Helen Leahy

Founder and Director

A childhood spent studying ballet technique prepared Helen for the graceful stretching and body movement of Pilates. Her interest in Authentic Pilates began on a personal level while living in America. Helen became a fully certified Authentic Pilates Method instructor in 2006, after being inspired to complete the Pilates Instructor Apprenticeship in New York, under Master Teachers Romana Kryzanowska and Sari Mejia Santo. Since Helen established True Pilates in 2007, she’s become a sought after teacher, carving a strong reputation for her personalised sessions and her flawless technical skills.

Helen’s clients find it easy to relate to her charismatic personality. Helen will guide you through the classes with an enjoyable approach, while challenging you to get the most from the session.

Therese James

Therese’s journey to becoming a Pilates instructor stemmed from the noticeable benefit she herself gained from practicing the method. The complementary blend of precision and control required for each movement is what really appeals, as well as the ability to create great mental focus and physical strength within one discipline. 

Therese has Pilates and fitness qualifications from the Pilates International Training Centre (PITC) Australia, The Centre for Women’s Fitness USA, and The Australian Institute of Personal Trainers.  Therese is dedicated to continuing education and training. “I love to learn and challenge myself and with knowledge comes the power to give more back to my clients”.

Therese has a particular interest in Pilates for women’s health including its pre and post natal benefits and Pilates for the aging population.  Being a solid advocate that you can start your Pilates journey at any point in your life, Therese is constantly inspired by her clients reaching their Pilates’ goals.

Carla

During childhood, South African Carla embraced a style of dancing far from her own shores, with a flair for Latin American rhythms. During this time, she found Pilates to be hugely beneficial in honing her dance technique, strength and flexibility. She became a certified STOTT Pilates Instructor in 2012 and taught Pilates at a Physiotherapist focusing primarily on rehabilitation for six years. Then while raising her young children, she ran her own Pilates studio from home.

 Carla and her family now call New Zealand home and she joined True Pilates in March 2021. She is passionate about helping to rehabilitate those with injuries, and to train her clients’ bodies to be pain free in order to return to a good quality of life. Carla also places importance on correcting posture, building good body awareness and full body strength and is known for her compassion, patience and friendly nature. 

Rebecca Greenough

Rebecca’s journey into the health and wellness industry began when she was a child. Suffering from extreme migraines, Rebecca’s mother took her to see Osteopaths, Acupuncturists and Naturopaths to bring her back to full health.

In the 20 years that Rebecca has worked in the industry, she has followed both Eastern and Western medicine and philosophy, and is passionate about the human body and mind. Highly qualified, Rebecca has diplomas in remedial massage, aromatherapy, cranial sacral and myofascial release, Thai massage, basic Shiatsu, integrated body works, plus she’s a qualified Pilates' instructor.

Much of Rebecca’s work has been alongside Osteopaths, working as a massage therapist and exercise therapist in their practice.

Tamar Lazarus

Attracted to massage in order to understand preventive medicine and maintain wellbeing, Tamar holds a Diploma in Therapeutic and Remedial Massage from the Wellpark College of Natural Therapies.

Tamar believes in the far-reaching and ongoing positive effects of massage to help with injury prevention, mind and body relaxation and restoration. Focused on integrating the many methods of body work, Tamara uses neuromuscular techniques, acupressure, sports, mayo-fascial, reflexology and lymphatic drainage, amongst others, to assist the body in its natural self-repairing and restoring ability.

A keen sports enthusiast, Tamara has provided massages to competitors in the Auckland marathon, World Masters Games, the NZ Breakers and the Tall Ferns.

Mabel and Rocky

Close to Helen's side, you'll often find the unofficial studio receptionists and gentle welcoming committee rolled into two - Mabel and Rocky, two super chilled, friendly Boxers. Rocky is very shy, while Mabel is just a wee flirt. Most days, they are sleeping their days away on their comfy beds, while you're working your body and mind.