IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
Working together, we can transform your body. We are a team of highly committed and experienced Classical Pilates instructors delivering the highest standards of results-oriented, compassionate care to our clients. Choosing the right instructor with a keen eye for detail and the right training background is critical and can make or break how effective your sessions are.
Our instructors have completed extensive training with the highest education, 850 hrs + on mat and all apparatus, have enrolled in continuing education courses and have an extensive understanding of musculoskeletal rehabilitation. This includes practical, hands on teaching, observing, practicing and learning for 1-2 years before graduating and completing exams on biomechanics, posture, spinal injuries, anatomy and movement. It’s all in the small details - this is what will make an extraordinary instructor stand out from an average instructor.
EILEEN RYAN
Pilates Instructor
Eileen has dedicated the past decade to the practice of Pilates and completed a 950 hour Classical training on mat and all apparatus in Vancouver, BC with Noam Gagnon at Beyond Pilates. Her journey into Pilates began as a response to the physical strain of driving forty hours per week as a city bus driver, which led her to seek a rehabilitative and sustainable practice. Through unwavering consistency and dedication, she has achieved a remarkable transformation, harnessing the techniques pioneered by Joseph Pilates to enhance her physical well-being.
Her commitment to Pilates has rehabilitated her body and in her spare time, she also enjoys salsa dancing, weightlifting, hiking and biking. Eileen's approach is grounded in her belief in the transformative power of the classical Pilates system, and she is passionate about guiding others to discover their own path within this practice.
Eileen is proficient in and enjoys teaching the comprehensive order of exercises across the mat, Reformer, Wunda Chair, and Cadillac. She is adept at tailoring her instruction to meet each individual's unique needs and is skilled in fostering independence in her clients’ practice. Whether you are seeking rehabilitation or conditioning for a specific sport, Eileen is dedicated to exploring how the classical Pilates system can be tailored to help you achieve your goals.
NATALIE AVONTUUR
Pilates Instructor
Natalie is a strong instructor deeply versed in classical Pilates, proficient across both mat and apparatus, where she excels in guiding clients towards enhanced strength, confidence, and a profound mind-body connection through meticulous corrective movements. Her journey into the traditional Pilates method began under the tutelage of Brita, a pivotal experience that sparked her dedication to the discipline.
Sessions under Natalie's guidance are characterized by a blend of kindness, compassion, rigorous challenge, and precise instruction. Her specialized expertise extends to supporting clients navigating complex health challenges such as cancer recovery, rehabilitation from injuries, managing anxiety, and addressing trauma. She particularly thrives in assisting individuals dealing with issues and injuries affecting the lower back, knees, and hips, employing her comprehensive knowledge to tailor exercises that promote healing and functional improvement.
Natalie's approach is distinguished by her commitment to fostering holistic wellness through the principles of classical Pilates, empowering her clients to achieve not only physical resilience but also mental and emotional well-being. Her dedication to the art and science of Pilates shines through in her ability to craft personalized programs that nurture individual growth and vitality.
ANH PHAN
Pilates Instructor
Anh arrived in Vancouver, Canada in 2016, armed with a Bachelor's degree in Arts and a Master's degree in Public Health. Her journey into Pilates was sparked by a debilitating repetitive strain injury stemming from computer-related shoulder pain. Amazed by the transformative healing abilities of classical Pilates, Anh dedicated herself to mastering its techniques. She started training Classically with Brita and then pursued her Pilates certification from the rigorous Classical Pilates Teacher Training Program at Boditree Pilates & Healing in Vancouver, BC.
Driven by a profound passion for facilitating life-changing transformations in her clients' physical well-being, Anh brings a blend of intellect and empathy to her teaching approach. Known for her calm demeanor, unwavering support, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to infuse sessions with an enjoyable atmosphere, Anh empowers individuals to achieve strength and vitality through Pilates.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Anh finds joy in spending time with friends, indulging in literature, honing her baking skills, exploring artistic expressions through drawing, and deepening her knowledge of Pilates and nutrition. Anh is both fluent in both English and Vietnamese
SUSANA PONCE
Pilates instructor
Susana is a certified Pilates Instructor through the PhysicalMind Institute Canada. Her Pilates journey began over 6 years ago and she has been mentored by teachers with Boulder and Stott Certifications.
Susana found healing and mobility in her own body after choosing Pilates as a means of rehabilitation after a surgery. A few years later, she was involved in a car accident that left her with long term neck and back pain. Pilates has helped her manage her pain and facilitate mobility again. She also found Pilates helpful during her pregnancy, assisting her in finding deep inner connection during her labour, and in her postnatal Pelvic Floor recovery. Her focus is on helping clients recovering from breast surgeries such as Mastectomies, Pre/Postnatal, and neck pain.
Susana believes in the Mind-Body connection and that movement is medicine. Through movement, you can align all aspects of your life, both physically and mentallly. She meets each client with compassion and encourages them to find a deeper connection within their own body. Susana hopes to foster an environment where client’s feel comfortable to explore movement with a sense of curiosity and appreciation for where they are that day.
HEATHER BAINS
Pilates instructor
Heather is a Certified Pilates instructor from PhysicalMind Institute Canada. She began her movement journey from a young age, where she played and competed in every sport she could, but always with her primary focus on dance. She began practicing Pilates in 2015, where she discovered Pilates’ rehabilitative healing powers after she had been dealing with pain from a car accident years prior. Pilates was the only thing that helped long term and taught her a deeper understanding of her body.
After going through her second major car accident last year, she found herself healing through Pilates again. Heather believes in the power of connecting deeper within our bodies and expanding further into our mind body connection to truly heal from within. Through movement and breathe, Heather believes our bodies can transform from pain and trauma. She finds inspiration in helping her clients discover their bodies depth and proper alignment. Heather aims to help challenge her clients’ strength, mobility, flexibility and lengthen their spines to even grow a little taller!
BRITA UNGER
Studio Owner
Brita has 12 years of experience in the Pilates industry and opened Align Pilates in 2021. Her expertise centers on correcting misalignment, fostering optimal muscular patterns, and enhancing overall strength to achieve balanced physical development. She holds a Classical Pilates certification from the prestigious 950-hour Boulder Pilates program and continually advances her knowledge through specialized training in conditions such as MS, Parkinson’s, stroke recovery, hip and knee replacements, arthritis, frozen shoulder, spinal disorders, pelvic floor health, active assisted stretching, and office ergonomics, accredited by Cornell University. Recently, she completed Trauma Informed Training accredited by UBC and the Canadian Psychology Association. Outside of the studio, she has worked with actors from TV show Suits, Alert - missing persons unit and taught on set for 50 shades of grey while filming in Vancouver, BC.
Brita's introduction to Pilates occurred during a retreat in Sayulita, Mexico, guided by celebrity trainer Alisa Wyatt of Pilatesology.com. This experience prompted her transition from a sales career in Ergonomic to pursue Classical Pilates.
Raised as an equestrian jumper and gymnast, Brita faced persistent challenges including shooting nerve pain and pelvic misalignment exacerbated by overstretching, improper alignment and hypermobility. Pilates emerged as the sole solution to alleviate her chronic discomfort.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Brita enjoys outdoor activities such as running, hiking, painting, practicing yoga, and exploring the North Shore trails with her dog, Koda. She is an avid enthusiast of snowboarding and exploring British Columbia’s majestic mountains.
Info@alignpilateswest.ca