Our Certified Reformer Pilates Instructors
Be a part of our tribe and build strength through community. Every trainer at Grind knows your name, your form, and exactly how hard to push you.
Director & Trainer
Shahnae's love for movement began at the young age of 7 when she started dancing at MDX Performing Arts in Williamstown. She continued her passion by pursuing a full-time performing arts course at Patrick Studios Australia, before performing professionally as a showgirl in Viva Las Vegas Spectacular and The Ultimate Vegas Show at Crown Casino.
In 2013, Shahnae discovered her love for Pilates and never looked back. She completed her Certificate 3 & 4 in dance, Certificate 4 in mat work and reformer Pilates with Breathe Education, and went on to obtain her Diploma in Clinical Pilates with the same institution.
In Shahnae's classes, expect to be challenged in a tough but nurturing way — breaking a sweat and grooving to some funky tunes.
Director & Trainer
Denielle is the co-founder of Grind Pilates Co alongside her daughter Shahnae. With a background spanning various Government and private business sectors in administration and management — including two businesses of her own — Denielle brings her expertise and love for Pilates together in a way that makes Grind truly special.
Denielle has always kept herself active through gym memberships, swimming, bike riding, and walking. She believes deeply in positive psychology — that keeping your body active every single day helps to clear your mind and benefits both physical and mental health.
To promote positive body and mental health is a dream come true for her, and she looks forward to sharing Grind with you.
Burleigh Heads Studio Owner & Head Trainer
Tordz has always been involved in the fitness and sporting industry — from playing high-level rugby league, training in the gym, and now teaching Pilates. After finishing his rugby career in France, a hamstring injury brought him to his first reformer class, and he's never looked back.
As a male who was initially intimidated to enter a Pilates studio, Tordz couldn't recommend reformer Pilates more highly. It became the perfect medicine for injuries and soreness from years of rugby, helping him develop strength and power through the full range of motion.
In Tordz's classes, expect to slow it down, build real strength and mobility through time under tension — and leave feeling genuinely different.
Studio Manager & Head Trainer — Altona & Williamstown
Since a very young age, Rachel has possessed an extraordinary passion for movement. She dedicated herself to swimming, gymnastics, and dancing — with dance capturing her heart and becoming the focus of her life for a remarkable 15 years.
In 2016, while pursuing her Diploma of Musical Theatre, Rachel encountered a back injury. Determined to overcome it, she turned to Reformer Pilates for rehabilitation and was captivated by how Pilates not only strengthened her muscles but gently stretched her body through fluid, graceful movements.
What Rachel cherishes most is Pilates' emphasis on the profound connection between mind and body. She has completed her Certificate IV in Pilates Matwork & Reformer with Unite Health and eagerly anticipates witnessing the progress of those she helps on their transformative journeys.
Head Trainer
Sarah has adored staying fit and active her whole life. Her love for Pilates began 6 years ago when she first tried a reformer class — and she became infatuated with the movement and sequence that Pilates offers, suitable for all fitness levels and body types.
When Sarah was younger, she suffered from severe back pain due to scoliosis and discovered that high-impact circuit training was no longer suitable. She explored mat and reformer Pilates across the western suburbs, and as she committed to the practice, she noticed the pain gradually disappearing.
During COVID-19, Sarah made the decision to become an instructor — to assist and coach individuals who, like herself, had injuries and needed to move their bodies without straining the affected area. She completed her training through Unite Health and is now a fully qualified Mat & Reformer Pilates instructor.
Head Trainer
Tayah embarked on her Pilates journey in 2020 when she joined classes led by Shahnae. Instantly captivated by the unique training style of Grind Pilates Co, she quickly developed a deep passion that has remained unwavering ever since.
In May 2022, Tayah's dedication led her to become a Grind instructor after completing her Certificate IV in Pilates Matwork & Reformer.
Driven by her desire to uplift and enhance the overall wellbeing of her clients, Tayah firmly believes in the transformative power of Pilates on both the mind and body. She draws inspiration from witnessing the empowering, positive impact Pilates has on every individual who engages with it. Tayah warmly invites you to join her sessions, where she creates a nurturing environment that promotes growth and rejuvenation.
Trainer
From a young age, Celeste has always had a love for movement and competitive sport. After 18 years on the netball court, she found her rhythm in all things active — a space where she's always felt at home.
Her passion for health and fitness started early, completing her Diploma of Fitness at 18 before studying a Bachelor of Health Science. When COVID hit and gyms closed, she discovered mat Pilates through her friend (and fellow GRIND coach) Sarah, which evolved into reformer sessions with Shahnae — and from that moment, she was hooked.
After welcoming her son Bodhi, Celeste completed her Pilates training under Shahnae's mentorship and never looked back. You'll find her bringing signature energy, warmth, and a little bit of organised chaos to every class.
Trainer
Gabby first discovered Pilates as a client herself and quickly fell in love with how it strengthened both her body and mind. What began as a personal practice soon turned into a passion for sharing that feeling — and the benefits of Pilates — with others.
In 2023, Gabby completed her training in both Mat and Reformer Pilates, combining her love of learning with her passion for movement. With a background as a primary school teacher, she brings a naturally supportive, patient, and encouraging approach to every class.
Gabby truly believes Pilates is for everyone. Her goal is to help others experience the same sense of strength, balance, and wellbeing that first drew her to the practice. In her classes, expect a welcoming, uplifting environment where you'll feel supported, challenged, and empowered long after you leave.
Trainer
Kaitlyn's journey with Pilates began with a simple goal — to improve her balance and endurance. What she didn't expect was to fall completely in love with how Pilates strengthened not just her body, but her mind as well.
With a background in dance and horse riding, she was naturally drawn to Pilates for its focus on strength, control, and body awareness. Having double-jointed elbows once made weight-bearing movements painful, but through consistent Pilates practice, Kaitlyn built the stability and strength she needed to move with confidence — now planks and push-ups are things she tackles with ease.
In Kaitlyn's classes, expect a supportive, uplifting, and gently challenging environment that leaves you feeling stronger, more balanced, and proud of what your body can do.
Trainer
Ellie's journey with Pilates began during her high school years, when she stumbled upon this incredible fitness method. It started with online mat classes at home, which quickly became a part of her daily routine. The real turning point came when she tried a reformer class — she vividly remembers how sore she felt after her first session, and how she was instantly hooked. From that day on, she made it a personal mission to attend multiple classes each week.
Ellie's love for Pilates led her to pursue certification, and in July 2022 she proudly became a certified Pilates instructor through Unite Health. Since then, she's never looked back — she absolutely adores infusing her passion for movement into her work and watching her clients flourish and grow with every class.
Ellie is thrilled to be part of the Grind family.
Trainer
Amba brings together her love of movement and performing arts to deliver high-energy Pilates classes you'll love. Starting dance at just two years old, she discovered her passion for performing early and never looked back.
Originally from a country town in Perth, Amba moved to Melbourne to pursue a career in performance. After completing two years of full-time dance training and one year of Musical Theatre, she landed her first professional musical theatre role and has since toured nationally and internationally — performing on stages all over the world.
When COVID brought the performing industry to a halt, Amba channelled her love of movement into Pilates, completing her Mat and Reformer training through Breathe Education. In her classes, expect high energy, bright vibes, and a whole lot of fun. Be prepared to sweat, smile, and maybe even giggle — Amba brings the stage to the studio every time she teaches.
Trainer
Ruby grew up in a sport-loving family, spending her weekends and weeknights on the netball and volleyball courts. A dedicated athlete, she played representative netball for several years and competed at a state level in volleyball during high school.
She first discovered Reformer Pilates in 2019 and was instantly hooked. While completing her Bachelor of Science, her passion for movement and the human body deepened, leading her to pursue a Doctor of Physiotherapy at The University of Melbourne.
Now in her final year, Ruby's dream is to blend Pilates with physiotherapy, with a special focus on women's and pelvic health. In her classes, expect a high-energy, dynamic workout with personalised guidance that will leave you feeling strong, supported, and empowered.
Trainer
Eva has spent over 15 years in the fitness industry, with the last 12 dedicated entirely to Pilates — and she wouldn't have it any other way. Her love for movement started in the dance world, but it was Reformer Pilates that truly captured her heart. From the moment she stepped onto the carriage, she knew she had found her calling.
Throughout her career, Eva has worn many hats — from studio management to mentoring and trainer tutoring — deepening her knowledge and passion for the Pilates method. As a mum of two, she finds endless inspiration in her family, fuelling her dedication to helping others move with confidence and strength.
Eva's approach is all about guiding clients to discover their potential. She believes we are often capable of more than we realise — and her goal is to empower every individual to feel strong, capable, and in control. Expect to work hard, push past limits, and walk away feeling unstoppable.
Trainer
Aspen has always had a deep love for movement, starting dance at just seven years old with LFK Dance and Gym in Williamstown. Her passion led her to perform professionally as an AFLW cheerleader and Melbourne Vixens dancer. But throughout high school, Aspen struggled with lower back pain — until she discovered Pilates in 2019.
Through Pilates, she learned how to activate the right muscle groups, not only easing her pain but enhancing her technique and performance. Inspired by the benefits she experienced firsthand, Aspen became an APPI-certified Mat & Reformer Pilates instructor through Unite Health in 2021.
Aspen's goal is to create a supportive space where everyone feels empowered — helping clients understand the 'why' behind each movement, muscle activation, and body awareness. In her classes, expect to feel the burn through layered exercises, and a well-earned stretch to finish.
Trainer
Lainey has always had a passion for movement and an active lifestyle. Growing up in Scotland, she played Shinty and trained as a Highland dancer. During high school she fell in love with the gym and group fitness, which led her to complete her Diploma in Personal Fitness and coach both in gyms and online.
Lainey moved to Australia in 2020, embraced the outdoor lifestyle, discovered a love for running, and completed her first half marathon in 2024 — now training for the Sydney Marathon in 2026.
Along the way, she found reformer Pilates and it quickly became her favourite way to train. After joining GRIND as a client in 2024 and falling in love with the teaching style, she completed her mentorship under Shahnae and hasn't looked back. In her classes, expect to be challenged, pushed, and fully present — possibly through heavy springs to a few 80s bangers. Her goal is for you to leave stronger, clearer, and proud of what your body can do.
Yoga Instructor
Giulia has always been drawn to movement and self-expression. From a young age she was singing and dancing, which naturally led her into the world of performance — where she learned the power of connecting with people through energy and presence.
That same love of movement guided her toward yoga, where she discovered a deeper connection between the mind, body, and breath. She went on to complete her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training with The Yoga Group, turning her passion into something she could share with others.
Alongside her work as a performer and yoga instructor, Giulia brings a background in sales — which has sharpened her communication and her ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
In Giulia's classes, expect an uplifting and grounding experience. She creates a space where everyone feels supported and empowered to move in a way that works for them. Leave feeling strong, refreshed, and more at home in your body.
Yoga Instructor
Anzari has been a dedicated student of yoga for over 15 years, combining her love of teaching with a deep passion for neuroscience. With a PhD in neuroscience, over 300 hours of yoga teacher training, certification in iRest Yoga Nidra, and her work as a reiki master, she brings a unique and thoughtful approach to movement and wellbeing.
Her journey has been shaped by both science and lived experience. Yoga has supported Anzari through both her most challenging and most joyful moments, and alongside her studies in neuroscience, it has transformed the way she understands the body and mind. She believes that the more you understand how your brain works, the more empowered you are to work with it — not against it.
Anzari is deeply passionate about making yoga accessible to everyone, particularly within the BIPOC community, and loves merging her heritage, ancient practices, and modern science to create meaningful and inclusive experiences.
In Anzari's classes, you can expect a strong focus on breath, intuitive movement, and sequences that feel good in the body. With gentle insights into neuroscience woven throughout, she creates a space where you're encouraged to move in a way that feels right for you, explore your limits, and connect more deeply with yourself.
Expect to feel grounded, supported, and leave with a greater sense of clarity, calm, and connection.
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