BASI Pilates ™ Instructors - South Africa

Theo van der Riet
Theo van der Riet is one of two principal instructors for Body Arts and Science International and owner of Body Intellect, an internationally recognized Pilates studio in Pretoria, South Africa. Her studio is also the headquarters for Body Arts and Science International in South Africa. Theo has taught Pilates around the world, in the United States, New Zealand, Brazil, Dubai, Hong Kong, London and Namibia. In 2001, she worked at the On Centre Conditioning Studio in Southern California, which is run by master teacher, Rael Isacowitz. Theo continues to train with Rael and to consult for him all over the globe. She earned her Bachelor of Education degree in dance at the Pretoria Technikon, where she combined her love of sports, dance and Pilates. While she instructs the general population in Pilates, during the last eight years, she has developed a large following among sports professionals, such as rugby players, and dancers. In addition, she often assists medical professionals in rehabilitating injured individuals. Most recently, Theo trains students to become internationally certified in the Pilates method.

Ashley Ritchie
Ashley Ritchie is a BASI Pilates lecturer and instructor based in Craighall Park, Johannesburg. She has been involved with movement since the age of four. Her passion for teaching began with Iris Manning School of Dance in Natal in 1980. When Ashley moved to Johannesburg in 1989 she shifted from classical dance to pilates. Her initial training was in the New York Method. After attending a workshop in Jhb with Rael Izakowitz, Ashley retrained in the BASI Pilates Method under Christie Cooper and Rael Izakowitz. She had been running her own studio since then and is a lecturer for BASI and Host studio for Johannesburg based courses. Ashley is also a GYROTONIC instructor, mother to three children and a wife!

Natasja Barnard
Tash's fascinating Pilates career started in 2000 after graduating with honours in the 'Cecchetti Ballet' and 'I.D.T.A Modern Dance' Methods. She qualified as a BASI Instructor in 2001 under Rael who also inspired her to take charge and use this opportunity to go global and experience the power of BASI world wide. Over the past six years Tash worked in London, Dubai, Salzburg (Austria) and most recently Hong Kong where she joined the BASI faculty before returning to her home country South Africa. As a caring instructor with an immense amount of energy and real passion for the work she strives for continued improvement both personally and professionally with a focus on achieving results. Tash works closely with her husband, Andre who is a Chiropractor. They live in Ballito, Kwa Zulu Natal where she run's her own private studio under the name of 'Absolute Pilates'.

Eduard Barnard
Eduard is a certified Body Arts and Science International Pilates instructor. He has 8 years of Pilates teaching experience. Prior to Pilates he was a Martial Arts instructor and also a certified personal fitness trainer from the Exercise Teachers Academy. Ed is also the owner of a white-collar boxing gym in Cape Town, as well as being a certified Russian Kettlebells trainer. His interests in the movement sciences made Pilates a natural progression for him. In 2005, Eduard spent the year teaching and developing Pilates in Beijing, China. He has since had the opportunity to teach Pilates courses in both Indonesia and Japan. Today he is the owner of edb Pilates Studio in Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa.