Meet our Team
Courtney Smith Bio
I’m Courtney Smith, I own and run Power Pilates Studios along with a wonderful group of instructors.I believe that nutrition and supplementation is just as important as a focused exercise program and after assessing my client’s goals and fitness levels, I advise them on the best methods for them to achieve their goals and how to maintain them. Whether it be weight-loss, overall body toning, muscle building, enhanced sports performance or rehab specific exercises for problems like osteoporosis, arthritis etc.I started practicing Pilates in 2009 and teaching the STOTT Pilates method from January 2010. Over the years I’ve personally had back, knee and neck problems and was amazed how I had fully recovered after just one year of Pilates.I am very interested in the human body and how it functions and find no matter how experienced someone is, there is always something new to learn. I realised STOTT Pilates was the best choice for me as this method is a medically based Pilates discipline.We study the body in detail from the bones and joints to the muscles and learn how to adapt exercises for injuries and specific posture types.I am internationally qualified in Essential, Intermediate and Advanced Matwork as well as Essential and Intermediate Reformer. In 2012 I completed the Advanced Reformer Course and in 2014 completed the Injuries and Special Populations Course as well as various workshops and recently in 2016 I completed the Basi Standing Pilates workshop.
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Courtney Smith
Pilates Instructor
Michelle Emma McMahon Bio
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.
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Michelle McMahon
Pilates Instructor
Iryna Doubell Bio
I’m Iryna Doubell, Native of North Ukraine. I have been in South Africa for the last 8 years, 6 years in Johannesburg and the last 2 years in Durban. I started teaching Pilate’s at a Basi studio in Johannesburg where I fell in love with Pilates almost instantly thanks to my amazing mentor. I loved every second of her classes and I felt stronger than ever, I could feel my deeper muscles had worked and my body felt revitalised. Later I moved to Durban, where I am currently teaching at Powerpilates, my new home.
I love the fact that in one Pilate’s session the entire body is worked and one feels completely energised and balanced. I believe this method of exercise is perfect for everyone as it targets muscles that have been neglected or have been overdeveloped and tightened.
In 2014 I completed the 100 hours Pilates mat-work course and became certified by The Health and Fitness Professional Academy (HFPA) I have attended various workshops using the Pilates props.
Since then I decided to further my education with STOTT Pilates and completed the Intensive Reformer Course and exam. I believe there is always new information and techniques to be learned and my clients have inspired me to become a better teacher after seeing so many people struggling with back pain, diabetes, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, shoulder injuries to name a few, Later I completed the STOTT Pilates Injuries and special populations course as I wanted to find specific exercise programmes to improve my clients conditions.
I strive to provide a fun and safe environment to help my clients achieve their personal fitness goals and live a healthy and happy life.
“Empower your body, Inspire your life!”
I love the fact that in one Pilate’s session the entire body is worked and one feels completely energised and balanced. I believe this method of exercise is perfect for everyone as it targets muscles that have been neglected or have been overdeveloped and tightened.
In 2014 I completed the 100 hours Pilates mat-work course and became certified by The Health and Fitness Professional Academy (HFPA) I have attended various workshops using the Pilates props.
Since then I decided to further my education with STOTT Pilates and completed the Intensive Reformer Course and exam. I believe there is always new information and techniques to be learned and my clients have inspired me to become a better teacher after seeing so many people struggling with back pain, diabetes, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, shoulder injuries to name a few, Later I completed the STOTT Pilates Injuries and special populations course as I wanted to find specific exercise programmes to improve my clients conditions.
I strive to provide a fun and safe environment to help my clients achieve their personal fitness goals and live a healthy and happy life.
“Empower your body, Inspire your life!”
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Iryna Doubell
Pilates Instructor
Manager Westville
Annabelle Burgess Bio
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.”
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Annabelle Burgess
Pilates Instructor
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