I'm a Mother, Wife and Pilates Lover.  

My journey began in 2007 when I was first introduced to Pilates by a physiotherapist due to suffering form stress induced neck and shoulder pain. After attending classes for many years my love for Pilates grew stronger due to the positive effect that it had on my mind and body.

I took up Pilates classes with Gayle Lazarus (BCP Trained, Cape Town). Little did I know this was the perfect preparation for my future career.

After studying Fashion Design, I began working in the clothing industry in 2004, working as a designer, business owner, merchandiser and buyer. In 2015, I realized my passion for fashion had come to an end and completed my training as a Body Control Pilates instructor. In 2016, I moved into Pilates as a full time Instructor, completing my exam in November 2016. 

During my training, I had the privilege of meeting Jacquie Sunley from Purple Pilates. Under her supervision, I began instructing while I completed my training. Jacquie is still a mentor in my life and I'm thankful that she continues to share her wealth of knowledge with me.

In November 2016, I began instructing at Integrated Consciousness Bodyworks (ICB) Studios in Greenside, Johannesburg, working with Studio Owner, Shannon Betts. Working with Shannon was  an amazing experience, as we both share a deep passion for Pilates.

In March 2017, I began instructing at Flex Pilates Sandton. Today, my Pilates journey has gone full circle as I am now Pilates Studio Owner of my pride and joy, COCO Pilates.

Learning is key as a Pilates instructor. I love the journey that I am on. I am meeting the most amazing people and believe that I am making a difference in their lives. The best way to serve their needs as their instructor is to continue growing my knowledge and staying up to date with latest Pilates developments. My vision is to work with clients on their individual needs and offer personalzsed attention, supporting clients in their holistic health journey.

I am passionate about adding value to people’s lives through Pilates.

You don’t have to live in pain or fear, there are many solutions to living a healthy life and I would like to guide you on this journey.

Thus far, I have completed the following Pilates courses and workshops:

BCP Mat Work

BCP Reformer

Basic CPR for Adults

Shoulder Girdle Workshop – Jacquie Sunley

Short Pole Workshop – Lindsay Mitchell

Fascial Lines and Movement – Mandy Williams and Mattie Holme

The Hip Joint and Psoas Major – Jacqui Sunley

Classical Mat – Sam Armstrong

Pilates and Hypnosis – Shaldon Fitzgerald

Pilates for Cancer – Jacquie Sunley

Integrated Consciousness – Eugene Botha

Low Pressure Fitness Intro – Shirley Boersse

THE METHOD - BODY CONTROL PILATES

Since 1996, Body Control Pilates has been at the forefront of the international growth in Pilates. We pioneered the development of group mat work Pilates by creating innovative training programmes for teachers that ensured that, for the first time since Joseph Pilates developed his method almost 90 years ago, almost everyone would have access to the benefits that Pilates offers.

Today, Body Control Pilates is widely seen as a benchmark for safe and effective teaching of the highest quality, with teachers working in more than 40 countries. It is Europe’s largest professional Pilates organisation with well over 1,400 teaching members and all of our certified teachers have, at a minimum, completed a comprehensive training course in Body Control Pilates mat work (Level 3).

They work to a Code of Practice governing teaching standards, professional ethics and continuing education. This ensures that teachers continue to build their own skills and knowledge on an ongoing basis.

I am BASI qualified Pilates Instructor. I believe in Mat Pilates as it took me on a whole other adventure in my career of Pilates. Reformer and Mat combined – well I hit the jackpot. It took most of my life to find, I can tell you it has changed my life completely. I have a bright future in Pilates, helping other’s and continuing to do the work to help myself.

I take absolute pride in all my efforts in life. This extends from teaching and nurturing newborn babies - 6 year olds at Montessori preschools to looking after children and teens of all ages in hospitals throughout my community service with CHOC. I am an absolutely devoted Pilates Instructor because I love making people feel good about themselves. I love re-creating, re-educating and re-connecting people and all elements of life.

As a child I was very sickly. I have asthma and I suffer from an autoimmune disease called Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia was not known well a few years ago, luckily, since I was diagnosed with it at the age of 12, it has become more recognized in the eyes of the medical world and is being treated as best as possible. It is such a debilitating disease to suffer from and with it comes so many more negative ‘side-effects’ along the way.

I can understand and relate to how difficult it feels and is to carry on everyday as if nothing were wrong,because I have been there, and I will always have this disease, yet I have luckily learned to manage it. It took years and it still affects me greatly! But it is more than manageable now, and I can live life everyday pain free! Because of these illnesses, I was forced to stop all my beautiful activities I did as a young child. I took absolute pride in being one of the best Ballerina’s in my class with distinctions, all my colours and ribbons on my skirt as an Irish/River Dancer, a gymnastic lover, and a young yet sophisticated Ballroom dancer.

Movement is in my soul and I’m thrilled to have it in my life again through pilates as a career. I have 3 children with 4 legs. I know, you should’ve seen my face when I found out! I love animals, to the moon, the stars, the sun, each grain of sand and all the way back again. I love the gift of life and I think we are so lucky to have it, so why not live it to the best of our capabilities! Helping others sets my soul alight, and I am just a positive, some say ‘full-of-beans’ kind of woman. I am very enthusiastic and positive to take you on your Pilates Journey.

I go by the name Evan Booysen. As him, I have worn different hats thus far in my career. Ranging from being a professional rugby player, to a qualified physiotherapist, to a comprehensively certified BASI Pilates instructor. I was a professional rugby player at the Blue Bulls Rugby Union for 3 years from 2016 – 2018. I qualified with distinction, as physiotherapist in 2020 at University of Pretoria. I also became a certified BASI Pilates Mat instructor in 2020 and continued my studies to become a certified as a BASI Pilates Comprehensive instructor in 2023. I have been physiotherapist for different sporting codes on a competitive University level including rugby, hockey, football, athletics, and tennis. I have a passion for providing physically intense classes that challenge first time Pilates clients to even the most advanced practitioners, also including anyone in between who is recovering from physical injury or surgery and wants to incorporate more mindful movement and strengthening in their days.

Thanks to my rich background in different avenues of life including sport and high-performance training, medical and anatomical knowledge of the human body, I have come to now marry those worlds through Pilates by applying what I have learnt in each area. My approach is to give you a Pilates session that you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally by integrating these worlds to teach this art form from my perspective, in a safe and effective manner.

I believe each person is unique and what is needed in a session, changes from person to person and from day to day. However, the hardware (physical body) we use to live out our lives on this planet spinning in the middle of space, stays the same for everyone with a few modifications here and there to make us all unique humans in body and psyche. My goal is to apply the principles of this artto what you and your body needs in each session. I am passionate about how this hardware not only functions, but what makes it thrive optimally in a healthy and sustainable way. The most beautiful part and what keeps me excited about doing this work is how each person is unique, so there is an endless variety of ways to apply the same sets of principles of this work. This means no session will ever be the same, yet you will still learn to see and celebrate your growth from session to session as we progress together.

Even though we each are so unique each in our own ways, we also share much, including a planet that we need to care for to sustain us and keep us alive. And also on a smaller scale, we have similar bodies that we have in common. These bodies connect us and make us a community of humans on this planet. For me, Pilates is a safe space in this world where that connection and community takes place, with others, but also most importantly with our own self and body. I look forward to seeing you there.

Fiona has been affiliated with Coco Pilates Studio almost since it first opened its doors. With over 13 years as a Physiotherapist and going on 9 years as a mat work and reformer Pilates teacher, Fiona still finds great passion in working with people. Whether it's to get them moving initially, help to support their health and movement journey or to give them a gentle nudge to challenge themselves, she enjoys each interaction.

Fiona qualified from Stellenbosch university in 2009 and has worked extensively locally and internationally in the UK in many areas of Physiotherapy and Pilates. She has been practicing Pilates for over 13 year herself and has personally seen the benefit from this form of exercise. She decided to train as a teacher while in the UK with the internationally recognised Body Control Pilates Association. She has a passion and special interest in working specifically in the areas of womans and pelvic health, persistent pain, older population and rehabilitation. Fiona works using a holistic framework and tailor makes each session to suit each client's uniqueness.

Fiona is constantly expanding her knowledge and skill-set by regularly working and collaborating with other movement and health professionals. She frequently attends training workshops, courses and every year the Body Control Pilates conference in London. Fiona also has a passion for mentoring and training others. She has been a member of the Body Control Pilates South Africa education team and has presented a number of workshops and educational talks, on many topics.

While her work is important to her, Fiona also believes balance is key. When not being a Physio or Pilates teacher, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Fiona loves being outdoors and loves trying new activities and hobbies, like archery and rock climbing. Travelling is also a must. Whether it's exploring our beautiful South Africa or experiencing other cultures overseas, Fiona soaks it all up. Kicking her feet up with a good book or movie also hits the spot.

I have always been a sporty individual, participating in school sports from grade 1 all the way through to Matric, however it was in University where I found myself feeling sluggish due to less movement and not playing as much sport. I started attending reformer Pilates classes in 2020 right before we went into lockdown and I was hooked! Unfortunately with gyms having to shut down during that time I had to resort to doing at-home workouts but continued with the Pilates exercises, finding modifications for the reformer movements to do at home. When restrictions started lifting I attended more in-person classes and truly fell in love and I knew I wanted to obtain my qualifications so that I could teach people and have them fall in love with the practice as much as I have.

Being a Pilates instructor is an extraordinary journey fueled by passion and purpose. As an instructor, the joy of guiding and empowering individuals on their path to physical and mental well-being is incomparable. Sharing the principles of Pilates and witnessing the transformative impact it has on people's lives brings me immense fulfillment. The gratification derived from witnessing progress, newfound strength, flexibility and enhanced mindfulness is immeasurable. Embracing the art of movement and inspiring others to embrace it too creates a ripple effect of positivity that extends beyond the studio. As a Pilates instructor, the passion for this practice drives me to continuously learn, grow, and evolve in order to provide the best guidance possible.

Born in South Korea, raised by the world.

Proud mom of two awesome boys, passionate yogini, cellist, painter, and currently on a mission to obtain full certification in STOTT Merrithew Pilates.

I dived into STOTT Pilates straight via Intensive Mat-Plus Instructor Course with Tracy Dawber in 2021. At that time, I was overconfident and ignorant believing that I’d forever be young, flexible and strong. Soon after, I had multiple fractures in my left ankle which resulted in 16 screws and 3 plates, 3 months of immobility, 6 months of rehab, and the whole year of depression. I couldn’t get operated due to covid positive test result for the first 3 weeks.

While pickled in painkillers and immobile in moonboot, Tracy carried me through Mat works twice a week over zoom, with all the modifications possible not to put any weight on my left foot, which not only resulted in strengthening my core and upper body to accommodate the abrupt disability in my lower extremities, but also uplifting my spirit and staying positive when it seemed impossible. We carried on with Mat works when the cast came off, and introduced Reformer, Cadillac, and Stability Chair exercises in my rehabilitation routine with a physiotherapist/STOTT Pilates Instructor.

It was a painful struggle, all at the same time, a mind-blowing discovery and thrilling journey. I totally fell in love with the effectiveness and the proven science of Pilates, it literally healed my broken body and mind in such a short period of time. By the end of 2022, I fully regained the strength and range of motion, and vigorously pursued my career in STOTT Pilates. I am honoured to be part of the team COCO Pilates, and so excited to share my learnings in STOTT Pilates with you!