Lani chatting with a client in The Pilates Jeanie studio lounge

About Us

Meet the Team

Lani

Studio Owner · Exercise Scientist · Balanced Body Educator · Pilates Instructor

Lani is an energetic and passionate Pilates Instructor and Balanced Body Pilates Educator, dedicated to helping people heal and transform their mind, body and life through movement.

When Lani found Pilates in her late teens, she fell in love. Determined to heal herself through its intelligent and rehabilitative nature, she began Pilates teacher training in 2001.

After teaching mat Pilates for many years, in Australia and abroad, Lani decided to further her education. She began her Pilates Diploma with APMA in 2015. The increased focus on anatomy and biomechanics brought a sparkle to her eye, she wanted even more. Lani graduated with a Bachelor of Exercise Science from Wollongong University in 2018.

Lani has a real knack for training students and was destined to become an educator in her field. In 2019 she became a Balanced Body Pilates Master Trainer, determined to pass on her knowledge and upkeep the high quality of intelligent instructors that the Pilates industry needs.

Lani uses the Pilates Method to connect mind and body on a deeper level, creating awareness and control that unleashes clients power within. Although she is the Jeanie, Pilates with Lani is much more than just Pilates; it's a fusion of Pilates, Yoga, martial arts, functional training, gymnastics, mindfulness and is always loads of fun! Lani's sessions leave her clients feeling energised, confident, strong, sexy and empowered.

When Lani is not teaching or planning and creating classes, she is out adventuring in nature, gardening, making jewellery or lounging with a good book.

Lani is an energising and inspiring woman with a huge heart, not to mention her sense of humour, warmth, and passion for sharing her gifts, time with Lani is always time well spent!

BA Exercise Science (UOW)
Balanced Body Pilates Master Trainer
Diploma of Pilates (APMA)
Cert IV Fitness - Personal Training (TAFE NSW)

Clare

Pilates Instructor

Clare's Pilates journey began many years ago, with her first Pilates Mat class at a dedicated studio. From her first class to now, Clare has grown to understand the rehabilitative benefits of Pilates as she gained relief from many different injuries.

It was after the birth of her second child, an experience that put her life in the balance, that she embraced it as a holistic practice for nourishing mind and body. Pilates played a vital role in her eighteen-month journey to recovery. A journey that was not only restorative, but transformative. It imbibed in Clare a renewed zest for life and a drive to help others through the restorative practice of Pilates.

Clare's experience provides a unique perspective and compassion for women who have experienced complicated births and birth trauma. Pilates was part of her healing journey and it is this healing that she wishes to share with others.

With the driven determination to be a positive, strong and inspiring role model for her daughters, Clare sought a career change. Moving from a corporate world of insurance claims she became a certified practitioner of Pilates Mat. Clare then went on to do her Diploma of Studio & Rehabilitation Pilates Instruction.

Clare has studied meditation and mindfulness, integrating the benefits of a holistic approach into her practice. This inspired her to create a Pilates for Better Sleep class. Clare continues to look for ways to calm, restore, heal and invigorate mind, body and soul.

Polestar Diploma Studio & Rehabilitation Pilates Instruction
Polestar Certified Practitioner of Pilates Mat
Polestar Certified Course in Pregnancy & Postnatal Pilates
Mindfulness & Meditation, Self Love & Self Acceptance

Jorja

Occupational Therapist · Pilates Instructor

Jorja is a bright, bubbly and enthusiastic person with a warm heart. She has always been interested in the human body, movement, injury rehab and helping others work to be the best version of themselves.

Jorja started her Pilates journey during her late teens, looking to find better self awareness, strength and mobility. As an ex-dancer, she knew the mobility and strength she once had was now lacking.

Jorja found Lani and immediately fell in love with Pilates. Every week she felt stronger, more confident, was achieving new skills and having so much fun.

Whilst finishing her Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science the opportunity to complete a comprehensive Pilates course was made available through Lani at The Pilates Jeanie, and Jorja jumped at the opportunity.

Jorja loves working with a wide range of clients, each with their own unique goals and intricacies. She lives for the moments her clients progress through to harder exercises, complete a task without any annoying niggles or pains once had, or fall in love with Pilates the way she did.

When Jorja isn't teaching or completing Uni study, she is reading books next to her doggos, spending time with her partner, at the gym or planning her next exciting travel location!

Her passion for movement, extensive knowledge of the human body and her beautiful personality is what everyone loves most!

Comprehensive Pilates Instructor - Balanced Body 2024
Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science - UTS 2023
Cert in Sports Nutrition - SNA 2023
Masters of Occupational Therapy - USYD

Sophie

Yoga Instructor · Breathwork Facilitator · Pilates Student

Sophie's love of movement began with a career spanning more than 20 years as a professional belly dancer. While performing and teaching gave her an appreciation for strength, grace and body awareness, it was yoga that deepened her understanding of the connection between movement, breath and overall physical and mental wellbeing.

Today, Sophie combines dance, yoga, breathwork and meditation to help people move with greater ease, confidence and awareness. She believes movement should feel empowering rather than intimidating, and loves creating a welcoming space where everybody feels supported, regardless of their experience or ability.

Currently completing her Balanced Body Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training, Sophie is passionate about intelligent movement and helping clients build strength, mobility and resilience that carries into everyday life.

When she's not teaching, you'll usually find Sophie hosting wellness retreats in the Hawkesbury and abroad, exploring nature, dancing in the kitchen or basking in the sunshine with her family.

Balanced Body Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training (currently studying)
Yoga Teacher Training Levels 1 & 2 (500+ hours)
Yin Yoga Teacher Training
Tantric Yin & Somatic Meditation Teacher Training
Breathwork Facilitation Certification
Sound Healing Level 1
Belly Dance Teacher
Meditation Facilitation - Nature Care College
Energetic Healing - Nature Care College

The Pilates Jeanie studio storefront in Richmond, NSW

Our Story

The Pilates Jeanie began in the wake of COVID with a car full of small Pilates apparatus and a passion for helping people move better.

After leaving her full-time role at a large studio in Wollongong, the world shut down, so Lani moved home to the Hawkesbury and chose farm life over city life. But while you could take Lani away from people, you couldn't stop her teaching Pilates.

So she packed her car and travelled from house to house, taking Pilates to people in their homes.

Not long after, Lani bought her first piece of Pilates equipment and began teaching from a small space she rented on her parents' property in Blaxlands Ridge. One piece of equipment quickly became another, then another, and The Pilates Jeanie began to grow very naturally.

Eventually, the business outgrew that little space. Lani gutted an old house in North Richmond and turned it into the next studio. As the business continued to grow, so did the team. She brought Balanced Body Teacher Training into the studio and began educating the next generation of Pilates instructors alongside working with clients.

A few years later, The Pilates Jeanie outgrew itself again.

Lani took another huge leap and moved the business into the incredible Richmond studio The Pilates Jeanie is lucky enough to call home today - a space that has allowed the business to expand alongside the dreams she has for it.

Through every version of The Pilates Jeanie, her goal has never changed: to help more people move better, understand their bodies and feel confident in what they're capable of.

Being in the heart of Richmond has given The Pilates Jeanie the opportunity to reach more of the community, expand what it offers and build an incredible team around the same standard of movement education and care.

In an industry with very little regulation, maintaining that standard as the business has grown has been incredibly important to Lani. She is proud that The Pilates Jeanie has been able to grow without losing sight of what made it special in the first place and hopes the studio can continue to play its part in raising the standard of Pilates and movement education within the industry.

From a car full of Pilates props to the studio and team you see today, it's been quite the journey - and the growth is still young.

Welcome to The Pilates Jeanie. We hope you'll become a part of the next chapter of our story.

START HERE

Not sure where to begin? Let's find the right place for you.

Whether you're managing an injury, returning to movement or simply looking for the right class, give us a call. We'll have a quick chat about what you need and help you choose the best place to start.

Call us 0416 980 553