Paula Merritt

Paula Nascimento Merritt was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She was raised in an environment rich in Brazilian festivities and grew up dancing, sparking a passion that initiated her first steps in the world of dance, which developed into her professional career. In 1999, Paula began her studies in Contemporary Dance at the Angel Vianna School in Rio. In 2002, she began her coursework in Motor Recuperation through Movement and Dance Therapy. That same year, she began to study Pilates at Espaco Pilates and in 2003 began teaching the method as a certified instructor.

In 2004, Paula decided to deepen her knowledge in the human body and began her professional certification coursework in Godelieve Denys-Struyf, a French technique commonly known as GDS at Ivaldo Bertazzo School in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In 2007, she moved to Chicago and soon after, Paula obtained her certification in Pre and Post Natal and Spinal Conditions. Most recently, Paula completed certification requirements to become a Gyrotonic® Instructor.