Instructors.

Iva Sajdl. Lead Instructor.

A natural teacher with more than 20 years experience in the sport and fitness industry, Iva is the lead instructor & owner of Viva Sportiva.

Iva holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) degree and has extensive knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics and physiology which allows her to create the most effective workout while reducing the risk of injury and promoting rehabilitation. She prides herself on delivering the most beneficial and enjoyable experience to each person while keeping it fun!

Health and movement are her ongoing focus with emphasis on empowering everyone to independently weave healthy habits into their lives without fuss or the need for expensive and complicated equipment.

Iva excels as a Pilates and Zumba instructor as well as a swim coach and personal trainer and she skillfully brings elements of each to everything she does. She currently works with large groups, pairs and individuals in the corporate, government and private sectors.
Iva's other big love is the Olympic sport Handball which she played competitively both nationally and internationally for more than 19 years. As a past captain of the New Zealand Women's Handball Team and now a coach to a younger generation of players, Iva agrees that being a leader and a motivator are some of her core strengths.

Her love of all sport has led her to work with Drug Free Sport New Zealand as the educator for the Lower North Island and she delivered education seminars to sports teams and organisations such as the Hurricanes, Wellington Phoenix, NZ Volleyball, NZ Swimming, NZ Rugby and many others.

Iva holds a number of qualifications and some of these are:
  • Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) degree
  • Core Pilates New York City Instructor Certification
  • National Certificate in Fitness (Exercise Consultant) Level 3
  • Zumba Fitness Instructor Certification
  • Swimming New Zealand Swim Teacher Certification
  • St John's First Aid Certificate

Holly Coombes.

Holly is a Royal Ballet School graduate and is a BASI Method qualified Pilates Instructor at Viva Sportiva. Over the years she has also studied through other methodologies such as Stott, Peak and Polestar methods. Her teaching style is a unique blend of classical and contemporary Pilates, a culmination of everything she has learned in her extensive Pilates and dance career.

With an extensive background of teaching in London, Paris, Bahrain, Hong Kong and Jakarta, Holly finally decided to put down some roots and  moved to Wellington just over 8 years ago. “Step by step, you can change the way you look, feel and move with Pilates. I’ve felt the positive changes on my body and love showing everyone how it can work for them too."

Nellie Oakley.

Nellie is a Core Pilates New York City certified Pilates instructor at Viva Sportiva. The multi talented Nellie also teaches Pump, Spin and HIIT/Tabata classes around Wellington including HealthFit Collective, Victoria University, Freyberg Recreation Centre and Configure Express. She is passionate about health, fitness and providing everyone a fantastic workout.

A clever cookie with a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration and a Bachelor of Arts, Nellie's other big passion is our natural environment. She is the owner of Santé, a company which produces natural & sustainable handmade beauty & body care products that you will love and Viva Sportiva is proud to endorse.

Juliana Mackey.

Juliana is an experienced group instructor with 20+ years experience in the fitness industry hailing from the UK, now in NZ enjoying an O.E. as a more “mature” adult. She loves teaching Pilates, Zumba, Yoga-Pilates fusion and other group fitness classes and gets great pleasure in following each individual’s journey into fitness and well-being.

Juliana holds a Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) but after a decade in IT she ditched the technical career for a more rewarding one in fitness and we are happy she did! She is first aid certified and holds a number of teaching qualifications including:
  • Pre/post natal fitness (FTP)
  • Pilates Instructor (CYQ level3)
  • Zumba, Zumba Gold, Zumba Toning
  • Gym Instructor (FTP)
  • Exercise to Music (YMCA)