Mentoring

Shanelle completed her Pilates training with Stability Plus Pilates in 2008 in Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Mat, Reformer, TrapTable, Wunda Chair and Ladder Barrel.

After completing her Pilates training she worked at Peak Pilates as an instructor and manager. She instructed group mat, reformer classes and private clients as well as private groups, pregnancy classes and special advanced classes for staff and clients alike.

Other training included: – Osteoporosis Management – Pilates Matwork for Breast Cancer Rehab – Pilates for Men – Reformer for the Older Adult – The Knee Stability and Function – The Lumbo-Pelvic Region – Womens Health – Knee Pathologies – Authentic Pilates – Mat and Equipment

Holly is a movement enthusiast who has spent 7 years working in the exercise, health, and wellness industry. Growing up as a sporty and active child, movement and exercise were always a big part of Holly’s life.

Holly began teaching yoga in 2016 and wanted to learn more about movement. This prompted her to pursue a Bachelor of Exercise Science majoring in rehabilitation in 2021. She went on to earn a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Exercise Physiology & Rehabilitation, as well as a Masters of Science (rehabilitation) at the end of 2022.

Due to the benefits that Pilates has to offer, and the effectiveness of Pilates in a rehabilitative setting Holly certified in Reformer Pilates in 2020 with Polestar Pilates and has since taught in a variety of settings.

Holly is passionate about sharing her knowledge and educating people about the benefits of movement. She went on to complete the Polestar Pilates mentoring programme and is excited to assist students with their Pilates journey.

Holly has taught in a variety of settings but most enjoys working with clients in a one-to-one setting and combining principles of Pilates with her Exercise Physiology work to assist her clients with injuries and chronic health conditions, and assisting them on their journey to health and wellness.

Holly’s professional development and learning never stops. She is currently pursuing her comprehensive Polestar Pilates certification.

Trudi travelled the world intensively & landed in Melbourne, Australia for four years where she began her full time Pilates career in 2010 & completed the Diploma in Professional Pilates with Polestar Pilates Australia ~ this included Mat, Reformer & Studio certifications. She had the pleasure of doing an apprenticeship with the lovely Ingrid Lamb (Polestar Pilates Australia Senior Educator), while also working in two other top studios in Melbourne before returning to New Zealand.

During her 4 year stay in Auckland she joined the team at Pilates Body Studio & another busy Auckland studio while also assisting Maree Seerden with Polestar Pilates New Zealand administration. She has put a lot of time & energy into mentoring colleagues & clients going through the Polestar training programmes & is excited to guide many more teachers through while being a Polestar Mentor.

Finally back in her home town in the Bay of Plenty she is more passionate than ever to keep learning & sharing her knowledge helping as many people as possible to move, breathe & live with as much quality as possible. Trudi currently runs her own Pilates business in Tauranga & Mount Maunganui , while also running the Pilates programmes for two top health clubs & teaches at a major physio health business.

Trudi is also embarking on a Yoga teacher training journey to complement her internationally recognised Polestar Pilates certifications & Pilates experience.

Teresa has provided physiotherapy services to national touring theatre companies at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre for musicals “Anything Goes” and “Strictly Ballroom” and international performers at the Civic Theatre in Auckland for the musical “Book of Mormon”.

In 2020, Teresa attained her Comprehensive Polestar Pilates certificate which has changed her direction in the delivery of physiotherapy and her understanding of movement. She has learnt through the Polestar method that there is also a huge benefit in the efficiency and quality of movement. Teresa now uses this within her own teaching in Dance and Pilates at her business and studio in Tauranga. She aims to take an active role in teaching and mentoring these disciplines and is currently training in her mentorship with the Polestar Pilates NZ team.

Trudi has a huge love for sports, health, wellness & all movement modalities. She represented her high school, city & region in Hockey, Volleyball & Beach Volleyball while also enjoying Touch Rugby, Water skiing & Snowboarding & has also achieved personal triumphs such as completing 3 half marathons.

After returning to NZ she completed the Polestar Rehabilitative series in 2007. Mel worked at several pilates studios in Auckland combining her pilates and physiotherapy skills. On moving to Rotorua she set a pilates studio as part of the physiotherapy clinic she co-owns. This has expanded significantly and provides one on one, group and mat sessions and employees a growing number of pilates instructors and physiotherapists. As a PINC physiotherapist for the Rotorua region, Melanie enjoys helping rehabilitate women going through cancer treatments. She also has a strong biomechanical background with particular focus on her 2 favourite outdoor activities – running and mountain biking.

Melanie has been a Polestar Mentor since 2010 and an educator for the comprehensive training course since 2012. She continues to enjoy the enthusiasm each new group of students has for learning and being part of Polestar Pilates.

Knowing instinctively that Pilates was no fad, she trained and qualified as a mat and studio practitioner through Polestar Pilates Education and in October 2002 set up Michele Franks Pilates.

Like all Polestar Pilates Mentors, Michele continues to up-skill and extend her education by attending conferences, workshops, master classes and research lectures.

Esther is very grateful for the exposure to wonderful educators, both local and international while studying with Polestar and then while working with Maree at the Pilates Body studio for 5 years.

She finds helping students to achieve their best and seeing their growth both in movement and confidence to be very rewarding.

Flis discovered Pilates in Hong Kong in 2005 after the birth of her first child and qualified first in Mat, Reformer and then full comprehensive Studio series.

Working primarily as a Pilates instructor ever since, she has recently expanded her knowledge into myofascial release therapy and uses this knowledge successfully to help improve movement restriction due to fascia build up or adhesion which often occurs after injury, illness or operations.

Flis enjoys working with physiotherapists and chiropractors sharing a common goal of improving clients’ movement patterns and consequently, their quality of life. It is a most positive and rewarding place to be working.

By Ash’s early twenties a lifetime of high impact extreme sports started to show. Chasing relief from chronic pain with manual therapies etc. nothing seemed to hold until Ash’s dance teacher suggested Pilates, proving to be the ultimate life changing practise in so many different contexts!

Moving to Hawkes Bay in 2010 Ash worked as a dance and drama teacher. In 2016 was offered a Polestar apprenticeship, started teaching Pilates full time, completing her Mat qualification 2017 the Comprehensive Studio 2019 then continued straight on to Mentor-in-training under Maree Seerden.

The growth and depth of Ash’s understanding of movement mechanics and the Pilates method throughout her Polestar training was invaluable. Grateful for the ongoing support and guidance from many amazing instructors, mentors and educators across NZ, Ash is excited to continue learning and sharing her passion, privileged to be a part of the start of that journey for new Polestar students.

Mijin has been working in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and private practice in the UK and NZ for 17 years.

She completed her Post Grad Diploma including manual and manipulative therapy and went on to complete her Masters taking a special interest in sports and exercise prescription.

Mijin has worked with a variety of sports people from individual athletes to representative level teams. Her Pilates training complements her passion for improving alignment and efficiency of movement for rehabilitation after an injury, enhancing sports performance or simply maintaining better posture to keep the injuries away. 

Roberta has a lifelong passion for all things health, wellness and movement. She has trained in dance and is a black-belt in Shotokan Karate.

In addition to Pilates, Roberta has experience teaching Psychology, Karate and many other fitness activities. She has also held a variety of roles in the education and health care sectors in both the US and NZ.

Roberta’s academic research focused on the relationship between biology and behaviour. She has a keen interest in the mind – body connection and her goal is for clients to discover greater health and happiness through positive movement experiences. Roberta helps her clients to understand the profound connection between the mind, body, and spirit.

Roberta was first introduced to Polestar Pilates by her physiotherapist as part of her treatment for chronic pelvic and back pain. It was love at first sight! She immediately felt the physical and emotional benefits of Pilates. From that day on, Roberta intensively trained and soon began her journey to becoming a certified Polestar Comprehensive Instructor.

After becoming a certified instructor, Roberta began work at Fusion Physio where she teaches group mat and reformer classes, as well as private studio clients. Roberta enjoys instructing specialized classes such as Rehab, Osteo Safe, and Pre/Post-Natal.

Roberta is also Director of Research and Development for AACT-Now.org, and General Manager at Shotokan Karate Hawke’s Bay.

To stay current with the constantly evolving Pilates philosophy and practice, Roberta regularly engages in workshops and seminars. Her commitment to continuous growth and learning has led Roberta to undertake mentor training and she looks forward to passing on her passion for Polestar Pilates to the next generation of practitioners.

During her final year of training she began a Pilates apprentice at DancePilates/Westmere Pilates where she worked for 5 years as a Physiotherapist and Pilates teacher upon graduating.

In 2007 she completed the Polestar Pilates Rehabilitation training programme.

In 2010 she moved to Wellington with her 3 month old daughter and partner and established Pilates Flow and then The Movement Clinic in 2016. Janna is a PINC and STEEL certified Cancer Rehabilitation physiotherapist and is currently undertaking the Runity training to become a Painless Running Coach.

Her aim as a therapist is to educate the client about their bodies and give them the tools to take control of their own recovery. Janna is committed to advancing her education in both Pilates and Physiotherapy and continues to explore other movement therapies, completing her GYROTONIC® apprentice training in 2008. Her areas of special interest include chronic pain, dance physiotherapy, and natural movement

Being from a dance background herself, she finds it satisfying to watch people unlock their bodies and discover the joy of movement for the sake of movement.

On returning to Wellington from London in 2001 to be married, Ellena established Performance Pilates Limited, at a time when pilates was really beginning to take off. The studio has been open since May 2002.

She originally began doing pilates in 1990 with Craig Phillips (Clinical Pilates) while studying for a Bachelor of Dance Performance at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne. Having gained so much from the technique herself, she decided that she would eventually like to teach it. While still dancing professionally, she undertook an apprenticeship style training in 1996 with Maree Seerden of the Pilates Body Studio in Auckland and then certified with Body Control UK and Polestar Pilates.

Nina was first introduced to Pilates while dancing and rowing at university. She began to really love and feel passionate about the approach and diversity of Pilates after discovering Polestar Pilates at Moss Studios in London in 2015.

After feeling the amazing benefits in her everyday health and wellbeing Nina went on to complete the Polestar Pilates comprehensive course in London. She loves the additional benefit it gives her clients in its’ approach to rehabilitation and how it excels in functional end stage training in return to sport, as well as improving biomechanics for more efficient movement.

Nina has a strong biomechanical background and loves to look at all contributing factors to help movement patterns and find freedom of movement. She loves to motivate clients to take control of their recovery and see clients reaching their goals through a safe and progressive program.

The origins and benefits of Pilates are well known in the ballet and dancing community, and it was during her years with the New Zealand School of Dance that Nicola was introduced to Pilates. Outside dance school hours some 17 years ago Nicola began training as a Pilates Instructor. On returning to New Zealand after time travelling overseas Nicola embarked on a career as a Pilates Instructor, training in both the Polestar and STOTT PILATES® methods.

Nicola believes Pilates is a thinking exercise. It provides continung learning and development, so it can be tailored to your level no matter how advanced or capable you are. Even as an instructor you are always learning. Nicola’s philosophy is that to really benefit from Pilates you must regularly go back and refresh on the basics.

Nicola loves sharing in her clients development. She knows Pilates is an exercise programme where people quickly see changes in their body, whether it be shape, flexibility, fluidity, strength or endurance.

Due to a foot injury Abbey spent hour upon hour in the Pilates studio before deciding to give full time dancing away and become a nurse. After studying her Bachelor of Health Science in Nursing, she took up a new graduate placement in Melbourne and returned to Pilates training for fitness. She completed a short Body Control based teacher training program and taught at central Melbourne studio for 6 months.

Some time travelling after that, gave new perspective and confirmed Abbey’s earlier dreams if becoming a Pilates Teacher. In 2007 while teaching full-time at a Christchurch Studio she completed the Polestar Studio Course and qualified in March 2008.

Abbey opened Movementor Pilates in Christchurch in 2008 and has been Mentoring and Educating for Polestar NZ since 2009 and has travelled to Brazil and Australia for International Polestar Conferences. Abbey most enjoys breaking movement puzzles down and putting them back together as well as finding new ways to bring awareness to people’s movement for them to move more and move better.

She gained her Polestar Mat and Studio qualifications in 2001 while helping to set up the Australian Polestar facility. She also mentored new students through their polestar exams.

In 2004 she moved back to NZ and worked in different studios in Wellington and Nelson. She now lives in Christchurch with her family and runs a home studio doing mostly rehabilitation of injuries.

Mel also teaches Mat classes at Koha Fitness, and she has been mentoring Polestar students in Christchurch and Wellington for the last couple of years.

Following her dancing career, Caroline travelled through Europe and South America, living in London for a year before ending up back in NZ, living in sunny Hawke’s Bay and working in the wine industry. It was here that she set out to understand more about the body and began studying with Polestar Pilates. Caroline relocated to Auckland, joining Maree and the Pilates Body Studio team in early 2015 and completed her Studio certification that year.

Hungry for all things movement, Caroline continued to enrich her journey and is now a cross-disciplinary instructor teaching Studio Pilates, TRX Suspension training, Barre and mindful movement sessions for mobility.

Caroline recently moved to Wanaka and is focused on facilitating self awareness in others through movement. No matter their motive she absolutely loves helping people achieve their goals and is therefore very excited to be part of the mentoring team for Polestar Pilates.

With a dance background, Paty’s passion for movement started early in life. Noticing how movement and body awareness are crucial to one’s health, she decided to study to become Personal Trainer.

She attended her first Pilates course in Brazil through PhysicalMind Institute (2005); became certified through Polestar Pilates in Jan 2009.

Paty runs VitalWellness Ltd, a Pilates and Personal Training Company, with her husband since 2012. Mum of 2 beautiful kids, she loves to juggle family life, dance and her professional career, making sure there is always time to keep the journey of learning and sharing the joy of Pilates with her clients.