MEET OUR TEACHERS
KAREN - director
Karen started out in hospitality and has always loved working with people and bringing people together.
She moved to Darwin in 2004 where she became a Senior flight attendant for Airnorth and spent some great years flying to amazing places in the world. When she moved back to Melbourne in she went on to complete her Certificate III & IV in Fitness and set out to become a Personal Trainer. She soon discovered Pilates after having her son in 2008, when attending mums and bubs classes. She quickly grew passionate about the amazing world of Pilates and went on to complete her certificates through Peak Pilates and Taube Pilates.
Karen believes you never stop learning with Pilates & continues to expand her knowledge by completing further courses in Pregnancy Pilates, Bootybarre, Active Aging Pilates and more.
Karen now specialises in both clinical & modern Pilates, working with a range of clientele from ages 10 – 85 years old and also pre and post natal clients.
You will love her classes as she brings fun and laughs to each session, leaving you feeling worked and happy.
Sarah - Pilates instructor
Making people feel good about themselves both inside and out has always been a part of Sarah's philosophy. Starting from a background in Beauty Therapy her passion for health and well-being led her to Pilates. As a client, she immediately fell in love and Pilates became her meditation. She was amazed at how strong she became as her body, mind and soul transformed. She felt passionate about taking others on this journey and she went on to complete her accreditation in Certificate IV Pilates and Diploma Clinical Pilates at Breathe Education.
"I have found my tribe at Viva Life, where I work with some beautiful and inspirational women and amazing clients" Sarah says.
"I love to create a warm and welcoming environment for my clients. My classes are fun, dynamic and empowering. Witnessing my clients grow and reach their goals makes my job so rewarding. I’m a firm believer in a firm booty so come check out one of my classes."
Erin- Pilates instructor
Erin was a Viva Life client for over 7 years, training in matwork and reformer Pilates a number of times a week. During this time Erin worked as an Occupational Therapist at Austin Hospital in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation. Erin aspired to be a Pilates instructor for a number of years, and after having her daughter she returned from maternity leave to go on and complete her certificate in Pilates Instructing. Erin has completed her Pilates Matwork and Pilates Reformer Instructor training through highly accredited training institute ‘Taube Pilates Training’. Erin’s in depth knowledge of anatomy helps clients gain a strong awareness to their bodies. She also brings a warm bubbly presence to her classes and all though she looks sweet and innocent she can give you a challenging workout all whilst smiling away.
Kira - PilateS INSTRUCTOR
Kira’s love of Pilates started years before she ever became an instructor!
Managing Back pain since she was in her early teens and then rehabbing after spinal surgery in 2017, her Pilates journey has quite literally changed her life!
The importance of exercise and movement in injury and pain management is something Kira is VERY passionate about and LOVES sharing with her clients.
Helping to dispel fear and watching her clients thrive and begin to move with confidence is Kira’s favourite thing about teaching Pilates! connecting with her clients and making new friends within our amazing and vibrant VIVA community is her favourite perk!
Kira has completed her Certificate IV in Mat work and reformer as well as a Diploma of Clinical Pilates with Breathe Education. So passionate about the training she received Kira now also works Part time for Breathe sharing the Pilates opportunity with other aspiring instructors. Walking the walk, talking the talk and loving every minute :)
She can’t wait to see you in the studio soon!
Ally- PilateS INSTRUCTOR
Ally started her Pilates training in 2006 when she began her Diploma in Dance Teaching & Business Management. She went on to teach full time as a ballet and conditioning coach putting her Pilates training to use, as well as a full-time role with the Victorian Ballet School.
After an injury rendered her unable to continue to teach full time, she moved herself into the financial services industry and became a qualified Financial Planner whilst still teaching a couple hours of ballet and Pilates to fulfill her creative side.
After having her first daughter Maya in 2013 she decided to go back to Financial Planning part time to have more time with her daughter and get back into more constant teaching. She then went on to have twins Austin & Harper in 2017.
She understands adjustments for both pre and post-natal clients, having experience not only being pregnant, but suffering significant abdominal separation after both pregnancies and understands how much of a struggle it can be to recover.
Since her original training, Ally has expanded her Pilates expertise by further completing her mat and reformer training with Studio Pilates and Group Fitness training with Fit College.
Ally loves to bring great tunes and good vibes to all her classes teaching barre, mat, reformer and group PT.
Known for her bad jokes, 100’s & “Freaks” Pilates ring exercises – you’ll leave the class feeling strong, sweaty and most importantly – happy!
Taysha - PilateS INSTRUCTOR
Taysha started off her pilates journey as a dedicated client. After being introduced to reformer there was no turning back, she fell in love with the physical and mental benefits of pilates and enrolled straight away to complete her Certificate IV in Pilates with Breathe Education. As she completed her course and continued on to teaching she gained an even deeper passion for helping people and guiding them through their journey.
"Teaching has become so much more than a job for me, establishing connections with my beautiful clients and witnessing their immense growth is such a pleasure. I always strive to make my classes fun and effective and I pride myself on my playlists and booty burn so if you love a peachy burn and some funky tunes be sure to come to one of my classes."
Silvia - Yoga Instructor
Silvia's own exploration of yoga started years ago but it wasn’t until some 20 years later following a life changing event, that she was inspired to resume her practice of yoga. She used her love for yoga to deal with the ensuing physical exhaustion and emotional anxiety, and help restore balance to her body and mind. Delving deeper into the benefits that yoga can bring, Silvia completed 350 hours Yoga Teacher Training in the traditional lineage of Krischnamacharya, which has inspired a continual self-study of body/breath awareness and energy movement.
"My practice of yoga continues to offer me a foundation from which to explore my relationship to body, mind, and spirit, rekindle creativity and live more passionately. My classes reflect a desire to cultivate that same foundation for all students who pass through my classes"