Prepare for your final Balanced Body Test Out with two immersive days of expert-led preparation, personalized mentorship, hands-on practice and peer support—then complete your Test Out before you leave.

Early Bird: $750 through October 1

$1,000 Regular Price | Save $250

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

Mat • Reformer • Mat + Reformer • Comprehensive • Barre

Your Retreat Includes

✓ Two full days of intensive Test Out preparation

✓ Daily movement sessions

✓ Mock teaching + personalized coaching

✓ Written exam preparation

✓ Anatomy + movement principles review

✓ Peer practice and collaboration

✓ Opportunity to complete practical hours

✓ Balanced Body Test Out in St. Thomas

✓ Opening-night experience

✓ Time to recharge and enjoy the island

$750 Early Bird Registration →

A woman in a white leggings and a white top guides two men through pilates exersizes

Prepare with Angelie Melzer

30+ years teaching Pilates
Classical + Contemporary training
1st & 2nd generation teacher lineage
Balanced Body educator/mentor

Kind Words From Past Students

"Angelie Melzer is a top notch instructor. She presents the material with passion and truly has a desire for others to learn. As an instructor, I would like to one day reach the needs of my students the way Angelie does. She is an inspiration!

"Angelie is a true teacher! Her in-depth knowledge; passion for Pilates and teaching Pilates is not only inspiring but highly effective. She is a true mentor guiding us through the material and modeling how to be a caring and able instructor. I am so grateful to her, and to Balanced Body for the comprehensive training, I receive each time I attend."

"Angelie is very knowledgeable and I loved how she tied everything in to movement."

"I truly appreciated my Mat 2 training experience with you, it was by far the best experience I’ve had so far with Balanced Body online training. Your teaching style, encouragement, and depth of knowledge made such a positive impact on me."

"I thoroughly enjoyed learning from you during Mat 2. I have many helpful new tools to take-away, continue working on, and apply to my own practice and teaching. I absolutely loved your course. It was structured thoughtfully, and you helped me not only learn the Mat 2 sequences, but also to better organize the whole Pilates system in my thinking. I am very grateful! Thank you. I hope that I have an opportunity to take another course from you again. I’ll look towards that in the future, perhaps for one of the later Mat 3 modules."

"I had the honor and privilege of taking Reformer 1 & 2 and Anatomy in Three Dimensions with Angelie. WOW! Angelie is an extraordinarily gifted Balanced Body Educator. I’m overwhelmed by how much I learned and could immediately apply in my classes. I can hardly wait to audit those courses again, as I was only able to absorb about a quarter of everything she imparts each day. My teaching, as well as my confidence, has improved noticeably.

On a personal level, during the courses Angelie would sometimes ‘workshop’ a student. From those demonstrations, I actually have come to believe it possible for me to do exercises that I previously believed would always be unattainable in my body. I could immediately see what is possible with the correct verbal sequencing and/or a tactile cue at just the right moment. What a gift!

My only regret is not taking Mat 1, 2, & 3 first with Angelie. Now to figure out how to pay for a Mat Intensive at the Lake House Studio."

Retreat Schedule

Before You Arrive

1. Apply Early

Balanced Body approval for Test Out applications can take 4–6 weeks. Apply as soon as possible.

2. Organize Your Hours

Keep all observation, self-practice, and teaching hours in one master document or digital log.

3. Continue Building Practical Hours

Accumulate observation and self-practice hours via pilates live online or partner with classmates to complete hours requirements.

January 27–28

Test Prep Intensive

Spend two days reviewing and refining the skills needed for a successful test out experience.

Topics Include:

Practical teaching skills
Cueing and communication
Program design and progression
Anatomy and movement principles review
Written exam preparation
Mock teaching scenarios
Q&A and coaching sessions

January 29

Study, Practice & Island Reset

A day to practice independently, work with study partners, log practical hours, participate in optional mentoring sessions, and enjoy the beauty and wellness of St. Thomas

Buddies Are Better™
Use this day to connect with fellow students and gain valuable observation, teaching, and self-practice hours.

January 30–31

Balanced Body Test Out Days

Available Testing Options:

Mat

Reformer

Mat + Reformer

Comprehensive

Barre

This Retreat Is For You If...

✓ You're nearing the end of your Balanced Body certification

✓ You feel nervous about your final Test Out

✓ You want expert feedback before testing

✓ You still need practical/observation hours

✓ You learn better with hands-on support

✓ You're ready to stop putting off certification

✓ You'd rather complete this milestone surrounded by an encouraging Pilates community—in St. Thomas

Yes, I'm Ready to Get Certified

A blonde woman in a grey outfit sits cross legged on a chair with her chin resting in a hand and smiles at the camera.

MEET ASCEND'S MASTER INSTRUCTOR:

ANGELIE MELZER

I'm so glad you're here! I’ve spent the last 30 years as an advocate, passionately sharing Pilates with students and instructors.

Starting at a very young age has given me a unique approach and understanding of the work.

Combining the Classical and Contemporary Methods taught to me by the 1st and 2nd generation teachers has given me a diverse view of the work to share with my apprentice students and clientele worldwide.

My Story

FAQs

How do I sign up for the retreat?

What is included in the retreat?

What is not included?

What can I expect to take home?

What does the retreat cost?

What are the travel requirements?

Are refunds available if I need to cancel?

How do I get from the airport to the hotel?

What should I bring?

Will there be free time to explore?

BECOME THE BEST PILATES INSTRUCTOR IN YOUR MARKET

_______________

Real impact happens when you have the knowledge and skills to truly transform every unique body you interact with.

It's time to prioritize & invest in yourself as an instructor. What could be more valuable?

Begin your journey to becoming a truly transformative instructor by joining Angelie.

Let's start with a phone call to make sure Angelie and the Ascend team are the right fit for you.

We're excited to start this journey with you!

LET'S CONNECT

STAY IN TOUCH

We're building a community of world class Pilates Instructors, join the conversation!

OUR STORY

Meet Angelie
About the Team

ASCEND FOR INSTRUCTORS

- Upcoming Events
- Balanced Body Certification Courses
- Ascend Mentorship Program

INFO

Team Pilates Studio
Contact Us
Free Resources

ASCEND TO CERTIFICATION™

A Caribbean Test Out Intensive

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

January 27–31, 2027