this is us

Originally from South Africa, and with a large stint in Hong Kong, Olivia has worked alongside some of the best Physio’s around the world. We are so lucky to now have her here on Waiheke Island and even more proud that she is the island’s only Women’s Health Physio. Liv’s style of therapy has always been Connect Therapy, a holistic method which identifies imbalances and weaknesses in the body, as well as overuse patterns, and aims to balance these out to ensure your body works more efficiently and pain free. Liv uses both manual release techniques such as dry needling, as well as a lot of Pilates to then strengthen you in the right places, and can do a comprehensive handover to the Pilates crew if you’d like to get into a regular exercise routine that is specific to your body!

Originally from South Africa and with a wealth of experience in her homeland with a variety of Physio jobs, we are so grateful to have Nadia on the team. She arrived with the nickname magic hands which makes sense because her release techniques are second to none. With a combination of manual therapy and dry needling, Nadia is determined to get those tight muscles to chill out! Nadia also adds an interesting dimension to her treatment, in that she is qualified in EFT Tapping which is an emotional freedom technique based on similar principles to Chinese acupuncture. Nadia believes in the holistic nature of pain, although it presents physically, your emotional state also plays a big part. Nadia also likes to incorporate strengthening through Pilates to help you maintain a strong body and prevent further injuries.

Ciaran has joined us from Belfast, Ireland and is our sports specific injury specialist. Having worked back home alongside a professional football team, Ciaran’s passion is rehabbing injuries and building strength back into the muscles so that you can prevent the same injury happening again. He incorporates traditional strength training with Pilates, and believes good strength and balance is key to preventing injuries. A keen sportsman himself, he can help optimise your performance in your chosen sport.

With a professional dancing background, Anna delivers a punchy Pilates session with great attention to detail to ensure the correct muscles are working how they should be! We call her the queen of cueing with her incredible imagery, and trust us - it helps your movement immensely! Anna can do anything from rehabbing and injury to putting you through your paces and working you hard!

Zoe was a gym bunny who completely converted to Pilates, so much so that she decided to become an instructor! Let her convince you that Pilates can get the same or better results than any gym regime, and is just so good for your body and preventing injuries. While you’re training with her tee up a massage too as she runs Toru Massage on the island.

Janice only discovered Pilates in her 50’s and found it to be the absolute best form of exercise for her stage of life. Within months we saw a more toned and confident Janice and she too fell so in love with it so much that she wanted to share it with all her friends – hence training to become an instructor pretty soon into her Pilates journey! She loves seeing people get stronger and more confident, as well as helping them recover from injury.

Shikha joins us from the US and has a beautiful, calm teaching manner. Don’t let it fool you though those Glutes will be burning the next day! She genuinely just loves getting body’s moving and seeing people feel enjoyment through movement.

Melody is our pre and post natal queen! A mum of 2 (soon to be 3) herself this is her real passion, helping women prepare for carrying and delivering a baby, and the very important recovery post partum! She can work alongside our Women’s Health Physio Olivia to ensure your pelvic health is restored. Her hours change weekly so rather than booking online, email us at hello@connectstudio.co.nz to enquire about sessions with Melody.