OUR TEAM

The PAD brings celebrity master instructor Yasmin Karachiwala’s mantra to the UAE. She is responsible for popularizing Pilates in India, as she was the first BASI certified Pilates instructor in India. She teaches Bollywood celebrities such as Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt, and is largely responsible for their dedication towards fitness.

Shaazia was born into the same house as Yasmin! She is Yasmin’s niece (you’ll hear Yasmin say she’s not her niece but her daughter), and a certified Fletcher Pilates instructor. Shaazia was never into fitness growing up – even though Yasmin tried really hard to motivate her.
She lived in Mumbai until the age of 25, trying to avoid going to the gym as much as she could, and going only to please Yasmin.

Once she got married and moved to Dubai in 2017, it was her husband who encouraged her to get fitter. It wasn’t to look good, but rather to feel good. What started as something to do with her husband, turned into something she began to enjoy. She told Yasmin that she wanted to start her franchise in Dubai, and that’s when Yasmin told her that it was essential she be a fully certified Pilates instructor. They went to Arizona, got certified in Fletcher Pilates, and together opened Yasmin Karachiwala’s The PAD.

Shaazia will teach you how to move each muscle to achieve the results you want, and her classes are a slow killer. She is the only certified Fletcher Pilates instructor in the U.A.E.

Abbas Ali Kanchwala is Shaazia’s husband who was her motivation to get fitter. He was born and brought up in Kuwait, and has lived around the world – in the US, Mumbai and he has now settled down in Dubai. He studied Mechanical Engineering in Purdue University, where he was the President of the Purdue Indian Dance Club, which was a rage at the time. He had always loved to dance, but this took him to the next level. During college and even after, he planned, organized, choreographed and executed over 10 Sangeet performances for weddings of friends and family. They were all super hit performances.

Abbas and Shaazia run the studio with guidance from Yasmin, with lots of love, care and try to provide the best service in the cosiest environment to help people advance in their journey of fitness.

Hanisha hails from Mumbai, India and has been working with The PAD for 2 years in Dubai. She is Balanced Body certified and her classes will make you wonder – where does she come up with these exercises from?! She is a true example of follow your passion, and live your dreams, because she graduated in accounting before deciding to renounce the corporate field and became a Mallakhamb (Maharashtrian sport) player and a gymnast. She continued her journey by becoming a fitness coach, and has been in this field for 14 years. She has learned Aerial Silks, Yoga, and Aerobics before getting certified in all Pilates equipment (Mat, Reformer, MOTR, Chair, Bodhi, Cadillac, Pre and Post Natal Pilates). She say, “I started my Pilates journey with Yasmin Karachiwala in Bombay, and then moved to Dubai to work at The PAD – this was the turning point in my personal and professional life. I love working here because it brings out the best in me, which helps me to bring out the best in my clients, every single day!”

Originally from the Philippines, she has been in Dubai since 2014. Her previous experience was in the Food and Beverage Industry, and it took her a while to adjust to the sales and front desk role at The PAD, but now she’s the Queen behind the desk!
The PAD to her isn’t her workplace, it’s her family here in Dubai, and her favourite part of the job is talking to our clients! Sharing stories, making every client smile because of her passion to make them happy is what makes her job so fulfilling.

From Turkey

Been in Dubai for 11 years

Pilates Mat and Reformer instructor. Also qualifies for Pre- Post Natal Exercise, Injuries and Corrective Exercise. Used to work as First Class Cabin Crew with Emirates Airlines

I love working at Pad because i love the happy energy and good vibes in the studio.

Seeing my clients to achive their goals with my help and support motivates me to do my job everyday.

Aman is originally from India, and has been in Dubai since 2021. Before entering the Pilates world and getting all his certifications from Balanced Body under Yasmin’s guidance, he was into personal training and was a physique and figure training specialist. He is also certified in nutrition, special population and strength training. This is why all his clients love him – he adds his strength training flavour to his Pilates classes to take them to the next level!
It’s hard to believe, but he is an engineer (electrical and electronics)!
He loves working The PAD because it’s like a second family to him. Watching his clients smile because they’ve gotten stronger, because they can now live life more easily, and how fitness changes everything, is what motivates him and keeps him going!