Fitzroy Pilates Studio (FPS) is a family owned and operated business, established in 1999. We conduct our studio in keeping with the principles of honesty, integrity and respect.
The studio is located in one of historical Fitzroy's beautiful old buildings. Fitzroy is in fact Melbourne's oldest suburb and the pictures reveal two floors of beautiful working space.
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THE STAFF
At FPS, we direct all our work towards engaging our credo.
taken from Deane Juhan - "Jobs Body"
There really is no "proper" or universally "optimal" posture
or activity. It is inevitable that we develop anomalies, because we will never
use our bodies symmetrically. Resilience and vitality come not from preserving "ideal" postures,
but from constantly renewed challenge and change ... It is, after all, constant
variation that we are called upon to cope with throughout our lives, a condition
from which we can only partially insulate ourselves, no matter how hard we
may try to cling to models, and no matter how"right" these models
appear to be from a particular theoretical point of view ... The goal of bodywork
should not be to impose universalized standards of posture and movement upon
an individual, but rather to help the individual to cultivate the mental
awareness and the physical ability to continually adapt to the changing needs
of the moment.
BIOGRAPHIES
Anthony Lett is the owner/operator of the studio.
Anthony was a student of the Pilates method for 10 years before undertaking a traditional apprenticeship training program with a mentor. Anthony's educational background includes; a bachelor of arts degree in Philosophy, a Graduate Diploma in Sports Science, Massage therapy qualifications, A Graduate Certificate in Exercise Medicine from Monash University, Faculty of Medicine. Qualified "Posture and Flexibility" instructor.
Anthony is also a respected tennis coach, and in 1995 was named the Australian and Victorian coach of the year.
Anthony is currently studying Mind/Body Medicine at Swinburne Graduate School of Integrative Medicine.
Kellie McLeish
Kellie discovered Pilates in 1995 while training as a professional ballet dancer at the Australian Ballet School,
where she utilized the method of Pilates to rehabilitate her injured ankle. So impressed with the Pilates technique,
she went on to study clinical Pilates and work as a practitioner in the field. Kellie has since worked as the senior
instructor at various Pilates practices and run a rehabilitation Pilates studio at Lifecare Physiotherapy and Sports
Medicine in Sydney’s inner west.
Keen to further her knowledge of movement, she moved to Singapore in 2005 to study Gyrotonic® while concurrently
working as the Senior Pilates practitioner at the Camden Medical Centre. She has worked extensively with rehabilitative,
general fitness and pre/post natal clientele as well as elite athletes and professional dancers. Kellie is a member
of the Polestar Pilates education team, a world renowned training organization in the Pilates method.
Teesha Adams
Having fractured her T7 and T8 vertebrae in 2000, Teesha attended many chiropractors and physiotherapy sessions for 12 months.
During this time she came across Kit Laughlin’s book "Posture and Flexibility" (P&F). Doing the exercises out of the
book was good yet Teesha felt she needed partner stretches. A couple of months later she attended Posture and Flexibility
classes at Fitzroy Pilates Studio with Anthony and now rarely needs to see a chiropractor for her back. Teesha has progressed
from her initial P&F teacher training (2005) to hold Certificate 3 - Fitness instructor (2006), Certificate 4 - Personal
training (2007), and is now a fully qualified P&F Stretch Therapy teacher (2007). With this background in Pilates, as well as
Tae-kwon-doe and strength training she recently (2007) competed at the Australasian Natural Bodybuilding Association, placing
5th in the Victorian Championships and 4th in the Australian titles.
Angela McWhinney
Angela first discovered Pilates over 10 years ago as a method of assisting dance students with structural and postural difficulties.
A career change in 2004 - from working in a stressful corporate office environment, where she implemented a Health and Wellbeing program
for staff - has given her life a new Pilates focus. In 2006, Angela completed her Matwork Accreditation at National Pilates Training and
went on to complete her Certificate IV in 2007.
A background in the arts (BA, Grad. Dip. in Dance and Movement, and Grad. Dip. in Creative Arts Therapy) and fitness has allowed her to
work in studio, corporate and gym environments conducting sessions for groups and individuals. Angela is passionate about the benefits
of Pilates for optimal health and wellbeing, particularly its ability to enhance performance and improve functional movement when
practiced on a regular basis.
Visiting teachers
Every few months we have visiting teachers who come to share their knowledge and expertise with us. For upcoming dates and
information refer to News, articles & links. Regular visiting teachers include:
Kit Laughlin
Kit is a best selling author and specialist in all things body oriented, particularly "Stretching and Flexibility", which is also the title of his recent book. We welcome Kit several times each year for Teacher Training workshops, and general Master classes.
Donna Eddy
Donna has training in Health Science (acupuncture and Chinese medicine), Counselling, Massage, Pilates and Stretch Therapy. She runs Posture Plus in Sydney, NSW. Donna’s last workshop covered pelvic floor control for women.
TESTIMONIALS
Dr Don and Dr Pat Edgar
Getting into our sixties, we decided about two years ago that we needed more
focused exercise than an occasional walk round the neighbourhood. But we
shied away from gyms and big classes where you are just a paying number.
We knew Anthony, who had coached us in tennis, would be not only tolerant
of our efforts but also provocative and entertaining as well , well worth
the commitment of two hours a week. His Pilates classes have given us the
flexibility and renewed energy we were looking for. We enjoy the careful
attention to our personal needs and abilities, and the fun of small classes
where every individual is at a different level. We have recommended Fitzroy
Pilates to several friends and they all agree - it is professional, personal
and improves your quality of life.
Erica Wagner
Publisher - Books for Children and Teenagers
Pilates is a highlight of my week. I often arrive feeling tense, tired and
irritable after a long day's work. Magically, at the end of the hour, I feel
refreshed, stretched, calm and happy. Anthony and his team are fantastic,
the studio environment is gorgeous and the friendly, relaxed atmosphere makes
me never want to miss a class. I'm still waiting for the body beautiful (!)
but I'm not obsessed as I feel so much better on the inside.
Dr Michael & Felicity Coote
I have been to Pilates at Fitzroy for nearly two years now - in summary
it works. I work long hours and I get more hunched over as the days get longer.
Pilates is an intelligent approach to keeping the carcass working, and it
is executed with humour and skill with Anthony and his team. I think I will
still be going in two years because I don't want my back pain to come back,
but I will still be hunched at my desk - some things even Pilates can't change.
Phillipa Burne - writer, author
Fitzroy Pilates has changed my life. I know that sounds over the top
and sycophantic but it’s actually true. I used to have constant back
pain from working all day at a computer combined with bad posture, and now
I don’t. Through Pilates I have learnt to better understand my muscles
and to sit and stand properly. Every class I am challenged without being
pushed. The experienced trainers give personal attention, often resulting
in each member of the class doing different exercises to best suit their
needs, injuries or weaknesses. There is also a high level of humour - always
important for the less physically capable among us. Finally, thank you Fitzroy
Pilates for giving me back my waist!
Sally Wood
Anthony, thanks for being you - I enjoyed your sense of humour, your
calm and consistent disposition, your depth of knowledge was a great
assurance - it helps the process to have confidence in the teaching
quality. I wish you continued success in your business.