Mary Montague was born and raised in Townsville, Australia with a strong background in Ballet and dance. Mary’s mother is Australian and her father is American, so with dual-citizenship, Mary and her four siblings moved one-by-one to the US for University. Mary earned her Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in Special Education with an added Autism teaching authorization. She worked as a Special Education Teacher for the Beverly Hills Unified School District for eight years teaching Kindergarten through 5th grades. During this time, Mary found her own Pilates and Yoga practice, regularly taking early morning classes before work, and showing up to her classroom feeling focused, lengthened, and strong (inside and out). “If only my students could do Pilates with me before school!” she thought.

Based on what Mary felt was missing in the academic classroom and from what her students actually needed and desired, Mary created The POGA Method in 2015 (originally called M and M Pilates). She felt called to enhance their classroom learning, focus, and wellbeing with innovative techniques. Mary completed the Pilates Method Alliance teacher certification through Equinox, the Yoga Alliance 200-hour registered yoga teacher certification through Corepower Yoga, and the Mini Yogis teaching certification for children. She also trained in Transcendental Meditation and took deep interest in fitness, wellness, and mindfulness classes at top studios around the world.

Mary’s unique talent and passion is to take the core principles of Pilates, Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness created for adults and to strategically scaffold this education for children and teens. She does this by incorporating age-appropriate games, engaging language, memorization challenges, songs, partner poses, team cooperation, social-emotional learning themes, and many creative techniques. Her business is built on teaching self-regulation and healthy habits from a young age.