Instructors

Carissa has dedicated her life to movement and to discovering the joy it brings. She began teaching in 2010 after earning her BFA in Dance from the University of North Texas, and has since gained years of experience leading classes in dance, barre, spin, HIIT, functional movement, and recovery techniques. In 2013, she earned her STOTT Pilates certification and began teaching Pilates, a practice through which she has transformed her own movement efficiency and structural alignment. Carissa is committed to sharing this knowledge with anyone ready to explore their body’s potential. Driven by a deep curiosity for the “how” and the “why,” Carissa is passionate about the subtleties of movement and how small, intentional adjustments can create meaningful change. Her work is rooted in form, biomechanics, and breath, as well as the somatic connection between mind and body. She believes that repatterning the body goes hand in hand with rewiring the brain.

Her classes emphasize juicy flows, deep sustained strength, and expansive breath, while cultivating presence, awareness, and focused attention. Carissa is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where clients can feel good in their bodies as they move toward their goals.

She has been dancing professionally with KDH Dance Company since 2010 and recently partnered with co-founder Emily Rushing to launch RushTopFish Dance Company. When Carissa isn’t practicing Pilates, she’s diving into dance projects, treasure-hunting for thrifted gems, or soaking up some quality time with her husband and kiddo.

Emily’s relationship with movement began in the pine trees of rural Wisconsin, where she spent her childhood exploring the outdoors before finding her way to tap and jazz classes. That early curiosity evolved into a professional dance career in Austin and a teaching journey for over a decade in a variety of modalities that included a year leading Pilates and barre classes in Melbourne, Australia. As the co-founder of RushTopFish, Emily pairs her full STOTT Pilates certification with a BA in Theatre and Dance from UT Austin. Her instruction is also informed by her 2025 completion of Austin Community College’s somatic movement program; as she works toward becoming a Registered Somatic Movement Educator (RSME), she remains passionate about sharing the healing, nourishing power of movement with her local community. 

Emily believes movement should be a joyful practice that brings you fully into the present. She is committed to ensuring every client feels seen, creating an inclusive environment where all bodies belong. Her classes are designed as a journey—inviting you to move authentically, listen to your body’s unique needs, and leave feeling centered, challenged, and inspired. 

When she isn’t in the studio or on stage, Emily is likely soaking up Austin’s live music scene, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, or savoring quality time with the family and friends who keep her inspired.