Risa Matthews is the founder and director of Boditree Pilates & Healing and has been teaching Pilates for more than three decades. Known for her thoughtful, individualized approach, Risa combines Classical Pilates with extensive experience in rehabilitation, movement education, and wellness-based care.

Risa first opened Boditree in Sydney’s Double Bay in 1994 before expanding to Bondi Junction in 1997. After returning to her hometown of Vancouver in 1999, she established Boditree Pilates & Healing, growing the studio into a multidisciplinary wellness space that incorporated massage therapy, chiropractic care, and restorative services alongside Pilates instruction. In 2018, Risa further evolved the studio’s direction toward a more archival and Classical Pilates experience while continuing to create highly customized programs tailored to individual needs and goals.

Throughout her career, Risa has specialized in working with clients navigating pre- and post-natal care, scoliosis, chronic pain, post-surgical rehabilitation, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and sport-specific conditioning. Her work is grounded in the belief that Pilates can support both performance and long-term wellness through precision, consistency, and personalized attention.

Today, Risa continues to teach private sessions, mentor instructors, lead teacher training programs, and support clients through both in-studio and online Pilates education from Boditree’s Vancouver studio location.