Every person within the Melbourne Pilates Group has their own story to tell as to their Pilates journey. We pride ourselves in encouraging each of our Instructors to express their own individual style whilst maintaining the high quality teaching standards set within the Group.
Each Instructor is fully qualified to Industry Standards and is affiliated to an independant Pilates Association, such as The Australian Pilates Method Association (APMA), Stott Pilates & Pilates Alliance Australiasia. In conjunction with the high standards set by the Melbourne Pilates Group, it is a membership requirement within these Associations that each instructor accrues Continuing Education Credits (CEC's) and stays at the forefront on the Pilates Industry.
You can rest assured that, regardless of which Instructor you choose, you will receive a first class Pilates workout designed specifically with your needs in mind.
Please click on the link below to read a short profile of the Instructor:
Paul Higgins
- Director of the 'Melbourne Pilates Group'
- Director of 'Pilates of Armadale', 'Pilates of Elsternwick', 'Pilates of South Yarra', 'Pilates of Black Rock', 'Pilates of Brighton' & 'Pilates of Mornington'
Accredited with the Australian Pilates Method Association at their highest level of Professional Practitioner Level 4 and an Approved Instructor Training Course Provider, one of only 3 in Victoria, Paul is the co-founder of the Melbourne Pilates Group with Greg Paterson and has 7 studios across Melbourne. Paul emigrated from the UK in late 2002 and since then has firmly stamped his presence on the Australian Pilates Industry. Through his training school, Empathy Pilates, he has gained a formidable reputation for training high quality instructors in Victoria and, indeed, across Australia. Paul was introduced to Pilates in the UK in 1994 and after four years as a regular client he trained with the prestigious Body Control Pilates Association, a world leader in the Method. Paul has worked with many elite athletes including English Premiership soccer players and even Australia's own Pat Cash. (Top)
Melanie Smith
- Manager of 'Pilates of Kew'
- Human Resource Manager of the Melbourne Pilates Group
Melanie was first introduced to Pilates in 1999 whilst training as a dancer and very soon realised how it could improve her performance. In 2004 she completed her apprenticeship style Pilates instructor training in Melbourne. This was an intensive course specialising in rehabilitation and she has been working as an instructor ever since. Melanie also works as a personal trainer and holds the Certificate 4 qualification. Now a Level 4 Professional Pilates Practitioner with the APMA, Melanie enjoys working with a variety of clients from professional dancers through to triathletes as well as those people with injuries. (Top)
Barbara Miranda
Barbara discovered Pilates while working as a Physiotherapist in Brazil and soon came to realize that Pilates could be the answer to her desire in improving quality of life for her clients. Barbara completed her Pilates course in 2003 and since then has worked with many different clients who have had various types of injuries. With her Physiotherapy background Barbara is able to thoroughly assess clients and make sure that their Pilates sessions meet there specific needs. Having recently migrated to Australia she is in the process of becoming a member of the APMA, following which she hopes to meet the requirements of the Australian Physiotherapy Council and practice Physiotherapy in Australia as well. Barbara brings to the Melbourne Pilates Group and her clients over 8000 hours of professional experience from overseas. (Top)
Louise Drew
- Director of 'Pilates by Lou'
After many years as a self-confessed gym junkie, Louise fell in love with Pilates when she started studio sessions to add some variety to her exercise program. Through her own practice Louise learned how Pilates could help improve posture & reduce pain. After two years of regular Pilates sessions Louise decided to train as an Instructor so she could share her passion with others. Since completing her STOTT PILATES Certification, Louise has fulfilled her lifestyle choice and walked away from the stressful corporate career with the associated MBA and instead embraced her new career as a full-time Pilates instructor. Louise is a Level 1 member of Pilates Alliance Australasia. (Top)
Kate Noonan
Kate has always had an interest in health and fitness. She also holds a degree in Human Movement and an Advance Diploma in Myotherapy. Whilst working as a Myotherapist, Kate found exercise prescription one of the most successful means of alleviating people's pain and discomfort. Kate started doing Pilates herself after running left her in pain with stress fractures in her feet. She preferred the effect Pilates had on her body both physically and aesthetically and decided to pursue a career as an instructor. She undertook courses through the Pilates Institute of Australia and has since furthered her knowledge and undertaken the Empathy Pilates instructor training course, giving her an APMA level 2 qualification.
She loves helping people and finds Pilates the perfect way of enabling people to cope with the physical demands busy lives place on our bodies. Personally, Pilates allows Kate the strength and endurance to raise her three beautiful children. (Top)
Kim Lewin
Kim began her training in England studying classical ballet, tap and modern dance, anatomy, physiology and musical theatre. She was introduced to Pilates by a former student of her college, a ballerina from the Royal Danish Ballet.
Kim began her teacher training for Pilates in 2007 at a physiotherapy and Pilates studio in Auckland, New Zealand. She then extended her training at Synergy Studio on Waiheke Island, focusing on classical repertoire and STOTT based exercises, where she also taught for the past four years. At the same time she developed her own Pilates classes specifically for dancers, to help aid their training and improve their overall strength and flexibility.
Having recently moved to Australia with her fiancé, Kim is excited to be working for the Melbourne Pilates Group and to help clients with their pathologies. She is particularly interested in improving people’s posture, core strength and reducing pain and stress. (Top)