Hi my name is Michelle Emma McMahon and I work for Power Pilates Studio in Westville. I am also currently completing my Honours in Psychology in which I am majoring in Educational Psychology as children are one of my greatest passions in life.Another one of my greatest passions is health and fitness which lead me to the amazing thinking person’s exercise – Pilates. I love learning about the human body, how it works and what we can do for it in order to reach that level of optimal functioning on a day to day basis. I take great pride in who I am as an individual and in how healthy my body can be. I was inspired to become a Pilates Instructor by Courtney Smith. Her dedication to and ability in her job motivated me to become a successful Pilates Instructor such as herself. I have scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and a slipped disk which lead to a pinched nerve in my lower back. I suffered a great deal of pain for months until eventually I discovered the miracle of Pilates. Within months my lower back pain had decreased and now I experience no pain whatsoever. My quality of life has improved by miles and I feel the strongest I have ever felt.I am Stott qualified in Essential, Intermediate and Advanced matwork and I have now been teaching for nearly two years. I love every minute of it. Stott Pilates Instructors are required to attend workshops every year to constantly refresh and apply their knowledge. My job continuously challenges me in so many aspects of my life and I feel like I am learning something new every day. I enjoy seeing the results that my clients achieve and most importantly the relationships I develop with them. My main goals are to share the information I have learnt with my clients and to provide them with a set of skills that they can use to become more aware of themselves and their bodies. I hope to help them reach their goals that they desire through Pilates.Other interests of mine would be any outdoor activities, keeping active, helping others, reading and definitely spending time with my family and friends. I’ve always been an outgoing on-the-go type of person and I enjoy any physical activity. If I’m not busy, I’m not happy. One of my favourite quotes in life would be that ‘We all get lost in the darkness, but dreamers learn to fly by the stars!’ I would definitely say that I am a dreamer. I look forward to many more years learning new things about people and Pilates.

Annabelle has a passion for Pilates, having done Ballet and modern dancing for most of her younger years. She has a love for Pilates and the benefits it can bring to people of all ages and walks of life.

Annabelle trained for several years under Andri Marais, in classical Pilates, and later joined the Powerpilates Studio as a client. She recently attended her Essential and Advanced Mat courses in Cape Town with the renowned Lisa Palmer, who is well known as a Stott Pilates instructor and examiner.

During this year, Annabelle will continue as a school teacher, while teaching at the studio predominantly on Mondays, but intends to be able to give her full attention to Pilates by the end of 2018.

Annabelle says: “I have 4 children and have always taken care of my health and fitness. Although a late starter in the Pilates world, I feel my dancing background has given me the insights to understanding the advantages of deep muscle control. What I love most about Pilates is how it is suitable for everyone, not only people with injuries, and it is a form of exercise that works the whole body, building deep muscle strength. I also love that it teaches one good posture and creates stability for the skeletal structure, particularly the spine.”