23/06/2026
TÄnÄ koutou katoa
Ko Te Reinga te maunga
Ko NgÄtokimatawhaorua te waka
Ko Waihou te awa
Ko Hokianga te moana
Ko Waimirirangi te marae
Ko Te Rarawa te iwi
Ko NÄomi Lisa ahau
Since I can remember, I have always been passionate and excited about moving my body. I love how it instantly improves quality of life in many ways - the enjoyment, the friendships, the confidence, the strength, and of course the shift of negative emotions into a more positive space.
I have enjoyed many sports over the years, and have used it as a means to lift my mood, rather than the competitive aspect. Pushing my limits has always been a personal endeavor to expand myself, rather than prove something to someone else. In my adult life my sport of choice was martial arts, and I found the challenge of learning precise techniques, body control, and group training scratched a particular itch in my brain! However, it led to leg, back and pelvic floor injuries and dysfunction, that only got worse when I birthed my lovely daughter 4 years ago.
Having a child is all-encompassing, and I wasn't able to care for my injuries with my limited knowledge and sensitive mental health. I lost my ability to run, kick (at karate), or do certain lifts in the gym, without causing back pain for weeks. This affected my sleep, ability to walk, and holding my child, which led to inactivity, depression and other health concerns.
I've always thrived in a coaching space, having pursued a career as a martial arts instructor, amongst other coaching roles in education, health promotion, swimming and boxing. Last year I was able to undertake a Diploma of Personal Training, in an endeavor to have a deeper understanding of human biomechanics. I learned so much about how to support myself and others! Yet despite it all, my back pain kept returning, so I focused on body weight exercises and muscle activation.
Through this healing experience, Pilates-inspired movements have always seemed to come up. Then I realised the piece of the puzzle I was missing was specifically âPilatesâ; the complete method, without all the fusion and fuzziness of other movement fads. It's exactly what I was looking for in terms of body Awareness and Alignment - but I didn't have the words or the understanding until I met Nara. It has felt like a world of possibilities has opened up to me!
I have been able to improve my pelvic floor dysfunction, my core muscles are engaging correctly, my lower back lordosis and pain has decreased so I can walk and sleep better, and my posture and day to day awareness has improved. After years of trying different treatments, my quality of life has finally improved from utilising the Pilates principles.
It was a tough road, but it is such a relief to know that I am giving my body what it needs to function well. Pilates scratches an itch in my brain; it is so satisfying to feel my body coming back into its strength after going through injury, childbirth and mental health struggles. It has regrounded me. I am so excited to meet everyone, and I look forward to supporting others through their Pilates journey!
