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Member News January 2023

A very warm welcome to the new members who have joined the PAA community since December including the 7 new student members just starting out on their Pilates training. Congratulations to the students who have graduated and upgraded to a teaching membership and to those members who have upgraded their membership level. We encourage all members to upgrade your membership as you reach the next level, either by qualification or hours as it highlights your experience to clients and we love to highlight you as well. For further information on upgrading please read about the benefits of upgrading and the…
10 Tips for Taking Fabulous Photos

Whether you use social media or not, having good quality and flattering photographs is a necessary part of our trade. Photos simply cannot be avoided: from a profile picture to exercise demonstrations, social gatherings and showcasing studio space, having images that clearly portray who you are and what you do will be an important tool to build connections with clients and industry peers alike. While hiring a photographer is a worthwhile investment, there will still be plenty of moments when you are the photographer and will need to know how to take a decent photo or five. Here are ten…
Book Review: Partner Workouts – Training Together for Better Results

by Krista Popowych Krista Popowych’s new book, Partner Workouts: Training Together for Better Results, is not one I would normally pick up. It is targeted at personal trainers, group fitness instructors and gym-goers, rather than Pilates instructors. However, once I started reading it, I found great value in the content. Krista lists the benefits of working out with a partner: more fun, enjoyment and motivation, and I wonder if this book has been prompted by the social isolation many experienced during the COVID-19 lockdowns. The book is a manual – it explains what goes into an exercise session, different ways…
Emerging Instructor in Focus: Olivia Saputra

Olivia Saputra Livewell Health Physiotherapy and Pilates, Melbourne VIC Emerging Instructor in Focus Instructor Name: Olivia Saputra Studio(s) you study or work at: Livewell Health Physiotherapy and Pilates Location: Melbourne, VIC Instructor training: National Pilates Training (NPT) at Aligned For Life Melbourne PAA Level: Professional Instructor Level 1 What originally motivated you to try Pilates and then go on to train as an instructor? I was intrigued by the line of progressions in Pilates method. I love progress and it would be even better if I can help others progress too. Most Pilates exercises look simple but actually it involves…
Is The Sun Out For You As You Teach Pilates?

Guest Article by Hilary Opheim First published 13 December 2022. Link to original article: Is The Sun Out For You As You Teach Pilates? Did you become a Pilates teacher because you love Pilates and practicing Pilates? Did Pilates help you with an injury and you wanted to teach Pilates so you could help others heal with Pilates? Did you decide that teaching Pilates would give you a connection deeply with people to help them in their daily lives and movement? There are many reasons someone decides to become a Pilates teacher. The real question is how do you…
Pilates Science Website Finds a New Home with PAA

Pilates Science website is passed on to PAA We are delighted to advise that the website, Pilates Science, has been passed over to the Pilates Alliance Australasia. The website contained research from Medline, a research database, published December 2017 to February 2020. I would like to acknowledge the excellent work that Enja Schenck from Classical Pilates NYC has done in setting up this website. It is a huge amount of work to maintain a website like this. I had been working on building a website to share the research that was submitted to the Natural Therapies Review in 2019. There…
Instructor in Focus: Erica Manning

Erica Manning Owned It’s All About You Darling!, Brisbane QLD Instructor Name: Erica Manning Studio(s) you work at: I had my own studio ‘It’s all about you Darling!’ Location: Brisbane Instructor training: Advanced Diploma of the Pilates Method – Pilates International, Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction – Pilates International, Polestar Pilates Comprehensive Series (Studio & Rehab), Level 1 of Romana Pilates in Auckland PAA Level: Principal What originally motivated you to try Pilates and then go on to train as an instructor? I was lucky enough to join a very small boutique gym in Collingwood that happened to offer small…
2023 Conference Presenter Applications

PAA Conference 2023 – Call for Presenters The PAA conference is set for 25 – 27 August 2023. This year’s conference will be a live event with an exciting schedule of international and national presenters. It will be held in Melbourne at the Crown Conference Centre, Southbank. The PAA is seeking applications for workshop presenters and class instructors for a broad range of Pilates workshops and classes. The Application Process: Qualified and experienced Pilates teachers are invited to apply to present a 2 hour workshop or a 50 minute class. You can also partner to co-present a workshop. Step 1:…
PAA Conference 2023 in Melbourne!

Join us in MELBOURNE, 25-27 Aug 2023 We are so excited to finally bring the renowned PAA Conference to Melbourne. In the heart of the bustling Southbank precinct and close to the CBD, the Crown Conference Centre provides an amazing space for this total immersion in Pilates. Join us for 3 days of inspiration, exploration and motivation. Focus on delving deeper into your practice, expanding your horizons and building your business. We are curating an amazing and diverse schedule to inspire teachers in all aspects of Pilates. This is a wonderful opportunity to gather again as a community and celebrate our…
Emerging Instructor in Focus: Kat Shoobridge

Kat Shoobridge Aligned For Life Pilates, Carlton, VIC Emerging Instructor in Focus Instructor Name: Kat Shoobridge Studio(s) you study or work at: Aligned For Life Pilates Location: Carlton Instructor training: NPT Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction (10838NAT) PAA Level: Professional Level 1 Membership What originally motivated you to try Pilates and then go on to train as an instructor? I originally tried Pilates to rehabilitate a back injury and manage my scoliosis. I was impressed that I was stronger following rehab than I had been, and this motivated me to continue Pilates to remain strong and pain free. I am…