our presenters

Glenn Withers

B.Physio. MCSP Cert. Pilates Instructor MIAPI Co-founder of the Australian Physiotherapy & Pilates Institute© Glenn Withers graduated from Latrobe University School of Physiotherapy and leapt into the sports physiotherapy world. Glenn worked alongside Australia’s leading sports Physiotherapists within an elite development program at Prahan/Malvern Sports Medicine Centre. During this time Glenn discovered the need for further techniques to improve lumbo-pelvic stability. Glenn soon discovered the key link between muscle imbalance and Pilates and was awarded the Felice Rosemary Lloyd post graduate scholarship for international study into Pilates. Glenn spent the year training in Pilates in London at the Michael King Pilates Institute. Together with Elisa, Glenn modified traditionalPilates to reflect current research findings and their implications for training lumbo-pelvic stability. The interest in Modified Pilates from within the Physiotherapy world lead to Glenn teaching Pilates through out Europe. Since co-founding the Australian Physiotherapy & Pilates Institute© he has lectured at various premier league football clubs, rugby clubs and Physiotherapy conferences.

Elisa Withers

Co-founder of the Australian Physiotherapy & Pilates Institute© Elisa Withers graduated with honors from Latrobe University School of Physiotherapy in Australia with a strong belief in the benefits of the specific exercises for lumbo-pelvic stabilisation. Elisa first recognized the potential of Pilates through 18 years of classical ballet training. Since graduating, Elisa has been working towards developing Pilates within Physiotherapy. Firstly, Elisa was awarded the Felice Rosemary Lloyd trustfund scholarship for international study and training into traditional Pilates. She completed beginner to advanced mat, reformer, cadillac, chairs and barrels Pilates training with Stott Pilates. Alongside Pilates training, Elisa attended courses by renowned Physiotherapists including Julie Hides and Carolyn Richardson to develop a strong understanding on the research on segmental lumbar spine and pelvic stabilisation and its application in the clinical setting.Elisa modified traditional Pilates to use for specific training of the local muscles whose primary role is the provision of dynamic stability and segmental control. This lead into teaching Pilates through the eyes of Physiotherapy throughout Europe. Elisa co-founded the Australian Physiotherapy & Pilates Institute© to deliver Pilates to the Physiotherapy world.

Aillish Toomey

After graduating from University College Dublin, Ireland, Ailish moved to Limerick, to work in the Mid-Western Regional Hospital. Here she worked in both the Regional maternity hospital and the regional orthopedic hospital. Ailish has worked in many areas, including ante and post natal, pre and post orthopedic surgery and acute and long term sports rehabilitation where she has learnt to incorporate Pilates into the treatment of her patients.

Anna Rohrbeck

Anna completed her physiotherapy training at Paul Vogler`s school in Berlin, Germany in 2003. Anna`s backgroung lies in dance and it is here that she got to know the pialtes method. Anna currently teaches pilates in a health and fitness studio in Berlin-Kreuzberg and in a physiotherapy studio/practice in Berlin-Zehlendorf where she works as a physiotherapist.

Anna Price

Anna graduated from the University of Southampton in 1999. She gained an early interest in rehabilitative exercise whilst working in neuro, orthopaedic and outpatient fields. She further developed these skills through Modified Pilates and completed matwork training with the APPI. Anna currently works within a musculoskeletal outpatient department in the NHS and incorporates the principles into her daily clinical caseload. She also conducts pilates classes and 1:1 tuition from a studio in Plymouth.

Astrid Haestad

Astrid graduated from Manchester University in 2004. She has a background in ballet dancing and currently works part-time for the National Healthcare System in England, and part-time giving Pilates classes in Cambridge. She has completed a wide range of rotations in the NHS but her primary area of interest lies in rehabilitation which allows her to incorporate the Pilates principle in her day-to-day work.

Beaux Bryant

Beaux completed her Physiotherapy training at Brunel University, London in 2000, and has always had a special interest in Pilates, which began whilst training as a contemporary dancer at the Laban Centre for movement and dance. During her training as a Physiotherapist, she attended work experience at the Royal Ballet School. Watching the dancers being put through their paces by the Pilates instructor, prompted a desire to train as an instructor herself. Subsequently, she has trained with several Pilates organisations (Micheal King Pilates Institute, APPI, Pilates Foundation matwork instructor, Pilates Foundation pre/postnatal instructor), and continues training in different aspects of Pilates yearly, to deepen her knowledge and broaden her skills. Beaux has worked for a number of NHS and private health organisations, before setting up her own business, Creative Kinetics Physiotherapy and Pilates, in Somerset. After some years working in Somerset, Beaux recently moved to Brighton, and has joined the Physiotherapy and Pilates team at Body Rehab Studios.

Biljana Kennaway

Biljana started her education in Croatia and gained BSc in physiotherapy in 2002 in London. She has worked in some of the leading London teaching hospitals in both the private and public sectors, specialising in Musculoskeletal and Women’s Health physiotherapy. Over the last 6 years Biljana has run Pilates classes for LBP in adults and children, and ante- and post-natal rehabilitation. A year ago, Biljana moved to Geneva, where she has established her own Pilates practice, running classes for the international organisations (UN) and private sessions for those who wish to work in more depth on their goals. She still manages to fly to London and work part-time as a women’s health clinician at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. It was after her own back injury that Pilates training became her ultimate base for all functional and sporting activities and now she is able to enjoy all competitive and extreme outdoor sporting activities in the Alps.

Catherine Ketsimur

Catherine completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy (‘94) at the University of Queensland, where she initially developed an interest in muscle control and stability training due to the research occurring at UQ at this time. This interest led her to start working with Pilates in 1999. She has trained in equipment and matwork based Pilates, which she integrates into her daily clinical management. She currently works as an Extended Scope Practitioner at a large London NHS Hospital.

Cara Fynn

A qualified Physiotherapist, Cara has been practising Pilates for the past six years and teaching for three. With an interest in soft tissue work, she also has a diploma in Sports Massage from the prestigious London School of Sports Massage. Cara combines her unique skills as a Physiotherapist, Pilates Instructor and masseuse to develop comprehensive and holistic Pilates programmes for her clients. Cara is well-travelled, having lived and worked in Japan, Italy and Australia. Other interests include yoga, hiking and the theatre.

Christina Ekegren

Christina is a lecturer in physiotherapy at Brunel University in West London. Since graduating from physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne in 2000 she has worked in clinical and academic settings in Australia, Canada and the UK. As an ex-dancer, Christina has specialised in dance physiotherapy and prior to moving to London worked for several years at the Melbourne Dance Clinic. She has Pilates qualifications from the Australian Pilates Method Association and an MSc in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of British Columbia, Canada.

Dawn Leibe

Dawn qualified from Kings College London in 2000, after graduating she speciliased in outpatients and completed an MACP masters degree in 2006. Dawn joined the team at Pilates Art Hampstead where she was able to expand the Pilates she had previously been using from the APPI courses. Dawn has been lucky enough to present for the APPI in Brazil, and all over the UK, she now runs her own physio and Pilates studio by the seaside in Hove.

Darren Higgins, MET-Rx Presenter

Darren graduated in 1992 from The University of South Australia`s School of Physiotherapy and began his junior career in Melbourne, Australia. His yearning to work overseas brought him to the U.K in 1996, where he began life as a locum in the NHS. Darren moved into the musculoskeletal arena, and he began work in the Vanbrugh Physiotherapy Clinic in Greenwich, London were he has been owner and Practice Principal for the last 10 years. Darren made his TV debut when he worked as the physio for Sky TV`s Cirque De Celebrite in 2006 and 2007. His interest in Low Back and Pelvic Pain lead him to the Muscle Energy Technique, which he began to study in 1999, attending courses here in the UK. He became involved in teaching as an assistant in 2001, and in 2003 became a lecturer, teaching MET courses all over the UK. Since 2004, Darren has travelled to Finland to instruct every year. The muscle energy technique has lead Darren to develop a very keen interest in the thorax and ribs.... "...once you start treating complex patients with lumbar spine and pelvis dysfunction, scanning up through the thorax and ribs reveals so many contributing factors which when treated, improve outcomes enormously..." Darren also sits on Physio First`s Executive Committee as Honorary Conference Chair, responsible for the organisation`s annual conference attracting world renown international lecturers.

David Snook

David is a unique specialist in the fact he works both as a strength and conditioner and a physiotherapist. He has had over 8 years within the sporting industry and initially graduated from the University of Wollongong with an undergraduate Bachelor’s degree in Sport and Exercise and Science. David has worked both with individuals and elite sporting teams within the industry including basketball, hockey, cricket, track and field, rugby, football, gymnastics and surfing. After training many elite individuals at this level, David decided to further his knowledge in this area. He went on to study his postgraduate qualification completing his Masters of Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney in 2007. His physiotherapy experience stems from rehabilitation with the general population and with National level athletes of which he finds his greatest passion.

Deborah Thomas

I qualified as a physiotherapist in Israel in 2000, and as an APPI Method Matwork Instructor in 2004. I have gained experience in various fields, including Sports Injuries, Orthopaedics, Rheumatic Disease and Womens` Health. I have benefited from practicing Pilates regularly, and have used this type of exercise with a variety of clients, including: People who have had back and neck pain, Scoliosis, undergone surgery, hip and knee replacements, Ante and Post Natal, suffer from incontinence, as well as people who live with ME and MS. With the APPI, I have qualified through the full matwork repertoire, and have further trained on these courses: Small Equipment (magic circle and foam roller), Pilate and the Theraband, Pilate and the Ball, Ante and Post natal. My goal is to provide an enjoyable, safe and inspiring exercise experience for the mind and body, enabling everyone to exercise at their own level of ability.

Donna Murphy

Donna studied physiotherapy at Curtin University of Technology in Western Australia and graduated in 2006. Prior to studying physiotherapy she completed a bachelor of science, studying human movement at The University of Western Australia. Donna has worked as an Exercise Physiologist, Corporate Health and Fitness Consultant, Exercise Instructor and also on various biomechanical projects for both the Australian Institute of Sport and West Australian Institute of Sport.

Emma Sulley

Emma Sulley is a qualified Australia Physiotherapist, graduating from Curtin University, Australia in 2000. In Australia, Emma worked in private practice, and with Ballet & Contemporary Dance students at the Academy of Performing Arts in Western Australia. Since moving to London in 2006 Emma has worked at a number of high profile physiotherapy and pilates practices on Harley Street, Marylebone and Notting Hill, as well as The Hoxton Circus Space and with the English Institute of Sport.

Fiona Kearsley

Fiona trained in Glasgow and graduated in 1981. Initially, Fiona worked at Stoke Mandeville Hospital gaining experience at the National Spinal Injuries Unit and other major specialities including orthopaedics and musculoskeletal conditions. Fiona then moved into the private sector, where she treated mainly sports injuries and was responsible for the wide variety of exercise classes offered to clients. A keen interest in sports medicine led Fiona to investigate the power of Pilates as a treatment. Fiona currently works at Windsor Physiotherapy & Pilates Clinic.

John Contrerras

John has always had an interest in high level rehabilitation and exercise therapy. So after graduating from the School of Physiotherapy at The University of Melbourne in 2001, John continued his studies in muscle physiology to complete his Bachelor of Science the following year. Being a registered Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer both in Australia and the UK, he became Master Trainer at Holmes Place Kensington. Jon currently manages Pilates Art Physiotherapy in Wimbledon and has been presenting for the APPI since 2006.

Jon Hawkins

Jon is a registered osteopath who graduated from the British School of Osteopathy in 2007 and has since worked in private practice in London and Kent. Pursuing his interest in effective and safe exercise for clinical populations Jon gained certification with Polestar Pilates through their rehabilitation course. Joining the team at Pilates Art Hampstead he has enjoyed expanding his repertoire of exercises through APPI training and interaction with his physiotherapist colleagues.

Jo Ness

Katie James

Katie completed her Physiotherapy degree at Southampton University in the UK in 2000. She then went on to develop her skills and gain experience in a range of settings including in-patient and out-patient Physiotherapy before going on to specialize in Rehabilitation. Katie has recently returned from Hong Kong where she lived for the past 3 years. Here, she began practicing and studying Pilates and gained her Pilates certification from Polstar Pilates.

Kevin Dewar

Kevin graduated from Coventry University in 1999 and started work in a large NHS teaching hospital. Since then he has worked in a number of settings both in the private and public sectors. He currently is working in a private hospital in Edinburgh where he is the clinical lead physiotherapist working in musculoskeletal outpatients. Kevin has had a growing interest in motor control dysfunction since choosing to specialise in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. He currently uses modified pilates as an integral part of his physiotherapy practice.

Kay McLorn

Kay McLorn BSc(Hons) MCSP MAPPI Chartered Physiotherapist / Pilates Instructor and APPI Presenter Kay qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1985 from the University of Ulster, Jordanstown. Northern Ireland. She worked in the NHS for 14 years gaining experience in a variety of clinical settings, including Musculo-skeletal outpatients, Orthopaedics, Adult and Paediatric Neurology. In 1991 she became Clinical Tutor for Physiotherapy in one of Belfast’s leading teaching hospitals responsible for organising and evaluating the clinical education for Physiotherapy students. She was also involved in research in the Gait Analysis Laboratory, Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast and became a recognised teacher at the University of Ulster for some part-time hours on the undergraduate Physiotherapy course. Kay opened Blackstone Physiotherapy in 1999 and from that time it has continued to grow to one of the largest physiotherapy clinics in Northern Ireland with a second clinic being opened in Carrickfergus in 2009. Kay is a fully certified matwork instructor with(APPI). She also has completed training on Pilates equipment(reformer, cadillac etc), small equipment and Ante and Post-natal Pilates. She is delighted to be an APPI Presenter delivering the APPI method training to other healthcare professionals as it leads the world in Pilates rehabilitation.

Laura Haworth

Laura gained her Physiotherapy degree from Cardiff University in 2004. Since then she has completed a broad range of rotations in the NHS and more recently has returned from working as a Physiotherapist in Australia and New Zealand. Laura now works as a musculoskeletal Physiotherapist in London where she also teaches pilates 1:1and in group settings.

Leslie Abrahams

Leslie qualified with honours in 1998 from the University of Cape Town. He has worked in Private practice both in South Africa and the United Kingdom. He specializes in Musculoskeletal and Sports physiotherapy and has a keen interest in lumbo-pelvic stability dysfunction and lower limb biomechanics. He has previously worked and travelled with high level athletes in the field of cycling and volleyball.

Linda Hartley

Linda has always had a keen interest in exercise and before undertaking training as a Physiotherapist qualified as an exercise to music teacher from the YMCA in the early nineties. Linda graduated as a Physiotherapist from Salford University in 1998, after graduating she started work at a North Manchester General Hospital. Linda then worked solely in private practice for 5 years during this time she undertook training with the APPI in 2002 and began using modified Pilates with her clients. Linda has also worked for Corvette Racing Team at Le Mans and then travelled to race meetings in America. Linda returned to the NHS as a Clinical Specialist in MSK in 2007. Linda is currently the Therapy Services Manager at Tameside General Hospital, she still works in private practice to ensure she maintains her ‘hands on skills’.

Lizzie Bradshaw

Lizzie studied physiotherapy at the University of Brighton, graduating in 2003. After gaining a range of experience within the NHS she specialised in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. She currently works in Bristol within a large NHS hospital, working within the specialities of occupational health, womens health and pain management, haemophilia and gym rehabilitation and teaches Pilates classes privately. Lizzie has been teaching Pilates since 2007 and has completed her APPI matwork certification. Personally and professionally she has an interest in the benefits of Pilates within the sporting population.

Lynley Eason

Lynley studied Physiotherapy in Dunedin, NZ and graduated in 2001. After moving to England in 2003 she specialised in Paediatrics but has also gained experience in research, teaching and private practise. Lynley became interested in Pilates for her own back care and has been teaching Pilates since 2007. Lynley currently works as a Locum Physiotherapist within the NHS, and is in the process of opening her own Private Practise in Lancashire.

Mel Bryant

Mel graduated in Johannesburg in 2000 and moved to the UK the following year. She has worked in the private sector ever since in both the hospital setting and private practice. Her 2 main areas of interest lie in Sports Physiotherapy and rehabilitation, and she enjoys treating the ante- and post natal population. She worked at Esher Rugby club for 4 years and recently headed up the Physiotherapy team for the England Touch Rugby squad. She has been using the APPI Pilates method since 2004 within her clinical practice and joined Pilates Art Physiotherapy in Wimbledon last November.

Mike Fielding

Mike graduated from the University of Birmingham in 1998, and has worked as a specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist since 1999 first in the hospital setting and then later in the private sector, working in many clinics throughout North London and central London including one in Harley Street that had contracts to rehab dancers from west end shows. Mike has completed extensive post graduate training in a variety of courses including Acupuncture, Fascia release, MET`s, Manips and Taping. Mike also took an interest in Muscle imbalance theory very early on in his career completing most of the kinetic control courses before embarking on APPI Matwork and class instructor training in Modified Pilates in 2001. Mike has been on the APPI teaching staff since 2002 first as a assistant and then as a lead presenter and has taught courses for them in England, Ireland, Australia and Brazil. Mike completed his Pilates equipment training in 2006. Mike currently lives and works in Cairns Australia as Physio/Pilates instructor in a private clinic.

Nicky Croft

Nicky graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy, from the University of Otago, New Zealand, in 2000. Nicky moved to Sydney, Australia soon after graduating. Here she worked in a Private Practise, this incorporated instructing Physiocise classes as well as outpatient physiotherapy care and hydrotherapy. On arriving in the UK in 2003, Nicky has worked in both the NHS and continued her Pilates work in the Private Sector at `Embody Pilates`. Nicky is currently working fulltime at Pilates Art in Hampstead.

Nikki Lock

Nikki graduated with first class Honours from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, in 2003. After moving to London in April 2006, she began working with the Harlequins Rugby League teams as Senior Physiotherapist as well as assisting with the 1st team. including the Queen Mother Sports Centre, Crystal Palace Sports & Spinal Clinic, Nuffield Proactive Health and the London Fire Brigade. After beginning her Pilates training through APPI in 2006, Nikki has gone on to work at Pilates Art Centre Wimbeldon.

Rachel Quested

Rachele Quested is a physiotherapist with a Masters in Sports Physiotherapy. She is also a certified Pilates teacher, having trained with Body Control Pilates and the APPI. She currently teaches for the APPI and has also presented at Body Control Pilates conferences. Rachele has worked with numerous sports at the elite level (triathlon, swimming, netball, rugby and ballet) and has always used Pilates as part of her rehabilitation approach. Her interest in Ante and Post natal Pilates grew from having her own two children and finding how much Pilates helped her as well as the clients she has subsequently worked with.

Sarah Clelland-Smith

Sarah graduated from the Sports Rehabilitation and Sport Science degree programme at St Mary’s University College in 2001. Sarah started her career as a remedial fitness advisor and moved quickly into a position as Rehabilitation Therapist in a multi disciplinary team at a private clinic. Her keen interest in muscle imbalance and core stability lead Sarah to study Pilates with the APPI. Now Director of a West London Health & Fitness Company, Sarah has vast experience of fitness and corrective exercise programming.

Sarah Johnson

Sarah Showan

Sarah completed her Physiotherapy degree at King’s College London in 1996 followed by a Masters in Neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy at UCL in 1997. She worked briefly in the NHS and subsequently in private musculoskeletal clinics treating a varied caseload of conditions and sports injuries. She was introduced to Clinical Pilates in 1997 and has been “passionate about Pilates” ever since using it clinically in her one to one treatments with her clients in addition to manual techniques. She has been teaching Pilates classes for the last 5 years.

Simon Miller

I graduated in Sport and Exercise Science in 2000 from Leeds Metropolitan University and then went on to complete my Physiotherapy training at York St John’s University in 2006. I have over 13 years experience in the health and fitnes industry as an advanced personal trainer as well as 10 years in the NHS. Whilst training for my Physiotherapy degree I gained invaluable experience as a physiotherapy assistant working in neurology. My main goal from before starting my physiotherapy degree was to progress my specialist knowledge in exercise and its application in rehabilitation of many differing conditions. This lead to me discovering the APPI! Since 2007 I have been teaching Pilates to a wide range of patients/client groups ranging from non-specific low back pain and other common muscoloskeletal complaints to professional dancers and Junior International athletes. I also have experience in ante and post natal Pilates.

Sophie Ferris

Sophie graduated as a Physiotherapist at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia in 1999. Sophie has had vast experience working in both the public and private sector, in general musculoskeletal outapatients as well as specific Women`s Health positions. Sophies interest in exercise therapy led her to purse Pilates training. Sophie has trained both in Melbourne and London and is a fully certified APPI matwork Instructor. Sophie has worked at PIlates Art Physiotherapy in London, focussing on specific Pilates for pregnant and post natal women, as well as general pilates for rehabilitation including working with professional dancers from the English National Ballet. Sophie has been an APPI presenter since 2007 and has presented course throughout the UK, Europe and Brazil.

Stephanie Hacker

Stefanie succesfully completed her study in physiotherapy at the Bernd-Blindow-School in Bückeburg (D) and at the Hogeschool van Arnhem en Nijmegen (NL). After her studies she specialised in orthopedics and neurologie. Stefanie worked as a teacher at the School for Physiotherapy Henriettenstftung Hannover. Currenlty Stephaine works at a private practise in Berlin whilst also leading pilates courses for low-backpain and pregnancy.

Susan Noonan

B Phty, MAPA, Grad Cert (Sports Physio), Pilates Instructor (APPI) Susan studied physiotherapy at the University of Queensland in Australia, gaining her degree in 1998. She developed a keen interest in sports medicine and after moving to the United Kingdom undertook her Pilates training. Pilates is an extremely useful tool in the rehabilitation of sports injuries, especially those with complex biomechanical issues. Susan’s treatment programs for musculoskeletal injury and following Orthopaedic surgery incorporate matwork and equipment based exercises. She has been working with the APPI since 2005

Tegan Fletcher

Tegan Fletcher is our expert Myotherapist from Melbourne. Myotherapy is a very unique profession here in the UK. Myo (meaning muscle) therapy is the assessment, treatment and maintenance of muscles using various techniques including massage, cupping and needling. It is important in the management of any injury and is highly beneficial alongside Physiotherapy and Pilates programs. It is also very popular for its benefits for general well being. Tegan, studied intensively for three years in Australia to attain her degree. Since this time, she has worked throughout Melbourne, New Zealand and London in the sports and private practice settings. Her professional interests include working with acute and chronic neck and low back pain, repetitive strain injuries and during rehabilitation phase following orthopaedic surgery.