About us
James Raaff
James Raaff loves movement. Excelling as a top-level gymnast, competitive surfer and avid golfer, he followed a natural progression earning an honours degree in human physiology and exercise science.
After four years of study, he went on to complete clinical training in Biokinetics, (medical exercise rehabilitation) completing his second honours degree and then a master's degree at the University of Stellenbosch.
After chancing across Cape Town's first Pilates studio, James offered his assistance as a biokineticist. As his conviction of the power and benefits of Pilates grew, he trained as an instructor and integrated the use of Pilates into his orthopaedic rehabilitation practice.
He had the great fortune to work for several years with a highly experienced Canadian-trained Pilates instructor, Miriane Braaf, a talented professional dancer, Braaf switched careers to become a Pilates trainer, after a Pilates exercise regime enabled her to return to the stage following a back injury so severe that she had been told she would never dance again.
Raaff established James Raaff & Associates in 2001 to specialise in training Pilates instructors. This dream has introduced him to five continents, several countries and countless amazing people.
Dr. Elzabe Havenga
During high school, Elzabe obtained Cecchetti Intermediate Dancer's Diploma and taught ballet part-time.
After matric, she attended The University of Pretoria where she completed her Bachelor's Degree in Medical Science, and then qualified as a Medical Doctor. Her special field of interest was Ultrasound, and she worked at 1 Military Hospital as Head of the Ultrasound Department. After that, she also worked at several other private Ultrasound practices in Pretoria, until she and her family moved to Cape Town.
In Cape Town, she discovered Pilates, qualified as a pilates instructor, and later also as an instructor trainer, working at her own studio.
Having moved back to Pretoria, she now teaches pilates full-time at her studio called IntelligentBody Pilates. This work also includes instructor training and examining for James Raaff and Associates, as well as for ETA.
Apart from the above, life is shared with a very patient husband, three amazingly cool kids and two seriously strange SPCA puppies.