Lisa Palmer
Lisa is The Movement Lab Founder & Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer. She has studied extensively in Toronto, London and Toledo. Lisa is at the forefront of health and movement and travels the world to teach STOTT PILATES courses. She is passionate about anatomy, fascial release and enhancing the lives of her clients and students.
Jessica Mandel
Jessica graduated from the University of Cape Town with a Bachelor of Business Science in Finance and Accounting and is a Fellow of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation. Jessica is co-owner of The Movement Lab and manages the studio’s online presence. Jessica has completed her STOTT PILATES Mat, Barre, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Barrels and Injuries/ Special Populations courses.
Marize Flax
Marize is a professional dancer trained in ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, Latin and Spanish at UCT Ballet School. After retiring from the stage, she rekindled her love of movement with Pilates – rehabilitating, strengthening and reforming her body with this incredible practice.
Liesel Swanepoel
Liesel studied Modern Dance, Jazz and Tap at the Waterfront Theatre School of Performing Arts. She has 10 years of teaching experience – spanning multiple disciplines, including Barre, Mat Pilates, Reformer Pilates, functional fitness and high intensity interval training. Liesel’s passion is infectious and motivates you to push your limits.
Lexi Ryman
Lexi qualified as a yoga instructor and integrative nutrition coach before pursuing her STOTT PILATES qualifications. Lexi completed the Intensive & Advanced STOTT Pilates Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair and Barrels courses. Lexi is happiest when collaborating with others in creating and achieving a state of health and wellbeing.
Alice Maybin
Alice is a graduate of the UCT School of Dance and a member of the Association of International Dance Teachers. Alice has completed her STOTT PILATES Intensive Mat & Reformer and Barre courses. She is passionate about the fitness industry and enjoys imparting her wisdom on clients, finding it gratifying and fulfilling to see their growth and progress.
Hannah Marshall
Hannah obtained the highest levels in ballet, modern, tap and musical theatre at The Waterfront Theatre School and received her Associate Teaching Diplomas in Ballet and Modern through the ISTD in London. She also completed her STOTT PILATES Mat, Reformer, Chair and Barre courses. Her goal is to never stop growing and learning through each new fitness chapter in her life.
Gabriel Meltz
Gabriel studied acting at the California Institute of Arts, in Los Angeles, where he was first introduced to Pilates and yoga. He moved to Cape Town in 2016, after which he qualified as a yoga and STOTT PILATES instructor. Gabriel loves teaching a vigorous class with creative sequencing and a banging playlist with a wide variety of music. He is dedicated to making his classes inclusive and welcoming to all bodies.
Raphaella Joannou
Raphaella graduated from the University of Cape Town with a first class Honours in Economics, and BSocSci in PPE. She danced at the Waterfront Theatre School for 8 years and completed her STOTT PILATES Mat, Barre and Chair courses. Raphaella loves moving to upbeat music, with creative sequences and challenging combinations, getting the mind and body working together.
Jodi Stuivenberg
Jodi trained at a dance academy in Rotterdam, Netherlands for 11 years, graduating with a Degree in Dance Education. After moving to Cape Town, she completed her STOTT PILATES education at The Movement Lab. Jodi’s vast experience and broad range of techniques make for incredible classes, where her positive energy shines through to motivate and inspire clients.
Kim Fredericks
During a career in global travel as a private flight attendant for VIP clients in the Middle East and Europe, Kim completed her STOTT PILATES Mat and Reformer courses with Lisa at The Movement Lab. She has since returned to Cape Town, ready to pursue her passion for Pilates full time. Kim is dedicated to making Pilates more accessible. She wants to be part of a movement that removes the barriers to fitness.
Gemma MacRobert
Gemma studied through the Royal Academy of Dance in London and has completed her STOTT PILATES Mat, Reformer and Chair Pilates courses at The Movement Lab. Gemma strives to assist clients in forming a sound knowledge of their own bodies and how they work in order to enable them to enhance their lives and feel their best.
Mishka Kamaldien
Mishka graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2019. Her love for Pilates and anatomy started when she was in high school and her passion was evident and she was awarded The Movement Lab’s Instructor Scholarship in 2022. She has completed her STOTT Pilates Mat, Reformer, Chair and Barre courses. Her goal is to empower people to grow strong, healthy bodies and have fun while doing it.
Suzanne Annenberg
Movement has always been a key feature of Suzanne’s life – ballet and dance lifelong passions. After retiring from the fashion industry, Suzanne completed all her STOTT PILATES training through The Movement Lab. She is fully certified in Pilates Advanced Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair and Barrels. She loves learning about how the body works and moves and is inspired to share her knowledge with others.
Micaela Tucker
Micaela Tucker is an Actor and Musical Theatre performer. After completing her honours degree in Dramatic Arts at Wits University, she relocated to Cape Town to further her training at LAMTA Musical Theatre Academy. Micaela also completed her STOTT PILATES Mat, Barre and Reformer training. The Movement Lab is a part of Mic’s daily ritual and she looks forward to making it part of yours too!
Thania Mohidin
Thania is a practicing physiotherapist after graduating from UCT in 2021 with a BSc Honours (Physiotherapy) and completing her community service in the Eastern Cape in 2022. In 2023, she was the recipient of our TML Instructor training Scholarship, completing our STOTT PILATES Mat and Reformer training. She hopes to further her studies in rehabilitation and performing arts medicine.
Chelsey Mcluckie
Chelsey has a strong background in yoga, mobility and pilates, having completed her STOTT PILATES Mat and Reformer training through The Movement Lab. Her classes are accessible and inclusive, with purpose. She thrives in the rehab space helping people regain movement and strength, in an encouraging and motivating environment.
Amber Morgan
Amber studied at the Waterfront Theatre School, graduating with the highest accolades in Modern, Tap, and Ballet. She furthered her studies by completing the STOTT PILATES Mat, Barre and Chair courses. Drawing from her dance background and belief that fitness should be fun, Amber’s classes aim to blend the Pilates principles with creative movements and music.
Olivia Bloomer
Olivia earned her Undergraduate degree in Anatomy and Physiology and Honours in Biokinetics from The University of Cape Town. At the Sports Science Institute she founded the EmpowHer program, designed to empower women through strength training. With certifications in STOTT PILATES Mat and Reformer, Liv seamlessly combines science-based movement with mindfulness, creating holistic experiences for her clients.
Percy Perks
Percy is a former professional ballet dancer with an extensive career working for dance companies in Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden. He completed his full comprehensive training in the Classical Pilates method in London, and his advanced Pilates education in New York City. Percy's true passion is helping people discover the joy of movement.
Alex McGregor
Alex is an actress and movement facilitator. Certified by NASM as a personal trainer 4 years ago, Alex now shares her expertise as a group fitness instructor where she specialises in HIIT classes. She enriched her training by completing the Intensive and Advanced STOTT PILATES Mat courses, adding depth and versatility to her approach. Alex’s mission is to inspire and empower others to build their bodies through a genuine love for movement.