A team of certified Classical Pilates teachers, ready to serve you.
About Altum
Nice to meet you, we're Altum Pilates.
Nestled in the heart of Orchard Road in Singapore, we are a cosy boutique studio with a profound dedication to the art and science of Pilates. Our name, meaning "deep" in Latin, mirrors our commitment to delve deeply into the foundational teachings of Joseph Pilates. We strive to make Classical Pilates accessible and transformative for everyone, helping each client embark on a journey from where they achieve their fullest potential.
Many of our clients come to us dealing with pain or physical limitation — as our founder Joanne once did — and leave with a body that moves with more ease.
Our handpicked team of teachers brings unparalleled expertise and passion to their classes, and have spent years honing and developing their Pilates education and certifications.
Equipped with Classical Pilates apparatus and grounded in the practices devised by Joseph Pilates, Altum Pilates aims to provide a personalised experience tailored to the needs and goals of our clients.
Above all, we’re devoted to lifelong learning and continuous improvement, ensuring that we bring the most effective and supportive Pilates experience to our community.
All with a smile, and a warm hug.
Meet the Team
Joanne Chong
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Joanne trained under Miguel D'Silva, Ole Eugenio, Karen Frishmann, and Victoria Torrie-Capan, and teaches with a strong commitment to Joseph Pilates' original method.
She came to Pilates in 2012 to deal with plantar fasciitis. The pain resolved within six months, and she stayed for what the practice did for her mind as well as her body.
She founded Altum Pilates to build Classical Pilates in Singapore, training in Zurich, Manila, and Singapore along the way. Her background in Human Resources shapes how she leads her team of teachers.
She's focused on mentoring the next generation of instructors, and teaches every class by tracing movements back to their original intent.
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UnoPilates graduate program – Principles of Guidance
Mentor Educator for Smart Movement Original Pilates® — All Apparatus
STOTT® Pilates, Advanced Level Certification
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Schroth Level 1
Smart Movement Anatomy In Action for Pathologies
Scolio-Pilates® Level 3 (Authorised Practitioner)
STOTT® Pilates, Injuries & Special Populations
Additional training:
Pre/Post Natal Pilates & Diastasis Recti Recovery — The Centre For Women's Fitness
EBFA Neurosensory Specialist Certification and Barefoot Training Specialist Level 2
Maegan Teh
Classical Pilates Teacher and Scolio-Pilates® Practitioner
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Maegan trained under Joanne Chong, Karen Frishmann, and Andrea Maida, and works closely with teens and clients managing scoliosis.
She came to movement after pregnancy and ankle surgery, first through Jazzercise and dance fitness. A health setback in early 2024 affecting her balance and strength brought her to Pilates for rehabilitation, and she's lived with the condition since.
She completed her Classical Pilates teacher training with Altum, drawing on her own experience to work with clients managing similar challenges. Her Masters in Physics gives her a close read on the mechanics of movement, which matters most when she's helping teens with scoliosis build strength and balance safely.
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Smart Movement International, Comprehensive Classical Pilates Teacher
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Scolio-Pilates® Level 3 (Practitioner)
Smart Movement Anatomy In Action for Pathologies
Jazzercise Instructor Certification
Barre Body Reformer Pilates
EBFA Barefoot Training Specialist Level 2
Wang Zhiling
Classical Pilates Teacher
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Zhiling trained under Ole Eugenio through Smart Movement's teacher training program, and was first introduced to Pilates by Joanne Chong.
She spent years in high-impact training, running, spinning, and weights, until chronic lower back pain and a gym injury caught up with her. She started Pilates in 2017 on her doctor's recommendation and the practice became a genuine focus.
Zhiling teaches with an emphasis on performance, injury prevention, and body awareness. She holds a Master's in Art Therapy, which shapes how she cues movement and engages clients' imagination.
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Smart Movement International, Comprehensive Classical Pilates Teacher
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Smart Movement, Injuries and Special Population Pilates
Centre for Women's Fitness, Pre & Postnatal Specialist Certification, Diastasis Recti Recovery
BFA Barefoot Training Specialist Level 2
Patsy Lee
Senior Classical Pilates Teacher
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Patsy was a competitive sportswoman until osteoarthritis, diagnosed at 25, left her unable to stay active. In 2005 she became a private client of the late Alvin Giam, one of the pioneers of Pilates in Singapore, and trained under him as a teacher.
She spent nearly two decades teaching across Singapore studios, bringing with her years in Human Resources at MINDEF and in the private sector, which shaped how she works with clients navigating pain. She joined Altum for its commitment to Joseph Pilates' original teachings and continues refining her practice under Joanne.
Patsy specialises in post-rehabilitative clients, tailoring sessions to each person's history. She teaches with a focus on breath, precision, and body awareness.
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Smart Movement International, Comprehensive Classical Pilates Teacher
National Pilates Certification Program (Miami, Florida), Certified, All Equipment
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Smart Movement Anatomy In Action for Pathologies
Physical Method Alliance, Rehabilitation Pilates Programme — All Equipment
Post-Rehabilitative Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist
Exercise Is Medicine Singapore, Allied Healthcare Professionals' Course
Scolio-Pilates® Module 1 & 2
Autism Fitness Level 1 Certification
The Centre for Women's Fitness, Pre & Postnatal Pilates Specialist
Sarah Lam
Classical Pilates Teacher
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Sarah trained under Ole Eugenio and Fhe Samia, and was influenced by Joanne Chong's teaching. She specialises in working with older clients and clients managing scoliosis.
She first tried Pilates in her 30s at a studio next to her office, as a supplement to running. She returned to it years later, this time studying the history and principles behind Joseph Pilates' work, and that's what led her to Altum and to teacher training under Joanne.
Sarah is drawn to how intricately the body is designed and how Pilates works with that design. She's focused on helping older clients and those managing scoliosis move with mobility and function.
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Smart Movement International, Comprehensive Classical Pilates Teacher
Smart Movement International, Functional Anatomy
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Scolio-Pilates® Module 1 & 2
Additional Training:
The Centre for Women's Fitness, Pre & Postnatal Specialist Certification, Diastasis Recti Recovery
Yoko Matsuda
Classical Pilates Teacher-Apprentice
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Yoko was a competitive basketball player in Japan, but a career in consulting brought late nights and little sleep. Fifteen years ago, after moving to Singapore, she turned to Pilates and found real relief from shoulder tension and cold sensitivity.
Yoko draws on her background as a personal trainer, incorporating home workout techniques so clients can stay active beyond the studio. She enjoys bringing Japanese Pilates lessons to the studio.
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Pilates Academy International (PAI) Anatomy, Biomechanics and Postural Analysis
PAI All Population Mat 1
PAI All Population Reformer 1
PAI Pre/Post-Natal Pilates
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Japanese population
Japanese Pilates classes
Pre-natal and Post-Natal
Cici Tan
Senior Classical Pilates Teacher
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Cici came to Pilates over a decade ago to manage knee pain from long-distance running. Alongside the pain relief, she found a stronger mind-body connection than she expected.
She teaches with a focus on body awareness, muscle tone, and flexibility, building steady strength through consistent practice.
Cici is trained to support pre- and post-natal clients and works with a significant number of clients managing scoliosis, currently working toward her Scolio-Pilates® practitioner certification. She has a particular interest in women's movement through different life stages, and teaches with a warm, attentive presence.
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Smart Movement International, Comprehensive Classical Pilates Teacher
STOTT Pilates®, Intensive & Advanced Matwork
STOTT Pilates®, Intensive & Advanced Reformer
PhysicalMind Institute (PMI), Comprehensive Equipment Certified
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Scolio-Pilates® Level 1 + 2 (module 3 in progress)
STOTT Pilates®, Injuries and Special Population
Smart Movement Anatomy In Action for Pathologies
Additional Training:
Centre for Women's Fitness, Pre & Postnatal Specialist Certification
Eileen Goh
Classical Pilates Teacher
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Eileen trained under Ole Eugenio and Fhe Samia, and was influenced by Joanne Chong's teaching.
She discovered Pilates in 2014, doing mat work at home alongside HIIT training before curiosity about the Reformer led her to Joanne and into Smart Movement's teacher training. Along the way, her own practice resolved chronic lower back pain from years of desk work.
Eileen tailors sessions to each client, with particular focus on strength and conditioning through mat work and support for women through pregnancy, postpartum, and diastasis recti recovery. She trained in biomedical science, which shapes how she connects movement to mechanics.
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Smart Movement International, Comprehensive Classical Pilates Teacher
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Smart Movement International, Functional Anatomy
The Center Method for Diastasis Recti Recovery Specialist (with Carolyne Anthony)
EBFA Global Neurosensory Specialist (with Dr Emily Splichal)
Lisa Dominguez
Classical Pilates Teacher and Scolio-Pilates® Practitioner
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Lisa has practiced Pilates since 2008 and completed her Classical Pilates teacher training with Altum. She holds Scolio-Pilates® Level 3 (Practitioner) certification.
Over 20 years ago, Lisa underwent corrective scoliosis surgery and now lives with a fused spine, giving her firsthand understanding of how Pilates practice can stabilise the body. Two pregnancies and postpartum recovery with a fused spine reinforced that belief, and she works with clients navigating pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and spinal fusion.
Lisa has lived in the Philippines, Boston, New York, Tokyo, and France before settling in Singapore. She is a mother of two boys.
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Smart Movement International, Comprehensive Classical Pilates Teacher
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Scolio-Pilates® Level 3 (Practitioner)
Smart Movement Anatomy In Action for Pathologies
STOTT Pilates®, Postural Analysis Review
STOTT Pilates®, Functional Anatomy
Pat Cheong
Classical Pilates Teacher
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Pat's path to Pilates started in the fitness industry, where she trained in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu alongside yoga. Managing a Pilates studio drew her to the method's structure and depth, which led her to teacher training at Altum.
Her interest in post-rehabilitation became personal when her mother fractured her elbow. Supporting that recovery showed Pat what she wanted to focus on: helping people move toward strength after injury.
Pat travels to train with teachers from different schools and backgrounds. At Altum, she's often the first person you meet, and teaches with a calm, patient approach.
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Smart Movement International, Comprehensive Classical Pilates Teacher
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Scolio-Pilates® Modules 1 & 2 (Module 3 in progress)
Smart Movement Anatomy In Action for Pathologies
Centre for Women's Fitness, Menopause Health and Exercise
EBFA Barefoot Training Specialist Level 2
Agnes Widjaya
Classical Pilates Teacher-Apprentice
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Agnes came to Pilates two years ago after years of desk work affected her posture. She started in group classes, then began private sessions with Joanne Chong to go deeper into Classical Pilates. After a year of practice, she signed up for Altum's teacher training and graduated.
With a background in interior design, Agnes was drawn to the logic behind each movement and the way the system is built on structure and sequence rather than improvisation. She teaches with attention to space and helps clients build genuine body awareness.
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Smart Movement International, Comprehensive Classical Pilates Teacher
Smart Movement Anatomy In Action for Pathologies
Marilyn Chua
Classical Pilates Teacher-Apprentice
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Marilyn discovered mat Pilates in her 20s and continued with prenatal mat work through pregnancy. She later deepened her practice through hot yoga, building an appreciation for flexibility and breath.
Her return to Pilates was driven by rebuilding core strength, and that return led her to see Classical Pilates as a complete, structured system, with its apparatus building stability, strength, and control progressively.
Marilyn is half Japanese and fluent in both English and Japanese. She teaches with a focus on sustainable movement that supports clients through every stage of life.
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Smart Movement International, Comprehensive Classical Pilates Teacher
Smart Movement Anatomy In Action for Pathologies
Smart Movement Functional Anatomy
Scolio-Pilates® Modules 1 & 2 (Module 3 in progress)
Joanne Lau
Classical Pilates Teacher-Apprentice
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Joanne Lau started Pilates over 10 years ago to stay active, and it's since become central to how she looks after her body and overall wellbeing.
After years practicing Contemporary Pilates, she's now training as an apprentice instructor with Smart Movement, learning the Classical method in depth. She's drawn to its precision and how much can be found in movements that look simple on the surface.
Joanne is now working toward teaching, with the goal of helping others build strength and move well through daily life.
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Smart Movement International, Comprehensive Classical Pilates Teacher (in progress)
Smart Movement Anatomy In Action for Pathologies
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Coming soon
Devahi Palany
Classical Pilates Teacher and Scolio-Pilates® Practitioner
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Devahi began with yoga and Pilates 15 years ago, later adding running, hiking, spinning, and bodyweight training to her routine. Pilates became the practice that stuck, deepening both her physical strength and her sense of what mindful movement means.
She completed her teacher training with a focus on scoliosis, learning to adapt Classical Pilates principles for clients working through that condition, building a foundation and progressing at a pace that's safe and sustainable.
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Smart Movement International, Comprehensive Classical Pilates Teacher
Peak Pilates Classical Level II
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Scolio-Pilates® Level 3 (Scolio-Pilates® Practitioner)
Smart Movement Anatomy In Action for Pathologies
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL“The instructors have in-depth knowledge on body biomechanics and craft exercises carefully.”
Movement That Makes Sense.
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