Deb
Studio owner
Yoga, Pilates, Barre, Core & Release, Stretch & Destress, Unwind & Reset
Teaching style: Playful, practical, energetic & fun – focusing on lesser worked muscles
How Pilates & yoga has helped: less neck pain, no more headaches, ITB issue gone & less angry. Pilates made me stronger, learning to turn off overused muscles & yoga gave me clarity. Able to hike, snowboard & dance efficiently = less pain & injuries + quicker recovery.
Before discovering yoga.. I felt stuck as lessons kept repeating - my stubborn a$s refused to listen to my body or intuition. Yoga (breathwork & meditation) gave me tools to find calm & regulate emotion.
Before Pilates.. I had no clue how to activate core or switch on my glutes. It sure made running & snowboarding much harder when correct muscles weren’t in use. Ouch, my physio & chiro bills!
Focus: upper body, core & glutes – my weak areas! This helps with my chronic neck issues (I’ve had since 17) as they tense up / get achy when upper body gets stuck without sufficient movement + strengthening. Always targeting obliques & lower abs as core + glutes are our biggest muscles for functional movement 💪
Fav exercises: high row / shoulder press (to teach) & short spine or woodchopper on reformer (to do), shoulder / hip openers in yoga & tendu in barre. Love working on balance & getting foundations right (hand & feet strength), as everything is linked - head to toe. Let’s increase body awareness to move efficiently.
What’s on your playlist? My Favourite Murder (when I’m not teaching), 90s - 2000 love ballads, trance, pop (Gaga, p!nk, Sam Smith) & soundtracks like The Greatest Showman. Karaoke anyone?
What brings you joy? Reading, singing, dancing, cute animal vids, cooking & eating. Maybe Otto when he stops peeing on my things. As an extrovert, I get energy from people & love learning from others.
Maria
Studio manager
Mat Pilates, Barre, Mini-Me classes, Stretch & Destress, Dance it out!
Teaching style: Friendly, enjoyable & fun! There’s always laughs as I like to get to know my students. I talk a bit as it’s important we learn about our bodies, allowing us to move intuitively, & with ease.
How has Pilates & dance helped: Pilates re-sparked my interest as I had been teaching for +20 years. During lockdown, a fire was lit, giving me a new appreciation for movement & wellbeing.
Before I discovered Pilates, I was a dance teacher & aerialist. I started teaching ballet, contemporary and all that jazz, (pun intended), at 17. Eventually, it evolved to teaching pole, aerial hoop, silks / contortion. I’ve performed & competed nationally + worldwide. Needing a change, I shifted my focus to Pilates.
Focus: Alignment & mindfulness. I believe fitness is a lifestyle, not a chore. I want my clients to increase their mind-body connection. Being a stickler for alignment, get ready to grow tall & feel more supported.
Fav exercises: Anything lower body! From the tiny muscles in our feet, to the massive muscles in our glutes, the trunk supports the entire body & gets the worst beating throughout the day. I love to stretch & strengthen these areas, bringing ballet exercises into the mix. This gets deep into the intricate muscle system & freshens up routine exercise.
What’s on your playlist? Showtunes & Disney songs are a must any time I'm in the car. My steering wheel loves hearing me belting those high notes, whilst I ignore confused looks from other drivers!
What brings you joy? My kids - they amaze me everyday doing silly things that make me grateful for life.
Nick
Mat Pilates, Reformer, Barre, Core & Release, Dance it out!
Teaching style: Energising, collaborative strong workouts focused on perfecting technique & finding your challenge zone whilst having a laugh
How has Pilates & barre helped: It’s made a massive difference to my mental health. I find freedom & happiness through movement & love that connecting with my body, allows me to feel complete again.
Before Pilates.. I was full-time in corporate terrified of wasting my days away. It gave me purpose & a reason to get out of bed. My clients mean the world to me!
Focus: Putting mind & body back together! Making classes fun allows clients to reap the benefits of the workout easily.
Fav exercises: I'm a sucker for a side-lying hip series, & training lower abdominals correctly without bearing down on pelvic floor.
What’s on your playlist? I have wildly eclectic taste. My workout playlists are high energy with a love for Aussie music & Jamiroquai.
What brings you joy? Connecting with people, be it audiences I perform for or clients I work with. I also love vegan baking, nostalgia & spending time with my partners + friends.
Elissa
Yoga (Hatha, Slowflow, Vinyasa, Yin & Meditation), Mini-Me classes
Teaching style: Grounding, calming, educational & light-hearted. I work on integrating the body's systems so it functions more effectively as a whole.
How has movement & yoga helped: Yoga & Pilates gave me greater body awareness, teaching me to trust myself & instincts through tuning inward. Yoga also calmed my nervous system by using the power of stillness. Pilates greatly improved my posture & gave me more body confidence.
Before yoga.. I hadn't fully discovered myself & didn't fully trust myself! Yoga provided me with the tools on how to turn inwards, as we have all the answers we need within us.
Before discovering Pilates? I had weak spots in my body (I wasn’t unaware of) & wouldn't have been able to strengthen. Pilates gave me inner strength, improved my posture & also increased confidence.
Focus: Core. I've always had a very weak core which caused lots of lower back issues. Yoga & Pilates has strengthened my mid-section, resulting in no more lower back pain!
Fav exercises: squats, headstands in yoga, breathwork (for internal exercise) & lying leg lifts on reformer
What’s on your playlist? A mixed bag! So Cold by Ben Cocks, Too Sweet by Hozier, My Mind by Yebba, Colorblind by Counting Crows, Hurricane by Tommee Profitt, Lost Without You by Freya Ridings, Berlin by RY X, Where's My Love by SYML, You There by Aquilo, If I Lose Myself by Alesso, Peking Duk.
What brings you joy? Hearing my son laugh, hiking in the mountains, coffee & being in nature.
Erin
Yoga (slow flow), Meditation, Breathwork
Teaching style: Grounding & focus on being in the body - the energy in the body. Mindful, slow, energising, present & incorporating breathwork through my classes
How has yoga helped:. Initially as a break from my 3 young kids, it quickly turned into something life-changing. I became less reactive, more in tune with myself, & more confident. It also helped with awareness of thoughts + subconscious patterns so I’m present - existing in a conscious way. Yoga also significantly improved my condition (POTs) because of its profound effect on my nervous system.
Before discovering yoga.. I was a podiatrist, & mumma to twin boys + a girl. With a sore back, abdominal separation.. I was stressed & exhausted beyond words. Having practiced yoga on & off since 16, it wasn’t until a gift pass to our local studio reconnected me to my practice. The change was so profound, it led to completing my teacher training, followed by meditation + breathwork courses.
Focus: on breath & all the sensations you can feel in your body as you move. My classes helps with cultivating a sense of presence & self-awareness.
Fav exercises: A somatic hip flexor release, and joy breath.
What’s on your playlist? I have eclectic tastes - Mantra / chanting, beautiful instrumental music, handpan, indie, pop, dance & rock throwbacks from 80s, 90s + early 00’s. Lots of Sam Garrett, Trevor Hall, Krishna Das, Mirabai Ceiba, Ajeet and Salt tree. If a particular song moves me, I’ll play it on repeat for days.
What brings you joy? Singing, music, dancing in my kitchen, mindful movement, playing my handpan + my harmonium, my children, seeing new growth in my garden & my growing collection of indoor plants
Vickie
Qi Gong, Yoga (slow flow)
Teaching style: Steady, heartfelt and intentional, but also fun and flowing.
How has yoga and qigong helped: When I first started practicing, it was more about getting healthier and stronger in the physical body, but it gradually became more holistic and I noticed the amazing effect yoga and qigong had on my mental, energetic and emotional states. The practices have been transformative, healing and empowering. My path in life just became clearer ever abundant the more I practised and the more I learnt how to listen inwards - in to the heart, mind, body and spirit.
Before discovering yoga & qigong.. I was working part time in bookkeeping and accounting, being mum to my two girls and just moving through life in an unawakened state.
Focus: Connecting breath, heart, mind, body and intention in everything we practice.
Fav exercises: A well thought out yoga flow sequence that keeps me present in the moment and in tune with my breath and body. Favourite poses include crow, bird of paradise, dancer and supported fish. Qigong forms that connect me to the five elements, and also love all the animal forms.
What’s on your playlist? Mostly mellow or chilled tunes, indie folk, bossa nova covers, but also anything Disney!
What brings you joy? Being in nature, walking my dog, connecting with good friends and beloved family, chilling and chatting with my kids, reading a great book, hanging out at home in pjs or trackies, running weekend retreats.
Becky
Yoga
Teaching style: Not being about an end goal/posture, but about what makes you feel the most energised and open.
How has yoga helped: Yoga has helped me develop a sense of mental calmness, and encouraged a safe space for building confidence. It's impacted so many facets of my life, introduced me to a wonderful community, and helps me feel at peace.
Before discovering yoga..I did competitive gymnastics for many years, then dance, then running, then boxing... I also have a background in media and marketing, so was very much a part of the rat race!
Focus: Activation and alignment, slow and controlled, and using pranayama (breath) to guide, support and comfort.
Fav exercises: I love a half moon and balances in general, a good old seated forward fold, plus hamstring stretches!
What’s on your playlist? Lots and lots of crime podcasts...
What brings you joy? Dogs, family, and nature.
Our team sounds amazing right?
Book into one of our classes today
Want to join our team?
We’re always on the lookout for talent! If you would like to join us, please email your resume (including certification/s) to hello@mindfulmovementsh.com.
Mindful Movement team benefits:
15% off merchandise and studio workshops
Free classes for instructors dependent on class capacity
Opportunity to cross-skill or upskill to other modalities such as Swiss ball, TRX or other mat Pilates variations
Coaching and feedback (cueing and class plans) available for newer team members or when cross-skilling / upskilling
Surrounded by a supportive team who share knowledge and grow together (skills workshop every 6-8 weeks and optional team catchups)
Access to learning materials, such as books (yoga, pilates) and online courses for those wanting to further their development or deepen their knowledge
Studio space to practice or plan classes