News

PM Statement 29 March 2020 As part of its work on helping businesses hibernate, National Cabinet agreed that short-term intervention is needed for commercial tenancies. Work on this has begun, but there is more to do, including for residential tenancies. On 29 March the National Cabinet agreed to a moratorium on evictions over the next six months for commercial and residential tenancies in financial distress who are unable to meet their commitments due to the impact of coronavirus. Commercial tenants, landlords and financial institutions are encouraged to sit down together to find a way through to ensure that businesses can…

Announced 29 March 2020 If your business has been significantly impacted by the Coronavirus you will be able to access a wages subsidy to continue paying your employees. Under the JobKeeper program, you will be able to claim a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee from 30 March 2020, for a maximum of six months. If you have already let your staff go and you rehire them you may also apply for the JobKeeper subsidy, as long as they were still employed by you on 1st March. The government wants businesses to stay connected to their employees. This assistance…

Suggestions from the Lifeline website: The outbreak of the coronavirus COVID-19 has impacted people in varying ways on an international scale. It is understandable that during times like this, people may be feeling afraid, worried, anxious and overwhelmed by the constantly changing alerts and media coverage regarding the spread of the virus. While it is important to stay informed, the following are some mental health and wellbeing tips and strategies to continue looking after ourselves and each other during these difficult times. Manage your exposure to media coverage as this can increase feelings of fear and anxiety. Be mindful of…

Hi Members, I know this is a very stressful time with lots of uncertainties. We would like to work together with you to stay positive in your Pilates practice and broader community. On top of our many executive calls and meetings over the past week, we have called an urgent Committee meeting today, to discuss the issues facing members and studios on all levels. We are looking at PAA resources and how we can best utilise them to support members. As Pilates instructors and studio owners our clients and communities need us more than ever. I have been very heartened…

My Visit to Centrelink – Darren Vizer So, this morning I joined Centrelink as I figured, until my online business for Mr Pilates gets going, I wanted to have some cash flow to support me. My experience was, I lined up at 6:30am, an hour and a half before opening.  Queue was not that long at that time. By 7am it started to get long, by 7:30am so much longer. So my advice is to get there early. For me, I felt I needed to commit to lining up and just get it done. It wasn’t that bad. Yes, it…

Emma Najman PAA Principal member, Physiomoves, West End QLD Instructor Name: Emma Najman Studio(s) you work at: Physiomoves Location: West End, Brisbane Qld Instructor training: Pilates ITC PAA level: Principal Questions What originally motivated you to try Pilates and then go on to train as an instructor? Started due to back injury for strengthening. Found it so beneficial wanted to pass my knowledge to others suffering with chronic pain. What did you eat for breakfast? Eggs and cheese in wholemeal wraps. In one word, describe your first Pilates experience? Inspiring. What’s the best thing about your job? Being paid to…

A Message to Members from the PAA Let us start this message by saying that these are extraordinary times, and they require extraordinary kindness and patience. We understand everyone is stressed and survival instincts are kicking in. Yesterday we were made aware of an exception being granted in NSW to a Pilates studio to continue to trade with adherence to set guidelines. We have spoken to the studio owner who informed us that she had contacted the NSW Minister of Health’s office, because she felt, as many do, that Pilates was not a sport or gym activity. She asked for…

COVID-19 – Resources for teaching classes online As a result of COVID-19 restrictions, many studios and teachers are looking for alternatives to teaching in the studio and are beginning to set up online sessions and classes for their clients. We have been in contact with BMS, the PAA insurance provider, who have confirmed that PAA insurance holders are automatically covered for online teaching (such as via Skype or Zoom), providing they are working within their scope of practice. If you are with another insurance provider please check with them directly. Plan Ahead If you’re giving online classes a try for…

Coronavirus – Reassure your clients that your studio is prepared As the number of cases of infection in Australia from Coronavirus (COVID-19) increase, the health and safety of PAA members and clients remain an ongoing priority. We have gathered the following advice and information to help you prepare your studio, clients and staff and lessen the impact. We include steps to take immediately, reassurance for clients and procedures for better studio and equipment hygiene. This is an evolving situation and members should continue to closely monitor the official websites listed below for the most up to date information. Department of…

Guest article by Ash Berry, PAA L1 Member Link to original: Is Deep Breathing Always the Answer? Late last year I attended a two day BreatheAbility breathing course with physiotherapist and Breathing Educator Tess Graham. Tess Graham trained with Ukrainian doctor Konstantin Buteyko in the early 1990’s. Buteyko is renowned for his work on breathing retraining for asthmatics and founding the Buteyko Institute.  Tess herself has over 6500 hours of clinical experience as a breathing specialist and believes she cured two of her children of their asthma. Naturally, being curious and a Pilates instructor, I was eager to learn about…