Our Team

Why our instructors are so incredible

Real Pilates is powered and driven by inspirational people who are dedicated to making a difference to your lives. We’re holistic to the core, open, honest, calm, caring and highly accessible.

Jumeirah Crew

Csilla headhsot B&W.jpg

Csilla

Pilates Instructor

With over 10 years experience in the Fitness Industry, Csilla is a Certified STOTT PILATES Instructor in Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels. She is also qualified in pre and post-natal Pilates.

Her passion for Pilates stemmed from personal experience, as she suffered an ankle injury while running the New York Marathon in 2010, and saw first-hand the remarkable effects Pilates had on her rehabilitation. Being a triathlete, Pilates soon became part of Csilla’s everyday routine in a quest to remain strong and injury free. Csilla then embarked on her journey of becoming a Pilates instructor, and has trained in London, Czech Republic, Malaysia and Dubai.

Csilla moved to the UAE in 2012, and has worked in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

She teaches private Pilates sessions and group Pilates classes,

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0550-2.jpg

Dora

Pilates & Barre Instructor

Dora developed a passion for Pilates during her career as a professional dancer. She says Pilates helped her understand the alignment of the body and prevent injuries while dancing. Dora studied dance and theatre at the Hungarian Dance Academy, attended courses and workshops in Hungary, England and Italy, and in 2010, became a STOTT PILATES certified instructor. Her love of teaching is evident in her personalised and dynamic workouts. She brings enthusiasm and energy to her classes and is a great instructor to work with if you have knee injuries or back or neck pain.

Dora is a STOTT PILATES instructor certified in Level 1 Matwork and Injuries and Special Populations and a certified Total Barre instructor.

She teaches group mat, reformer and barre classes as well private and semi-private sessions.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0475-2.jpg

Helen

Pilates & Barre Instructor

Helen’s journey with Pilates started, as it does for many, with a personal success story. After going through hip surgery in 2015, Helen was put on a path to start Pilates as part of her rehabilitation process. Seeing the results on her own body, Helen fell in love with Pilates, and vowed to bring this joy and movement into other’s lives as well, and so began her journey to becoming a Pilates Instructor.

Helen found the perfect marriage with STOTT PILATES, and through Real Pilates became a STOTT PILATES certified Mat and Reformer Instructor, before completing the TOTAL BARRE course.

Helen truly believes movement is the key to slowing down the aging process. Her passion now is to educate clients on the essence of movement and instill in everyone Pilates principles they can use in their everyday lives, enabling them to move with more energy, less pain, improved endurance and strength.

Not surprisingly, her hobbies include hiking, rock climbing, snowboarding and scuba diving!

Helen teaches a variety of Mat, Reformer & Barre group classes, as well as private and semi-private sessions.

Isabel Headshot B&W.png

Isabel

Pilates & Barre Instructor

Isabel comes from beautiful Thailand. To recover from a herniated disc condition in 2008, Isabel’s then Physiotherapist suggested to engage in pilates to support the recovery process. Amazed by the remarkable results, she not only grew into a pilates enthusiast, but the desire to share this experience as a pilates instructor to help others in enjoying an improved wellbeing in a well-rounded, fully functional body had blossomed.

Having earned her degree in engineering and working in the corporate world for more than 19 years, she decided to follow her heart in turning her passion for pilates into a new career.

Apart from the love for Pilates, her other loves include skiing, aerials, and Zumba.

She is a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor for Mat, Reformer and Injuries and Special Populations, as well Total Barre. At Real Pilates she teaches group mat, reformer and barre classes in addition to private and semi-private sessions.

Maria headhsot B&W.jpg

Maria Paz

Pilates & Yoga Instructor

Maria first fell in love with Pilates when she was a university student, undertaking a business degree in her hometown of Santiago, Chile. When she moved to Dubai and found Real Pilates, it was love at first sight. She had never imagined she would be a Pilates Instructor but one day, as her passion grew, she decided to go for it, signing up for her first course in 2014.

Maria enjoys the precision of the movement and attention to alignment. She enjoys the satisfaction of helping people feel and move better and aims to educate her clients in the same way she learned when was one. She has continued her education over the years and became a Fully Certified STOTT PILATES Instructor in 2022.

Since becoming a mother in 2020, Maria also became passionate about supporting women through pregnancy and motherhood. She became a lactation counsellor in 2022, whilst also completing her Yoga teacher training and looks forward to exploring all these new avenues of interest.

Maria is a STOTT PILATES Matwork, Reformer, Chair, Cadillac, and Barrels Instructor, and trained in Merrithew Fascial Movement as well as Injuries and Special Populations. She currently teaches Group Pilates and Yoga classes, and is available for Private Sessions.

Monika.jpg

Monika

Pilates Instructor

Monika, a proponent of freedom in movement, believes in the value of dedicating time to the pursuit of wellbeing, mindfulness, and body harmony at any age. Raised in a sports-oriented family in the Czech Republic, she developed a passion for outdoor activities, including skiing, cycling, and rock climbing. Despite earning a degree in Economics and Management, Monika's true calling emerged in teaching outdoor sports and movement.

After living in North Carolina and extensively traveling Europe, she found her home in the Scottish wilderness. Introduced to Matwork Pilates while working as a Personal Trainer in Glasgow, Monika pursued STOTT PILATES Matwork and Pilates Reformer training in London.

In 2014, Monika responded to her class participants' desire for progression by opening her first private studio in Glasgow, focusing on athletic conditioning and pilates-based rehabilitation.

Dedicated to endurance athletics, Monika engages in long-distance swimming and is an avid runner exploring new places.

Her goal is to inspire optimal movement, fostering harmony between mind and body through personalized sessions. Monika invites you to enhance flexibility, build strength, and correct posture in a lively and enjoyable environment.

Whether addressing chronic pain, injury rehabilitation, or athletic conditioning, Monika teaches Matwork, Reformer, Chair, and Vinyasa Yoga in group, private, and semi-private sessions.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0676-2.jpg

Nasim

Pilates Instructor

Nasim has been fond of both calligraphy and sports since her childhood. In her early 20s', she became a Persian calligrapher and was busy holding calligraphy painting exhibitions. Simultaneously, she was attending Pilates classes and discovered how amazing the results were on her body. Despite her love for calligraphy, she chose to become a Pilates instructor because it brought her lots of positive energy as well as great physical results. She enjoys communicating with new people, helping people improve their quality of lives and loves to make an impact in her community. These desires were through teaching Pilates.

Nasim is from Iran and has been a certified Pilates instructor for Matwork since 2009. She ran her own Pilates studio for many years and taught many workshops and courses in different cities throughout Iran. Nasim’s passion and motivation led her to attend the STOTT PILATES mat, reformer, cadillac, chair and barrels courses at Real Pilates and is now a certified STOTT PILATES instructor. In her free time, she enjoys Persian calligraphy, running, traveling and cooking.

She teaches mat and reformer as well as private and semi-private sessions.

Rachael headhsot B&W.jpg

Rachael

Pilates Instructor

Rachael’s love of trying new sports led her to Pilates and from day one she knew Pilates was for her. She decided she wanted to teach and share her knowledge after taking classes for over 10 years. She has trained in her beautiful native New Zealand as well as Australia, the US and now here in Dubai.

Rachael’s passion for Pilates shines through in every class. With an eye for detail, she motivates and encourages clients to get the most out of their workout with a focus on posture and technique.

Rachael has a Bachelor of Music degree and a background as a Flute Teacher and playing in orchestras. She also enjoys skiing and hiking. She has walked both the Camino Frances and Camino Portuguese, hundreds of kilometers across Spain and Portugal.

Rachael is a STOTT PILATES Instructor in Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair and Barrels and Injuries and Special Populations. She has also completed a number of specialized workshops, including Pre- and Post-natal Pilates.

She teaches Mat, Reformer, Chair and Prenatal Pilates classes as well as private and semi-private sessions.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0439-2.jpg

Rashmi

Pilates Instructor

Growing up in Dubai, being active was always a large part of Rashmi's early life. She loved playing all types of sports and even trained in the art of traditional Sri Lankan Kandyan dancing. In early 2021, the opportunity to work a project with the UN called Rashmi back to her roots in Sri Lanka. During this time she found and fell in love with Pilates. While practising it was great, she found the desire to, not only learn more, but teach others as well!

Upon moving back to Dubai in late 2022, Rashmi decided to go full steam ahead and work towards her true passion of teaching Pilates fulltime. This meant making the big move away from the corporate world and shifting into the health and wellness industry. After finding Real Pilates, she dove head first into Functional Anatomy 2 and fell in love with STOTT PILATES completing both Mat and Reformer courses!

She loves working with various individuals and aims to focus on functional movements that benefit and complement her client’s lifestyle. Her goal is to always make sure that her clients connect inwards while strengthening both their mind and body simultaneously.

You can find Rashmi teaching challenging and fun classes both on the mat and reformer. Her classes are sure to leave you feeling refreshed and stronger, and her bubbly personality will leave you with a big smile as well.

At Real Pilates, Rashmi teaches group mat and reformer classes, as well as private and semi-private sessions.

Robin.jpg

Robin

Yoga Instructor

Robin has been teaching Yoga as professional instructor for over 16 year, but his journey and deep relationship with Yoga started more 25 years ago in his beautiful native India.

In 1997 he started competing in various Yoga Competitions in India till 2002. After a few years of competitive break, in 2014, he started participating in international professional competitions this time. That same year he became also officially became an International Yoga Referee.

Robin has a Master’s in Physical Education and has been living in Dubai since 2003 with his wife Bhama who is also a highly skilled Yoga teacher. They have been sharing their knowledge and experience with healthy lifestyle enthusiasts and yogis from all walks of life. Robin believes Yoga has a real message for humanity – a holistic message of physical, mental and spiritual wellness. To Robin, Yoga is so much more than just an exercise form or a profession. His motto is: "practice Yoga and experience the changes in you".

At Real Pilates, Robin teaches Hatha Yoga group classes as well as private sessions on demand.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0746-2.jpg

Salome

Pilates & Barre Instructor

Salome's passion for movement began in her childhood with gymnastics, igniting a lifelong pursuit of understanding the body and achieving optimal strength and health through fitness. Her journey took a transformative turn when she delved deeper into mind-body practices like Yoga and Pilates. Initially a devoted yoga enthusiast, she discovered the profound impact of pilates and completed her STOTT PILATES® Matwork and Reformer certification.

Salome's expertise now expands beyond, encompassing STOTT PILATES® Cadillac, Chairs & Barrels, enabling her to design even more dynamic training experiences. She seamlessly blends Pilates with Barre, and strength training, further enriching her class offerings.

As an instructor, Salome thrives on witnessing her clients blossom into confident, empowered individuals, moving safely while unleashing their potential.

Beyond the studio, Salome embraces an active outdoor lifestyle, indulging in cycling, hiking, mountain climbing, and exploring new destinations. Moving to Dubai with her family after eight enriching years in China, she now basks in the city's sunshine and beachfront beauty.

At Real Pilates, she teaches mat, reformer, barre classes, and private sessions incorporating cadillac, chair & barrels.

Elizabeth headshot standard.jpg

Elizabeth

Customer Service

Elizabeth was born and raised in Zimbabwe, having recently moved to Dubai in September 2021. She holds a diploma in Hotel Management and has a strong background in customer service as she has been trained and specialized in front office for two years. Prior to this, she had the pleasure of working in the dental industry.

Elizabeth has a passion for fashion so you will see her at the front desk always looking chic and dashing wearing the newest trends. Elizabeth is very family oriented and when she is not around her loved ones, you will find her reading books from her favorite author, Dan Brown. She is always keen to learn whatever she can to keep growing and improving. Solving problems, and making sure clients are well looked after is something she takes to heart.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0591-2.jpg

Tanya

Customer Service

Born and raised in the beautiful state of Goa (India), Tanya is all about being a true Goan: all fun, caring and friendly. Tanya holds a Bachelors degree in Commerce and for the past 9 years, she has been working in different customer facing roles. In the UAE since 2018, she has worked with people of more than 180 nationalities.

Tanya is committed to use all her gained knowledge to help clients have the best experience as soon as they walk through the door. She loves to sing, dance, read, cook, paint, and travel while exploring different places, and trying their cuisines. Tanya is a positive, genuine person who is all about Balance in life.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0526-2.jpg

Tipin

Customer Service

Born in Manila, Tipin has always had a great fondness for math and being around people and so she did both and joined industries focusing on these principles, now holding a Bachelor’s Degree with honours in Hotel and Restaurant Management and a minor in Accountancy.

Tipin carries with her nearly two-decades of experience in banking, hospitality, and government office. Her fondness to meet and collaborate with people landed her in leading customer experience jobs, with major companies but when she saw the opportunity with Real Pilates in Dubai, she knew it was time to make a change from the large corporate world to one focused on health and wellbeing.

What most people don’t know is that she has a long history when it comes to performing arts - this passion has brought her numerous opportunities representing her country, in theatrical and interpretative dance in different events in her country and overseas. After graduating from university, she decided to prioritize her corporate job but she still finds herself channeling and recharging her energy through physical movements, no longer through dance, instead via daily practice of either yoga or Pilates.

One thing is for sure, when you are greeted by Tipin, there is never a dull moment! She fills the room with positivity, beaming with joy and laughter. It’s impossible to miss the energy that she brings in any room she enters!

JLT Crew

Deepti (low).jpg

Deepti

Pilates & Barre Instructor

Deepti has worked for multinational organizations in India with a career spanning over 17 years. After moving to Dubai, she got introduced to Pilates to cure her lower back and sciatic pain and was amazed to see the benefits.

Being a fitness enthusiast, she had always been keen to learn and explore more, so she decided to say goodbye to her corporate career and pursue her passion for fitness.

Deepti is very focused on efficient and effective movements and teaches a variety of Mat and Reformer group classes as well as private and semi-private sessions at Real Pilates.

She is a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor for Mat, Reformer, Pre & Post Natal, Barre and Injuries & Special Populations.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0550-2.jpg

Dora

Pilates & Barre Instructor

Dora developed a passion for Pilates during her career as a professional dancer. She says Pilates helped her understand the alignment of the body and prevent injuries while dancing. Dora studied dance and theatre at the Hungarian Dance Academy, attended courses and workshops in Hungary, England and Italy, and in 2010, became a STOTT PILATES certified instructor. Her love of teaching is evident in her personalised and dynamic workouts. She brings enthusiasm and energy to her classes and is a great instructor to work with if you have knee injuries or back or neck pain.

Dora is a STOTT PILATES instructor certified in Level 1 Matwork and Injuries and Special Populations and a certified Total Barre instructor.

She teaches group mat, reformer and barre classes as well private and semi-private sessions.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0475-2.jpg

Helen

Pilates & Barre Instructor

Helen’s journey with Pilates started, as it does for many, with a personal success story. After going through hip surgery in 2015, Helen was put on a path to start Pilates as part of her rehabilitation process. Seeing the results on her own body, Helen fell in love with Pilates, and vowed to bring this joy and movement into other’s lives as well, and so began her journey to becoming a Pilates Instructor.

Helen found the perfect marriage with STOTT PILATES, and through Real Pilates became a STOTT PILATES certified Mat and Reformer Instructor, before completing the TOTAL BARRE course.

Helen truly believes movement is the key to slowing down the aging process. Her passion now is to educate clients on the essence of movement and instill in everyone Pilates principles they can use in their everyday lives, enabling them to move with more energy, less pain, improved endurance and strength.

Not surprisingly, her hobbies include hiking, rock climbing, snowboarding and scuba diving!

Helen teaches a variety of Mat, Reformer & Barre group classes, as well as private and semi-private sessions.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0719-2.jpg

Jessie

Pilates & Yoga Instructor

Since her childhood in Brazil, Jessie has been passionate about sports, salsa and other Brazilian dancing styles. Jessie earned a degree in business management, but after some time in the corporate world, she decided to pursue her passion for movement. Since then, she has found real fulfillment.

When she took her first Pilates class over five years ago, she was amazed by how it made her body feel and how much it improved her strength and posture. She embarked on her education with Real Pilates: she trained in STOTT PILATES Matwork and Reformer, as well as TOTAL BARRE.

Yoga is the other love of Jessie's life. She is a RYT 500 Yoga Alliance teacher. When she discovered yoga for the first time, it was life changing. it gave her clarity, balance and inner peace. To her yoga is more than a series of movements, it is a way of life.

Jessie's classes are focused on technique and alignment with a systematic approach to building strength and balance, all with a nice hint of fun.

She teaches Group Pilates and Yoga classes, as well as Private Sessions.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0852-2.jpg

Mahsa

Yoga Instructor

Mahsa began her yoga journey back in 2015 and soon it became her daily ritual. In 2017, practicing in Thailand she became keen to advance in her journey. Having experienced the life changing benefits of yoga through her own personal practice she became passionate about sharing the advantages of this ancient practice with others .She completed her 500-hours teacher training at Vikasa Academy in Thailand in 2019 and since then she has been expanding her knowledge and practice.

Through the combination of Asana, pranayama and meditation she teaches, energetic and dynamic classes with blissful restorative elements, helping her students create and achieve balance between physical, energetic, mental and emotional body.

Mahsa has spent the past 10 years in Dubai, prior to that she was based in London. Having a background in Art; holding a Masters degree in Illustration from University of the Arts London, and a BA in Graphic Design. Her other passions are drawing, painting and spending time with her family.

Maria headhsot B&W.jpg

Maria Paz

Pilates & Yoga Instructor

Maria first fell in love with Pilates when she was a university student, undertaking a business degree in her hometown of Santiago, Chile. When she moved to Dubai and found Real Pilates, it was love at first sight. She had never imagined she would be a Pilates Instructor but one day, as her passion grew, she decided to go for it, signing up for her first course in 2014.

Maria enjoys the precision of the movement and attention to alignment. She enjoys the satisfaction of helping people feel and move better and aims to educate her clients in the same way she learned when was one. She has continued her education over the years and became a Fully Certified STOTT PILATES Instructor in 2022.

Since becoming a mother in 2020, Maria also became passionate about supporting women through pregnancy and motherhood. She became a lactation counsellor in 2022, whilst also completing her Yoga teacher training and looks forward to exploring all these new avenues of interest.

Maria is a STOTT PILATES Matwork, Reformer, Chair, Cadillac, and Barrels Instructor, and trained in Merrithew Fascial Movement as well as Injuries and Special Populations. She currently teaches Group Pilates and Yoga classes, and is available for Private Sessions.

Monika.jpg

Monika

Pilates Instructor

Monika, a proponent of freedom in movement, believes in the value of dedicating time to the pursuit of wellbeing, mindfulness, and body harmony at any age. Raised in a sports-oriented family in the Czech Republic, she developed a passion for outdoor activities, including skiing, cycling, and rock climbing. Despite earning a degree in Economics and Management, Monika's true calling emerged in teaching outdoor sports and movement.

After living in North Carolina and extensively traveling Europe, she found her home in the Scottish wilderness. Introduced to Matwork Pilates while working as a Personal Trainer in Glasgow, Monika pursued STOTT PILATES Matwork and Pilates Reformer training in London.

In 2014, Monika responded to her class participants' desire for progression by opening her first private studio in Glasgow, focusing on athletic conditioning and pilates-based rehabilitation.

Dedicated to endurance athletics, Monika engages in long-distance swimming and is an avid runner exploring new places.

Her goal is to inspire optimal movement, fostering harmony between mind and body through personalized sessions. Monika invites you to enhance flexibility, build strength, and correct posture in a lively and enjoyable environment.

Whether addressing chronic pain, injury rehabilitation, or athletic conditioning, Monika teaches Matwork, Reformer, Chair, and Vinyasa Yoga in group, private, and semi-private sessions.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0676-2.jpg

Nasim

Pilates Instructor

Nasim has been fond of both calligraphy and sports since her childhood. In her early 20s', she became a Persian calligrapher and was busy holding calligraphy painting exhibitions. Simultaneously, she was attending Pilates classes and discovered how amazing the results were on her body. Despite her love for calligraphy, she chose to become a Pilates instructor because it brought her lots of positive energy as well as great physical results. She enjoys communicating with new people, helping people improve their quality of lives and loves to make an impact in her community. These desires were through teaching Pilates.

Nasim is from Iran and has been a certified Pilates instructor for Matwork since 2009. She ran her own Pilates studio for many years and taught many workshops and courses in different cities throughout Iran. Nasim’s passion and motivation led her to attend the STOTT PILATES mat, reformer, cadillac, chair and barrels courses at Real Pilates and is now a certified STOTT PILATES instructor. In her free time, she enjoys Persian calligraphy, running, traveling and cooking.

She teaches mat and reformer as well as private and semi-private sessions.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0439-2.jpg

Rashmi

Pilates Instructor

Growing up in Dubai, being active was always a large part of Rashmi's early life. She loved playing all types of sports and even trained in the art of traditional Sri Lankan Kandyan dancing. In early 2021, the opportunity to work a project with the UN called Rashmi back to her roots in Sri Lanka. During this time she found and fell in love with Pilates. While practising it was great, she found the desire to, not only learn more, but teach others as well!

Upon moving back to Dubai in late 2022, Rashmi decided to go full steam ahead and work towards her true passion of teaching Pilates fulltime. This meant making the big move away from the corporate world and shifting into the health and wellness industry. After finding Real Pilates, she dove head first into Functional Anatomy 2 and fell in love with STOTT PILATES completing both Mat and Reformer courses!

She loves working with various individuals and aims to focus on functional movements that benefit and complement her client’s lifestyle. Her goal is to always make sure that her clients connect inwards while strengthening both their mind and body simultaneously.

You can find Rashmi teaching challenging and fun classes both on the mat and reformer. Her classes are sure to leave you feeling refreshed and stronger, and her bubbly personality will leave you with a big smile as well.

At Real Pilates, Rashmi teaches group mat and reformer classes, as well as private and semi-private sessions.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0746-2.jpg

Salome

Pilates & Barre Instructor

Salome's passion for movement began in her childhood with gymnastics, igniting a lifelong pursuit of understanding the body and achieving optimal strength and health through fitness. Her journey took a transformative turn when she delved deeper into mind-body practices like Yoga and Pilates. Initially a devoted yoga enthusiast, she discovered the profound impact of pilates and completed her STOTT PILATES® Matwork and Reformer certification.

Salome's expertise now expands beyond, encompassing STOTT PILATES® Cadillac, Chairs & Barrels, enabling her to design even more dynamic training experiences. She seamlessly blends Pilates with Barre, and strength training, further enriching her class offerings.

As an instructor, Salome thrives on witnessing her clients blossom into confident, empowered individuals, moving safely while unleashing their potential.

Beyond the studio, Salome embraces an active outdoor lifestyle, indulging in cycling, hiking, mountain climbing, and exploring new destinations. Moving to Dubai with her family after eight enriching years in China, she now basks in the city's sunshine and beachfront beauty.

At Real Pilates, she teaches mat, reformer, barre classes, and private sessions incorporating cadillac, chair & barrels.

Sanam headhsot B&W.jpg

Sanam

Pilates & Barre Instructor

Sanam grew up in Iran and was introduced to Pilates when she moved to Canada. She quickly turned a love of Pilates into a new career. She became a certified mat instructor with the Physical Mind Institute of Canada, and completed her STOTT PILATES mat and reformer certification in Dubai. Sanam has skied from a young age and has a love of dance. She also has a BA from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Criminology. She teaches a variety of mat and reformer group classes as well as prenatal and private and semi-private personal training sessions.

Sanam is a STOTT PILATES instructor certified in Level 1 Matwork, Reformer and Injuries and Special Populations and a certified Total Barre instructor.

She teaches private and semi-private Pilates sessions, group Pilates, Body Burn and Real Barre classes.

Thomas headhsot B&W.jpg

Thomas

Pilates & Yoga Instructor

At a very young age Thomas became aware of the imbalances in his own body, as he suffered from chronic back pain. This was later diagnosed as a mild scoliosis in the spine. His ongoing and keen interest in functional fitness and mindful-movement, first led him to practice Yoga in an attempt to manage his own postural issues. When he was introduced to Pilates in 2005, he was hooked for life! By diligently practicing Pilates and actively working on managing his scoliosis, he has been pain free ever since!

Thomas has been teaching Pilates since 2007 after he completed his Matwork and Reformer courses. He taught from his own studio until 2012 and has worked at various studios in South Africa since then.

Thomas holds a full certification (Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Barrels and Special Populations), which enables him to assist and instruct clients with postural issues, those in rehabilitation, as well as athletes looking for a challenging workout.

His motto is: “We all start somewhere, and can always improve, no matter how fit or weak we may feel”.

He teaches private and semi-private Pilates sessions, as well as group mat, reformer and chair Pilates classes.

Cathy headhsot B&W.jpg

Catherine

  • Customer Service
  • Education Support

Catherine was part of the original Real Pilates team, arriving in Dubai in 2009, and has supported thousands of our members. She completed her Certificate of Computer Science at the Philippine American Computer Education before working as a data entry officer at Perfect Image Gym. She also held a secretarial role at the Kapis Mansion. Catherine was born in the Philippines, where she used to teach children catechism and volunteered in relief efforts after natural disasters hit her hometown. She loves reading books, camping and traveling.

Hibba.jpg

Hibba

Customer Service

Born and raised in Pakistan, Hibba recently moved to Dubai devoted start her career and follow her passions. She has a Bachelors in Computer Science and has a strong knowledge in computers.

Ever since coming to Dubai, she has worked in multinational companies as a front desk receptionist. She is grateful that she has gotten to work with amazing people from different nationalities. She always had a great fondness for being around people. She has a positive attitude and likes to help people around her. She also likes to take on challenges to learn new things and achieve more. When it comes to her work ethics, she is very organized, and she wants everything clean and arranged around her. She also appreciates adhering with company’s rules and regulations.

Hibba is full of life, and loves to travel, dance, adventure, UI Designing, arts and crafts, and reading novels. She equally likes to explore new things.

Her mantra in life is “Life is too short so just smile, be yourself and chase your dreams”

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0526-2.jpg

Tipin

Customer Service

Born in Manila, Tipin has always had a great fondness for math and being around people and so she did both and joined industries focusing on these principles, now holding a Bachelor’s Degree with honours in Hotel and Restaurant Management and a minor in Accountancy.

Tipin carries with her nearly two-decades of experience in banking, hospitality, and government office. Her fondness to meet and collaborate with people landed her in leading customer experience jobs, with major companies but when she saw the opportunity with Real Pilates in Dubai, she knew it was time to make a change from the large corporate world to one focused on health and wellbeing.

What most people don’t know is that she has a long history when it comes to performing arts - this passion has brought her numerous opportunities representing her country, in theatrical and interpretative dance in different events in her country and overseas. After graduating from university, she decided to prioritize her corporate job but she still finds herself channeling and recharging her energy through physical movements, no longer through dance, instead via daily practice of either yoga or Pilates.

One thing is for sure, when you are greeted by Tipin, there is never a dull moment! She fills the room with positivity, beaming with joy and laughter. It’s impossible to miss the energy that she brings in any room she enters!

Meydan Crew

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0561-2.jpg

Andrea

Pilates Instructor

Andrea possesses a diverse background encompassing office management, accountancy, and sales. Having resided in various countries, including Portugal, Kuwait, Indonesia, and Bangkok, she returned to Dubai in 2022 after a previous stay there. Her introduction to pilates occurred around 2010, when a close friend sparked her interest, leading to pilates becoming her true passion. Since early 2018, Andrea has been actively practicing Pilates and has achieved her STOTT PILATES Matwork certification.

In 2020, she suffered a shoulder injury that necessitated a rotator cuff repair. This experience taught her the value of simplicity in regaining movement. Through Pilates, Andrea rediscovered her strength, mobility, and mental well-being. She emphasizes the significance of proper movement and foundational strength in everyday life. By inspiring individuals to explore their capabilities and enjoy exercising, she aims to enrich their lives and overall well-being.

Alongside Pilates, Andrea is also a Certified Personal Trainer accredited by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), a Certified Nutrition Coach, and has completed the TRX Suspension Training Course. Fearless in guiding individuals through challenges, she derives satisfaction from teaching and assisting others in improving their quality of life by sharing her enthusiasm and passion for Pilates.

Fluent in Hungarian, English, and German, Andrea enjoys walking, running, scuba diving, and photography during her leisure time.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0801-2.jpg

Joumana

Pilates & Barre Instructor

Joumana's adventurous spirit and love for challenges led her to the world of Pilates. Intrigued by the possibilities it offered for her body's potential and functionality, she embraced the practice with curiosity and passion.

Driven by a thirst for knowledge, Joumana sought out STOTT PILATES, where she honed her skills in Matwork, Reformer and Prenatal Pilates. Soon after, her passion for music and dance led her to pursue training in Total Barre.

In her classes, Joumana infuses her unique blend of motivation and positivity. She places great emphasis on ensuring proper body alignment, prioritizing the well-being and safety of her clients. Recognizing the uniqueness of each individual, she provides gentle yet effective guidance, empowering them to progress at their own pace.

Expect her love for exploration, thirst for knowledge, and ability to inspire others to make her classes engaging and rewarding for all who join her on this transformative journey.

With fluency in Arabic, English, and French, at Real Pilates, Joumana teaches group mat, reformer, prenatal and barre classes, as well as private and semi-private sessions.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0825-2.jpg

Lilian

Pilates Instructor

Lilian is a dedicated wellness professional with a passion for helping others improve their physical and mental well-being through Pilates. She is a certified STOTT PILATES Mat and Reformer instructor, as well as a specialist in Health Psychology, Lifestyle Medicine, and Self-Control from Harvard University. With her diverse background and wealth of academic and life experience, she is able to create personalized training programs that are both effective and enjoyable for her clients.

Lilian is fluent in multiple languages, including her native Portuguese and English, as well as Arabic, which she has acquired through her 23 years of living in the UAE and the Middle East. Her ability to connect with her clients and understand their specific goals and lifestyles allows her to tailor her Pilates sessions to meet their individual needs and expectations. Whether her clients seek to become stronger, alleviate pain, or enhance their overall sense of well-being, Lilian is dedicated to helping them achieve their goals and become the best version of themselves.

Lilian teaches group mat and reformer classes, and is available for private and semi-private sessions.

Maria 2 low.JPG

Maria

Pilates, Yoga & Barre Instructor

Maria’s love for movement was born through a passion for dance. She began her professional dancing career in her hometown of Aracaju, in Brazil, over 20 years ago. As an expert Samba and Belly Dancer, Maria was performing all over the world before this passion led her to Pilates. She soon realized how much Pilates helped and healed her body after the years of strenuous training and knew then she wanted to share this with others.

Maria followed her new love for Pilates and completed her STOTT PILATES Matwork and Reformer certification right here at Real Pilates.

Maria brings her own unique style to each class, harmonizing humour, flair and attention to detail to get her clients working to their best abilities. From helping beginners to Pilates find their body’s potential, to pushing athletic clients to the next level, Maria also thrives in helping those affected with pain or dysfunction to regain their movement.

Maria teaches mat, reformer, prenatal pilates and hatha yoga, as well as private and semi-private sessions.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0765-2.jpg

Doriane

Customer Service

Doriane, a Cameroonian raised in Buea, South West Region, is a multi-talented individual with a passion for dance and law. From a young age, she honed her skills in Afro and coupé decalé dance, becoming a professional dancer in 2015. She holds a degree in law and enjoys engaging in debates, even on topics outside of her expertise. Traveling and meeting new people are among her favorite activities, and her warm and friendly personality makes her a natural people person.

Since moving to the UAE, Doriane has been working at the front desk as a customer service representative and receptionist, where her expertise in professionalism, patience, and putting people first has shone brightly. Her work has been going well and she has been making a positive impact on those she interacts with.

Sheryl headshot low.jpg

Sheryl

Customer Service

Sheryl was born and raised in the Philippines and has made the UAE her second home since 2014. She likes to learn new things and loves taking on new challenges that come her way. She loves music, singing, dancing, and spending time with family and friends.

Sheryl loves organisation and wants to always keep everything neat and tidy as she believes that a clean space helps get things done better and faster.

She completed her degree in AB International Studies in Xavier University which helped her adjust to working abroad. She has 6 years’ experience in Customer Service in a supervisory role, leading a team of customer service advocates.

Sheryl’s dream is to travel and see the world. She wishes to go to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower up close.

She has a calm demeanor yet has a very cheerful personality and can break into a boisterous laugh at any given moment. She is a positive person inside and out and believes that life can be enjoyed if you pay attention to it’s details.

Fernanda - Copy.jpeg

Fernanda

Studio Manager

Fernanda was always passionate about sports and wellbeing from a very early age and holds a brown belt in Judo and a nursing certificate.

In the last sixteen years, she gathered knowledge from different sectors as she worked in aviation, hotel operations, and exhibition centers. She's always been working vigorously, leading her teams to deliver the best experiences to their customers. After going through spine surgery some years’ ago, Fernanda began to search for the best forms of exercise to help her recover and soon discovered Pilates. Her love for the discipline grew from here as she started to see the real benefits Pilates had on her body.

After becoming a mother, Fernanda started to feel the need to review her priorities and find a better work-life balance and started to explore career opportunities outside of the corporate world. When the position at Real Pilates - Meydan became available, Fernanda was delighted to find she could marry her love for Pilates in a positive working environment and found the exact opportunity she was looking for. Along with Sana and the Meydan team, Fernanda combines her passion for entrepreneurship and operations, driving the team to ensure excellent customer experiences.

Sana Headshot B&W Low.jpg

Sana

Franchise Owner

Sana Mohammad Suhail is the franchise owner our most recent Meydan studio. Having worked in various UAE government departments her entire career, Sana also has a passion for wellness and has trained in Pilates and Yoga for many years. Combined with her entrepreneurial spirit, Sana turned her passion into a business by launching the first ever franchise for the brand.

Sana’s interest in wellbeing has grown over the years and she’s a firm believer that wellness is the best investment anyone can ever make in themselves. She has found that Pilates and Yoga are not only effective workouts, but balanced ones. To raise awareness of the amazing benefits of Pilates and Yoga alongside her love for the values that Real Pilates stands for, Sana decided to open the studio in Meydan near her beloved Nad Al Sheba community.

In her current role, Sana is the Head of Transition Office at the newly established Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority. Prior to that, she held the post of the Undersecretary at the Ministry of Community Development.

Education Team

Hayley headshot standard.jpg

Hayley

  • Merrithew Instructor Trainer:
  • STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer
  • Total Barre® and Functional Anatomy

With more than 20 years experience in dance, Hayley has been involved in movement and wellbeing for as long as she can remember.

Her passion for all things fitness-related led her to complete a Bachelors degree in Exercise Science and become a Level 3 Personal Trainer. She discovered Pilates many years ago as part of her dance training and chose to complete a Diploma in Pilates as well undertaking additional training in Pilates Reformer and barre work. Originally from Scotland, Hayley has worked as an instructor in the UK and in Abu Dhabi before moving to Dubai. In 2022, she also obtained her MSc in Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health.

Hayley shares her knowledge of anatomy with passion and energy in a way that allows her students to truly understand, learn and be able to apply their learning to their practice and teaching of Pilates, yoga and functional fitness,

She teaches Functional Anatomy courses, STOTT PILATES Mat & Reformer courses and TOTALL BARRE.

Jen headshot standard.jpg

Jennifer

  • Head Trainer
  • Merrithew Instructor Trainer:
  • STOTT PILATES® Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Barrels
  • Jennifer first discovered Pilates in 2007 while she was living in Toronto. She was drawn to its teachings and the remarkable way it works for different body types. She has been lucky enough to travel the world and gain valuable experience and knowledge whilst practicing Pilates in various studios.

She moved to Dubai in 2008 and decided to turn her passion into a career and became a certified Instructor, undergoing training in Dubai as well as Toronto. In 2016, Jennifer went on to become a certified Instructor Trainer for Matwork and Reformer. She enjoys working with a range of clients, and draws great satisfaction from seeing others motivated and inspired to better themselves.

Jennifer has completed the STOTT PILATES full certification and is a certified STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer for Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair and Barrels as well as numerous workshops.

leonieke-albreghs.jpg

Leonieke (Nikki)

  • Merrithew Instructor Trainer:
  • STOTT PILATES® Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels, Injuries & Special Populations
  • ZEN.GA® Equipment, Mat

Leonieke Albreghs’ Pilates journey first began after undergoing a major surgery in 1999. Leonieke used Pilates as part of her rehabilitation after surgery. In 2000, after years of continuous studies and teaching in health clubs, she discovered STOTT PILATES® and became inspired to further her education in the method. Building on her background as an aerobics, dance and school teacher in The Netherlands, she was keen to share with others the knowledge that had eased her pain. Leonieke’s extensive Pilates education and teaching experience began in 2008 while living in The Netherlands. She has since moved to The U.K. and has continued to share her passion for teaching STOTT PILATES.

It was not long after that Leonieke’s love, dedication and passion for educating others about Pilates encouraged her to become a Merrithew® Instructor Trainer in 2016 specializing in STOTT PILATES.

Kris low.jpg

Krisztián

  • Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer:
  • STOTT PILATES® Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels, Injuries & Special Populations
  • Merrithew™ Fascial Movement; CORE™; Total Barre®; Halo®

Krisztián comes from a background as a ballet dancer and became a Merrithew™ Instructor Trainer in 2006. Since then he graduated at Semmelweis University Faculty of Health Sciences as a physiotherapist. He also qualified as a personal trainer at the Hungarian University of Physical Education. At his studio in Budapest, Hungary, he teaches the STOTT PILATES® program as well as GYROTONIC®, TRX, TRX- Rip Training, and trains a variety of clients including dancers, athletes and agile recreational clients. As a physiotherapist, Krisztián works with patients who have neurological, rheumatological and orthopedical problems and rehabilitates trauma injuries. In 2020, he became a Merrithew Lead IT.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0502-2.jpg

Karien

  • Education Coordinator

Karien grew up in a farming community in South Africa, where she learned the value of hard work and spent her time surrounded by nature. After studying Public Relations Management, she worked in London and Cape Town, gaining experience in administration and account management. During a period in Taiwan, Karien discovered her passion for Pilates and became a certified instructor.

In 2010, she opened her own Pilates studio in Cape Town, managing a clientele of 60 per week for eight years. Karien also collaborated on an activewear brand called "Wellness through Movement" and supported young designers through a fashion design project. In 2019, she relocated to Dubai with her family. Karien remains dedicated to promoting wellness through Pilates, believing in its transformative power for the mind and body.

At Real Pilates, Karien is focused on supporting our community of students to guide them towards the most suitable teacher training courses and continuous education workshops.

Management

Jennifer.jpg

Jennifer

  • Head Trainer
  • Merrithew Instructor Trainer:
  • STOTT PILATES® Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Barrels
  • Jennifer first discovered Pilates in 2007 while she was living in Toronto. She was drawn to its teachings and the remarkable way it works for different body types. She has been lucky enough to travel the world and gain valuable experience and knowledge whilst practicing Pilates in various studios.

She moved to Dubai in 2008 and decided to turn her passion into a career and became a certified Instructor, undergoing training in Dubai as well as Toronto. In 2016, Jennifer went on to become a certified Instructor Trainer for Matwork and Reformer. She enjoys working with a range of clients, and draws great satisfaction from seeing others motivated and inspired to better themselves.

Jennifer has completed the STOTT PILATES full certification and is a certified STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer for Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair and Barrels as well as numerous workshops.

As Head Trainer, Jennifer's plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality of Pilates instruction, overseeing the teaching staff, and providing leadership within the studio.

Mourvi.jpg

Mourvi

Studio Experience Supervisor

Mourvi has been living in Dubai for over 20 years and has no plans of leaving anytime soon. Someone really does love the sun!

After the completion of her BBA with honors in hospitality she discovered her heart truly lies in bringing joy and happiness to others and there is no better place to do that than the hospitality industry. She enjoys learning and increasing her knowledge and hence decided to earn her master's degree in tourism and hospitality.

She's a firm believer in exceeding her self-set goals, making every project a chance to go above and beyond.

One of Mourvi's guilty pleasures, believe it or not, is food. Whether it's savoring a delectable dish from a local eatery or experimenting with new recipes in her own kitchen, her enthusiasm for gastronomy is boundless.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0421-2.jpg

Stephanie

Growth Manager

Stephanie grew up in Toronto where she fuelled her passion for health by playing competitive football, drove her adoration for meeting new people and communication and sparked her interest in operations and marketing by being painfully organized in all aspects of life.

Upon graduating with a BA in Media Communications, Stephanie went into the Marketing world travelling all over Canada with Volkswagen and Audi Canada. But soon she realized that her true passion was in helping others find time in their lives to dedicate to their health and wellness. She went on to manage a boutique fitness studio before scratching an inner itch for new adventures and moving into the hospitality field in Dubai. For the 3 years before joining Real Pilates Stephanie was growing a successful startup into new regions. But when she found the opportunity at Real Pilates, Steph knew it was time to get back to her roots of promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Her positive energy, ‘can-do’ attitude and contagious optimism translates well into her role at Real Pilates and she’ll always welcome a friendly conversation over coffee.

Real Pilates 2023 © Heather Bonker-0401-2.jpg

Bita

Co-Founder | Director of Education & Franchising

Bita is the secret behind the extraordinary success of Real Pilates as the regional training centre for STOTT PILATES in the Middle East. With more than 50 courses and workshops successfully conducted since the inception of the studio, Bita has helped turn Real Pilates into the region's most respected centre for world-class Pilates education and certification. Bita was previously the director of sales and business development at a leading regional IT consultancy firm. Her passion and determination has helped build Real Pilates to where it is today.

Reza.jpg

Reza

Founder & Managing Director

Reza spent 10 years in the corporate world, working with multinational companies, and developing a career that many would envy, but in early 2008 he gave it all up to answer his inner calling and dream of helping others. Reza realised it was the right time to lean on his culture and personal background, languages, travel experiences, skills and aspirations to create something special. And so was born Real Pilates, a mind and body haven where, with the help of Reza and his team of certified instructors, you can de-stress, restore, reconnect and grow. Reza is excited about helping people transform the relationship they have with their mind and body, and believes the richest life is that of those who enrich other people's lives. This is only the beginning of a promising journey, as Reza’s ambition is to explore other aspects of the world of wellness and continuously find new ways of helping others connect with their best inner self.

At Real Pilates, we believe in continuous education and ongoing training. All of our instructors are trained and mentored under the guidance of onsite Instructor Trainers.

All of our instructors are trained and certified in the STOTT PILATES method of exercise, one of the safest and most effective methods available. We are experts in our field and have specialist training in injuries and special populations such as pregnant women. Many of us have international experience and backgrounds in exercise physiology, rehabilitation, personal training, group exercise, weight training, yoga and dance.