Alison loves Pilates, dancing, fine foods and improving people's lifestyles

 

Sandra loves weight training, running, movies, cycling and socializing.

Birgitta loves snow boarding, creative art and Parelli Natural Horsemanship.

Arnel loves to watch movies, occasionally enjoy a glass of Shiraz and catching up with and meeting new friends.


The Simply Pilates Team

Alison
Alison’s extensive background in movement began at age 6 when she started dancing. She also took up Yoga and Karate as a child and very early on developed a strong understanding and passion for fitness and exercise. At university, Alison studied science specializing in genetics and bio ethics, and later worked as a researcher in genetics.
Alison also took an interest in athletics, competing for Melbourne University, and eventually discovered Pilates on the advice of her coach. In 1996 she moved to New York to undertake the full certification program. She trained there with Romana and Bob Liekens, doing many workshops with various master trainers. Alison also studied the Elaine Petrone Method and Active Isolated Stretching with Jim Wharton whilst continuing her passion for dancing on Broadway. Soon after returning to Australia, Alison opened her first Pilates studio which has expanded to the Elsternwick premises today. She continued in athletics and presented on ‘Core stability for Athletes’ at an International Congress in 2004, spreading her findings on the value of Pilates in athletic performance. Undertaking the Teacher Trainer’s Certification and becoming a Peak trainer of instructors has augmented her passion for teaching and spreading Pilates.


Sandra

Sandra’s early years were dominated by a passion for long-distance swimming and surf life-saving. She had a strong grounding in Yoga throughout childhood and taught Yoga classes for some time from Beginner through to Advanced levels. Sandra then discovered athletics with the Melbourne University Athletics Club and competed in sprinting and pole vault. Graduating with a Literature Major from Monash University, Sandra traveled abroad for some time to New York, London and Europe working in various fields and continuing her swimming and athletic training. Sandra finally discovered Pilates in 1999 and immediately undertook the full certification program, graduating at the very top of her class. Over the years, Sandra has supplemented her skills with courses in Active Isolated Stretching, Miracle Ball Therapy and has attended various Master classes and workshops in New York. Sandra is currently undertaking her Teacher Trainer’s Certification to enable her to train teachers in future.


Birgitta

Originally from Sweden, Birgitta has a background in competitive tennis and coaching in Europe and Australia. She has completed a Swedish University Degree specializing in Professional Tennis Coaching and has accrued various levels of education and experience in the fitness industry including personal training, fitness instruction, Swedish and Sports Massage, Hatha, Njana and Raja Yoga and Classical Pilates. Trained by Peak Pilates, Colorado USA, she is currently studying a Bachelor of Exercise Science and working for Simply Pilates. Birgitta is also developing her own business ‘The Pilates Boutique’. Her career highlights include: Professional Tennis Pro, St Tropez/France and at Australian Open Tennis for 5 years, and being introduced to the wonderful world of Pilates.



Arnel
Prior to moving to Australia, Arnel was living in the Philippines where he taught classical Pilates in a studio he co-owned with his brother located at the Central Business District of Makati. At the time, he was an active member of the National Dance Council (DSCPI) and was head scrutineer of the organizing committee which presided over all major local and international ballroom competitions including the first Dancesport event in the 2005 Southeast Asian games.
Through his involvement in dance and having been a dancer and teacher as well, it became natural that the majority of his Pilates clients were dancers. In his practice he experienced and learnt first hand that Pilates is a very effective tool for dancers and athletes not just for rehab, but more so for training and conditioning the body.
In his spare time Arnel loves to watch movies, occasionally enjoy a glass of Shiraz and catching up with and meeting new friends. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in Civil Engineering and has a Computer Science background.



Zara
Zara began her passion for movement in the UK dancing from a young age and as she grew older she began performing in Musical Theatre. After graduating from University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, she moved to London and started working in the business end of the performance world as a Theatrical Agent and ultimately in Television Casting. During this time she continued dancing at the Pineapple Studio’s in London and at weekends assisted the teaching department of the Children’s Pineapple Performing Arts School.
Upon moving to Australia she used her passion for fitness and well-being to start her own business as a Personal Trainer and developing her Pilates practise. Zara feels privileged to be working with the Simply Pilates Team. “to work with people who are not only amazing at what they do, but are constantly amazed by what Joseph created, inspires me to deepen my understanding of Pilates and continuously apply the principles to all areas of my life”.

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