Our Instructors
Erin Owen, Owner & Director / Pilates & GYROTONIC® Instructor
Erin Owen is a comprehensively certified Pilates Mat and Apparatus Instructor, certified Buff Bones® Instructor, and certified Level II GYROTONIC® instructor. As a former professional dancer and undergrad biology major, she has always held a deep fascination with anatomy and kinesthetic awareness. When Erin was introduced to Pilates in 1996, she fell immediately in love… amazed at how much her dance technique improved with a regular Pilates practice. She received her Mat and Apparatus certifications from the Kane School of Core Integration in New York City, and began teaching Pilates in 2002. She prioritizes healthy biomechanics, and aims to offer clients a well-rounded, challenging, and thoughtful approach to Pilates, promoting self-care and injury prevention.
In addition to her primary training with Kelly Kane, Erin has completed continuing education courses with masters such as Marie José Blom, Irene Dowd, Rebekah Rotstein, Jennifer Gianni, Eric Franklin, and Matt McCulloch; including Functional Anatomy for Movement and Injuries at Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, the Mentor Program at Kinected Pilates Center, Tom Myers’ Structural Integration for Manual Therapists, Postural Analysis & Functional Joint Assessment, Pre-Natal, Postpartum, Osteoporosis, Scoliosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Common Spinal Pathologies, The Iliopsoas, Pelvic Floor Health, Pilates for Men, Local & Global Strength & Conditioning, Rehab & Post-Rehab for Knee Injuries, Hyper-mobility, Neck, Shoulder, & Wrist Health, Pilates for Golf & Racquet Sports, and Pilates for Runners. Her clients have ranged from professional dancers, stunt performers, and athletes to elder folks with complicated spinal conditions.
Erin returned home to Waynesville in 2015, following her dance career in New York City. She teaches Ballet to ages 6-18 in Sylva at Triple Threat Performing Arts Academy. For more information + dance bio, click HERE.
Beth Salman, Pilates Instructor, Website Consultant
Beth Salman [ she/her ] is a BASI Pilates comprehensively certified instructor who believes deeply in the power of mindful, joyful movement for everyone and every body. In 2015, she chose to do her instructor training with BASI Pilates. Their vision “to preserve the classical repertoire and the essence of Joseph Pilates’s philosophy while supporting and encouraging evolution based on experience and scientific knowledge,” combined with the organization’s emphasis on passion, compassion and excellence, resonated with her values. A lifelong curious mover, Beth stumbled into Pilates in the late ‘90s and instantly fell in love with how it made her body feel and how it helped her run, ride, dance, bend, and balance with more ease, strength and efficiency.
Beth continues to expand her knowledge and feed her curiosity with additional training and professional development. Her sessions build on a Pilates foundation to improve balance, challenge stability, build awareness, and increase strength and flexibility with an emphasis on acceptance, exploration, and playfulness. She is currently interested in how functional movement combined with Pilates repertoire can support maintaining an active mind and body as we age.
Originally from Chicago, Beth studied geology in Montana, but spent much of her career as a graphic designer. When not talking teasers or typography, she’s out on a trail, mountain biking or hiking with her husband and dog, occasionally picking up an interesting rock or three.
Zaida Sykes, Pilates Instructor and licensed Physical Therapist
Zaida Sykes, DPT completed Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training at Pilates in the Grove, alongside earning her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2018 from the University of Miami, Florida. After graduating, she immediately started working alongside her mentors, teaching privates and group classes and using Pilates as therapeutic exercise for her PT patients.
Appreciating the benefits of minimalism, Zaida and her husband purchased a tiny house and enjoyed living on the West Coast as they shifted gears to working in acute/sub-acute settings as Travel Therapists. Zaida knew in her heart she would return to Pilates once it was time to settle, because it is truly a passion. She moved to Maggie Valley in June of 2024 and is feeling excited and grateful to return to this side of healthcare.
Besides Pilates equipment, Zaida’s favorite tools are her hands. She has completed continuing education with John F Barnes Myofascial Release and continues to seek to deepen this practice.
Zaida is originally from the Boston area. In her free time she likes to travel , attend music events, and spend time in nature. She consistently participates in strength training, shuffle dances and practices yoga.