ABOUT US
Join The PWA Club
Pilates with April was started by April to share the profound impact that Pilates can have on all aspects of your life.
A Reformer Pilates session at PWA will challenge your strength, coordination, and stability, but most importantly, it will empower you to understand your body better.
Discover your new obsession with dynamic, fun workouts, uplifting music and a luxe Reformer Pilates space.
YOUR INSTRUCTORS
April
How did you discover Pilates? I discovered Pilates when I was 19 years old and had moved to Bondi Beach. I danced (terribly but loved it) until I was 16 and couldn’t find anything that I liked once I had stopped. I had tried nearly every form of fitness (including a brief Zumba stint, don’t judge) and finally found myself in a Reformer Pilates Studio. Much like everyone else, I couldn’t believe that I could actually get fit lying down, I was hooked instantly and never looked back. What is your favourite thing about Pilates? I love that even after 13 years, it never gets easier. There is always a progression, new series or prop to add to keep it fun, exciting and challenging. What is your favourite exercise? I mean, who doesn’t love Feet in straps? Also, anything for the abs…you’ve never experienced the real ab burn until you’ve done an ab series in Pilates. What is your class style? Dynamic Pilates. It’s the perfect mix of strength and cardio. You will experience that deep muscle burn while shaking, sweating and feeling so much stronger. What is your music style in class? It changes based on the style of class. We could be rocking it to 90’s Nelly & Ashanti one day and then slowing it down to some Rufus Du Sol the next. The music really determines the vibe of the class so I will mix it up class to class.
Michelle
How did you discover Pilates? I was about 15 when I attended my first Pilates Class at the local gym with my mum and fell in love with how empowered it made me feel after just one class. I had found a form of exercise I enjoyed and movements that were simple but packed a real punch! Then I attended a reformer class in one of the few studios in Sydney at the time and I was hooked! Lying down on a bed, working out and leaving with a full body burn… what’s not to love?! What is your favourite thing about Pilates? It’s hard to chose one favourite thing about Pilates…. I love the connection you get with your body; how dynamic it is with endless variations to choose from that challenge and improves your strength all in one. In every phase of my life, I’ve always come back to Pilates – I can’t think of a better well rounded way to exercise! What is your favourite Pilates exercise? Again, so hard to answer… I love a good, layered lunge on the reformer with a plank finisher! A good strength and endurance combo ensuring you get that full body burn! What is your class style? I like to mix it up! Sometimes I prefer a slow burn with lots of layers focusing on strength and a deep muscle burn. Other times, I crave a dynamic power Pilates sesh with high intensity sets and a good cardio, heart rate riser that leaves you sweaty. But always a full body workout! What is your playlist and music style in class? Is it bad to admit I love old school pop – bit of Beyonce, Jay Z, JT and Britney? Anything I can escape too while working out! Also, not so secretly love Harry Styles.
Sophie
How did you discover Pilates? I discovered Pilates after my first bub, through my Physio, as a way to rebuild my core and find overall strength and flexibility. This was the beginning of my love affair.. What is your favourite thing about Pilates? The way it makes me feel! It is so different to any other form of training I had done in the past. It recruits the entire body (and muscles I didn’t know I had) and there is nowhere to hide. It can be slow and restorative or high intensity, the options are endless. What is your favourite exercise? Give me feet in straps any day of the week! It just feeels goood! Short spine, long spine.. juicy spinal articulation is definitely my fav. What is your class style? I like to cue breath and technique, squeezing the most out of every exercise; pushing people a little further than they ‘think’ they can go. And a wobble down the stairs on the way out is always a good sign. What is your music style in class? BEYONCÉ! Love a beat and an empowering lyric to get people moving.
Charlie
How did you discover Pilates? I was 12 years old when I first started clinical pilates to manage injuries sustained during gymnastics. Since then it has continued to play many different roles in my life…from stress relief, flexibility and fitness. Now, as a physiotherapist and pilates instructor, I get to see other people fall in love with pilates! What is your favourite thing about Pilates? People always tell me how easy pilates looks…and then they try it. I love how some exercises can look so easy yet the burn your body is feeling tells a different story. I love that reformer pilates can appeal to all ages and abilities – providing a safe way for people to reduce injuries, manage pain and learn to move really well. What is your favourite Pilates exercise? Anything abdominals! Reverse abdominals with legs in straps are always a killer but also enjoy the simple nature of footwork…love any exercise that allows me to lay down. What is your class style? Coming from a physiotherapy background, I love mixing it up and targeting the whole body. I love to focus on lots of stability and finding those movements that really get the muscles firing. Most of the time, I like a lots of sets and lots of reps so you wake up the next day knowing you’ve worked hard! What is your playlist and music style in class? You probably won’t hear it much…70’s and 80’s is my favourite, but I won’t subject you to that. I tend to play a bit of everything depending on the type of class that’s planned.
Alana
How did you discover Pilates? I’ve always been a sporty girl but had struggled with injuries from the past. I was feeling unmotivated and lost with exercise and then I found Pilates and fell in love with movement again! What is your favourite thing about Pilates? My favourite thing about Pilates is how good it makes me feel! What is your favourite exercise? My favourite exercise is anything with back bending What is your class style? My class style is is anything that gets the heart rate up What is your music style in class? My music style in class completely depends on the mood I’m in on the day. Anywhere between chill, old school, etc
