Experts in Movement. Anchored in Community.
Our team combines 10–25 years of Pilates expertise with a genuine connection to the neighbourhood, delivering thoughtful, high-quality instruction that feels like home.
About us
At Pinewood Pilates & Movement, our team isn’t just highly experienced - we’re part of the St. Clair, Toronto community ourselves. With over 15 years of teaching experience, we bring both expertise and a genuine sense of neighbourly care into every session. Our approach blends classical Pilates principles with contemporary movement techniques to help you build lasting strength, mobility, and confidence in your body.
Our Instructors
Kiri Figueiredo
(She/her) Studio Founder
Pilates (Group Mat, Reformer + Privates) / Yoga / Prenatal + Postnatal
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Kiri is a dedicated Pilates instructor, studio founder, and retired contemporary dancer & choreographer. A graduate of TMU’s BFA in Dance Performance, she went on to have a 14-year career as a contemporary dancer and choreographer before transitioning into teaching Pilates and starting a family. She received her Pilates training from Merrithew/Stott Pilates, Pilates Process, Studio3, and Body Harmonics in Pre and Postnatal Pilates. Kiri also holds yoga certifications from Octopus Garden Yoga, YYOGA, and Yoga Mamas. Her extensive background in dance includes studying and performing across Canada, the US, Europe, Israel, and India. Most recently, she performed as The Matador in the Canadian Opera Company’s production of La Traviata.
Her teaching is thoughtful and creative, always listening closely to the bodies in front of her. She emphasizes the use of breath to facilitate movement, calm the nervous system, and create space for strength and ease. Kiri’s goal is for every client to walk out of the studio feeling good — taller, more put together, strong, and tension-free.
Testimonial: “Kiri is so knowledgeable, encouraging, and creates such a welcoming space. I felt strong, supported, and totally energized by the end.” – Kate S.
Sarah Rodd
(She/her)
Yoga / Prenatal & Postnatal
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Sarah has been teaching yoga for over 10 years. She emphasizes optimal alignment, breath, functional movement, and mindfulness in her classes, guiding students to explore their capabilities while deepening their body awareness and connection. With certifications from Yoga Mamas and Bellies Inc. Core Confidence, she has specialized training and a deep passion for prenatal and postnatal yoga and movement, helping expectant and new mothers maintain both physical and mental well-being.
Currently completing her Kinesiology degree at York University, Sarah combines academic knowledge with hands-on teaching. She has a passion for working with people one-on-one and loves the small group environment at Pinewood Pilates. She is a proud mother of two boys here in the neighbourhood and is inspired by how yoga supports the body, mind, and spirit while building community.
Testimonial: “Sarah’s classes are like a big gentle hug and helped me ease back into movement and caring for my body after years of putting myself last on the list. So grateful!” – Valerie T.
Sarah Fregeau
(She/her)
Substitute / Guest Instructor / Pilates (Group Mat, Reformer + Privates) / ELDOA
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Sarah has been fascinated by movement since her early years as a dancer. While completing her professional training at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, she discovered Pilates and Soma Training as powerful tools for injury prevention and physical longevity.
Alongside her 16-year career in contemporary dance, Sarah began teaching in 2017. She holds certifications in Pilates (mat and equipment), ELDOA for the spine, hips, shoulders, and ribcage, as well as myofascial stretching and segmental strengthening.
Sarah creates a supportive and encouraging environment, helping students challenge themselves in ways that suit their unique needs.
After a 16-year career as a dancer, Denise started a family and moved back to Canada, where she began teaching Pilates and movement at studios across Toronto. She loves helping people become stronger, more flexible, and move with greater ease in their everyday lives.
Andrea (Andy) Spaziani
(She/her)
Pilates
(Group Mat, Reformer + Privates)
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Andrea is a professional choreographer and Pilates instructor with over 12 years of experience. She trained at The Pilates Process in mat and all equipment, specializing in Therapeutic Pilates. Andrea discovered Pilates while recovering from an injury and has since embraced it as a vital part of her life. As an artist, she has toured her work nationally and internationally. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD at the European Graduate School in Literary, Musical, and Visual Thought.
Andrea brings a lighthearted and playful approach to her teaching, supporting students in building strength, mobility, and confidence. Outside the studio, she co-runs a small winery in California with her partner — so you might see her pop off the schedule for a few weeks at a time. We always miss her dearly when she’s away!
Testimonial: “Andrea is wonderful and extremely knowledgeable!” – Katelyn L.
Joanna Morrison
(She/her)
Therapeutic Yoga
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Joanna is a trauma-informed yoga therapist, wellness consultant, and somatic therapist with over 18 years of teaching experience. Certified in Hatha, Yin, Yoga Therapy, and Restorative Yoga, Joanna believes everyone is their own best teacher. Her work supports clients in listening to their inner voice and meeting their somatic needs through consistent practice and compassion.
She has trained with Bessel van der Kolk, Diane Bruni, Tracey Soghrati, Yoga Therapy Toronto, and Kripalu, shaping her multidisciplinary approach. Joanna is well known in our community, is active on the Humewood Community School parent council, and is a proud mother of two daughters. She also works at the Jean Tweed Centre, privately with clients, and at select studios in the GTA.
Testimonial: “Joanna is a skillful and soulful instructor.” – Lisa B.
Meredith Clinton
(She/her)
Substitute / Guest Instructor / Pilates (Group Mat, Reformer + Privates)
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Meredith came to Pilates through dance. After discovering the therapeutic, strengthening, and mind-body benefits of Pilates, she pursued certification and taught to support her professional dance career in New York, Las Vegas, and Toronto for over 15 years.
Now specializing in Therapeutic Pilates, Meredith’s dance background greatly informs her teaching. She uses fluid transitions, imagery to support alignment and movement quality, and exercise progressions to build body awareness and strength. She integrates mindfulness techniques to deepen the mind-body connection, helping clients reach their stability, mobility, and wellness goals.
Meredith is currently completing a degree in Kinesiology to further deepen her knowledge of the body and her practice of Pilates for rehabilitation. She is also a mother, balancing her family life with her commitment to teaching and study. She looks forward to teaching more at the studio once she has completed her degree.
Testimonial: “Meredith’s precise, thoughtful sequencing pairs with her clear, warm instructions so beautifully.” – Kelly H.
Denise Mitsche
(She/her)
Pilates (Group Mat, Reformer + Privates) / Yoga / Prenatal + Postnatal
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Denise has been teaching Pilates for over 20 years. A longtime resident of our wonderful neighbourhood, you may spot her out walking her dog, Luba. Her lifelong journey in movement began at age eight with ballet. A graduate of the National Ballet School of Canada, she went on to dance professionally with The Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam.
After a 16-year career as a dancer, Denise started a family and moved back to Canada, where she began teaching Pilates and movement at studios across Toronto. She loves helping people become stronger, more flexible, and move with greater ease in their everyday lives.
Testimonial: “Denise is an excellent teacher. I left the class feeling energized, taller and stronger.” – Mick L.
Rachel Offer
(She/her)
Pilates (Group Mat, Reformer + Privates)
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Rachel is a certified Pilates instructor, actor, and hockey player, and a proud resident of St. Clair West. She began her certification in 2019 and brings years of athletic and artistic movement experience. Pilates first entered her life as a training tool for hockey, then deepened during her acting degree — and it has remained a constant because, as Rachel says, it “just feels so good.”
She believes Pilates should train the body for longevity in everyday life as well as in physically demanding situations. Rachel is passionate about reconnecting people with their bodies and the joy of movement, leaving clients feeling longer, stronger, and excited to come back for more.
Ashley Dyment
(She/her)
Pilates (Group Mat) / Yoga / Prenatal + Postnatal
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Ashley is an E-RYT 500 Yoga Teacher, Yoga Educator, Pilates Instructor, and Retreat Host. She believes in the power of movement to keep us doing the things we love for longer — whether that’s picking up your kids or grandkids, hiking mountains, or skiing. She lives in the neighbourhood with her husband and two young boys, who famously eat sushi for breakfast at the Wychwood Farmers Market every Saturday.
Ashley runs quarterly yoga teacher trainings — from Yin Yoga to Reiki to Anatomy — and is hosting a Yoga & Pilates retreat in Costa Rica this January. A published academic and journalist, Ashley also holds a Master’s in International Relations and has worked and volunteered in over 20 countries.
ashleyholly.com • Instagram • Costa Rica Retreat
Testimonial: “Ashley creates a warm, welcoming, and non-judgmental environment. I can truly feel the difference yoga has made. I feel wonderful after each class!” – Barry G.
Nicole Kahansky
(She/her)
Studio Apprentice / Pilates (Group Mat)
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Nicole is Pinewood’s Studio Apprentice and a certified mat Pilates instructor. She completed her training at Mindful Movement Centre and brings a thoughtful, supportive approach to her teaching.
After spending a decade in a desk job, Nicole turned to Pilates to reconnect with her body and mind — and never looked back. Her teaching reflects that journey: she focuses on helping people release tension, restore posture, and build functional strength that carries into everyday life.
In her classes, Nicole offers calm encouragement and clear, accessible guidance — creating a space where clients can both challenge themselves and feel deeply supported.
