Unique Pilates is a Pilates studio in North New Brighton, Christchurch, run by studio owner and director Mel James. Mel has taught Pilates since 1999, following a dance career that took her around the world. She trained with Balance' Pilates and Physio in Sydney on a yearlong apprenticeship with rehabilitation clients, then completed her Polestar Pilates Mat, Reformer and Comprehensive qualifications between 2001 and 2003 while helping set up the Australian Polestar facility. She is now a Polestar NZ Educator and mentor who trains new Pilates teachers, and a Clinical Pilates Rehabilitation specialist. Mel was a finalist in the NZ Fitness Awards in 2021, 2022 and 2024, and won Pilates Method Teacher of the Year in 2025.
The studio's small teaching team also includes Tamara Richardson, who began her Pilates journey in 2006, trained through The Pilates Standard in Germany in 2016, and completed her Polestar Mat certification in 2024 and Comprehensive studio certification in 2026, and Kirsten Vaughn, a former national-level athlete and strength-based personal trainer who moved into Pilates in 2021 and completed her Polestar Mat certification in 2024.
Unique Pilates offers group Mat Pilates classes, small Mini Reformer classes on three in-studio Reformers, and one-on-one Private Sessions. All instructors are Polestar Pilates Accredited, and classes are designed to suit every level, from complete beginners to athletes, and every age from 15 to 100. The studio welcomes people rehabilitating injuries as well as those simply wanting to build strength, improve flexibility and posture, and support their mental health through movement.
Classes run across the week from Monday to Saturday, with a mix of Beginner, Intermediate, Reformer and Small Equipment sessions at various times. Bookings and payments are handled through the Classfit app, and new clients are asked to contact the studio first so Mel or the team can make sure a class suits their needs and ability.