Julia Edwards – I qualified as a B Physio Hons form Birmingham University in 1994 and am registered with the Health Professions Council. I have over 13 years of experience in the NHS, and have specialised in working with patients with musculoskeletal problems. I have helped set up chronic back pain programs and worked on Warwick University’s recent back pain trial (2008). I have a strong interest in sports injury and the movement control involved following on from my background in dance, fitness and Pilates. I qualified as an Australian Physiotherapy Pilates Matwork Instructor in 2004. I love the way Pilates offers a way in for people who are not used to exercising, and the results they can achieve.

Carol Wyse – I qualified as a physiotherapist in 1996 at Kings College University London. Since then I have worked in numerous hospitals across England in a variety of different settings in both rural and inner city locations. I have specialised in Neurological rehabilitation for the last 12 years and have worked as a senior physiotherapist since 1998.

Through my experience I believe that improving central muscle control leads to greater successes in physical recovery and rehabilitation of function, and that Pilates is an excellent way of teaching how to improve this control.

I have recently relocated to Leamington Spa and am keen to use the knowledge I have gained through attending the APPI mat work instructor courses to benefit the health of the local community.

Melanie Cook – I qualified from University of Brighton in 2008 with BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy and am registered with the CSP, HPC and APPI. My interest in Pilates began two years ago (2009) when I started to attend classes and then felt I wanted to teach others as the benefits and changes I gained from Pilates, which are fantastic. I qualified as an APPI Matwork Level Three Instructor in May 2011, having completed all three matwork levels and completing examinations. I love how Pilates is so open to everyone at any level and I have seen Pilates ‘work’ with a variety of people with different physical conditions. I still look forward to learning more with the APPI throughout my career.

I currently work as a Senior Physiotherapist in a private hospital working mainly with people with neurological conditions. I have worked in outpatients and inpatients, seeing a varied caseload so I feel I have well rounded knowledge of many conditions, and also have an interest in hydrotherapy.

I have recently moved to Leamington Spa (July 2011) from the South East so am still finding my way around! So any useful information from any of my class attendees would be very welcome! I am looking forward to working in a new area and meeting lots of new people as well as promoting the benefits of Pilates.

Naomi Shipley – Im a chartered physiotherapist who qualified in 2008 with experience in sport physiotherapy such as football and rugby. I work in a local hospital . I started showing an interest in Pilates in 2009, since then I have been fascinated with the use of Pilates as an adjunct to physiotherapy treatment not only to improve fitness but improve strength and promote recovery.

I always end ever to make my classes fun and varied allowing clients to reach their full potiential.

Helen Tudge – I qualified as a physiotherapist from Coventry in 1986. After general experience within the NHS I developed a particular interest in back pain and worked for a consultant led Back Pain Clinic. I always felt that the patients who were most successful in overcoming their back pain problems were those willing to take responsibility for their posture and undertake appropriate exercises. Teaching Pilates fits perfectly with this view so I trained as an instructor in 2010 and have regularly taken about 8 classes a week since then.

I enjoy keeping fit and active myself (the older I get the more I seem to enjoy it) and belong to local running and climbing clubs where I have met some truly inspirational “mature” athletes. I try to combine exercise and physical challenges with good-natured fun or an excuse for a holiday. This year it was Medoc Marathon (fancy dress. run through vineyards sampling their produce) and a week in Mallorca in May for my first Half Ironman. ( almost last but finish line still open ! )

Other than work and exercise my two teenagers at home and eldest daughter at university keep my life busy.