Founder Catherine Donato

  • When did you start practicing Pilates and why?

I started Pilates in 2011 while undertaking full time dance training. I was dancing up to 8 hours a day, and Pilates became a vital complement to my strength and conditioning routine. It not only helped improve my performance and control, but it was instrumental in preventing and managing injuries under the intense physical demands of professional dance training.

  • How long have you been running a Pilates studio for?

I’ve been running my own Pilates studio for almost 9 years now. I opened Align Pilates Studio in 2016 and have been growing the business and community ever since.

 

  • Why did you choose to open your own Pilates studio? 

At the time, I was working across several different studios, each with its own ethos, culture, and expectations. It was difficult to find alignment between my values and the varied approaches, which often didn’t leave much space for creativity or a long term client focus. I had developed a unique teaching style that was both technically focused and client centred, and I saw a real gap in the market in my local area for an inclusive studio experience that emphasised personalised attention, quality instruction, and genuine care.

  • What have you enjoyed the most about running a studio? 

What I love most is seeing the long term impact Pilates has on people’s lives. We’ve had the privilege of supporting clients through so many different life stages rehabilitation, pregnancy, returning to movement after surgery, aging confidently, or just rediscovering their strength. Being a consistent, positive presence in their journey and building a space that fosters connection, confidence, and resilience is incredibly rewarding.

  • What have you found most challenging?

One of the most challenging aspects is staying true to our values: individualised care, precision, quality over quantity in an industry that’s rapidly evolving and can often be driven by trends. It takes conscious effort to stay aligned with what we believe in, especially when there’s external pressure to scale quickly or compromise on quality for volume.

 

  • How long have you been affiliated with NPT?

We’ve been proudly affiliated with NPT since around 2018.

  • How has this relationship helped you grow your business?

Our relationship with NPT has been incredibly valuable. We’ve had the pleasure of hiring several instructors who trained through NPT and it’s been a privilege to support students during their placement hours to help them transition into confident, capable teachers. That mentoring element adds such a sense of purpose to what we do it’s about growing the profession as much as the business.

  • What have you noticed about the graduates from NPT?

It’s always a pleasure to welcome NPT graduates into our space. They arrive with a great base of knowledge, and a willingness to learn and grow. It’s obvious they’ve been supported through a strong training journey.

Align Pilates Studio– Catherine Donato