Our Team.

Michelle Marais

Studio Owner:
Pilates, ETM, Aqua & Children’s health and fitness Instructor

I am a committed, passionate fitness instructor; born and raised in South Africa. A proud resident of Cape Town, I nevertheless bring a real international flair to my work. Relocating to Spain in 2001, where I had two of my three children, I gained qualifications in a huge range of physical activities, disciplines and practices, predominantly from US and UK educators before moving on to the UAE. Here I developed a practice as a fitness instructor at firstly the Intercontinental and then Hilton chain of hotels. Within this role I introduced Pilates to an initially sceptical client base.

Purchasing Back To Basics in December of 2015 and a mother of two school aged children, spare time is not a huge commodity for me but given the chance I love nothing better than spending time outdoors on the beaches and amongst the landscapes of the beautiful Western Cape.

Megan Bond

Pilates, Pilates Rehabilitation, Preggy Pilates, Mommy+Baby & Personal Trainer

I started my pilates journey in 2007. Whilst looking for something to add to my portfolio. I qualified as a Personal Trainer in 2004 ETA (Exercise Teachers Academy). I started pilates training with James Raaff and progressing with advanced work under the guidance of Renee Watson. I found my passion for Pilates quickly grew and began to incorporate it in all my teaching practises.

I then developed knowledge of the use of equipment in my practice; completing my training with PilatesHere in 2012.

Relocating back to Cape Town leaving behind my own studio and client base was a tough but wise decision. I am in a career that I am passionated about; helping others develop “as I have”, in their pilates journey.

Jeanne Crafford

Pilates Instructor
&
Counsellor

I have always been an active person whether it be dancing, horse riding, running or spending time at the gym and have encouraged my children to make exercise a part of their everyday lives. Being a registered Specialist Wellness Counsellor I know the value in the popular saying “a healthy mind in a healthy body”.

I have chosen to teach Palates because of its gentleness on the joints, the control it teaches you to have over your body and the amazing benefits. I love being an instructor and find it very rewarding to see the results my clients achieve. I take care in making sure every class I teach varies and most importantly I make an effort to get to know every participant/client that enters my class. This allows me to tailor the Pilates moves to take their injuries, strengths, weaknesses or body type into consideration.

Lastly, I believe in laughter and endeavour to make my classes light hearted with a touch of humour here and there. Looking forward to meeting you!

Hannah Crafford

Pilates

When I started with my Pilates course near the end of 2017, I did not realise that I was about to embark on an incredible journal of finding my passion for pursuing and teaching Pilates. Teaching Pilates has helped me to grow as an individual and inspires to constantly learn more about it by reading and researching Pilates as often as I can and always try my best to improve my instructing skills. I am responsible in terms of teaching as I take participants’ injuries or requirements into consideration and I try my best to keep classes fun and interesting. It is a wonderful feeling when participants thank me personally for my classes or inform me that they feel the improvement and difference as a result of regular attendance.

I’m so excited to be part of the Back to Basics team and continue with my Pilates journey

Kyle KC Pretorius

Self Defense

Kyle has 20 years of marital arts experience. Ranging from Wing Chun kung fu, mixed martial arts, Sotho stick fighting and more. He has combined his knowledge to develop a 4 week curriculum that utilizes practical applications from various disciplines to formulate a useful and effective defence system specifically for woman.

Interested in becoming part of our team?

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