Meet the faculty educators

In addition to her extensive qualifications in the Pilates Method, Katrina has enjoyed a long and successful career as a classical ballet dancer.

Katrina was first introduced to Pilates over 30 years ago, as rehabilitation following a knee injury. Instantly recognising the benefits, Katrina continued to practice Pilates throughout her dancing career before founding her first Pilates studio, Aligned for Life in Moonee Ponds in 2000.

Today, Katrina specialises in teaching and caring for elite athletes, including AFL players from the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne Football Club, and classical ballet dancers in her role as Head of Conditioning at the Australian Ballet School.

When she is not presenting short courses for National Pilates Training, Kath Banks is busy teaching classes at her Moonee Ponds Aligned for Life Pilates studio.

Kath’s area of expertise is rehabilitation, as she has a Master of Clinical Exercise Science & Rehabilitation, is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with ESSA and works as a Rehabilitation Coordinator at Maribyrnong Sports Academy.

Kath’s thirst for knowledge and passion for health will provide you with the support needed to begin your journey or take your career to the next level.

Helen New is one of our faculty educators and short course presenters. Helen has been practising Pilates regularly for more than 30 years and has taught the method for more than a decade. Alongside her work at National Pilates Training, she is also the Principal Practitioner and owner/manager of Precision Pilates studios in Parkdale and Windsor.

Helen’s area of passion and expertise is scoliosis and the management and support for people living with the condition. She teaches the Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses and assesses the Advanced Diploma as part of our senior faculty team.

Chantel started practising Pilates while studying at The Australian Ballet School. The method continued to be a central part of her everyday routine throughout her 15-year career as a ballerina, strengthening her body for different roles and dance styles and helping with injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Always knowing she wanted to be a Pilates teacher after retiring from ballet, Chantel completed her teacher training in the UK before joining Aligned For Life’s CBD and Moonee Ponds studios in 2015.

Today Chantel is an integral part of the team and has helped hundreds of students carve out their professional path in the industry. She teaches the Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction (10537NAT) course, which she also assesses.

Mel first began practicing Pilates in 2012, after experiencing a back injury that led to chronic back pain that left her unable to participate in her usual leisure and fitness activities. She soon began to experience the amazing benefits the practice had on her mind and body and wanted to learn more about the method. In 2013 she began instructor training at the Pilates Fitness Institute of WA (PFI). While still studying for her Diploma, Mel decided to take the leap and leave her career in the chemical industry to be a full time Pilates instructor and practitioner.

Mel completed her Advanced Diploma of the Pilates Method at National Pilates Training in 2018 and has since been working with National Pilates Training as a faculty educator for the Introduction to Pilates and the Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction (10537NAT) courses, as well as an assessor for the Diploma. Mel is also a Pilates Practitioner for Aligned for Life Pilates.

Melissa has enjoyed an extensive career as a professional dancer and teacher, both nationally and internationally. Pilates has been central to her success, supporting her through rehabilitation from a range of injuries, including stress fractures, bulging discs and rotator cuff injuries.

Alongside dancing, Melissa has taught Pilates at studios in Tasmania and Victoria, as well as within dance institutions. Currently teaching at the National Theatre Ballet School, Melissa’s clients include professional dancers, circus artists, athletes, Australian Ballet School and VCA students.

An active member of Pilates Alliance Australasia, Melissa regularly attends movement research workshops around Australia and the world. Melissa teaches and assesses the Certificate in Pilates Reformer Instruction course and is also one of the assessors of the Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction (10537NAT).

For the better part of a decade Benjamin dedicated himself to his career as a fine-dining chef, both here in Australia and in Europe. Accumulating years of 60-plus hour weeks being hunched over a bench, he developed chronic lower back pain.

Benjamin’s physiotherapist recommended he take up Pilates to combat the damage that had been done and he quickly developed a passion for the discipline, which in turn prompted him to enrol at National Pilates Training and obtain his Diploma in 2012.

Benjamin’s curiosity about the method is forever deepening and he has firm plans to further himself as an instructor and quench his thirst for knowledge through continued professional development. He is currently completing his Advanced Diploma of the Pilates Method (10538NAT) and teaches the Introduction to Anatomy course.

A strong belief in the effectiveness of Pilates as a way to strengthen body and mind, and a desire to inspire others to experience its genuine benefits, led Kellie to embark on a career change after 20 years as a Chartered Accountant in a corporate business.

Kellie completed the Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction at National Pilates Training in 2013 and today she regularly participates in educational workshops to continue learning and developing as an instructor. She is also supporting our Director of Training, Katrina Edwards, with developing National Pilates Training’s studio in Japan.

Rebecca’s long-term interest in health and wellbeing led her to the Pilates Method 12 years ago at her local gym. Instinctively feeling that there is more to the practice than meets the eye, she quickly sought out teachers and studios that offered a greater level of expertise.

Having experienced the wonderful benefits that regular practice brings to the body, mind and spirit, Rebecca decided to further her skills and knowledge by gaining her Certificate in Pilates Matwork Instruction with National Pilates Training in 2015. Her love of teaching and sharing the method led her to make a complete career change and advance her study by undertaking the Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction in 2018.

Rebecca’s teaching will both nurture and challenge you as you work towards greater mobility, stability and strength of the entire body. Whilst focus and precision will be asked of you, playfulness is not forgotten!