Teachers
Kate Burton
Studio owner and Pilates Instructor Kate Burton came to Pilates training through a career in dance, she holds a Fellowship in Modern Dance through the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA), a Diploma in Dance Exercise and studied, performed and taught Dance for 25 years. She started her Pilates training in early 2000 with the Peak Pilates method teaching for Sue Wilson at Bodypower Pilates Studio in Nelson and certified through New York’s PhysicalMind Institute in The Method® Pilates under Pilates Master Instructor trainer Tania Huddart of the Hearts and Bones studio in Wellington. Kate’s love of movement and movement flow, and the body mind connection and how it connects and heals the body informs her classes. Kate also enjoys spending time with all her family, living in Nelson and enjoying the great beauty of the area.
Dave Agnew
I came to Pilates from another body practise of Seido Karate. Training under Eiko Hanshi (8th Dan) Andy Barber for 30 years achieving the rank of Sensei (4th Dan), and taught for 15 years at the Nelson Dojo, travelling, training and competing nationally and internationally.
In 2014 I decided to try Pilates with Kate at Pilates Nelson to help with maintaining body mobility. Initially I found it slow and didn’t appreciate the subtleties that the principles imparted, but being patient, I came to relax into the practise and learned to embrace it as my body rehabilitated from past injuries. I started instructor training with Hearts and Bones (PMA) and deepened my understanding with daily study and practice, and I became an Instructor at the end of 2015.
As a person in my mid 60s I can understand how invaluable it is to keep core strength, joint mobility, and stabilisation for balance and being able to continue enjoying everyday activities that I love. My teaching philosophy is it’s not what we do on the mat, but how we take this into our daily life that matters, so we can take back what we all inherently have.
Elise Agnew
Elise Agnew has over 20 years of dance training and is a qualified dance teacher with IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association), and has taught dance for dance schools in Nelson and Auckland.
Elise teaches the Pilates Barre class on Wednesday mornings, helps run Beacon PBM light therapy and is currently focusing on Pilates training and working towards becoming a Pilates instructor.
