My Bio
Meet Amy
Amy Giles, BA, BLitt (Health), MA, E-RYT500, Comprehensive Pilates Instructor
Amy is a third year Health Sciences student (BHSc/MPT) at Flinders University, a yoga and Pilates Instructor with 25+ years of experience, and recipient of the ‘Mind/Body Instructor of the Year’ from New Zealand Exercise Association (2017).
Amy has worked in a variety of health and fitness settings, first as a group fitness instructor at gyms, recreation and community centres, and then focusing on yoga and Pilates at physiotherapy clinics, gyms, and studios (including her own). She has completed extensive training in various styles of yoga, Pilates, breathwork and other mind/body practices, which has helped her become the holistic, trauma-informed instructor she is today.
My Certifications
Formal Education
- Bachelor of Letters, Graduate Entry – Health | Flinders University, 2025
- Master of Arts – TESOL | University of Northern Iowa, 2010
- Bachelor of Arts – Interpersonal Communications | Eastern Washington University, 2005
Pilates
- Comprehensive Pilates Instructor | Polestar Pilates, Adelaide, SA, 2024
- Pilates Reformer for Optimum Performance Certification | Elizabeth Harding Physiotherapy, Auckland, NZ, 2019
- Injuries & Special Populations | STOTT Pilates, Auckland, NZ, 2017, 2018
- Prenatal Pilates on the Reformer (workshop) | STOTT Pilates, Auckland, NZ, 2017
- Reformer Instructor Certification | STOTT Pilates, Bangkok, Thailand, 2015
Yoga, Mind/Body
- Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Certification | Yoga Medicine, online, 2025
- Spine Module w/ Tiffany Cruikshank | Yoga Medicine, Koh Samui, Thailand, 2017
- Prenatal Yoga Training, Bliss Baby, Auckland, 2017
- Neurokinetic Therapy Training | Neurokinetic Therapy, Auckland, 2017
- Yin Yoga Training w/ Duncan Peak | Power Living, Sri Lanka, 2016
- AcroYoga Lunar & Solar Immersion Certification | AcroYoga, Auckland, NZ & Sydney, NSW, 2015
- 300Hr Yoga Certification (Advanced Ashtanga Vinyasa, Yin Yoga) | The Yoga People, Koh Samui, Thailand, 2014
- 200Hr Yoga Certification (Ashtanga Vinyasa) | It’s Yoga, Koh Phangan, Thailand, 2012
- 200+Hrs Yoga Teahcer Training (Hatha Vinyasa) | YogaFit, USA, 2002 – 2012
Fitness
- Total Barre Instructor Certification | STOTT Pilates, Auckland, NZ, 2018
- Spinning Certification | Johnny G. Spinning, Spokane, WA, 2002
- Group Fitness Instructor Certification | American Council on Exercise, 2002
My Presentations
- Guest Facilitator: “Yoga Anatomy, Functional ROM and the Evolution of Yoga Asana” | Rise Yoga Teacher Training, Bali, Indonesia, 2019
- Presenter: “Who are You? Beyond the Layers” | Hauora Yoga Conference, Auckland, 2018
- Facilitator/Presenter: “Yoga Smarter” | Workshop Weekend, Whakatane, NZ, 2018
- Presenter: “AcroYoga” | 2018 Wellness Weekend, the little YOGA festival, Mt. Maunganui, NZ, 2018
- Poster Presentation: “Effective strategies and methods for teaching EFL without a common language” | KOTESOL International Conference, Seoul, Korea, 2011
- Presenter: “Increasing Learner Motivation Through the Ideal L2 Self” | TESOL Arabia Conference, Dubai, U.A.E., 2010
Other Work Experience & Credentials
Physiotherapist
Special Interest in
My Work Experience
- Infinity Pilates and Personal Training, West Lakes
- Goodlife Health Clubs, West Lakes/Adelaide area
- Flexa Physiotherapy Clinic, Auckland, NZ
- Mind Body Movement (my business), Whakatane, NZ
- immayogi (my mobile yoga/Pilates business), Bay of Plenty, NZ
- Corporate mind/body classes for various organisations (Korea, NZ, Australia)
- University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, USA
- Cedar Falls Recreation Centre, Cedar Falls, IA, USA
- North Park Racquet & Athletic Club, Spokane, WA, USA
- Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA, USA.
My Presentations
- Guest Facilitator: “Yoga Anatomy, Functional ROM and the Evolution of Yoga Asana” | Rise Yoga Teacher Training, Bali, Indonesia, 2019
- Presenter: “Who are You? Beyond the Layers” | Hauora Yoga Conference, Auckland, 2018
- Facilitator/Presenter: “Yoga Smarter” | Workshop Weekend, Whakatane, NZ, 2018
- Presenter: “AcroYoga” | 2018 Wellness Weekend, the little YOGA festival, Mt. Maunganui, NZ, 2018
- Poster Presentation: “Effective strategies and methods for teaching EFL without a common language” | KOTESOL International Conference, Seoul, Korea, 2011
- Presenter: “Increasing Learner Motivation Through the Ideal L2 Self” | TESOL Arabia Conference, Dubai, U.A.E., 2010
Personal Interest
- Rescue Diver Certification | PADI, Great Barrier Reef, QLD, 2021
- Advanced Open Water Diver Certification | PADI, Great Barrier Reef, QLD, 2021
- Freediving Certification | Apnea Total, Koh Phangan, Thailand, 2017
- Open Water Scuba Diving Certification | PADI, Koh Tao, Thailand, 2012