Hi!
I'M RAFAELLA
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I'm a certified Pilates instructor, choreographer, dance instructor, certified Zumba instructor, event planner, an entrepreneur and independent woman who is committed to helping you make a difference in your life while having fun!
Ever heard a real-life fairy tale?
For me, it feels like I’ve lived a fairy tale when I look back from where I am in my life today! But, it doesn't always start well, does it?
I started dance exercise when I was five years old! Now, you can see where it comes from?
By the time I was 15 – my passion for dancing had taken me places, and I was already winning international competitions!
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I moved towards teaching dance lessons to teens, children, and adults when I was 18. During that time, I received my Zumba certification and danced at several events in the BENELUX (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg). I worked as a dancer/choreographer while putting myself through school. Things kept on heading in the right direction, and I ended up running my own event agency for all kinds of entertainment when I was just 22! It was such a bliss for a 22 y/o.
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Rafaella’s Hosting Dancing & Events
This is where things started happening. I started my entertainment agency at the age of 23. I did this to expand my dance skills and connect with my colleague artists all around the BENELUX in Europe.
Then, life happened!
Around the age of 30, I suffered from an injury in to lower back and hips, which brought my dancing career to a standstill. This meant that, unfortunately, everything was put on hold.
After visiting many chiropractors and physiotherapists, I still couldn’t find the solution to my injury problems.
This is when I stumbled upon Pilates and took a private session in Brussels.
I immediately felt a difference, and that was the moment that I started to get curious about Pilates.
I started my training with Ernie Prevoo (Classical Pilates, The Netherlands). I also did a bridging program at Balanced Body with Michael Lots in Brussels. During the next years I specialized myself into scoliosis, lower back pain, and many more.
This led me to become certified in Pilates so that I could share my knowledge with others.
A whole new world was opening up, and I decided to say goodbye to my event business and started focusing on Pilates because I felt that helping others was exactly what I wanted to do.
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The Next Step!
In 2018, I decided to take my life to another level and moved to Cabarete in the Dominican Republic to start the first Equipped Pilates studio on the North coast. I did this because I needed a more significant challenge and wanted to live and to work in a warmer climate.
Besides working with group classes and 1-1 using machines in the Dominican Republic, I also teach online (group and private classes) to connect with people in Belgium, Portugal, Central America, Canada, and the US
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Are you far away? Don't worry; I offer online classes that are enjoyed by my clients from all over the world!