Brief Back Story
Movement has been a part of Raffaellas life since the age of 3. She started ballet lessons in Nelson New Zealand and went on to compete and perform at high level in various other dance styles around Australasia in her high school years.
Before moving to Melbourne Australia to chase her dream in dance, at age 17 she was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia. This journey has lead to a deep understanding of how the mind and body are interconnected and regulated by the nervous sytem. Years of chronic pain as a professional athlete in her own body sparked a passion to help others in their bodies. Not just to feel stronger and more mobile, but she brings a depth of knowledge and understanding to movement, anatomy and performace that is very unique.
During Raffaella’s time in Melbourne alongside her career in dance, she was fortunate enough to work closely alongside a highly trained group of allied health professionals whilst completing her studies in pilates in 2018. In a prestigious sports physio clinic in the heart of the city that focuses on functional movement and the specifics of biomechanics, it was there that she really began to understand the benefits of pilates and its importance to the human body from an anatomical level.
Raff brought her extensive knowledge of reformer and clinical pilates with her upon her return to Nelson in 2022. In her studio she now also incorporates a technique adressing deep fascia release which detoxifies the body. There have been some incredible life-changing results and testimonies Raff has witnessed working alongside her clients in her intimate sessions, especially those with scar tissue, sinus/headache relief, nerve pain, chronic injuries and/or niggles to name a few.
She hopes to educate and inspire you to start moving the body you have been blessed with, no matter the limitation.
3 Key Benefits of Pilates.
01: Increased strength, muscle tone, mobility and flexibility -
Pilates creates length, space, and balance within the body working from the inside out. You will feel muscles activated you never knew you had, as well as a new sense of mobility and freedom in your body.
02: Mind and body control -
Pilates exercises require a great level of body awareness coordination and balance. It is a great stress relief as we take the time to slow down and bring awareness into the body through breath and low-impact movement.
03: Stabilisation of the spine and pelvis -
ITS ALL ABOUT THAT CORE. Pilates works to establish and hold alignment in the spine and pelvis during movement to ensure correct muscle activation. With this comes an urgency to properly understand the function of your core. This will help with any rehabilitation purposes and posture correction.