pilates studio in christchurch
Bronwyn Beck
Here is our fearless leader, Bronwyn Beck, the founder of Balance Pilates and a qualified STOTT Pilates Instructor.
Bronwyn has always been passionate about movement/mindful movement, working in the Health and Fitness industry since she was 17 years old, discovering Pilates and its benefits in 2003 and deciding to embark on her Pilates teacher training in 2006.
Bronwyn is inspired by watching her clients achieve and master movements, gain strength, alleviate pain, recover from injuries and precise their daily movement patterns. And these are just the physical benefits, preaching and instilling into her clients the mind/body benefits too.
Bronwyn loves being surrounded, in such a diverse team of teachers and loves seeing them grow and thrive and the positive energy the studio holds.
Bronwyn lives with her husband Andy, her five year old son Oliver and her two 15 year old step sons Matt and Dan, she loves to keep active, walking her dog Poppy, does Yoga regularly and as a family, they enjoy the beach in summer
and ski in winter.
Natalie Macrides-Pantos
Introducing Natalie Macrides-Pantos, Nat traded the caffeine rush of high-end advertising campaigns for a rush of another kind. PILATES! Putting her ‘Save the World’ ad portfolio aside and discovering the profound self-awareness and self-mastery that came from being fully present in the body and its power, and helping others experience this.
"After the pace of the ad industry, the Pilates ideology took a front row seat for me. That was 18 years ago, to my surprise, and I have been in the fitness/wellness industry ever since".
Natalie completed her certification to teach Pilates in 2003 and has a long list of qualifications that complement her BASI Pilates training, including Cranio-Sacral Therapy, Kinesiology and Ashtanga Yoga.
Natalie is inspired by her Faith. her family. her clients. Simple truths. Kindness. Gratitude. Continuing through adversity. She is inspired by making a difference in someone's life, or day, even if it is a shared smile or giggle. You will find all of this in Nat’s classes.
For Natalie, Pilates is a dance. A sequence of movements with a beginning and an end, creating one experience at a time. And there are many songs. How you choose to dance it, is up to you.
Sarah Pele Mounsey
Introducing Sarah Pele Mounsey, Pilates Specialist, teaching Group Reformer classes, small equipment classes and Semi/-Private and Private rehabilitative classes. Sarah also specialises in Pre/post natal classes, Barre and Mat Pilates.
Sarah completed comprehensive Pilates training in Australia 4 years ago, she has been specialising in injury rehabilitation, using a clinical Pilates approach and she is extremely passionate about assisting women with Pilates for postnatal recovery. Sarah loves health and fitness and promoting a movement based lifestyle which is what drives her to succeed as a Pilates teacher. Sarahs list of qualification is extensive.
Sarah is happily married, a mum to 3 little people, her happy place is the beach and she loves being surrounded by whānau and friends enjoying good food and wine. Having been a transient family for nearly 10 years. Sarah has travelling all over Australia and New Zealand and is now excited
to return to their hometown to settle down.
We asked Sarah what inspires her: "Seeing significant positive changes in clients bodies and mindset is what motivates me and inspires me to teach more and continue learning. Their achievements over a period of time are sometimes incomprehensible, so it is amazing to see them moving mindfully, with control, and without the barrier of pain or fear."
"Change happens through movement and movement heals"
Joseph Pilates
We also asked Sarah what you would experience if attended one of her classes;
"I bring a unique vibrant energy to my classes, that are always inclusive, safe and fun. I ensure all fitness levels are well catered for, and enjoy challenging my clients with strong direction and clear guidance. I love good music, that fits the vibe of the class, and my goal is that my clients always leave feeling taller than when they arrived!"
Michelle has been a Physio for over 20 years, qualifying in 1998 from the University of Otago. She completed a Master’s Degree in Anatomy & Structural Biology before her Physiotherapy degree.
Michelle has completed post-graduate training in Manipulative therapy, Acupuncture and Pilates.
She has been a Polestar Certified Clinical Rehabilitation
Pilates Instructor since 2012,
finishing her training in Perth, Australia.
Michelle enjoys teaching on a variety of equipment,
especially the reformer. She is passionate about using Pilates as a rehab tool to develop strength and flexibility,
especially aiding return to activity after injury.
Returning to Christchurch after several years away in Perth and Auckland with her husband, two teenage sons, cat and chocolate lab, she also works part-time as a
Physiotherapist at Active Health.
Michelle Ongley
Let me introduce you to Mrs Stephanie Hadley (nee Melbourne) our Barre and Reformer Pilates instructor and Pre and Post Natal fitness specialist. Stephanie has been teaching dance and group fitness for over 17 years. She has an extensive performance background in Jazz, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre. While studying for her law and arts degree, Stephanie took up group fitness instructing part-time, moving on to Pilates and Barre when working and living in Melbourne, which she found complimented her foundations in dance
Stephanie is a REPS registered exercise professional in Group Fitness, a certified instructor of The BootyBarre®, KONGA®, and Studio Pilates International®, and a certified Pre and Post Natal Coach with Girls Gone Strong®.
Outside of the studio, Stephanie is mum to two young girls, Maria and Grace and even more energetic GSP/Hungarian Vizsla dog Mack and wife to James.
She is also an Associate at James & Wells Intellectual Property and loves how dance fitness allows her to balance out her busy days in the office and at home.
Stephanie favourite inspirational quote is from Oscar Wilde "Be yourself, everyone else is already taken"
Stephanie has a passion for dance and fitness and combines these worlds to provide a unique experience to the classes and programmes she provides. In particular, Stephanie aims to educate pre and post natal clients on the benefits of exercising safely and effectively during pregnancy and postpartum through dance fitness and pilates.
Stephanie Hadley
Meet the lovely Teresa Xu from the South West of China. Teresa grew up near the city of Kunming, which is known as the Spring City due its year round spring like weather. Teresa studied Physical Education at a local University and was in the aerobic team. In 2008 Teresa started teaching mat pilates and qualified as a Polestar instructor in 2020. She loves travelling and spending time with her kiwi husband.
Teresa really likes passing on the knowledge she has acquired over the years. The satisfaction from providing people with a better understanding of their bodies inspires her to continue learning more about the body and nutrition. Teresa is an avid sewer and likes to create unique items. Most recently, Teresa is designing and making a range of bags.
Travelling has always been something Teresa has enjoyed - meeting new people and seeing new places across the world. Recently they have purchased a caravan and she is looking forward to spending more time exploring New Zealand.
Food (really good food), makes Teresa happy, but she always enjoys going home to have some of the unique dishes and flavours from her home province of Yunnan and of course her Mum's cooking.
Lastly Teresa enjoys adding design touches to their home, whether that's in the garden or around the house. Trying to create a stylish look without breaking the bank of course.
Teresa Xu
Sarah is an experienced, and dedicated UK-trained Osteopath who treats both humans and animals.
With over 20 years of experience, she is a passionate lecturer and practitioner, who displays a high level of commitment to her clients and delivers quality care for the entire family.
Her sense of adventure and zest for life contribute to the empathy and enthusiasm she demonstrates in teaching and treating her human and animal patients.
Sarah came to NZ for a year, which saw her wanting to stay as it combined everything she loved in seeking adventure & the outdoors.Having been a high level competitive athlete since a teenager, rehabilitation has been part of her life & she inspires all to accept it too. As our lives change, in what we seek & ask from our bodies so we need to nurture, empower, and strengthen our bodies.
Pilates has been a passion, necessity & part of her life for years. Her passion, understanding of the human body, & the desire to empower clients to be part of their recovery/fitness pathway saw her seek out training in what is just part of her life. She was given that opportunity last year to do the BASI Pilates comprehensive training.
As a dedicated team player, to be part of the Balance Pilates Team, which holds all the aspects of her own osteopathic practice, of integrity, empathy, enthusiasm and highest standard of service & care. It is an honor to join them, to provide bespoke, highly committed, quality care for your entire family in the studio.
Sarah Wisson
Introducing the lovely Pieter.
Pieter is an ex professional dancer and also a yoga teacher,
she is mum to an adorable and super energetic 6 year old,
and also a gorgeous, outspoken 10 year old lilac Burmese.
Having been in a huge city for 20 years…and recently moved back to Christchurch, Pieter's passion at the moment, is reconnecting with nature. Spending her spare time at the beach, at the park, by a river, in the mountains.
Pieter has spent her entire life exploring movement and choreography, she knows she has to move, and that a 'stagnant' day leaves her feeling tense and unfulfilled.
Pieter likes her classes to be a place where people can come
to stretch the 'kinks' out, from whatever they have done (or will do) that day, to become aware of how strong and connected you can feel and to shift away from all those tasks/lists that forever need doing and just enjoy moving
for a few peaceful moments.
Pieter is Christchurch born, and was lucky enough to be introduced to Pilates in her late teens, when she was in her 2nd Year at the New Zealand School of Dance and
injured her knee performing. Pieter used Pilates to successfully rehabilitate and it was an amazing tool
that supported her through a 17 year professional dance career without too much long term damage.
Over that time she saw so many dancers struggling with injuries and knew that becoming a Pilates teacher would assist with injury rehabilitation/prevention and offer new ways to think about moving and being.
Pilates is like an endless play session for Pieter. 30 years after her first class and she still finds new sensations.
The equipment offers so much feedback - the options are endless... offering modifications to make things harder if you want more challenge and easier if you need it that day.
And always the response that comes from a client when they feel satisfied - hopefully finishing a session feeling more alive and awake in their own body and proud of what they might have achieved.
In Pieter's class, she hopes you will leave feeling balanced -pushed and challenged, your body has been awoken and
mind feels less cluttered. That you have breathed out any stale energy and are feeling more vibrant and free.
Pieter Symonds
