About Centred Pilates - What Sets Us Apart
Centred Pilates is located in a boutique studio overlooking the Ferrymead Estuary. The outlook as well as the interior create a tranquil and comfortable environment to leave an often busy life for an hour of your day and give you space to focus internally. Let us help you get stronger, more flexible and better aligned all while learning about your body as well as about functional and biomechanically correct movement. The focus on your body will allow your brain to forget about your stressors and you will feel refreshed, energised and more physically balanced than before.
We are passionate about providing the highest quality in our services. Whether you are interested in private Pilates sessions, want to share the experience with a friend or partner in a semi-private Pilates class, or are interested in the variety of small mat, Reformer and Pilates studio group equipment classes. We are making sure that our class numbers won’t accede our ability to monitor your performance and the different levels of our classes allow us to set you up at the level adequate for your ability. Your body will be well supported and physically challenged to get the maximum benefit of each Pilates session.
Our instructors and therapists have undergone extensive training to be qualified Pilates instructors (usually 1.5 - 2 years of training) and have profound knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and functional movement. Ongoing professional development is a must to stay up to date.
Why Choose Centred Pilates
- Personalised focus on clients
- Specialists in movement and biomechanics
- Pilates Instructors with 2-year Pilates certification and/or physiotherapy training
- Small mat classes offered at various levels
- 4 person Reformer Pilates classes to maximise individual attention
What is Pilates and Who is it for?
In Pilates we encourage the body to work as a whole unit. The concentrated approach to movement is invigorating and refreshing for your body and mind. Your increased body-awareness will lead to more functional and biomechanically safer movement, creating efficiency that translates into your day to day life, show an improved performance in a variety of sports, prevent injuries, as well as effectively rehabilitate existing injuries.
We are providing the best training options for everyone interested in optimising their movement, posture, strength and flexibility. Experience how your performance and posture improves as you are getting better and better in your Pilates routine. Contra-indications to exercise for specific individuals, like pregnant or post-natal women, or individuals suffering from osteoporosis or other musculoskeletal diseases are observed.
One of the key aspects of Pilates is its adaptability to individuals’ needs and abilities. Whether you are recovering from injury, working in front of the computer for long hours or having a hard labouring job, are 18 or 75+ years of age, or are a professional athlete; Pilates has benefits for everybody.
We are here to show you how.
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Katrin Gravley - Centred Studios Owner & Pilates Instructor
I was born and raised in Germany until 2005 when I moved to New Zealand to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Sports and Exercise Science, specialising in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and sports nutrition. My first employment in this field with The Back Institute (TBI Health, Auckland), showed me the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach for clients dealing with injury. Setting up Centred Studios / Centred Pilates is my dream come true to creating a multidisciplinary studio to provide patient centred treatment at one location to make interaction between practitioners quicker and more efficient.
In my 18 years of experience I always preferred to treat clients holistically, meaning that I look at the whole body, the biomechanics, and its’ functionality, rather than focusing solely on the injury site. The Pilates method matched this approach and deepened my understanding, nourishing my curiosity for the body’s ability to avoid pain by adapting movement strategies, but also by it’s ability to heal and improve. I am passionate about passing my knowledge on to my clients, showing and letting them experience the many benefits Pilates can bring to our day to day life.
My approach with Pilates is to improve your strength, balance, posture and/or performance according to your individual needs; whether you spend long hours at a desk, recovering from pregnancy or injury, are a weekend warrior, or a competitive athlete. My goal is to get you fit and strong from the inside out for maximum life enjoyment through professionally-led Pilates classes or individualised clinical Pilates sessions and treatment plans. I will be guiding you towards realistic and achievable goals and if necessary incorporate other practitioners in the treatment plan to get the best treatment/training outcome in the best possible timeframe.
Qualifications- 2004 1st State Teaching Certificate in Sports and Exercise Science, (PE teacher) - Heinrich-Heine Universitaet, Dusseldorf, Germany
- 2006 PG Dip Sports and Exercise Science - Waikato Institute of Technology, Hamilton, NZ
- 2015 Pilates Rehabilitation Series - Polestar Pilates New Zealand
2004 1st State Teaching Certificate in Sports and Exercise Science, (PE teacher) - Heinrich-Heine Universitaet, Dusseldorf, Germany
Stephanie M Friel - Experienced Pilates Instructor
I started practicing Pilates about 20 years ago. After multiple sports injuries and the long and gruelling hours of hospitality, I knew that Pilates practice would optimise my rehabilitation and preserve my mobility.
Having come back to NZ in 2020 after owning a bar and restaurants in San Francisco, USA, I decided to pursue my love of Pilates. Coupled with my life-long interest in all things health and nutrition, (I have a diploma in Cardio-pulmonary technology, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology, specialising in Microbiology), I felt I could merge the two modalities and become a Pilates Instructor and Health mentor. Having a keen interest in Menopause, and the realisation that information is scarce and the topic is still taboo, my passion has grown about the subject.
The key component to a healthy and active old age (women may spend a third of their life in active Menopause) is to become mobile and gain strength. Pilates provides both these components, plus with five pieces of equipment, it is always interesting and challenging. I have completed the Polestar Comprehensive course and am studying for exam certification in November 2024.
Outside of Pilates, my life is busy with four rescue dogs to walk. Both my daughters live overseas so travel is always on my mind and I have re-found the travel bug I had in my teens!! I love politics and love to talk about it, and actively try to do my bit for Mother Earth!
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Qualifications:
- 1980 Dip cardio-pulm tech - University of Auckland, NZ
- 1999 BSc Biology - San Francisco State University, USA
- in November 2024: Exam for Comprehensive Pilates - Polestar Pilates, New Zealand