About Us

Christine Waterman

Christine began her personal Pilates journey as a student in 1998 while living in England. She was approached by the studio owner to take training to become an instructor. Originally training with the Body Control Pilates® Association in London, Christine received her first BCPA certification in 2001. She continued her education taking various workshops as continued education is key to growing as a teacher. In 2010 she embarked on a 935 hour classical Pilates training program under Noam Gagnon of Beyond Pilates, Vancouver receiving full certification of the classical Pilates method in 2011. In January 2018, Christine began yet another classical learning journey with Karen Frischmann (LA) studying with her for the next 18 months. Classical Pilates practitioners aim to remain true to Joseph Pilates’ original work. Honouring this is very important to Christine and passing this work onto others is a true passion. In addition to completing her teacher training, Christine has completed specialty courses for:

Pilates & Pregnancy (pre & post natal)
Pilates for Children
Wobble Boards
Large & Small Physio (stability) Balls
Pilates for Golf
Smart Spine Conditioning
Numerous ongoing continuing education workshops (2002-present)

Continuing her education she has completed workshops and personal training with trainers such asKaren Frischmann, Noam Gagnon (Beyond Pilates – Vancouver) and Jacqueline Martin (Lineage Pilates, Poland) graduates of Jay Grimes (Vintage Pilates, LA), Dana Santi (Chicago), Jerome Weinberg (New York), Victoria Torre-Capan (New York), Amy Alpers and Rachel Segel (Boulder, Co), Marie-Jose Blom-Lawrence (Long Beach, Ca), Matilda Christensen (Pilates From The Center, Vancouver), movement specialist Thomas Myers. All of these teachers have helped Christine to keep growing as an instructor. Christine opened her first studio in January 2006 (Body Control Pilates). In August of 2011, The Pilates Tree took root and is now a permanent addition to the downtown core of Kamloops in the Rex Theatre building. Christine believes in smaller class sizes to allow for a more personalized experience. This results in greater attention to detail enabling clients to work on raising body awareness and make fundamental changes in their movement patterns while being in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Her goal is to teach clients to bring Pilates into their day to day routine so they can continue to do the activities they love, building strength from the inside out.

Tricia Treherne

Tricia Treherne is a certified STOTT PILATES ® instructor in both mat and reformer. She has been a student of Pilates since 2005 and an instructor since 2008. She has recently completed the STOTT PILATES ® Injuries and Special Populations course and is very interested in using Pilates for rehabilitative and therapeutic purposes.Aside from her teaching certificate and 14 years of teaching experience Tricia has attained a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Business Administration degree. She also operates her own internet business selling Bean Bag Chairs.Tricia has danced since she was a child and is currently working towards full qualification as a ballet teacher while teaching at Nuance Dance Studio.Tricia is passionate about Pilates and it is her goal is to ignite excitement for Pilates in her clients. She enjoys sharing her expertise with her clients to help them achieve their exercise goals.

Deborah Nicholas

Deborah comes to Pilates with first hand experience of her own personal journey in what practice and devotion can accomplish. Barely able to walk and in constant pain, in November 2001, Deborah joined The Pilates Tree as a client and committed herself to the work, attending both private and group classes consistently 3-4 times per week. Experiencing exciting positive changes in her body, during 2 years of personal practice at the Pilates Tree, inspired her to make the decision to begin a new phase of her commitment to Pilates, and she enrolled in the Beyond Pilates Teacher Training program with Noam Gagnon and Christine Waterman. During this year of intense training, there was a dramatic shift in her understanding of the work and her own body. Deborah has also had the privilege to take workshops with Karen Frischmann, Dana Santi and Jerome Weinberg.

Her goals as an instructor and practitioner, are to continue to educate herself about the body and to delve deeper into the Pilates world. Her goal for her clients is to help them achieve success with their own individual goals, as well as helping them to discover their own strength, a renewed energy and a return to healthy, pain free living. Through her knowledge and own personal discoveries, Deborah is well equipped to bring this body of work to others who are seeking change.

Testimonials

I am a 31 year old male who enjoys freestyle skiing, downhill mountain biking, surfing, sledding, shooting guns, weight lifting, and now Pilates. I will admit I was hesitant about trying Pilates for years as I was convinced it was just some weird pseudo-yoga with a bit of extra core work slipped in. It wasn’t until I reached a plateau while rehabbing from my fifth free-skiing induced leg surgery that I had a moment of weakness and decided to tag along and give it a try.

That first experience was exhausting, challenging, and very humbling when I saw that mature women all around me were flying through the exercises while I fumbled around like a newborn deer. A few days later I realized something I had lived with for 17 years had dissipated almost completely; my low back pain caused by countless knee, ankle, hip and back injuries was all but nonexistent.

After the next few sessions I began to notice how much more progress I was making in the gym and how my joints seemed to be lubed up with grease. I can honestly say that Pilates has helped me get my active life back. One year ago I could hardly walk for two blocks and now I am back to sending it down mountains with minimal pain afterwards. I cannot recommend Christine and her wizardry enough, give it a try and I guarantee if you put the effort in you will not be disappointed.

Brett McClelland

I came to The Pilates Tree post-spinal surgery and was immediately reassured that my limitations were not only respected, but understood. The personalized plan proposed for my private Pilates sessions was on par with my physio program. The mobility of my spine sky-rocketed in a very short period of time and within two months my core strength is noticeably better than it was before surgery.

Alan Vukusic, MD

I have been doing Pilates with Christine since 2007. I find Christine to be a very conscientious instructor and I appreciate the attention she gives to the smallest detail. I also appreciate the small class size, which also contributes to helping me in achieving the most from each exercise. I’m finding I am more in tune with my body now and definitely stronger. I’m learning to recognize tension in my body and what I can do to release it. I find I have less aches and am visiting the chiropractor a lot less than I used to. I really look forward to taking my classes each week.

Darlene D, Kamloops BC

Pilates has been the best thing for me. It has helped with my alignment and back problems significantly. I haven’t visited a chiropractor for over 2 years! Christine has a great sense of humour and makes the class very enjoyable and fun. It’s a great workout that covers every part of my body, mind and spirit.

I highly recommend Christine’s classes.

Lisa Fuller, Kamloops BC

I used to have poor posture and because of that I suffered multiple areas of pain: shoulders, neck, hips, knees, etc. I went to chiropractors and massage therapists to try and alleviate the pain and received no relief. I even went through 11 Rolfing treatments but still had pain.

One massage therapist recommended I take up fitness. I had already been involved with a gym but it wasn’t enough for what I needed. I hired a personal trainer to help teach me to correct my posture with some relief.

Christine, Tricia, and Deborah are all very professional and knowledgeable and are always watching and correcting body alignment. Most of all, they make it fun while we work hard. To watch the graceful moves of Pilates, you wouldn’t think it is hard work. Believe me, the movements may be slow and controlled but it’s tough. The sweat will drip and the muscles will ache.

Thanks you guys. It has made a big difference in my life.

Loralie Rodgers, Kamloops BC

Pilates has become a special part of my life. I have been attending Christine’s studio since 2006 now and have more core strength and flexibility than I could have ever imagined at this stage of my life.

My general body strength has improved and the time to focus and relax during class is great. Pilates has been a wonderful learning curve, contributing to my overall health.

Because I have osteoporosis, it helps me to stand tall and any back pain is kept in check. My bone density has even increased! The staff are wonderful, aware of individual needs, and present us with new challenges.

Pilates will be a part of my life for as long as I am able to take part. Above all, it is great to meet new people and you feel great!

Val Vicars, Kamloops BC

As a Chiropractor, I am always looking for ways to help my patients improve their overall health. Pilates was something I had heard about but never tried… until last year. From the first session, I discovered that a lot of the Pilates protocols are very similar to the exercises I give patients for the rehabilitation of numerous musculoskeletal conditions and overall well being.

Because Pilates focuses on the smaller stabilizing muscles of our bodies that are often weak in so many of us, it gives us the strength to carry on daily activities while reducing the risk of injury.

So whether you have been in an accident or just suffer from chronic tight and sore muscles from day to day activity, Pilates is something I would highly recommend!

Dr. Laura McCall – owner Active Health, Kamloops BC