Our educators are at the forefront of evolving modern movement, guiding the progression of a range of different disciplines. Learn more about their journey as thought leaders in the industry.
With a decade of experience, Sofie founded STUDIO LEVELS to level up the pilates industry. An experienced Physiotherapist, Sofie is educated, passionate and has invested in creating a client experience that is innovative and personable. After successfully selling her first business, a thriving group reformer pilates studio in Adelaide, Sofie has taken the learnings to scale back, opening STUDIO LEVELS, a space to deliver private reformer workouts in Byron Bay whilst working with Studio Owners & Teams online and in person across Australia.
Co-founders Olivia & Phoebe found Pilates through rehabilitation needs and we saw the wonders it can do for your body and mental health. Moving forward from rehab, we found there wasn't much offered for Pilates maintenance that wasn't clinical, old or simply lacklustre. An idea to bring fun back to fitness classes in Perth was born. We knew we could do it bigger, better and brighter to appeal to the vibrant generation who were being overlooked. It's our mission to make exercise a pleasure, not a chore. Since opening the first highly successful Heartbeat High studio with two rooms over 6 years ago, we have opened two more studios, hired over 30+ staff, released a training program and continue to lead the industry in Perth.
As a trained ballet dancer from the Gold Coast, Anna developed a natural interest in human movement and design from a very young age. Working alongside physiotherapists Anna completed her Matwork, Reformer and Full Studio qualification with Stott Pilates. Having been in the industry for 15+ years, Anna is now recognized as one of Sydney’s most sought-after Pilates instructors, teacher trainers and a secret weapon to many. Whether aiding elite athletes through their extensive rehabilitation programs or training Hollywood stars while in town, her love for Pilates and genuine care for her clients is simply infectious.
PT and firefighter, Janis Blums has a contagious appreciation for life and the human body. He says this can be attributed to his work as a firefighter. Janis, who trains everyone from the staff of Microsoft, to Australia's top models and is passionate about learning everything he can about movement. Highly educated in everything from nutrition, neuroscience and biology, Janis launched his app Dela x Coach to help you train smarter.
Joanne Bezzina is a dynamic and dedicated Pilates practitioner. With over 20 years of teaching experience, Joanne has cultivated a deep understanding of Pilates and its impact as a whole-body modality. Jo has been fortunate to share her enthusiasm and commitment to the method in the studio, group- class environment, as a presenter internationally, and as an educator. She was delighted to have won the Pilates Anytime instructor competition and have her classes resonate with subscribers over the years. Joanne's teaching style is characterised by clear communication, humour, patience, and a commitment to her clients’ understanding of how Pilates can translate beyond the studio environment. Her classes blend traditional principles with contemporary insights, creating a dynamic and enriching experience for clients of all levels. Joanne is committed to staying at the forefront of her field, maintaining a regular Pilates practice, and attending workshops and continuing education courses to deepen her knowledge and refine her skills. She is due to complete her Master of Learning Sciences and Technology this year - connecting an understanding of how we learn best to the Pilates context. Over the years, Jo’s teaching goal has remained the same - to bring an encouraging outlook to every session, striving for every client to leave happier, more relaxed and feeling stronger than when they arrived.
Libby is the founder and co-founder of multiple businesses across fitness, fashion and FMCG. She’s also a mum of two, speaker, presenter, author, and former trainer on Channel 10's hit show The Biggest Loser. She works with her teams across her fitness studio The Upbeat, sustainable activewear brand Earthletica, healthy snack companies Beauty Food and Chief Nutrition, and Nurture 360 business retreats. I believe I was put on this planet to help people be happy, feel good about themselves and live life to the full. Fitness and nutrition has proven to be the most impactful way for me to do that. When it comes to fitness, what I’ve found is that movement just makes people feel better about life. People who are fit and love movement are, generally, pretty happy people. The problem is so many are too scared to do it or turned off by a narrow image of what fitness is and that’s such a shame because fitness gives you the capability, the mental focus and the energy to get out there and make the most of your life. It can also give you the community and sense of belonging that seems to be disappearing from our society. I know what it feels like to struggle with confidence and health issues. I originally got into fitness when I was 12 because I was really shy and getting bullied, so training every day with my dad over the summer holidays to become a sporty kid and coming back to win the athletics carnival the following year completely changed my life. I went on to represent Queensland in 200m and 400m running! Later, when I was in my early 20’s, I got chronic hypertension and my blood pressure was more than twice safe levels. Doctors had no idea what caused it but told me I’d be on medication for the rest of my life which would harm my liver and make it next to impossible to have kids. It also gave me terrible skin and destroyed my confidence. That wasn’t good enough for me so I decided to take control like I did when I was 12 and started researching how I might be able to improve things through the right kind of fitness and nutrition. Within a few years of working closely with a number of specialists, to the complete surprise of all my doctors, I got off the blood pressure pills completely. This set me on a course into health and fitness because the more I learned, the more passionate I became about sharing that knowledge. I’m also happy to say I’m now mum to my beautiful daughter Izzy!
Nicole: Nicole’s journey as a ballerina evolved into her dedication to empowering others through movement. As certified Mat and Reformer Pilates instructor, Nicole goes beyond the surface, encouraging her clients to find the intrinsic value of exercise beyond appearances. Nicole’s TEDx talk in 2023 passionately delves into this perspective, striving to debunk toxic fitness culture and redefine the true essence of physical activity. Her mission revolves around inspiring individuals to embrace exercise as a means of self-discovery and personal growth. Sascha: With over 7 years of teaching experience, Sascha is a certified Reformer and Mat Pilates expert, dancing her way from a Classical Ballet background. Her classes flow seamlessly, emphaising precision while ensuring her clients move safely and have fun. Expect to leave her sessions feeling challenged, energized, and with a radiant post-Pilates glow. In 2021, Sascha earned her Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and Psychology from the University of New South Wales. Her research experience at the Health Psychology laboratory focused on the mind-body connection and optimizing well-being. Sascha's scientific knowledge enriches her classes, where she witnesses her clients' progress with boundless joy. Discover more about her research field in her compelling TEDx talk, 'Mind Your Words.'
Meet Emma, a dynamic and results-driven Physiotherapist and Clinical Pilates Instructor. Emma lives and breathes both Pilates and Physio, which over the past 10 years she has worked hard to blend these together, ensuring her sessions are fun, enjoyable, and most importantly client focused! From the age of 5, she’s been passionate about movement, coming from a family of high-level gymnasts and sporting athletes. With a dedicated focus on holistic healthcare, Emma has a strong history of delivering impactful treatments to a diverse clientele, with experience across private practices, corporate settings, and sporting fields. After completing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Biology from the University of Canberra, Emma went on to achieve a Doctor of Physiotherapy from Macquarie University. Since then, she has also completed a Graduate Certificate of Sports Medicine from the University of Melbourne as a component of the Masters of Sports Medicine. Since beginning her career as a physio, she has been dedicated to the Pilates aspect of the industry. Emma is an APPI trained Clinical Equipment and Mat Pilates instructor yet was originally trained by both a DMA’s trained physio and a Polestar trained physio, giving her a broad knowledge base of Pilates styles. Emma has experience with APPI Pilates Education, where she has experience in facilitating weekend courses to the aspiring Pilates teachers of the future. Additionally, she is a self-employed Mobile Physio & Clinical Pilates instructor, she is a certified Personal Trainer and has extensive experience in Strength & Conditioning having been a CrossFit, and Weights training enthusiast for over 15 years! Emma has also taken up doing Puppy Pilates and Physio for her special-needs sausage dog Pierre, who is recovering from spinal surgery. On the weekends Emma enjoys doing Pilates and heading down to Bronte Beach with her partner and Pierre and enjoying a large glass of pinot noir!
After leaving dancing behind as a teenager, Phoebe discovered the transformative power of Pilates and loved how sustainable it was for the body. Phoebe has immersed herself in both classical and contemporary Pilates training under the guidance of industry leaders . With a decade of experience drawing from her diverse background, Phoebe founded The Pilates Edition, an esteemed online education platform tailored for Pilates instructors launching soon. Today, Phoebe's passion lies in evolving the way Pilates instructors teach, empowering them to elevate their skills as trainers.
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Holly’s connection to movement was always innate, growing up in New Zealand she danced before she could walk. By the age of 13, she began teaching, setting the stage for a journey that took her from full time dance school in Melbourne at 16 to training in LA and eventually London. It was here where she completed her first Pilates and Barre teacher trainings, which led her to discover the intelligent movement of Pilates and Barre as a pathway to freedom from the chronic pain she was experiencing from years of intense training and performing. This reshaped her career focus towards bringing the same joy in happy healthy bodies to others. In 2013, Holly returned to Australia, settling in Bondi where she trained under mentor Renee Scott along with continuing to pursue multiple further education programs to expand her knowledge. She embarked on facilitating multiple retreats internationally and Barre teacher trainings across Australia, relishing in the opportunity to mentor and understand the intricacies of movement instruction at that level. The culmination of her experiences led her to release her own bespoke retreat, Body Holiday, in 2020, a success that propelled her to launch an online equivalent, making the post-retreat euphoria accessible daily. Throughout her career, Holly's teachings have reached Olympic medalists, celebrities, and models, driven by her unique approach to movement. Collaborating with brands like Aje Athletica, Style Runner, Fade, Adidas, and Sweaty Betty, she has expanded her reach through podcasts and diverse projects. Presently, Holly divides her time between teaching, studio consultancy, personalised studio teacher training, her soon-to-be-launched mentorship and online masterclasses, along with running Body Holiday. Holly aims to deliver classes that are effective, innovative and inspire a lifelong love affair with movement. Inspired by the remarkable teachers she's encountered around Australia on her travels, Holly's current aspirations extend beyond client impact, to contribute positively to the teaching community with inspiration, education and connection.
Hi I’m Sara, I first started Pilates in the late 1990’s and I’ve been teaching this incredible form of movement for over 20 years. I knew I was going to be a Pilates teacher after my very first week of studio Pilates as I instantly fell in love with the indescribable feeling that Pilates gives you and I wanted to share that with the world! Over the last two decades I’ve had the joy of having my Pilates workouts completed by over a million poeple, I’ve travelled the world presenting workshops, I’ve been a Pilates teacher trainer for 15 years, owned traditional and contemporary studios, won the Pilates Anytime Instructor competition, became a Balanced Body Master Trainer and I’ve had one of the largest online Pilates programs in the world. I love blending my traditional Pilates roots with my own modern twist and turns through all of this amazing, varied experience that I’ve been able to continue to evolve and refine my teaching to where it is today. I’m extremely passionate about sharing my knowledge and experience with other Pilates Teachers. I’m also a strong believer in simple and effective programming that gives you, as a teacher, the tools you need to keep people engaged, invested in the process and feeling the benefits of Pilates for life!
Deborah is the Director of Studio Align Pilates and Physiotherapy. She received both her Physiotherapy degree and Sport Science degree from the University of Sydney. Having trained as a ballet dancer at the Australian Ballet school Deborah was exposed to the benefits of Pilates for both rehabilitation, sport specific training and general conditioning. Deborah enjoys being able to integrate the benefits of Pilates with her Physiotherapy. Deborah completed her original Pilates training with Polestar Pilates in 2003 and completed her Diploma of Professional Pilates in 2009. With three children herself, Debbie is passionate about the lastest studies and mythbusting information around pre and post natal movement.
Ali is the founder of Bodylove Pilates, Bodylove Academy and Bodylove Mamas. A Master Trainer with over 10 years experience teaching both in New York and Sydney. Ali received her comprehensive certification at Pilates Academy International - training with the co-founders at their flagship studio on Fifth Avenue. While working for, and training under, master trainer Erika Bloom in New York, Ali specialised in Pre & Postnatal Pilates. Ali completed extensive continuing education programs over her time in New York, studying and teaching many special populations and rehabilitation modules. She is passionate about education and is dedicated to serving her community of clients and trainers to the best of her ability.
Tahlia discovered Pilates after sustaining a back injury while working as a professional dancer. Experiencing the benefits of the method on her own body, she began instructing in 2012, originally gaining certification from STOTTS Pilates. Dedicated to continual improvement, she now holds a Certificate 4 in Pilates, a Diploma in Clinical Pilates, and has over 13,000 hours of teaching experience. Based in Melbourne, Tahlia has had the pleasure of teaching all across Australia and overseas, finding 'home' as the Pilates Program Director at One Hot Yoga & Pilates. In addition to teaching in the studio, she also coordinates international retreats and is the lead educator for One's Pilates teacher training program. Tahlia prides herself on creating a fun and energising experience while delivering a highly intelligent and creative repertoire that will transform your understanding of the body and what it's capable of.
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Tahlia Grogan from Melbourne teaches the art of purposeful class planning , ensuring each class is a meaningful and progressive experience for your clients. Dive into dynamic reformer flows, mastering the skill of linking concepts together for a fluid and engaging experience. In this workshop Tahlia will share her planning checklist that guarantees a seamless and complete practice.
Learning to receive and give feedback is essential to growing and evolving as a movement teacher (and as a human!). From Heartbeat High in Perth, Phoebe Woodhead will show you how to establish healthy feedback culture, whether it be between Pilates pals or training mentors. Ditch the defensive, awkward, over-think and learn to empower and reflect. The perfect set up for an epic weekend of learning and self development.
Physio, Teacher and Teacher Trainer Debbie Thomas will take you through the current pre/ post-natal guidelines and research, dissect them and find where different types of movement fit in to this framework. Rather than being given a list of exercises that are appropriate or a contraindication, Deb will challenge the current guidelines so you can critically evaluate ALL exercises and work with this population.
Ali Handley Owner and Master Trainer at Bodylove Academy, will guide you through an exploration of dynamic and imaginative cueing techniques tailored for both reformer and mat. Drawing from her extensive background and commitment to mindful movement, Ali will share strategies to elevate cueing beyond the ordinary, fostering a deeper connection between instructors and clients. Participants will delve into the art of crafting cues that not only enhance exercise effectiveness but also inspire a profound mind-body connection.
This fun workshop with Sara Colquhoun will be surprisingly challenging, humbling and eye opening. Whether you teach mat, reformer or both, what we learn in this workshop will vastly enhance your knowledge and understanding of both skills. We will breakdown the similarities & differences of the Mat and the Reformer exercises and how we can use the correlation between the two to take your teaching to new levels.
Does Barre still hold its ground in today's landscape of group boutique fitness? Holly from Body Holiday shakes up conceptions, updating our understanding to make Barre more relevant in today's industry. Find out what keeps Barre effective and valuable, and explore how to utilise flow and music to elevate your classes. Learn how Barre is beneficial and profitable as a teacher or inside any studio. Includes a manual with guidelines, class plans and repertoire.
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Explore the origins of flow from the Pilates principle to a state of mind. Learn the tools to implement this with Phoebe Egan from the Pilates Edition. This workshop will challenge your preconceived notions of flow while teaching you how to seamlessly integrate it into your endurance-based classes. Discover repertoire and techniques to create flowing, engaging Pilates sessions that keep your clients in a flow state.
Join our esteemed panel of industry experts for a discussion on all facets of running a successful business in the movement industry. From establishing your personal brand to managing a studio and exploring diverse avenues to make movement your business, our panel members Sara, Ali, Phoebe and Olivia hail from various corners of Australia and each brings a unique set of experiences and expertise.
Take a dive on the exercise science protocols of strength training with former physio Sofie Coleman and how we might fit these concepts into group reformer pilates. If we want our clients to get truly stronger, we need to first understand the exercise science protocols of strength training. From there we explore why and how we can implement these concepts into our teachings. Leave this workshop feeling inspired, confident and learn something you can apply immediately that will help your clients grow stronger.
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Delve into the science of the mind-body connection, transcending the physical aspects of Pilates to explore the influential role of mindset and language. This workshop with Nicole and Sascha explores the profound impact of our words and how belief systems and expectations can significantly enhance the efficacy of exercise and health .Discover how to guide clients in reframing their perspective on fitness, moving away from the constraints of diet culture, and embracing the inherent value of movement.
With 20 years of experience in the industry, Anna Brine guides us through an exploration of inventive approaches to the reformer. Rooted in classical training but influenced by her experience in the industry today, gain insights on incorporating more intentional creativity in your teachings. Go beyond the routine by understanding the "why" behind movement and feel empowered to craft engaging and innovative classes.
Join Emma Wright, an experienced Physiotherapist, Pilates Teacher, and Movement Enthusiast, as she discusses the anatomy and pathology of common injuries and how they relate to function and Pilates repertoire. This deeper knowledge of injuries will give you that next level up to be able to keep your clients injury free and loving your classes.
This workshop gives you the opportunity to apply the deeper understanding of anatomy and pathology from Part 1 to optimise all the key movements you teach in class. Having the ability to offer your clients progressions, regressions, and alternatives for all movements for improved control /activation /function /burn will make your class the one with long waitlists.
Learn new repertoire along with techniques to fuel your creativity, even during a class planning mind-block. Learn how to integrate new elements while maintaining the essential structure and repetition that clients crave for optimal progress and learning. Gain insights into the perfect combination of novelty and familiarity and the benefits of variety in your teaching, empowering you to deliver classes that excite your clients every time.
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Explore the significance of intentional tactile cueing, learning its affects on skeletal position, muscular tone, and neurological responses. Discover how to match position, force, pressure, and tempo to achieve specific intentions, fostering a deeper connection with your students. Gain invaluable insights and practical techniques to enhance your teaching approach, creating a nurturing and transformative environment for your students.
Why do we we exercise? Led by the renowned Janis Blums, delve into the scientific intricacies of exercise, unravelling its benefits through discussions on energy expenditure, various exercise types, and heart rate zones. Break down and understand aspects such as longevity, stress management, flexibility, resilience, and more. This comprehensive overview promises to unveil the profound impact of movement on our well-being.
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