FOUNDER ROSIE HARTIGAN
Rosie Hartigan has spent her life in movement. She began classical ballet at three, went on to train at the Australian Ballet School in Melbourne, and spent a decade performing around the world as a professional dancer.
When she returned home to Newcastle, Rosie shifted her focus from stage to studio. She completed the Professional Dancers’ Postgraduate Teaching Certificate through the Royal Academy of Dance in London and, after years of teaching ballet at the National College of Dance in Lambton, found herself continually drawn to the practice that kept her strong, supported and injury-free: Pilates.
Blending her deep understanding of the body with a lifelong love of mindful movement, Rosie created Grace Movement – a space where technique meets warmth, and every body is invited to move with more ease, strength and confidence. From intimate reformer and mat classes to private sessions tailored to dancers and everyday movers alike, Rosie’s teaching is grounded, encouraging and deeply considered.
Q and A with Rosie -
I grew up inside the world of classical ballet – long days in the studio, rehearsals, performances, living overseas. When I came home to Newcastle and stepped away from performing, I realised I missed the feeling of moving with purpose, but not the pressure that came with it. Pilates became a way to reconnect with my body in a kinder way. Grace Movement grew from that, a place where I could blend the precision of my dance background with a softer, more sustainable approach to movement, and share that with others.
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For me, Grace Movement is equal parts how we move and how we speak to ourselves while we’re doing it. It’s not about perfection or performing; it’s about meeting your body where it is on any given day, and letting movement feel like an act of care rather than a chore. The name is a reminder, to move with grace, but also to offer ourselves grace when life is full and messy.
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I hope they feel a little more at home in their body. Not necessarily smashed or exhausted, but clearer, taller, more grounded, like they’ve exhaled something heavy. I want people to leave thinking, “I’m glad I came,” not “I should have done more.” If there’s a sense of calm and quiet confidence in the room at the end, that’s my favourite thing.
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You’re not alone, so many people tell me they felt nervous before their first class. You don’t need to be fit, flexible or know what you’re doing to belong here. Your only job is to show up as you are. My job is to look after you, give you options and make sure you feel supported. We can always slow things down, simplify and find a version of the movement that feels right for your body.
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I love teaching Grace Foundations. There’s something really special about watching someone “click” with a movement they thought they couldn’t do, or feel their deep core and posture switch on for the first time. I enjoy the slower pace, the detail, and the space to really coach people into their bodies. Foundations is where a lot of the magic starts.
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Newcastle feels like a big small town, there’s such a strong sense of community here. I love that someone might see the same faces in the studio in the morning and then at the beach or the markets later that day. Having the ocean so close is a huge part of Grace for me too; moving in the studio and then stepping outside to that coastline still feels like a privilege. It’s a beautiful place to build a community around movement.