Pilates teacher Kate DeMaere is ready to take fitness and pilates to a whole new level.

Using a rare exercise machine with a space age name - the Gyrotonic – Kate makes exercising look like a flowing dance. It’s a workout that doesn’t seem like a workout, using the core and resetting the spine.

“Using the Gyrotonic looks like a mix of pilates and yoga,” Kate said. “And there’s no one else in Lismore with one.”

Working from her new home studio in East Lismore, Kate is offering one on one sessions of pilates and Gyrotonic to clients. Part of the session will be to use the Gyrotonic – but there’s other pilates equipment too that will help build core strength and spinal flexibility.

“Once people try it, they love it,” Kate said.

Like swimming

“It’s also like swimming and some of the movements are named after things you might recognize.

“There’s the cat and the arch n curl for your spine; the dolphin works your legs, back, feet and stomach and channels the energy through your body

“It was originally developed for dancers – but now it’s an exercise for everybody.

“People use it for rehabilitation or just for general health.

“I get a lot of women coming in to have some ME time and focus on themselves once a week.

New face in town

Kate is a new face in Lismore and moved here with her same-sex partner and children last year.

“We are a rainbow family,” Kate said. “My partner is a GP at Lismore Clinic and we both work in the health industry – so keeping Covid-safe is important to us.

“I taught pilates in Sydney before we moved to the Northern Rivers.

Dream studio

“It’s been my dream to open my own studio for years, so it’s so exciting to be opening it in Lismore.

“My first client contacted me because she didn’t want her exercise to impact on her vulnerable family members.

“Here, I offer private lessons and follow Covid protocols, clean between clients and wear a mask.”

Kate’s new business is called Saha Wellness – saha means ‘health’ in Lebanese.

“It’s a greeting too – and I thought it was lovely and wanted to use for my business.”

Try it out

Kate said she is offering an introduction class at a discounted rate of $35 for the first class.

“If people book in, I work with them to develop a program. We start with a consultation and look at posture, injuries, goals and aims,” she said.’

“I worked with my partner through her pregnancy – and I like working with women post natal too.

“I also love working with the ageing population. It’s a great exercise that good if you have injuries – and will help with fall prevention as you develop a sense of where your body is.”

To find out more about Kate’s classes, visit the Saha Facebook site https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076257336416