Meet the Instructors that will carry you through your fitness journey.
Join one of our Pilates classes and you’ll enjoy working with a passionate instructor who knows how to get the best results for all fitness levels and abilities. We are proud to offer highly trained Pilates Instructors with varied backgrounds in physiotherapy, exercise physiology, rehabilitation, injury prevention, special populations, group exercise, yoga or dance.
Fanny Peters
Senior Pilates Instructor
(Matwork, Barre,
Suspension and Reformer)
Rehabilitation coach
Training:
2010 - Master in Biotechnology, France
2016 - Breathe Education - Certificate IV in Pilates, Melbourne, Australia
2017 - Pregnancy Pilates, Perth, Australia
2018 - Rehabilitation course, Melbourne, Australia
2022 - The Barre method Instructor course, The Method, Auckland
2022 - Suspension Instructor course, The Method, Auckland
Her story: Born in France, Fanny spent 7 years in Western Australia as a Research Scientist in Infectious Diseases before relocating to Tauranga in 2018 where she enjoys family time with her husband and 2 children.
Passion: Pottery, Pilates, French food
Claire Waretini-Thomas
Pilates Instructor
(Reformer)
Barre
Training:
2009 – Bachelor of Nursing, Auckland University.
2022 – Dynamic Reformer Instructors course, Reform, Mount Maunganui.
2022 - The Barre Method Instructors course, The Method, Auckland.
2022 - Mentoring at Encore Pilates.
Her story: Claire returned to her hometown of Mount Maunganui after qualifying as a Registered Nurse and time spent living abroad in Japan. She has danced from a young age and found a love for Pilates after returning to exercise post having her three young children.
Passion: Dance, Pilates, family adventures
Laura Macdonald
(Reformer and Matwork)
Physiotherapist
Training:
2007 Graduated Otago University as Physiotherapist
2013 Clinical Pilates DMA Level 1 and 2, Sydney
2014 APPI Equipment Level 1, 2, 3, 4 , Sydney
2015 Clinical Pilates Practitioner Exam Qualification, Sydney
Her story: Laura worked in Wellington, before deciding to travel the world. Not quite ready to head back to NZ Laura worked for several years in Sydney. Since arriving in the beautiful Mount Maunganui Laura has returned to Australia several times for professional development.
Passion: Running, and playing with my cute little 1 year old Frankie!
Shelley McGregor
(Reformer, Barre and Matwork)
Yoga 500 Hour teacher (Hatha)
Rehabilitation coach
Training:
2008 Certificate Yoga Teacher Training 200hrs - Ashram Yoga
2008 Certificate Natal Yoga Teacher Training - Ashram Yoga
2009 Certificated Infant Massage Instructor - International Association of Infant Massage
2010 Pilates Mat Instructor - STOTT Pilates
2010 Pregnancy/Post Natal Pilates Instructor - STOTT Pilates
2014 Total Barre Instructor - STOTT Pilates
2014 Certificate, Dealing with Injuries and Special Populations – STOTT Pilates
Her story: Shelley moved to beautiful Mt Maunganui in 2018 – and hasn't looked back! Previously, she had her own Pilates and Yoga studio in Auckland and has run various businesses with her husband. In her spare time, her two teenage children keep her on her toes!
Passion: Spending time with family and friends, exploring the beautiful BOP and hanging out on the beach!
Ian Culpan
(Reformer, Suspension and Matwork)
Rehabilitation Coach
Training:
2012 - Studio Pilates trained: Core Foundation and Optimal mobility
2014 - TRX Suspension training Certified
2019 - Myofascial Release Therapy: Fundamentals, Advance Upper Body
2020 - Myofascial Release Therapy: Advance Lower Body
His story: Ian was born in Zimbabwe. Brought up in South Africa, he moved to New Zealand in September 2017.
Passion: Enjoy surfing, swimming, general fitness.
Susan Boyle
(Reformer)
Training:
2020 - Intensive STOTT Reformer course
- Injuries and Special Populations STOTT training
2024 - Advanced STOTT Reformer course
Her story: Susan's background is in Psychology and she worked in Corporate Human Resources for 25 years before training as a Pilates Instructor. To counter thousands of kilometres of road running, Susan also practised Reformer Pilates for many years.
Passion: Marathon running, Pilates and the NZ outdoors.
Gemma Thornton
(Reformer)
Massage Therapist
Training:
2023 - Dynamic Reformer Instructors course, Reform, Mount Maunganui
2022 - Wellness and Relaxation Massage Diploma
2020 - Sport Science and Human Performance Degree
Her story: Born and raised in Cambridge, Gemma bit the bullet and moved over to Mount Maunganui just over 2 months ago. Gemma’s not only working at Encore Pilates but she’s also a Strength and Conditioning coach for gymnastics teams, works in the AWA and Falls programme at Body in Motion - she’s pretty interested in helping others!
Passion: Pilates, dance, walks, spending time with family and friends and of course, helping others!
Cassie Whale
(Reformer)
Training:
2023 – Dynamic Reformer pilates instructor course
2018 – Bachelor Degree in Paramedicine (Health Science)
Her story: Born and raised in New Zealand, have volunteered and been an employee as an Ambulance Officer (with several other internal roles teaching, auditing, mentoring, healthline consults) for St John Tauranga for 15 years graduating as a Paramedic in 2018.
Passion: Pilates, helping people, fishing, skateboarding, paddleboarding, music and spending time with partner and family.
Arnel Gaviola
Reformer, Matwork, Clinical
Training:
His story: Born and raised in Cebu, Philippines. Bachelors degree of advertising arts.
Passions: Van life, Swimming, Pilates & double chocolate chip muffin.
Nickee Stephenson
(Reformer, Matwork)
Yoga Instructor
Training:
Her story:Born in the Manawatū, Nickee moved to Mauoa in 2020. She is passionate about combining movement with breath, and helping individuals tune into the intelligence of their own bodies.
Passion: Enjoys the outdoors - surfing, movement and she is currently hiking her way through all of New Zealand's 11 Great Walks!
Sophie Campbell
(Reformer, Matwork, Barre)
Training:
2023 - Barre Body- Reformer, Mat and Barre Certification
2023 - Barre Body- Pre and Postnatal Certification
Her story: Born and raised in Hamilton, Sophie has recently moved over to the Mount to start her new chapter. After many years of delving into the health and fitness world, Sophie found her love for Pilates. After being a Pilates student for around 2 years, she decided to follow her passion and study to become a qualified Reformer, Mat and Barre instructor through the Barre Body method.
Passion: Pilates, health and wellbeing, the outdoors, spending time with family, friends and my dog George.
Rona Philpot
(Reformer)
Training:
Her story: All around kiwi kid, excelling in both team and individual sports, maintaining a keen interest in sport and fitness throughout the years. Pilates was a natural progression to maintain a level of strength, flexibility and wellbeing for a body which has had a hammering over the years.
Passion: Seeing & experiencing new places at home and abroad
Great food and wine