True Pilates Sydney Team

Yung Ok Yoo - Studio Owner & Principal Instructor

“My Passion for the True Pilates method stems from my own evolution in exercise. Pilates has given me strength and discipline in Mind, Body and Spirit”

Yung-Ok's background is in Fine Arts and hospitality. Her world changed when she discovered Pilates in 2007 after injuring her lower back and what started out as a weekly session became her life’s passion.

In 2008, Yung-Ok started her apprenticeship with 2nd Generation Teacher trainer Cynthia Lochard at The Pilates Method Training centre in Sydney for Romana’s Pilates. She completed 1000 hours of training before certifying in January 2009. Before opening her own studio, Yung-Ok taught in Romana's Pilates Studios around Sydney; The Pilates Method Sydney in Surry Hills, Powerhouse Pilates in Lillyfield and Balmain Pilates Studio in Balmain. Yung-Ok also established Pilates Mat classes around various locations in Sydney.

In 2013, Yung-Ok opened 'True Pilates Sydney Studio' because she felt there was a poor representation of 'true' Pilates in the fitness world. With True Pilates Sydney Studio, she aims to deliver high quality instruction with a team of Professional Pilates teachers who are also passionate and dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the True Pilates Method.

Yung-Ok continues her own personal Pilates training with her weekly sessions with Teacher Trainer Cynthia Lochard. She regularly travels to New York (most recent trip Sept 2018) - the hub of Romana’s Pilates for continued intensive training with 2nd Generation Teacher trainers; Cynthia Shipley from Lifespan Pilates and Jerome Weinberg from True Pilates New York - east side (TPNY), Anthony Rabara from The Anthony Rabara Pilates Studio in Princeton, New Jersey.

July 2019, Yung-Ok travelled to Sao Paulo Brazil was invited to teach alongside her longtime mentor Jerome Weinberg, followed by Auckland in September 2019 to work with longtime mentor Anthony Rabara.

March 2020, Yung ok travelled back to New Zealand to teach at Authentic Pilates Studio in Gisborne.

Yusun Oh - Resident Instructor

A former Athlete and professional soccer player for Japan in 2013. In 2015, she returned home to Korea and played for in the Professional league. Yusun is also a certified soccer coach and physical education instructor.
Yusun discovered Pilates when Pilates was incorporated into the team’s soccer training to help strengthen and improve players physicality. It also proved very effective in the prevention of injuries for the players. Inspired by Pilates, in 2016 Yusun started her Pilates apprenticeship initially in Lolita Pilates Method, however by chance after discovering the Romana’s Pilates Method she decided she wanted to be a certified Romana’s Pilates Instructor therefore retrained in the Romana’s Pilates Method Program. She moved to Sydney to finish her apprenticeship at Cynthia’s Lochard’s Pilates Method Studio, Sydney Australia - a Romana’s Pilates Training Centre.

In August 2018, Yusun certified as a Romana’s Pilates Instructor and has extended her stay in Australia for another year to immerse herself in Pilates.

Yusun was so inspired by the positivity that came from Pilates she hopes to share this with her clients and also take Romana’s Pilates back to Korea and teach Pilates to athletes

Juyeon Lee - Resident Instructor

Juyeon’s  background is in Performance arts - studying Acting in university from 2010 and then Dance Academy in 2011 with jazz and ballet as her majors. In addition to her Performance Arts, she started Pilates as a client in a Modern Pilates studio in 2017. 

In 2018, after a year as a client Juyeon started her Pilates apprenticeship in the 'Muscle Care’ Program in Modern Pilates in Seoul Korea.

In  2019, she finished her Pilates program and started teaching in various studios across Seoul as a Modern Pilates teacher. However, having heard about Traditional Pilates and looking to deepen her Pilates knowledge, 

Juyeon moved to Dallas, Texas USA in March 2022 to begin the Romana’s Pilates certification Program at Parks Cities Pilates Centre. Under the mentorship of Studio owner and Senior Instructor Amanda Owens, Teacher Trainers Katie Puder, Rhonda Celenza, Master Teacher trainer Sari Santo and Juanita Lopez. 

Because of Juyeon’s pre-existing knowledge and experience of teaching, she accomplished her certification in October 2022.

Looking to continue to expand her knowledge and teaching experience, Juyeon has moved to Sydney where she has found a home at True Pilates Sydney Studio. 

We are very excited to have Juyeon join the team and for us to be part of her training to inspire a new generation of Romana’s Pilates teachers. 

INTRODUCING GUEST INSTRUCTOR

Thomaz Yonekura

(Guest teaching 29 May - 15 June 2023)

“I met Thomaz while I was guest teaching at The Authentic Pilates Studio in Gisborne New Zealand 2020. We had spoken back then about collaborating and to have him visit True Pilates Sydney Studio but due to COVID19 we had to delay this vision. Thomaz is a patient, thorough and professional teacher - I am very excited to have Thomaz visit and join our team for a few weeks as a Guest teacher. ” - Yung ok Yoo

Thomaz started as a fitness instructor in Brazil in 1998. In 2005 he gained his Bachelor of Physical Education and in 2010 he was awarded his certification in Authentic Pilates. He has a black belt in Jiu-jitsu and has a passion for surfing which was a big attraction for him to relocate to Gisborne in 2017 from Brazil. Thomaz is currently based in NZ and is a Principal Instructor at The Authentic Pilates Studio in Gisborne.

We are delighted to have Thomaz at the studio to share his knowledge and passion of Pilates with our team and clients.