Our Story
NV Pilates & Wellness was founded by Nerine Jordan after a 16 year journey through Hong Kong, Singapore, London and Dubai!
See more about her story below.
Interview with Nerine
Tell me about your Pilates journey. How did you first develop an interest in Pilates and how did you end up becoming a Pilates teacher?
After a sports injury I attended rehab with a physiotherapist in Australia who used the Pilates method as part of my recovery program. That was my first introduction to Pilates approximately 25 years ago.
While living in Hong Kong, I suffered a tennis ankle injury. I started physio again and did rehab on the reformer and various other Pilates apparatus. When she was done with me, she said, “You need to go out and find somebody to do Pilates with.” This is exactly what I did, and I found a wonderful clinical Pilates studio who were experienced in helping me. Coming from a dance movement and gymnastics background, I developed an instant rapport with Pilates teachers who were ex ballet dancers from the Hong Kong Ballet and it further deepened my affinity with Pilates.
Relocating to Singapore a few years later, I joined their affiliate studio that specialised in rehabilitation and had several master trainers from leading Pilates schools in the US.
I started my teacher training program with Pilates Academy International New York which is ITTAP accredited. The training included the foundation requirements of biomechanics, anatomy and Mat. I followed up with the Reformer and then onto the other apparatus such as the Cadillac, Ladder Barrel, other Barrels, and the Chair. I loved learning about all the equipment because they all challenge you in different ways depending on how your body feels on a given day.
I really felt the benefits whilst I was studying over the next 2 years preparing for my exams, doing my observation, practice teacher training, and supervised teaching. As soon as I passed my exam, the studio offered me a job and sponsored me to work in Singapore, which was fantastic as this studio is recognised as one of the best in Asia with a very strong group of Pilates teachers, many of whom are master trainers. I benefited a lot from their experience and mentoring. That was more than a decade ago.
Where has your Pilates teaching journey taken you, and what types of studio work have you undertaken?
Over the last 12 years I’ve taught at multiple studios in Singapore, London, Dubai, and here in Australia, covering both group classes and clinical work on all the Pilates apparatus. I’ve done a lot of work in specialised areas covering things like sports injuries, scoliosis, osteoporosis, back and joint pain, and pre and postnatal—often working in tandem with allied health professionals like doctors, physiotherapists, osteopaths, sports physiologists, etc. It’s given me a lot of experience of many different injuries and problems, which is important in the rehabilitation and sports performance spaces.
How has Pilates personally helped you?
It’s given me a growing appreciation of my own body at different stages of my life—for example, recovering after having kids—and how to maintain your strength, flexibility and fitness as you age. It has also been the major tool in my toolkit to manage my rheumatoid arthritis which I was diagnosed with more than 20 years ago.
You may not have the same body you had when you were 19, but with Pilates you’re going to be in the best shape you can be at each stage of your life and still feel very strong.
Pilates has also empowered me mentally. It’s given me the ability to deal with a lot of things in my life—whether it’s my mental health, my mood, or just general well-being. It’s always helped to create the positive energy that I need.
What are the most important aspects of working with your clients?
I love connecting and working with my clients. They’ve put their trust in me to help them improve, get stronger, help with injuries, whatever their goals are at that time. I’m able to assess where they are in terms of their biomechanics—how their body is moving—and then work on helping them to move better and more efficiently. We meet, we talk about it, then we agree how to move forward. I love it when my clients get excited about the improvements they are seeing and experiencing in their day to day life.
What are you trying to create with your new studio?
I’m trying to create an environment where people can walk in and immediately feel welcome; feel the positive energy; and leave the world behind them. This is their time and they can leave behind any stress in their life for that moment. That’s why we’ve focused so hard on creating a zen like environment with a boutique spa like feeling, rather than an austere, clinical or industrial feel. My mission is to empower my clients and support them in experiencing the full body, mind integration system that is Pilates.
What do you do to stay across the latest thinking about Pilates and wellness?
I attend a lot of workshops and courses, to both maintain my accreditation, and tap into topics that interest me. For me, it’s about finding ways to deal with issues that arise from our modern lifestyle. These education events also allow me to connect with my peers.
I’ve been doing some interesting courses in areas like “Strong Bones” (addressing osteoporosis), and general conditioning. I love the fact that I can teach people in a rehab situation, or those preparing for surgery and need help getting stronger before the operation. Helping someone who has a sports injury or is trying to prevent a recurring injury. My intention is to always help my client reach their most functional level possible, reduce pain and improve their mobility.
Before arriving back in Australia, I also completed a second Comprehensive certification with Balanced Body to further enhance my education.
What are your key interests outside Pilates and wellness?
A favourite is live theatre and watching all forms of dance—whether it be modern dance, flamenco or the ballet. Music especially if its soul, blues or jazz is also part of the rhythm of my life—I love listening to what’s new and upcoming. Food, travel and reading are some of my many loves. In a nutshell, I LOVE LIFE!!
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