Your Teachers

Birgitte Hinge: Proud teacher of the Pilates method

My initial training in the fitness industry was as a Personal trainer, I was very fortunate through international conventions to be introduced to the wonderful world of Pilates, I found huge benefits from Pilates to my body, being a mad keen cyclist (road and mountain) and a very active person, I put my body under a lot of pressure and exposed it to muscle imbalances (hence the name) injuries and postural issues. Pilates keeps me on by bike and every day I feel the benefits of the method. I have been teaching Pilates and personal training since 2003 and have witnessed its benefits. I believe that teachers must be well trained and complete continuous professional training to keep them current.

Qualifications:

  • Diploma in Sports Studies through Otago University
  • Certificate in Pilates Institute (UK)
  • Peak Pilates System Professional Certificate (Peak Pilates Institute USA)
  • Certificate in Personal Training/ Certificate in Pilates (Netfit NZ)
Sarah Stanley

Sarah Stanley

My interest in teaching Pilates came from being involved in team sports as a player, coach and captain. After a lifetime of active sports (mostly hockey) and the necessary fitness training required to stay on top, I became increasingly aware of the potentially negative impacts of sport on the body. Taking up Pilates seemed an obvious choice to me as a mode of exercise that can be physically demanding, yet therapeutic at the same time. After neck surgery, following a hockey injury I found Pilates a great help in rebuilding my strength, and I truly believe that Pilates can benefit people from all walks of life. When I moved to New Zealand in 2003, Birgitte inspired me to take up teaching and share my passion for this amazingly effective form of exercise.

Qualifications:

  • Peak Pilates System Professional Certificate (Peak Pilates Institute USA)
  • Post Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education (Oxford University)
  • Diploma in Anatomy, Physiology and Massage (I Tech UK)
Jan

Jan Osborne

I have been practising Pilates for over 8 years and was a client of In balance Pilates. Inspired by Birgitte and wanting to share my personal experience of what Pilates has done for my mind and body prompted me in 2010 to begin Classical Pilates training through Netfit in Auckland. I am now very fortunate to be a teacher at In balance and teaching some of the clients that I first met as a client myself. I now hope to share my passion for Pilates with others and inspire them on their own Pilates journey.

  • Certificate in Pilates (Netfit NZ)
Sarah Ross

Sarah Ross

My involvement in Pilates began as a result of lower back and neck injuries and a family move to the US. Unable to find a form of healthcare equivalent to that which I had in Auckland, I turned to Pilates in the hope of strengthening my core and alleviating the pain. Regular practise of Pilates did just this.
A lifetime love of sport and exercise, and years spent teaching both in and out of the classroom, makes teaching Pilates seem a very natural progression. I love what Pilates does for our clients – especially on the days when getting to the studio has been hard for them.

  • B Sc ( University of Canterbury)
  • Diploma of Teaching – Secondary ( Christchurch)
  • Certificate in Pilates (Netfit NZ)