Polestar Pilates Training, Community & What’s Ahead in 2026
CHRISTCHURCH & AUCKLAND
As we draw to the close of 2025, we want to take a moment to reflect, celebrate, and look ahead.
This year has been a meaningful one – working alongside our Mat and Comprehensive students in Christchurch and Auckland, and our Reformer students in Auckland, with participants joining us from across Aotearoa. We’re deeply grateful to everyone who has chosen to train with Polestar and to be part of this growing community.
What’s Inside
Celebrating our Graduates
We proudly acknowledge and celebrate all of our new Polestar graduates.
Completing the logbook, sitting the exam, and seeing the training through to the end is no small achievement. This final stage is where learning truly consolidates – supported by mentoring, reflection, and application.
Embodiment doesn’t come from reading the manuals alone. It comes from a deep practice of exploring movement within our own bodies, and then learning how to apply that understanding when working with real bodies, real needs, and real contexts.
Our most recent exams reflected an excellent standard of teaching, critical thinking, movement and care, and we couldn’t be prouder to welcome you as graduates within the Polestar community.
Welcoming 2026 – New Cohorts & New Partnerships
As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to welcome new cohorts, new partnerships, and expanded offerings across New Zealand.
If you have already completed a Polestar course and want to further your studies – contact us directly for your individualised pricing as we will provide you with a sizeable discount.
Christchurch – Reformer Training (New for 2026)
2026 marks the debut of Polestar Reformer training in Christchurch, and we’re delighted to be partnering with Freedom Health NZ, hosted by Cath Julius.
Cath is a Physiotherapist and Polestar Pilates Rehabilitation graduate originally from Australia. She has built an outstanding clinical Pilates facility in Christchurch.
The course will be facilitated by Abbey Parsons (Movementor Pilates) – a highly experienced Polestar Educator who has been teaching our courses since 2009. The course will also be supported by an incredible local mentoring team.
Reformer Course – Christchurch
Christchurch – Mat Training (A Strong Place to Begin)
Abbey Parsons will also be hosting another Polestar Mat Series at Movementor Pilates in Christchurch for 2026, continuing to build strong foundations in movement principles, teaching clarity, and practical application.
Christchurch – Comprehensive Training – to be confirmed
Polestar’s Comprehensive Training Course is our flagship programme and full Pilates Method education across all studio apparatus.
If you are interested in attending this course in Christchurch, please let us know by registering your interest; click on the button below.
See below for more details about the Comprehensive course.
Register Interest for Christchurch Comprehensive
Auckland – Mat Training
Auckland will also host the Polestar Mat Series in 2026, offering an ideal entry point into the Pilates education pathway.
The Mat series introduces the Principles of Movement, foundational assessment concepts, and the ability to modify and progress movement safely.
This course is well suited to:
- Those beginning their Pilates career
- Movement and health professionals expanding their scope
- Students wanting a strong foundation before progressing into Reformer or Comprehensive training
Mat training with Polestar is not about memorising sequences. It’s about learning how to meet clients where they are, work safely, and teach with confidence and clarity.
Auckland – Reformer Training
The Polestar Reformer Series in Auckland continues this progression, deepening understanding of movement application, safety, and adaptability.
Polestar’s approach to reformer education is grounded in:
- Assessment and critical reasoning
- Understanding why movement works
- Modifying and progressing exercises safely
- Working with all bodies and all populations
This depth enables Polestar-trained teachers to work confidently with clients and patients, meeting individuals where they are and supporting meaningful movement outcomes.
As a result, Polestar graduates are consistently sought after for employment, recognised for their professionalism, adaptability, and ability to teach with care and intelligence.
Our Auckland Mat and Reformer training is proudly hosted by Unity Studios in Pt Chevalier and led by our outstanding NZ Faculty team.
Courses are facilitated by our three Educators extraordinaires:
Students are supported not only through course content, but through mentoring, observation, and a strong professional community.
Optional: Mat + Reformer Pathway
For those planning their training pathway, Mat and Reformer courses can be taken together, offering a strong, well-rounded foundation in Pilates education.
Students who enrol in both Mat and Reformer are also able to take advantage of bundled pricing, supporting a more cost-effective progression through the Polestar education pathway.
Mat + Reformer Bundle Information
Auckland – Comprehensive Training (Our Flagship Course)
Auckland will also host our 2026 Comprehensive Training Course – Polestar’s flagship programme and full Pilates Method education across all studio apparatus.
Comprehensive Course – Auckland
Pilates continues to evolve, and students and clients alike are increasingly curious about what lies beyond the reformer which is the current trend.
The Comprehensive course is designed for those wanting to:
- Deepen their understanding of Pilates as a complete system
- Develop assessment and critical reasoning skills
- Work confidently with all bodies and all populations
- Restore function and support movement using the full studio apparatus
For rehabilitation and movement professionals, this is where the Pilates Method truly comes together – offering depth, adaptability, and clinical relevance through the entire studio apparatus.
- If you’ve already completed Mat or Reformer training, this is the next step in learning the full Pilates Method.
- Working with all of the studio equipment opens an entirely different world for restoring movement following surgery or injury, and for enhancing performance – from everyday movers to elite athletes. There are no limitations imposed by a single piece of equipment; instead, you gain the ability to choose the right tool for the body in front of you.
- This is the complete work.
Principles Live – A New Look for 2026
In 2026, we’re excited to introduce a refreshed format for the Movement Principles.
This updated experience incorporates the new movement principles and is delivered through an 8-hour live, practical immersion, designed to deepen understanding, embodiment, and real-world application.
Principles Live remains the foundation of all Polestar education – supporting practitioners to understand the why behind movement and how to apply it meaningfully.
Our experienced Auckland Faculty team
For those curious about training with Polestar
We also want to warmly acknowledge those of you who may have already completed training elsewhere and are curious about what it means to train with Polestar.
Many people come to our courses with prior experience and education, looking to deepen their understanding, refine their skills, and expand their toolkit so they can work confidently with every body that walks through their studio doors.
At Polestar, we believe Pilates is for everyone.
Our education is designed to help you meet people where they are, understand how to work safely, adapt and progress movement, and support a wide range of needs and goals.
Whether you’re a studio teacher, movement professional, or rehabilitation practitioner, our courses offer an opportunity to build on what you already know and develop greater clarity, confidence, and critical reasoning in your teaching.
If you’re considering your next step or wondering how Polestar training might fit into your path, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out – we’re always happy to guide you.
Continuing Education & International Presenters
Polestar education is designed to support continued growth, learning, and inspiration throughout your teaching and professional life.
In 2026, our Continuing Education (CEC) offerings will include international presenters whose role is to build on your existing skills, support further growth, add more tools to your teaching and critical reasoning toolkit, and bring fresh inspiration to your work.
These experiences are designed to extend what you already know, introduce new perspectives, and bring our community together through shared learning.
More details to come as we share what’s ahead.
Supporting Professional Standards in Aotearoa
Alongside delivering education, Polestar Pilates NZ remains deeply committed to supporting the long-term integrity and sustainability of the Pilates profession in New Zealand.
For a number of years, Maree Seerden has worked closely with the Pilates Aotearoa Council, contributing at an advisory level to discussions around professional standards, education pathways, and alignment with broader government and regulatory expectations for the Pilates industry.
We also acknowledge Abbey Parsons, who has likewise contributed extensively through her work with the Pilates Aotearoa Council, supporting the development and advancement of professional standards within the Pilates community.
Currently on the council is Wellington-based Polestar Faculty member Ellena Conland from Performance Pilates.
We’re pleased to share that Polestar Pilates courses are accredited with Pilates Aotearoa, reflecting their depth, structure, and commitment to best practice.
Polestar students are encouraged to register with Pilates Aotearoa free of charge, and once graduated, we support and encourage our graduates to continue their professional development through paid membership.
Looking ahead to 2026, Pilates Aotearoa will be seeking new Council members, including a Student Representative. We recently had one of our Comprehensive students and graduates, Doug Delfim Machado, represent students on the Council – a valuable and rewarding contribution to the profession.
Doug Delfim Machado – new 2025 Graduate and Pilates Aotearoa Student Council Representative
If you’re interested in being involved or would like to learn more about what this role entails, please reach out directly. We’re very happy to talk you through the expectations.
It would be wonderful to have you involved.
A strong profession is built through education, accountability, and community – and we’re proud to contribute to this work together.
Pilates Aotearoa – Registration & Membership
Office Closure & Important Dates
Our Polestar office will be closed from 23 December to 4 January as we take a short pause with laptops closed for the year.
If you require course guidance, registration support, or advice on selecting the right pathway, please ensure you contact us before 23 December.
If you are planning to register for any 2026 courses, we strongly encourage you to allow ample time for preparation. This includes engaging with the online resources and pre-course lectures, which are an essential part of the learning journey.
- All registrations strictly close: 20 February
- Early Bird pricing ends: 31 January
- Comprehensive Studio Course: we run one intake per year only, and if the Comprehensive pathway is part of your plan, we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity.
A Big Thank You
To everyone who has trained with us, mentored with us, supported our courses, or joined us this year – thank you.
Thank you also for the care you give to your clients, and for the positive impact you make every day in helping people move more freely, feel better in their bodies, and live healthier, more connected lives.
Polestar is, above all, a community built on curiosity, care, and collaboration. We look forward to a meaningful year of learning, growth, and connection with you in 2026.
Warmest Regards,
Polestar Pilates New Zealand
Global Leaders in Pilates-based Rehabilitation
Phone: (+64) (9) – 303 2211