Experience what sets Panacea Vita apart — and discover what’s possible when movement meets meaning, healing becomes a journey.
We blend the precision of Classical Pilates with the data-driven insights of Quantum and Integrative Medicine.
Meet the Founder
Your Body Holds the Wisdom. I Help You Learn to Listen.
I believe the most powerful healer you will ever know is already within you. For over two decades, my work has been guided by one simple truth: we all have the capacity to heal when we learn to listen to our body’s innate wisdom.
This belief has been my compass on a journey from owning holistic studios in Europe to founding Panacea Vita here in Florida. It's the inspiration behind my books on movement and mindfulness, and it was the driving force of my PhD research into how Quantum Biofeedback can help women with chronic illness reclaim their lives.
My Approach: Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science
Instead of chasing symptoms, we get to the root of stress and imbalance. My approach is a unique fusion of cutting-edge science and ancient healing arts, including:
Quantum Biofeedback: To understand your body's subtle signals.
Taoist & Chakra Medicine: To restore your energetic harmony.
Hypnotherapy, Meditation & Breathwork: To build resilience from the inside out.
Brain Intrainment - Neural Check & Braintap: a unique and innovative system designed to help individuals achieve a higher state of mindfulness, relaxation, and overall mental wellness.
Today, I share these transformative tools through one-on-one sessions, corporate wellness programs, and workshops, all designed to empower you with lasting vitality and balance.
Ready to tune into your body's wisdom? Explore my work and guided practices on my YouTube Channel.
Dr. Spela Perc
Doctor of Natural Medicine & Founder of Panacea Vita
Explore More about Me!
Founder, Panacea Vita Studio – International holistic health practice (Europe, Canada, USA); prevention-based care, corporate wellness, lectures and workshops.
Doctorate: PhD in Natural Medicine (Quantum University) – Dissertation: Case study on ME/CFS; quantum biofeedback therapy as a potential modality to improve quality of life in women.
Publications – Dylan’s Adventure into the Unknown (children’s book on curiosity and discovery); Beauty in Movement (embodied presence; healing).
Training: Expertise – Hypnotherapy, Neurolinguistic Reprogramming (with Dr. Patrick Porter), meditation, breathwork, and bioenergetic approaches rooted in Taoist medicine; chakra systems.
Professional Focus – Quantum biofeedback therapy, stress-release–oriented therapies, nutritional guidance, prevention-based health support.
Meet The Team
Melissa Derstine
Lisa Gilliam
Sara Sardelli Rachon
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Melissa Derstine has over 30 years of experience in Pilates, having trained under and been certified by Romana Kryzanowska, a protégé of Joseph Pilates.
In the late 1990s, Melissa served as the director of a Romana's Pilates teacher training institute, where she trained teachers in Mr. Pilates' system.
She has learned techniques from master instructors worldwide and continues to attend specialized training and conferences to maintain her Romana's Pilates International (RPI) certification.
Melissa experienced a nearly fatal accident five years ago, requiring her to relearn how to walk, and credits her RPI knowledge for aiding her recovery. She emphasizes that Pilates is a full system that can be healing when taught correctly, tailored to individual needs.
Melissa works with a wide range of clients, from injured individuals to high-performing athletes, and mentors apprentices and other teachers.
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As a Holistic Nutritionist, Lisa has spent 10+ years guiding clients to cultivate true, lasting vitality from within.
During a challenging life season, Lisa discovered the power of Pilates firsthand, finding it to be the crucial element for her own healing and strength journey.
Lisa uniquely combines her deep knowledge of nutrition with the power of Pilates to offer clients a truly comprehensive path to wellness.
Drawn to the deep mind-body connection and the transformative power of the classical method, Lisa pursued comprehensive training and is now a 600-hour certified Classical Pilates instructor. For the past year, she has been honoured to study and mentor under Master Teacher Teresa Boeve, continuing to refine her practice and teaching through the lineage of Joseph Pilates.
Lisa brings compassion, precision, and a deep respect for the body’s innate wisdom to every session. Her approach integrates her background in holistic health with the classical Pilates method to help clients feel stronger, more grounded, and more connected—both on and off the mat.
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As a former principal dancer with acclaimed companies like The Sarasota Ballet, Sara brings a lifetime of professional discipline and artistry to her practice.
Initially certified through the prestigious Romana’s Pilates, Sara has continuously expanded her expertise with advanced training and education from esteemed instructors.
Specializes in restoring functional movement and is certified in pre- and post-natal Pilates, expertly guiding clients through every phase of their journey.
To help every client—from athletes to individuals seeking reconnection—build a more balanced, resilient, and fully embodied life.