pilates int

Sonia Crisafulli | Lauren Jones | Liz Stride
Darren Vizer | Amitie Kroneis | Claire Savage
Katie Collinge

Sonia Crisafulli
Sonia initially undertook APMA training in the Pilates Method, following which she completed the Polestar Pilates Studio Series. Having worked extensively in Melbourne and Sydney over 2001-2003, she moved to London where she undertook further training with Body Control Pilates UK before moving into a Teacher Trainer role for them. Sonia continued to deliver teacher training and continuing education for Body Control Pilates UK, as well as taking on the role of Studio Manager for that organization. Upon returning to Australia at the end of 2005 Sonia joined Pilates International as a studio teacher and student supervisor, and upgraded her qualifications to the Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction. In September 2006 she was a guest presenter at the Body Control Pilates UK conference, delivering workshops on Pre and Post Natal Pilates, as well as giving an Advanced Matwork presentation. From late 2006 Sonia joined the pilatesitc faculty with a permanent position as Course Co-ordinator commencing from January 2007. Sonia also holds a Bachelor of Dance, and has completed her Pre/Post Natal Specialist Certification from The Center for Women’s Fitness (USA). Sonia has also completed the Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction.

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Lauren Jones Cert IV Pilates
Lauren Completed her Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction in 2005. She has returned from a year of travelling overseas and is currently pursuing studies in business management.

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Liz Stride dip RBSttc, ARAD, Certificate IV Pilates Instruction
Liz graduated from The Royal Ballet School Teachers Training Course in London with a diploma. She went on to teach Ballet in England, Germany and Australia. She first discovered the benefits of Pilates during her dance training and began teaching the Pilates matwork in 2003. Liz has recently upgraded her qualifications to a Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction and is currently an instructor and studio manager at Pilates International.

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Darren Vizer
Darren has a varied and interesting career in dance and movement which he likes to adapt to his pilates sessions. Darren started his career as a Queensland and Australian Acrobatic and Tumbling Champion as well as a Trampoline and Synchronization Champion.

All his life has been devoted to different forms of dance and movement which has resulted in a varied and busy career both in Australia and overseas. Some of his long list of achievements, include teaching technique classes, creative workshops and acrobatics, stretch and jazz as well as classical ballet and contemporary dance. Darren’s most recent work has been with the Opera Australia Ballet Company for which he still performs as well as choreographing.

After dancing for 15 years and choreographing for 10 and still doing so, Darren decided to broaden his knowledge of movement and dance and teach it to other people. Darren started with the Pilates Moves Certification Course under the guidance of Helen Tardent at her Double Bay studio and has been teaching pilates in his home studio as well as various venues around Sydney. After completing the Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction at Pilates International Training Centre, Darren decided to continue on with his studies and is currently completing the Diploma of Professional Pilates practice. Darren brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge and is a welcome member of the Pilates International team.

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Amitie Kroneis
Amitie was first introduced to Pilates during her dance training at the Graduate College of Dance. Later, at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, she was given the opportunity to further study pilates, yoga and chi gong, helping her to realise the great benefits of holistic methods.

In 2004 Amitie and her husband moved to Brazil where she taught English and continued her pilates study. Daily practice helped her through a very comfortable pregnancy and speedy recovery. Pilates holds many benefits for both mother and child. In 2007 Amitie and family returned to Sydney where she completed her Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction. Amitie is a welcome member of the Pilates Int team at Strawberry Hills Hunters Hill and Turramurra.

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Claire Savage B Des (Arch) Cert IV Pilates Instruction (PITC)
Claire’s interest and love for art and science led her to study Architecture at Sydney University where she completed her bachelor’s degree in Design in Architecture in 2003. After working for several years at an Architectural practice in residential and landscape design, she decided to return to her roots in classical ballet taking up vocational and teacher training on Sydney’s North Shore. It was during this time that she discovered the Pilates Method and its potential for conditioning dancers and non-dancers alike. Claire completed her Certificate IV with Pilates international in 2007.

“What inspires me about the Pilates method is that Pilates like architecture, examines functional structure, purpose and the aesthetics of design. It engages the mind to inform the body in order to achieve integrity and pleasure within movement.”

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Katie Collinge
Katie studied at the Northern Ballet School in Manchester and graduated with a Diploma. She is also a qualified Dance teacher in ballet, modern, tap and national dance.

Katie then went on to work for twelve years as a professional dancer and with this came the opportunity to travel the world. Whilst in London and experiencing a dance injury, she started pilates at the Alan Herdman studio which enabled her to prolong her dance career.

When Katie’s dance career came to an end, she decided to pursue a career as a pilates instructor. Katie has a Certificate IV in Pilates Instruction and is currently teaching at Pilates International’s Strawberry Hills and Turramurra studios. Katie is also a qualified fitness instructor.

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