About Lifeworks

Lifeworks Pilates is a Northern Rivers Pilates studio based in the community of Ballina. Our mission is to help you to feel stronger, more flexible, balanced, and more energised.

All our instructors at Lifeworks have completed rigorous training in order to provide you with safe and effective workouts that are also fun!

The team at Lifeworks Pilates is dedicated to ensuring that each member of the small classes or private lessons receive individual care and attention and exercises are adapted when necessary.

We specialise in group Reformer Pilates and specialised Private lessons and want you to feel great at the end of each session. Our aim is to help you be motivated to make a change whether that be to strengthen/tone your whole body, become more flexible, decrease back pain, recover form injury, stand taller or feel more confident. We welcome everyone from beginner to advanced and pride ourselves in offering a friendly and welcoming environment.

Pilates focuses on the smaller, deeper stabilising muscles but don’t let that make you think that its easy! Quite the contrary. Pilates is challenging when done correctly. To make changes to your body, it takes time.

Instructors

  • Alison Lucas

    Owner / Pilates Instructor

    Alison was a Registered Nurse for 10 years before moving into Management, Public Health and Education. She has lived and worked in the Solomon Islands and Central Australia and worked with a diverse population. She is passionate about natural movement, Community and enjoys sharing her knowledge of moving more efficiently and effectively through every day life. Alison loves seeing her clients walk taller, with more confidence and in less pain which ultimately helps mental health.

    Alison has been teaching Pilates for more than 20 years after training with Polestar and the Queensland Institute

  • Raena Hartley

    Pilates Instructor

    Raena has a background in dance and performing arts with a BA Dance and Education. She also has a Full Diploma of Studio Pilates and has worked as an instructor both in London and Sydney. Raena managed and owned a Pilates studio in Sydney for over 4 years.

    Raena recently returned to the Northern Rivers after living in Brazil for 5 years. Her interests include dance, travel and learning new things including neuroplasticity and furniture upholstery!

  • Leah Aggebrink-Jones

    Pilates Instructor/ Exercise physiology student

    Leah has always been interested in the wonders of the human body, that interest deepened after a spinal injury in her late teens lead her to Pilates as a form of rehabilitation. Leah has a diploma of Professional Pilates instruction and is continually educating herself in the field to ensure clients get the best of each class. Leah had her own studio in the UK, has taught Pilates around the world and is now settled in the Northern Rivers. Leah is studying Exercise Physiology.

  • Fran King

    Pilates Instructor

    Frances has a Diploma in Professional Pilates Instruction and is continuously learning more and more about her passion… the body and the way it moves! Fran knows first hand how the Pilates method can change a person's life for the better whether recovering from an injury, returning to fitness or mastering the practice.

    She thrives on supporting those reach their independent goals and brings a warm, inviting and encouraging energy to each and every class. She's an outdoor lover and spends her time gardening, exploring and enjoying the beauty of this magical land.

  • Fiona Duncan

    Pilates Instructor

    Fiona loves teaching Pilates & assisting clients to gain better body awareness, balance, strength & mobility for an over all positive life experience.Fiona has a Diploma in Pilates, she trained with Polestar International in Mat & studio. Also Barre with Garuda. Certificate in Exercise Physiology.She enjoys a healthy lifestyle through knowledge & life experience.

    Fiona is a keen Surfer, snowboarder, adventurer, Mum & loves the Northern Rivers.

  • Kellie Coates

    Pilates Instructor

    Kellie comes from a PDHPE teaching background in Secondary schools, has developed women's and teenagers health and well-being programs, is a basketball coach, and is a creator and facilitator for a mental health and well-being organisation.

    Kellie discovered the benefits of Pilates after having back surgery. She became passionate about what Pilates could do for others and decided to train in Mat and Reformer. She is passionate about health wellbeing and the mind /body connection and is driven to help people strive to reach and explore their potential.

  • Josefina Olazobal

    Pilates Instructor

    Josefina is originally from Uruguay but has been living in the Northern Rivers for the past 8 years. Health and wellness has always been a priority and she fell in love with Pilates because of its focus on building strength, enhancing alignment and improving mobility. 

    Josefina's own journey with scoliosis has sparked a curiosity about this condition and a desire to help others. She has completed some courses in this specialised area.

    Josefina has completed her Reformer training with PITC and is currently undertaking the full studio course with Polestar Pilates. 

    When she's not in the studio, you'll find Josefina surfing in Lennox Head!

  • Nofar Bar

    Pilates Instructor

    Nofar strives to challenge both your body and mind in her classes, fostering a deeper connection between the two. Her goal is to create a safe and supportive space where participants can push their limits and enhance their mind-body connection, regardless of their current level on their movement journey.

    Nofar’s personal journey with Pilates began about 15 years ago. The transformative power of Pilates made a profound impact on her life, and now she is dedicated to helping others experience similar positive shifts.

    Nofar is a qualified Pilates Reformer, Mat, and Barre Instructor, and she continually seeks to expand her knowledge of movement and the body.

  • Erin Karsten

    Reception

    Erin retired from corporate life in 2022. She has had a nearly 20 year addiction to Pilates and says it saved her life after 2 different episodes of not being able to walk thanks to injuries and her hypermobility. Pilates is Life... so the only place to be is Lifeworks as far as she's concerned!

  • Chiara Janssen

    Yoga Instructor

    Chiara is a passionate yoga teacher who inspires others to find balance, strength, and growth through yoga. Her teaching style is warm, encouraging, and playful. Her classes are accessible to all and aim to empower students -both in body and mind-.

    Originally from the Netherlands, Chiara regularly travels to Bali to assist Yoga Trainings. She's currently living in Ballina and excited to offer classes to the community here. She has been teaching yoga since 2020 and offers Power Yoga, Slow Flow, Yin Yoga and Restorative classes.

  • Katie Gardner

    Yoga Instructor

    Katie has always been passionate about movement and the positive effects that it has on our minds. After stepping onto a yoga mat for the first time at the age of 16, she was instantly drawn to the holistic practice of yoga because it allowed her to find stillness and strength in the body, mind and spirit.

    Experiencing first hand how yoga has helped her navigate through all of life's challenges over the past 13 years, Katie is committed to sharing the wisdom and healing that this ancient practice has to offer.

    Katie has completed training in both vinyasa and yin and is currently studying Ayurveda to deepen her knowledge in the "wisdom of life".

  • Claire Seymour

    Reception

    Claire is close to finishing her Bachelor of Nursing degree and her genuine passion for health and well-being has seamlessly blended into her role here at the studio, making her transition into the job a smooth one!

Awards

Lennox Head Chamber of Commerce

Business of the Year Award, 2015
HomeBased Business of the Year, 2015

Ballina Chamber of Commerce

Health and Well-being award, 2016