Our instructors
Every class, a familiar face.
Certified, experienced, and genuinely invested in your progress — our instructors make Studio IPF feel like home.
Owner & Director
Leanne Zdebiak-Eni
Pilates · Yoga · TRX Strength Training · Core & Pelvic Floor Health · Menopause Coaching Specialist
Leanne founded Studio IPF in 2003 with a vision to create a welcoming space where people could discover the joy and benefits of Pilates. Over the past two decades, she has grown the studio into a thriving wellness community built on strength, connection, and mindful movement.
After successfully leading the studio through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently navigating her own journey as a breast cancer survivor, Leanne has developed an even deeper appreciation for the power of movement, community, and resilience. She remains passionate about helping others move well, feel strong, and live healthy, active lives.
Leanne has certifications in Pilates, Yoga ,TRX Suspension Training and Core & Pelvic Floor Health. Most recently became a certified Menopause Coaching Specialist through GGS. In her spare time, Leanne loves hitting the local trails with her husband and dog, Larry Bird. She also loves cooking healthy food that is satisfying and delicious. She's known to break out into the running man while cooking and listening to her favourite music.
Jessica Wittman
Dance & Cardio
Jessica has been teaching at IPF since 2011. She trained in modern dance at Main Dance Place in Vancouver and over the years has certified training in yoga, Pilates and group fitness. Her energetic classes have a strong emphasis on rhythm-based, music-driven movement. Studio IPF is a place Jessica values deeply, and she always feels excited walking through the doors. She's a mother of two boys, 10 and 13, so her life is never dull and is a full mix of family, schedules and everything in between.
Paula Baker
Group Fitness
Paula is an energetic teacher who enjoys laughing at her own jokes and dork-dancing to her 80's mixes while leading participants through whole body fitness. She joined the IPF family in 2009 as a participant, and after showing off her sweet moves and plucky attitude, Leanne begged her to become an instructor. Paula achieved her BCRPA Group Fitness Leader certification in 2014, became a certified BOSU instructor a few years later, and is currently working through her Mat Pilates teacher training. Paula enjoys zooming around looking for delicious snacks on the back of her motorcycle with her driver (husband, Christopher).
Naomi Chester
Yoga
Naomi's yoga practice began in 2008 after being introduced to it for her own physical/mental rehabilitation. Realizing the many benefits of this practice, she was prompted to begin teacher training so that she could assist others in optimizing their health and wellness. Graduating from the Red Door Yoga School with both the Yoga Fitness Leader and 200 hour certification in 2014, her intention is to provide an experience of deep relaxation while guiding students to heal, strengthen, and revitalize. She loves to help others rediscover their own natural wisdom through Yoga. When not teaching, you'll find Naomi in her garden.
Jenny Nijhoff
Group Fitness & TRX
Jenny is a certified group fitness and TRX instructor who has been teaching since 1992 and has been leading fun, energizing classes at Studio IPF since 2018. She brings a strong foundation in safe, effective movement and a passion for creating classes that motivate and inspire. Jenny loves the inclusive, committed community of instructors and clients at IPF, and she strives to make every class welcoming, uplifting, and accessible for all fitness levels. When she's not teaching or supporting Island Health's public health perinatal program, Jenny enjoys getting into nature and planning her next travel experience.
Tina Pringle
Group Fitness & Yoga
Tina is a BCRPA certified group fitness and Yoga Fit instructor. Her love of movement, desire to connect with others, and love of Studio IPF and all it has to offer led her to begin teaching fitness classes in 2014.
Alana Hoever
Group Fitness & Yoga
Alana obtained her Group Fitness Certification in 1998 through the AFLCA in Alberta. That was the start of her fitness career and over the years has obtained multiple certifications in fitness and yoga. Alana started teaching classes at Studio IPF in February 2018 and she loves the positive energy that everyone brings, which makes teaching and working out so much more fun and enjoyable.
Paul Gerritsen
TRX & Dance
Paul was dancing before he could walk! After training at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks in Calgary, he later went on to round out his skills by graduating from the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria. Paul travelled the world performing on Norwegian Cruise Lines and after moving to Europe he continued his performing career. One of Paul's stand out jobs was being cast in Andrew Lloyd Webber's 20th Anniversary cast of Starlight Express in Germany where he performed the musical (on roller-skates!) 8 times a week for over 2 years. Now a full-time dance teacher and choreographer in the Comox Valley, Paul is eager to bring all of his performance knowledge and passion for dance and movement to Studio IPF! Paul teaches special event dance classes at IPF as well as his weekly TRX Strength Training classes.
Jillian Christison
Pilates
Jillian has been teaching for many years, with a background in fitness and a lifelong love of dance. Pilates is one of her favourite ways to help people connect with their bodies, build strength, improve mobility, and move with greater confidence. She strives to create classes that are supportive, fun, and challenging, where everyone feels welcome regardless of their experience level. In her spare time. In her spare time, Jillian enjoys the theatre, whether that's watching or performing with all the amazing talent the Comox Valley has to offer.
Carolyn Pigott
Somatic Movement
Carolyn Pigott is a Registered Massage Therapist for over 25 years, Essential Somatic Movement Teacher, and Pain Care Aware practitioner who helps people reconnect with their bodies through gentle, mindful movement. Drawing on extensive training and her own experience with Hanna Somatic Education for over 15 years, Carolyn offers supportive classes for all ages and abilities, with a focus on easing pain and stress, improving movement, and restoring comfort and resilience. Carolyn loves seeing the spark of connection in someone reconnecting with comfortable movement. She has enjoyed being part of the Studio IPF team since the Fall of 2025. When Carolyn is out of the clinic or studio, she is spending time with her awesome 16-year-old son, hiking, swimming and dreaming of her next adventure Destination!
Karen Boaz
Yoga
Karen first came to yoga as a coping method for stress and grief, and through that saw the positive transformative power that yoga has – improving her state of mind, health and overall well-being. She loves sharing that with others and continues to spread the light to make this world a brighter place. Karen's classes are dynamic, thought provoking, empowering, light-hearted and most importantly fun!
Dennyse Harris
Yoga & Meditation
Dennyse is a Certified Yoga instructor, Meditation & Wellness Coach and Ayurveda Wellness instructor. She also holds certifications in Trauma Informed Yoga and Pain Care Aware. Her teaching focuses on gentle, accessible yoga poses that support all body types, paired with meditation techniques that use prompts and breathwork to calm the nervous system. Dennyse believes in creating a space where everyone feels supported, comfortable, and at ease, whether you're brand new to the practice or experienced.
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