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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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