Our Instructors

Sarah’s Certifications / Training

Body Harmonics, Toronto, 2006 – 2014. All certification levels of Pilates Equipment for Reformer, Chair, Ladder Barrel and Cadillac equipment - All certification levels of Pilates Mat work - Protocols for Spine, Hip and Shoulder Rehabilitation - Advanced Postural Assessment and Analysis - Foot and Ankle - The Mighty Psoas - Vertical Pilate - Pilates for Pre and Post Natal - Pilates for Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis - Myofascial Lines of Movement - Neurology and Pilates - Core Integrity - Posture and Gait - Assisting and shadowing the Neuro Pilates program at Body Harmonics, 3 months, 2010 - Soft Tissue Release, Jim Bilotta, 2011 - Body Reading, Assessment, Touch Cuing, Neck, Shoulder, Thorax Manual Release, Fascial Fitness, Thomas Myers, Toronto, 2013 - Rehabilitation for poly-trauma, amputee and brain injury victims, Elizabeth Larkan, Boston, 2013. Brain Plasticity and Reflex, Lee Saunders, St. John’s, 2016, Handedness and Scoliosis - 2021, Somatic Nervous System and Sensory Receptors, Sensory Systems and their Roles in Motor Control, and The Motor Systems with Bonnie Jeng, PT, B.Sc.PT, Strength, Balance and Fall Prevention for Active Aging with Morgot McKinnon, 2024

Holly Strong

Certified Pilates Instructor - Mat and equipment

Registered Massage Therapist

Holly was born and raised in St. John’s, and introduced to Pilates in 2002. She fell in love with this special form of exercise, which led to a career in health and wellness. She began teaching in 2003 with the University at The Works, and the YMCA. In 2005 she became a mom and continued to train and take class. Her infatuation for movement mechanics and helping others achieve physical barriers grew and grew. In 2007 Holly began massage therapy training in St. John’s. She excelled in the program because of her Pilates experience.

After finishing the program in 2009 and becoming an active member of the College of Massage Therapist’s of Newfoundland and Labrador, Holly travelled to Toronto to study at Body Harmonics, internationally recognized and considered the most renowned Pilates teacher training centre in Canada. She later completed her Reformer Equipment training with Sarah Joy Stoker at Pony Locale. Holly has been with Pony Pilates since 2013.

Since starting her massage therapy practice, teaching a variety of classes, and having a second child, life is certainly busy, but her positive energy continues to shine through her classes and treatments. Holly specializes in pre-natal massage, myofascial release, and deep tissue techniques. Also available is seated massage on the specialized massage chair.

To book a private Pilates session with Holly, please contact us at info@ponypilatesnl.ca or call (709) 237-7487. To book a massage with Holly (not through Pony Pilates - Holly’s massage therapy practice is independent) please go to https://hollystrongrmt.clinicsense.com.

Alison Wilson

Certified Pilates instructor - Mat and Equipment

Alison is a St John’s native but immigrated with her family to Perth, Australia when she was 12 years old. She loves baking, travelling, the beach, swimming, hiking and generally being out in nature, and has a Bachelor of Science majoring in Environmental and Marine Sciences. Alison discovered Pilates after suffering from a sore back due to having a desk job and found the Pilates Method to be very helpful in relieving her lower back pain and improving her overall posture. She continued going to group classes and private sessions for many years and finally made the decision to train as a Pilates Instructor. She completed a Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction at the Pilates International Training Centre in Perth, Australia in 2019, and is experienced teaching all levels of Matwork, Reformer, Chair, Ladder Barrel and Cadillac. After living in Australia for over 20 years, she moved back to Newfoundland in 2019 to live with her partner & now has a young son.

Sarah Joy Stoker

Pony Pilates Owner/operator, Certified Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics Specialist, Post Rehabilitation Exercise Specialist, Diverse Populations Exercise Specialist, Pilates Instructor, Movement coach

A St. John’s native, Sarah (she/her)is an accomplished professional contemporary dance artist (sarahjoystoker.ca) with over 30 years of professional experience, performing nationally and internationally, since graduating from the School of Toronto Dance Theatre in 1996. One of the first to teach Pilates in St. John’s, Sarah is one of only a small number of extensively trained, experienced and certified Pilates Instructors in the Province. After ten years of independent and contract teaching she opened her own Pilates studio, Pony Pilates, in 2011, founded Pony Locale with Michael Luke in 2012, and returned to sole proprietorship and the Pony Pilates model in 2021.

Sarah has trained with internationally renowned movement, Pilates and anatomical educators, Margot McKinnon (Founder of Body Harmonics, Toronto), Thomas Myers, anatomytrains.com, and Elizabeth Larkan, pioneer and innovator within the international contemporary Pilates community.

Sarah’s lifetime of dance and innate sensibility and understanding of bodies and movement make her a gifted facilitator of body and movement education. Ongoing for almost two decades Sarah has been studying Pilates Teacher Training, post rehab, specialized anatomy and bio-mechanical protocols and work with diverse populations at Body Harmonics in Toronto, the internationally acclaimed Pilates Teacher Training Facility, and she was the first and only affiliated teacher trainer for Body Harmonics east of Quebec pre- covid.

Sarah distinguishes herself as one of the few Pilates Instructors in the City and Province that has “Soft Tissue Release” certification, a vital tool in full body maintenance as well as rehabilitation work. Sarah is also trained and experienced in working with people with neuromuscular conditions as well as bone density issues like Osteopenia, Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis.

To contact Sarah Joy Stoker, please e-mail info@ponypilatesnl.ca or call (709) 237-7487.

Robyn Breen

Certified Pilates instructor - Mat and Equipment, Movement Educator

Robyn Breen has dedicated her life to movement with parallel careers as dance artist and movement instructor. She is a graduate of both York University’s Dance (BFA) Program and The Professional Training Program at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre. Robyn has been teaching Pilates since 2007 and since then has collected courses in classical Pilates, contemporary Pilates, Pilates Reformer, Pre/Postnatal Movement Education, and so much more. For seven years, Robyn worked with the Toronto Dance Community Love-In, which she considers her richest education. During that time she studied with dozens of movement educators who have influenced and inspired her own unique way of thinking about and sharing movement.

To book a private session with Robyn, please contact the studio by e-mail info@ponypilatesnl.ca or call (709) 237-7487.

Miranda Leather

Certified Pilates Instructor - Mat and equipment

Miranda is a movement specialist who teaches Pilates, Stretching and Fall Prevention. She has 15 years years of experience as a Pilates Instructor. Miranda has a Masters Degree in Movement Studies from Trinity College London and brings her keen movement observation skills to her teaching. Her 2-year study and qualification with the Pilates Foundation was completed in 2007 and she has been teaching full time ever since. She is also a qualified Postural Stability Instructor and teaches Fall Prevention classes to seniors.

Injuries have led Miranda to be passionate about helping others move without pain and to build strength and flexibility once their technique is solid. Her interest in anatomy and correct movement patterns make her classes interesting, fun and useful. Miranda moved back to Canada from the UK in 2009. She established her own studio, Newfoundland Pilates, and teaches in various other studios in the City.

To book a private session with Miranda please contact the studio by e-mail info@ponypilatesnl.ca or call (709) 237-7487.

Melanie Phillipson

Certified Pilates Instructor - Mat and equipment

Melanie spent her early years growing up in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and participating in all things dance and musical related.  Her passion for the stage took her to Sheridan College and lead her to a 20-year career in Toronto, the Charlottetown Festival in PEI, Germany, and 7 seasons at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake.  Shortly after giving birth to her second child, she discovered the world of Pilates and has been completely immersed in it ever since. She is Comprehensively Certified through Body Harmonics in Toronto and has taught at Body Harmonics, Boomerang Pilates and Soul Fuel. For the last 6 years, she has been running her own studio in Toronto (Big Sky Pilates). She is thrilled to be in St. John’s for a sabbatical until the end of June with her husband, Stephen Guy-McGrath who grew up here, and her two beautiful daughters.

Alan Hamilton

Certified Kinesiologist, Certified Exercise Physiologist

Born and raised in St. John’s, Alan has over 10 years of experience, and holding Bachelor of Kinesiology and Master of Science (Kinesiology) degrees. Combining the latest research with traditional systems such as yoga is his foundation for working with clients and understanding their individual needs. The influence of breathing patterns on joint range of motion, and how mental awareness impacts physical strength has been a focus of academic research (published in peer-reviewed journals).

Alan is a certified PARE (Physical Abilities Requirements Evaluation) test administrator and soft tissue release provider. He is experienced with working with clients with various cancer and arthritis diagnoses; metabolic disorders; cardiovascular disease; pre-surgical preparation; post-surgical and MVA rehabilitation. When not at work, can be found in the woods hiking or trying to cook a meal over the fire.

Alan has been with Pony Locale since 2013. To make an appointment with Alan Hamilton, please e-mail Alan directly at alanhamilton.ck@gmail.com.

Kathy recently retired her position as Physiotherapist with Eastern Health after 28 years. She has studied acupressure and acupuncture for over thirty years, integrating them into her physiotherapy practice, with acupuncture being used for acute and chronic pain and acupressure for release of muscle tension, relaxation and for self treatment.
Most of her acupuncture studies were with Acupuncture Canada as well as a month spent in China in 2007. She studied Jin Shin Do Acupressure in the 1980’s in the Vancouver, BC region. 

She has always loved studying new information and recently completed the first level of Body Harmonics Pilates Mat Teacher Training program taught by Sarah Joy Stoker. This has helped her improve her own ten-year Pilates practice. Kathy is very interested in keeping healthy and promoting mental and physical health into the ‘Golden Years’. Kathy has also recently been studying chronic pain and Mindfulness. Pilates has helped Kathy to continue enjoying a healthy and active, high quality of life with hobbies, including her dogs and arts and crafts.