About Aligned for Life Pilates

Aligned for Life Pilates studios in Melbourne are staffed by fully qualified, professional staff who have all completed the pilates instructor training course, Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction (NSW91121).
 

'Pilates by Professionals'

 

Staff Profiles

Natalie Weineroider
Angela McWhinney
Melanie Karistianos
Joanna Reymond
Lana Dawkins
Margot Islip

 

Katrina Edwards

 

Education/Qualifications

Diploma in Pilates Practice (91120 NSW))

Diploma in Dance (Australian Ballet School)

Body Arts & Science Pilates Certification

Certificate IV in Assessment & Workplace Training

Experience

Pilates method - 18 Years

Current employment

Owner - Aligned for Life Pilates in Melbourne- Queen St, Moonee Ponds, Victorian College of the Arts

National Pilates Training, Melbourne - Faculty Educator

Other Achievements

Co-Founder & Director of RTO National Pilates Training, Melbourne 

 

Katrina has an extensive background in classical ballet and The Pilates Method. Katrina's involvement in Pilates started in 1988 when she undertook a teaching apprenticeship with Craig Phillips at Dance Medicine Australia, Melbourne.

Since that time Katrina has continued to undertake further advanced training in The Pilates Method. Katrina was in the first group of graduates to complete a Diploma in Pilates Practice in Australia. She completed a formal accreditation with Body Arts and Science International (BASI) in 2000/2001, and her knowledge and experience in The Pilates Method has saw her move in to the role of trainer for the Pilates International Certification Program (PICP) in Melbourne and now as Director and Faculty Educator of National Pilates Training delivering the pilates instructor training course Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction in the Melbourne CBD.
Katrina has also recently purchased Aligned for Life at the Victorian College of the Arts where she can combine her dance and Pilates experience.
Katrina is currently completing a Romana's Classical pilates course with Cynthia Lochard in Sydney to further challenge her understanding of the Pilates Method and is consultant to the Western Bulldogs Football Club. She is also a mother of 2 gorgeous children - Isabella, 7 & Rory, 5.

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Kath Banks    
Education/Qualifications
Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement)
Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction (NSW 91121)
Certificate IV in Assessment & Workplace Training
Diploma in Pilates Practice (Currently Studying with Pilates International Training Centre)
Experience
12 Years Fitness Industry - Aust &UK   
Current employment 

Aligned for Life Pilates - Moonee Ponds - Owner & Pilates Instructor 

National Pilates Training, Melbourne - Faculty Educator & Course Administrator

Other Achievements 

Co-Founder of RTO National Pilates Training 


Kath has an extensive background in exercise science and the fitness industry. Her study on the glycaemic index and endurance performance has been published in the Journal of Applied Physiology and she has worked both overseas and in Melbourne as a personal trainer, centre manager and aerobics instructor. Becoming a Pilates Instructor was a natural progression, taking the art of movement and body mechanics one step further.
Kath studied the Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction under the experienced guidance of Katrina Edwards, with whom she later founded National Pilates Training. Kath took over as manager of Aligned For Life Moonee Ponds in 2006 and continues to work as Faculty Educator and Course Administrator for National Pilates Training, Melbourne. Kath is currently completing the Diploma in Pilates Practice with Pilates International Training Centre in Sydney.

Pilates was extremely beneficial during her pregnancy and birth of her first child, Charlie. It assisted her to stay fit, healthy and strong throughout and lead to a quick return to strength post pregnancy.   

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Sue Yanez


Education/Qualifications
Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction (9112NSW)
Diploma in Musical Theatre YMCA Certificate in Gym Training
Experience
10 yrs Professional Dancer - London - Gym & Pilates Instructor
Current employment 

Aligned for Life Pilates - Moonee Ponds - Manager & Studio & Matwork Pilates Instructor

National Pilates Training, Melbourne - student clinic supervisor


Sue originally trained and worked as a dancer in London for 10 years before embarking on a career in the fitness industry. She became a gym instructor then a pilates instructor in 2002 qualifying with the Pilates Institute, London. Sue then relocated to Melbourne in 2005 after meeting her future husband, where her love of Pilates led her to study for a further 8 months.
She completed the pilates instructor training course Certificate IV in Pilates, training with National Pilates Training and was one of their most gifted graduates. She is now proud to be teaching mat and studio sessions at Aligned for Life Pilates.
Sue hopes to continue her journey in Pilates by completing the Diploma in Pilates Practice in the future.

Sue is also a great mentor to all students undergoing Pilates instructor training with National Pilates Training, Melbourne.

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Sara Colquhorn


Education/Qualifications
Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction (91121 NSW)
Diploma in Dance (Performing Arts)

Current employment

Aligned for Life Pilates - Queen St, Melbourne - Studio & Matwork Pilates Instructor

National Pilates Training, Melbourne - student clinic supervisor


Sara who is originally from Sydney began Pilates through her love of dance at the age of 14. Before deciding to pursue a career in dance & musical theatre Sara trained at Pilates International where she gained her Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction training with Sally Anderson. Her passion for Dance led her to Melbourne where she trained at both Dance World and The Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne. During her time training in Dance Sara has used Pilates for rehabilitation and fitness and at the same time continued working at  Aligned for Life Pilates. Sarah continues to have a passion for Dance and mixes her career as a dancer with her career in Pilates.
Sarah is now one of Aligned for Life's senior instructors who enjoys instructing and comunicating the benefits of the Pilates Method. Now in her 3rd year at Aligned for Life Pilates Sara is looking forward to continuing her training in Pilates by completing her Diploma of Professional Pilates Practise in the near future.

Sarah is also a great mentor to all students undergoing Pilates instructor training with National Pilates Training, Melbourne.

Sarah Cotchett

 

Education/Qualifications

Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction (91121 NSW)

Level 1 Pilates Instructor Certificate - APMA Level 3 accred.

Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy (RMIT)

Current employment

Aligned for Life Pilates - Queen St, Melbourne - Studio Pilates Instructor

National Pilates Training, Melbourne - Anatomy and Physiology tutorial lecturer

Myotherapist - Faraday House, Carlton

 

Sarah's love for human movement sees her professional life divided into Pilates Instruction and the practise of Myotherapy. Sarah feels Pilates and Myotherapy complement one another and it is for this reason she is equally passionate about both disciplines. Sarah tutorials in Anatomy and Physiology of human movement for students entering the Certificate IV Pilates Instructor course with National Pilates Training.

Sara is looking forward to continuing her training in Pilates by completing her Diploma of Professional Pilates Practise in the near future.

 

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Natalie Wieneroider

 

Education/Qualifications

Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction (NSW91121)

Diploma in Shiatsu and Oriental Therapies

Certificate 3 and 4 in Fitness

Certificate in Yoga Teaching (Ashtanga and Kundalini)

Experience

Pilates Method – 5 years

Yoga – 10 years

Current Employment

Aligned for Life Pilates - Queen St, Melbourne – Studio & Matwork Pilates Instructor

RACV Club – Group Exercise Co-ordinator

RACV Club – Pilates, Yoga, Cycle and Aqua Instructor

 

Natalie has spent much of her adult life traveling the world and it is in India that she developed a love of yoga and consequently a fascination with the mind/body connection. This interest and love of expanding her horizons finally led her to a pilates practice which has enriched her understanding of both her own and others peoples bodies and beliefs.

 

Natalie has recently completed her Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction with National Pilates Training, Melbourne.

 

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Angela McWhinney

 

Education/Qualifications

Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction (91121 NSW)

Graduate Diploma Dance & Movement (University of Melbourne)

Bachelor of Arts (University of Melbourne)

Fitness Instructor Certificate (Monash University)

Stretch Teacher Trained (Posture & Flexibility)

Experience

Pilates method - 2 Years

Dance Teacher & Performer - 25 years

Current employment

Owner: Egyptia Bellydance & Pilates

Aligned for Life Pilates - Moonee Ponds - Pilates Instructor

Other Achievements

Extensive experience in Education & Corporate business management & administration. Director Unicorn Dance Company, Administrator Dance Umbrella.

 

Angela has an extensive background in dance & movement education and more recently in The Pilates Method working throughout gyms, health & pilates studios. Angela's interest in Pilates started early in her dance training when yoga was also a strong influence. Whilst teaching dance she found that the Pilates Method would be beneficial to her students in their posture, stability and strength and hence undertook the Pilates training as part of a career move. In her corporate workplace she implemented a Health & Wellbeing Program to encourage a healthy work/life balance and counteract the effects of long hours at a computer.  Angela's extensive work history demonstrates her creativity and passion for the dance movement arts.  

 

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Melanie Karistianos

 

Education/Qualifications

Pilates Matwork Accreditation

Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction (NSW91121) - (currently completing with National Pilates Training)

CSTD Diploma (Tap)

Vic Fit (1993-1998)

Experience

Pilates method - 4 Years

Fitness Industry - 5 years

Current employment

Aligned for Life Pilates - Moonee Ponds - Pilates Matwork Instructor 

Other Achievements

BA(Hons) Environmental Scientist

 

Melanie has a background in dance and previously worked as a fitness instructor. Her involvement in Pilates started in 2004 while living/working in the UK and it was during this time that her understanding of the Pilates developed.

Since returning to Melbourne Melanie has continued her passion for Pilates by completing her Matwork Accreditation at National Pilates Training, Melbourne and is currently working towards completing her Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction. It is her aim to share her knowledge with others and provide clients with an opportunity to experience the benefits of practising the Pilates Method.

 

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Joanna Reymond

 

Education/Qualifications

VCE Dance (Gay Whiteman School of Ballet)

Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction (NSW91121) - (currently completing with National Pilates Training, Melbourne)

Experience

Pilates participation 14 years

Current employment

Aligned for Life Pilates - Queen St, Melbourne - Pilates Instructor

PLPR Media and Communications, South Melbourne

 

Other Achievements

Joanna has had extensive training in classical ballet, throughout her dancing career she complemented her training utilising The Pilates Method.

After ceasing full time dance, Joanna continued with her Pilates training and her passion grew to inspire her to teach the Pilates method to others and share the lifelong benefits of practicing the form.

Joanna is now completing Pilates instructor training with National Pilates Training, Melbourne.

 

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Lana Dawkins

 

Education/Qualifications

Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction (91121 NSW)

Diploma Business Management

Certificate IV Fitness Instructor (RMIT University/VICFIT)

Experience

Pilates participant - 7 Years

Fitness instructor - 10 years

Theatrical Dancer 12 years

Yoga participant 10 years

Current employment  

Aligned for Life Pilates - Queen St, Melbourne - Studio & Matwork Pilates Instructor

Virgin Blue Airlines 

Other Achievements

Aviation Manager 15 years experience

Director Batavia Imports (Furniture retail) – 5 years

 

Lana began working in the Fitness Industry over 10 years ago, instructing aerobics and personal fitness. After being introduced to Pilates by her chiropractor 7 years ago, Lana completed her Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction with National Pilates Training, Melbourne and continues to increase her knowledge by attending educational conferences, workshops and short courses. After ceasing dancing, Lana found that Pilates maintained her flexibility, posture and overall wellbeing.  Over the years Lana also found Pilates to assist and relieve her from the aches and pain associated with long hours behind a computer and most recently found endless benefits practicing Pilates both pre pregnancy and post pregnancy.

 

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Margot Islip

 

Education/Qualifications

Graduate Australian Ballet School

Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction (NSW91121) - (currently completing with National Pilates Training)

Experience

30 yrs. Professional Contemporary dancer, teacher and choreographer- Australia, London, Sweden, USA.

Current Employment

Aligned for Life Pilates - Queen St, Melbourne - Pilates Matwork Instructor

 

Born in Adelaide, Margot was first introduced to Pilates whilst studying at the Australian Ballet School. During her distinguished dance career overseas, she has found the Pilates Method invaluable for rehabilitation, strength and control. Margot moved back to Australia in 2007 and is in the process of completing her Certificate IV in Pilates with National Pilates Training, Melbourne. She is currently part of the Aligned for Life team, and hopes to continue her studies of the Pilates Method for many years in the future.

 

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