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

Sarah Cotchett
Natalie Weineroider
Melanie Karistianos
Margot Islip
Meagan Ellis
Anastasia Maximova
Prue Linehan
Marda Willey
Janine Basil

 

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) - RMIT, Melbourne
Diploma of Professional Pilates Practise (NSW91120) - Pilates International Sydney
Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction (NSW 91121) - Pilates International Training Centre, Melbourne
Certificate IV in Assessment & Workplace Training - Victoria University, Melbourne
Diploma in Pilates Practice (Currently Studying with Pilates International Training Centre, Sydney)
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) - National Pilates Training, Melbourne
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) - Pilates International Training Centre, Sydney
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) - National Pilates Training, Melbourne

Level 1 Pilates Instructor Certificate - APMA Level 3 accred.

Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy (RMIT, Melbourne)

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) - National Pilates Training, Melbourne

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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Melanie Karistianos

 

Education/Qualifications

Pilates Matwork Accreditation - National Pilates Training, Melbourne

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

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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Margot Islip

 

Education/Qualifications

Graduate Australian Ballet School

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

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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Megan Ellis

 

Education

Level 1 Pilates Instructor - APMA

Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction (91121 NSW) – National Pilates Training, Melbourne (currently completing)

Experience

Pilates Method – 4 years teaching, 10 years participation

Dance teacher – 20 years

Current Employment

Aligned for Life Pilates - VCA, St Kilda Rd, Melbourne – Studio Pilates Instructor

VCASS - Tap Dance Teacher

Isabelle’s Academy of Tap - Tap Dance Teacher and co-owner

City of Melbourne – Brand Manager and Marketing

 

Megan has extensive experience in marketing/advertising, combined with a 20-year career in teaching dance. Megan’s interest in Pilates came from a desire to maintain a balanced body knowing that her ‘desk jockey’ day job wasn’t doing anything to improve her posture! Megan’s passion for the Pilates Method inspired her to teach, she now also brings the life-long benefits of Pilates to her dance teaching and when possible to inspire her desk bound colleagues to participate. Megan loves being part of the Aligned for Life team and looks forward to completing her Cert IV training.

 

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Anastasia Maximova

 

Education/Qualifications

Completed year 12 equivalent overseas

Certificate III in hairdressing

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

Experience

Over 1 years participation in Pilates

Current Employment

Aligned for Life Pilates - Queen St, Melbourne -Junior Pilates  Instructor/ administrator

 

Anastasia started participating in pilates in the beginning of 2008, when seeking a change of career. She has found it fascinating and very rewarding and like many other was inspired by Katrina to become a pilates instructor. Being of a Russian background , Anastasia is very passionate about what she does. She finds mind/body connection very exciting and loves passing this experience onto others. From previous job experiences Anastasia loves interacting with other people, and hopes that her knowledge in Pilates will help other to have an understanding of what Pilates is all about. Anastasia is looking forward to continuing her training in Pilates by completing her Diploma of Professional Pilates Practise in the  future.

 

 

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Prue Linehan

 

Education/Qualifications

Partial Completion of Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction (91121 NSW)

Experience

Pilates Method – 1 year teaching, 4 years participation

Current employment

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

Other Achievements

Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Advertising and Marketing Communications (2nd year)

 

Prue studied and trained for her Pilates qualifications in Canberra before moving to Melbourne and joining the team at Aligned for Life. Her interest in instructing came after years of participation in the Pilates Method as a client and noticing the physical and mental differences that Pilates made not only to herself but the other clients. She plans to continue her Pilates journey by completing the full Certificate IV after concluding her tertiary studies next year.

 

What mainly interests Prue about Pilates is the principle of mind/body connection and the impact that such concentration and awareness can have on all aspects of a person’s wellbeing. She credits her enthusiastic instructing style to being part of the welcoming and friendly work and learning environment at Aligned for Life, and looks forward to many more years of involvement in the Pilates Method.

 

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Marda Willey

 

Education/Qualifications

Authentic Pilates Certified instructor

Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Movement (RMIT, Melbourne)

Post Graduate studies in Dance and Movement and Exercise Sports Science

Experience

Pilates Method – over 20 years

Current employment

Aligned for Life Pilates in Melbourne- Queen St - studio pilates instructor

Other Achievements

An accredited Exercise Physiologist (MAAESS)

 

Marda is an Authentic Pilates Certified instructor, an accredited Exercise Physiologist (MAAESS) and has also undertaken training in Stott Pilates. She has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Movement, Diploma of Education in Physical Education, and Certificate of Remedial and Sports Massage. With Post Graduate studies in Dance and Movement and Exercise Sports Science, Marda has the perfect blend of understanding human movement and mechanics along with traditional Pilates training. Since 1981 Marda has taught exercise, dance and movement and was one of the first in Australia to train in the NY style with Romana Kryzanowska and Cynthia Lochard. She took to direct her own Pilates studio in 1997 and has been the Vice - President of The Pilates Alliance for the past five years. Over 2008, in her role as Pilates Coordinator at UQ Sport and deliverer to special populations within the Inter Professional Clinics, Marda has continued to develop her skills in breaking down the exercises within all methods of Pilates and creating a sound basis for the ‘why do the exercise’ question. Her specialty being the biomechanics of the body within exercise and more specifically the Authentic Pilates method, given that Romana’s Pilates is her passion.

 

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Janine Basil

 

Education/Qualifications

Pilates Matwork Accreditation - National Pilates Training, Melbourne

Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction (NSW 91121) – currently completing with National Pilates Training, Melbourne.

Group Fitness Pilates Accreditation – National Pilates Training -2005

Certificate III Fitness Instruction and Exercise to Music

Certified Spinning and Fitball Instructor.

 

Experience

Pilates participation 6 years, 3 years teaching Matwork.

10 Years Working in the Fitness Industry

 

Current employment

Aligned for Life Pilates Puckle St Moonee Ponds Melbourne – Pilates Matwork Instructor

Windy Hill Fitness Centre Essendon Group Exercise, Indoor Cycling and Pilates Matwork Instructor.

 

Janine began her Pilates journey in 2003 when she was introduced to the method via her involvement in the Fitness Industry. Her passion for physical fitness and the love of training others and watching them reach their fitness goals, has driven her to develop her knowledge and understanding of the Pilates Method. With many years of experience in Group Fitness Instruction, practicing the Pilates Method has re-educated Janine on how to train the body to be strong as well as supple and flexible. The motto “Train smarter not Harder” has a whole new meaning. Having completed Matwork Accreditation in 2008 Janine is currently studying Certificate IV In Pilates Instruction with National Pilates Training and currently teaches matwork classes at the Moonee Ponds Studio.

 

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