Founder of Altum Pilates and Altum Academy | Pilates Mentor Educator of Smart Movement International | @joannepilates

Joanne Chong is the co-founder of Altum Pilates and Altum Academy, and a dedicated mentor to the next generation of Classical Pilates teachers. Her teaching is grounded in more than a decade of practice and enriched by extensive training with respected educators across the world, from Singapore and Manila to Zurich.

With a degree in Applied Science (Sports Administration) from the University of Canberra, Joanne combines academic rigour with lived teaching experience. She has completed advanced certifications across multiple disciplines, including Smart Movement International’s Original Pilates – All Apparatus and Functional Anatomy, Scolio-Pilates® Level 3 Practitioner training, Cancer Exercise Specialist certification, and advanced STOTT® Pilates qualifications.

As an educator, Joanne is known for linking every movement and apparatus back to its original purpose, ensuring Classical Pilates remains true to its roots and accessible to all. Beyond the repertoire, she prepares teachers to thrive in their careers — equipping them with skills in mentorship, rehabilitation, pre- and post-natal care, athletic conditioning, and professional development.

Her work is distinguished by her belief that great teachers are shaped through close guidance, rigorous standards, and a deep respect for the method.

Founder of Smart Movement International | Pilates Programme Director | @olelovespilates

Ole Eugenio is a pioneering educator whose work has shaped Pilates education across Asia and beyond. With over two decades of experience, he is recognised for bridging tradition and innovation, preserving the integrity of Joseph Pilates’ original method while integrating contemporary science and movement systems.

Ole began his career as the first Filipino to achieve full STOTT PILATES certification in Toronto, later becoming a Lead Instructor Trainer and establishing the first STOTT PILATES Licensed Training Centre in Singapore. From 2007 to 2016, he trained and certified more than 500 instructors across Asia, the Middle East, and North America, earning the title of STOTT PILATES Rookie of the Year (2008) and, later, Best Pilates Trainer in the Philippines (2018).

In 2018, Ole committed himself fully to Classical Pilates and founded Smart Movement International, creating a comprehensive teacher training curriculum that honours Joseph Pilates’ original work while integrating modern anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. He has since completed the Real Pilates Teacher Training Programme in New York and further deepened his studies under Karen Frischmann through the Classical Progression programme.

Today, Ole serves as Pilates Programme Director for Manila and Singapore for Smart Movement International, and continues to mentor and inspire teachers worldwide. His vision remains clear: to cultivate Pilates educators who are grounded in tradition, enriched by science, and equipped to meet the needs of today’s movement landscape.

Pilates Mentor Educator for Smart Movement Educator | Classical Pilates Teacher at Options Studio | @neil_alvarez

With over a decade of teaching experience, Neil Alvarez is known for his clarity, precision, and ability to meet students where they are. As a Mentor Educator with Smart Movement International, he plays a key role in shaping aspiring Pilates teachers in Manila and beyond.

What sets Neil apart is his ability to blend technical expertise with practical insight. His background as both a personal trainer and a comprehensively certified Classical Pilates teacher gives him a unique perspective on strength, alignment, and injury prevention. He helps his trainees understand why movement matters, and how to apply it safely and intelligently in real-life teaching.

As a mentor, Neil is committed to building confidence in his trainees, guiding them patiently through challenges while holding them to the high standards of Classical Pilates. His goal is to develop teachers who are not only skilled, but thoughtful and adaptable.

Classical Pilates Teacher at Altum Pilates | Pilates Mentor for Altum Academy | @with.maegan

Maegan Teh brings to her teaching the lived experience of movement as recovery. Her journey through pregnancy, ankle surgery, and later health challenges gave her a first-hand understanding of how Pilates can restore strength, balance, and resilience. This personal connection to the work is what makes her mentorship uniquely empathetic and impactful.

What sets Maegan apart is her ability to connect with students who may be facing their own limitations - whether teenagers discovering their bodies or clients managing scoliosis. Having navigated these challenges herself, she brings compassion, patience, and a deep belief that Classical Pilates can transform not just physical ability, but also confidence and outlook.

As a Smart Movement International Full Comprehensive Classical Pilates Teacher with certifications in Scolio-Pilates®, Jazzercise, and Barre Body Reformer, Maegan blends technical knowledge with a genuine commitment to making Pilates accessible. Her mentorship is grounded in listening, adapting, and helping each student grow into a teacher who can meet the diverse needs of real-world clients.