Instructors
Our instructors at The Pilates Nook are highly experienced in Pilates as well as other modalities including; dance, sports massage, physiotherapy, osteoporosis, the menopause, chronic pain, working with athletes and breath-work. This extensive knowledge allows for individually tailored experiences which meets the goals of all our clients.
Paola Raffinetti
With nearly 25 years of experience, Paola is a comprehensively trained Pilates Instructor and Yoga teacher, an advanced FAMO Fascia Movement teacher and Educator, and a respected host for FAMO Fascia Training.
Paola’s motivation to truly understand what moves us, has shaped her life both personally and professionally. She has immersed herself in a wide range of modalities with her first love being dance which organically drew her to Pilates.
Paola believes, at the intersection of science, knowledge and movement, there exists the potential for profound self-healing and empowering somatic trust. Whilst Pilates is the cornerstone of her teaching, FAMO Fascia Movement’s innovative and science-based approach has deepened her understanding of human anatomy and the body-mind potential. With this knowledge and approach, Paola guides her clients to discovering postural ease and movement courage.
Paola’s diverse toolbox means she can tailor the session to your own body and needs, be it the subtleties of fascia work, the precision of contemporary Pilates, or a blend of both. Sessions with Paola are thoughtful, engaging and sprinkled with a bit of curiosity and humour. You will leave feeling more connected, more spacious and just a little bit more in love with how your body moves.
Paola is available on Tuesday mornings.
Polestar Trained
Emma Wilson
Emma discovered Pilates 13 years ago as a way to rebuild her core strength after the birth of her second child. What began as a personal journey soon revealed deeper benefits - improved strength, flexibility and coordination which inspired her to transition from corporate life to become a fully qualified instructor. In 2015, she earned her Studio certification in Professional Pilates through Polestar Pilates.
Emma brings an attentive, knowledgeable approach to her sessions. Her professional development has included certifications in; Pilates for Runners, Chronic Back Pain and Oov Fundamentals. Emma is experienced working with pre and post-natal clients and has recently begun to explore the power of breath-work, an area she is passionate about. She integrates breath awareness into her teaching, helping clients experience not only improved movement but also greater mind-body-breath awareness. Expect to really breathe in Emma’s classes!
Emma’s inclusive teaching style welcomes all levels of fitness. Her sessions are designed to empower clients to carry the mindfulness, alignment and strength they cultivate inside the studio, out into everyday life.
Emma is available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Fridays.
Tanja Kegel
Tanja is passionate about all things health-related!
As a regular student of jazz dance since a young age, she has always understood the importance of good posture and regular movement.
Tanja brings a personable and caring nature to her Pilates sessions. She believes that a strong body goes hand in hand with a strong mind and she excels at tailoring classes to individual needs, guiding her clients on their Pilates journey with a keen eye for detail cueing safe and corrective movement.
Tanja is available on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays.
Polestar Mentor in Training
Bev Carter
Bev Carter has dedicated the past 30 years to working with individuals as a Pilates instructor, personal trainer and life coach. Her fascination and curiosity about the mind-body connection have driven her passion for helping others achieve their wellness goals. Bev's journey in Pilates began in 2010 when she obtained her qualification with Polestar Pilates. Since then, she has been committed to continuous professional development to enhance her skills and broaden her experience.
With her extensive knowledge, Bev’s focus is on the impact of physical activity, sport and ageing on the body. Pilates has been instrumental in helping Bev cultivate strength, flexibility and inspiration and she is eager to share this understanding and inspiration with her clients. More about Bev...
Bev is available on Tuesday, Thursday evenings and Wednesday mornings.
Polestar Trained
Maya Munro
Maya is a movement practitioner who teaches ballet and contemporary dance alongside pilates. She completed her Studio qualification with Polestar Pilates in 2022 and her Advanced Diploma in Elite Performance with Sydney Dance Company’s Pre-Professional year in 2023.
Passionate about staying at the forefront of the latest techniques, Maya recently completed her Oov certification, a highly specialised tool used in Pilates. She is interested in end-stage rehabilitation, cervical pathologies and complementary cross-training for athletes.
Maya is available on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Polestar Trained
Lisa Burprich
Lisa’s love for Pilates started over a decade ago when she was diagnosed with a chronic back condition. Through regular practice her pain disappeared and she became hooked on regular practice.
Lisa completed her Pilates Mat course in 2017, followed by her Studio course with Polestar Pilates in 2023.
After experiencing first hand the power of Pilates to manage pain and discomfort, Lisa is passionate about helping others escape the pain cycle and feel confident and strong in their own bodies.
Lisa has trained, mentored and worked alongside Carrie and Shira at The Pilates Nook and continues her professional development, completing numerous movement courses including Yin Yoga and Oov Level 1.
Lisa is available on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons.
Polestar Mentor in Training
Sarah Weiner
With a background in dance, rhythmic gymnastics and cheerleading, movement has always been a significant part of Sarah’s life. Driven by her desire to encourage others to move and celebrate what their bodies can do, Sarah went on to complete her Barre teaching qualification (2016) with Barre Body and then, Pilates Mat (2021), Reformer (2022) and Studio Pilates (2024) with Polestar Pilates.
Sarah is committed to creating classes that are accessible to everyone with a strong focus on technique and fun!
Sarah is available on Monday and Tuesday mornings.
Kristina Grogan
With a passion for fostering wellness and movement, Kristina is a dedicated Pilates instructor with a wealth of experience in guiding individuals towards their fitness goals. Since 2021 she has been immersed in the world of Pilates, teaching both mixed ability group sessions and private sessions at a boutique Pilates studio in the UK. In 2023 Kristina's commitment to growth led her to relocate to Sydney where she recently joined our team.
Kristina has a particular affinity for small group and private Pilates sessions, as they allow her to forge meaningful connections with clients. By understanding unique bodies and fitness goals, Kristina develops specific sessions suited to individual needs.
Kristina is available Monday and Tuesday evenings.
Polestar Educator
Carrie Guest
Carrie is a qualified Pilates Instructor, Sports Massage Therapist and holds a BSc Hons Degree in Sports Science & Biology. After completing a Diploma of Sports Massage in 2005 she worked in London with sports clients, before emigrating to Sydney in 2007.
Carrie first began attending Pilates classes in London to improve her strength and reduce her risk of injury working in a busy massage practice. Her love of Pilates grew from the positive effect it had on her body and the increased efficiency she found with her massage work. Retiring from massage therapy in 2016 she continues to use her manual therapy skills in her Pilates sessions to improve outcomes for her clients.
Carrie completed her Diploma in Professional Pilates with Polestar Pilates in 2010. She believes in continued education and attends many courses to expand her knowledge in the world of health and wellness. Carrie has completed specialised courses in Pre/Post Natal, Osteoporosis - Buff Bones®, Craniosacral Therapy and Oov training.
Carrie loves to teach studio Pilates to private and duet clients with a focus on rehabilitation and sports performance but she also loves the energy of a group class! She brings her own unique personality and creativity to every session and has an eagle eye for technique and the subtleties of alignment.
Polestar Educator
Pamela Facundo
Pamela first experienced Pilates in 2004 whilst studying for her Physiotherapy degree in Brazil. She attended several Pilates workshops and her interest grew as she saw the many ways in which Pilates assists physical rehabilitation.
After being awarded her Bachelor’s Degree in 2007, Pamela completed a specialised therapy course in Orthopaedics and Traumatology and built her experience working in the rehabilitation space. Her passion for the human body had only just begun!
In 2008, Pamela moved to Australia and completed her Diploma in Fitness and Remedial Massage and worked as a massage therapist in Clovelly. Pamela also began her Polestar Pilates instructor training, completing her Professional Diploma in 2010.
Pamela’s combined skills in Pilates, physiotherapy and massage have given her a deep understanding of the human body. Pamela treats her clients holistically and she loves the way Pilates improves body awareness, posture, flexibility and strength. Pamela is committed to helping her clients achieve their goals, prevent injury and have better control of their bodies. She also has a strong interest in further education and continuing to provide the highest standards of client care in rehabilitation.
Pamela is available on Wednesday evenings and Friday mornings.
Polestar Senior Mentor
Shira Goldstein
Shira discovered Pilates after completing her degree in Sport and Exercise Science. She was looking to combine her knowledge and experience from years of studying and working in the fitness and health industry with her interest in functional movement, physical rehabilitation and her love of encouraging others towards a healthier path.
Shira completed her Diploma in Professional Pilates with Polestar Australia in 2013. Her passion led her to further her training and become an educational mentor for Polestar Pilates students. Shira has extensive knowledge in the application of Pilates for rehabilitation and has worked closely with physiotherapists and other health practitioners to optimise the client experience. Always seeking to expand her knowledge, Shira is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Science in Myotherapy.
Shira enjoys activities such as dance, soccer, yoga and of course PILATES! Shira is so grateful to have discovered Pilates for her own wellbeing as it has given her the knowledge and tools to correct imbalances and injuries brought on from years of sporting activities and bad habits. She also has a keen interest in women’s health and enjoys working with women during pregnancy and beyond. With 2 children of her own, Pilates helped Shira through the physical challenges of the pre and post natal journey.
Shira follows a holistic approach in her teaching and empowers clients to understand their own bodies and the changes needed to restore optimal biomechanical movement. She brings kind, calm and knowledgeable instruction to all her sessions, intuitively adapting to her clients’ needs.
Shira is available on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings.
Polestar Trained
Georgie Simpson
Georgie was introduced to Pilates in 2004 through her water polo training program. She immediately experienced the benefits of Pilates for injury rehabilitation and strength and conditioning. With a passion for movement and an active lifestyle, she went on to study a Bachelor of Sport Science while continuing her Pilates practice, gaining further insight into Pilates for elite athletes in Pretoria, South Africa. During this time, Georgie coached both swimming and netball teams and incorporated the Pilates principles into her team training sessions seeing much success and improved performance.
Georgie continued her education in 2015 completing a Thai Yoga bodywork certification in India and a Holistic Massage qualification in South Africa. In 2019, she formalised her Pilates instructor training certifying with Polestar Pilates and has loved teaching both studio privates and group classes in Australia ever since.
Georgie is a passionate and empathetic instructor who loves helping her clients find their joy in mindful movement. Tailoring sessions to the needs of her clients so that they may improve their mobility, strength, balance, coordination and the mind-body connection, Georgie loves that Pilates has something for everyone!
Georgie is currently on maternity leave.