings in warm weather.