HORNSBY PILATES - Mindful Movement Pilates Studio

OWNER / DIRECTOR
Karen Willey
Diploma in Professional Pilates Instruction (Polestar)
Masters of Applied Science, Exercise & Sport Science (by Research)
Registered Nurse; Registered Fitness Leader

Karen has extensive experience working as both a health professional and in the fitness industry. She was a Diabetes Nurse Consultant for 10 years at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, where she was responsible for clinical care, patient and health professional training, and research. She is also an Exercise Physiologist with a Masters Degree (by Research) in Exercise and Sport Science. Her research work, focusing on the effects of progressive resistance training in elderly, obese, diabetic subjects, has been published in international peer reviewed journals and she has co-authored a book on diabetes care for patients and health professionals.
Karen's passion is to help people, especially those with medical problems or injury, improve their health outcomes and well-being with exercise tailored specifically to their needs. Over the last 10 years, this has led her to the Pilates Method. She has consolidated her knowledge and skills by completing a Diploma in Professional Pilates Instruction with Polestar Pilates. She is also a Polestar Mentor assisting new instructors in their training. Through Pilates and other exercise modalities, Karen has helped many people to optimise their own movement quality, physical capacity and self belief.

ASSOCIATE PRACTITIONERS
Vanea Atwood
Physiotherapist (Grad. Dip. Phty. UK)
Certified Practitioner for Pilates Rehabilitation (Polestar)

Vanea graduated from Addenbrookes Hospital Cambridge U.K 1979 and became a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Her clinical experience in two major London teaching Hospitals led to specialisation in the treatment of musculo-skeletal disorders with a specific interest in Women's Health.
After moving to Australia Vanea developed her skills in the treatment of lumbo-pelvic dysfunction in private practice. Regular courses with the APA Musculo-skeletal and Continence & Women's Health special interest groups gave Vanea the opportunity to gather specific training in the use of Manual Therapy, Real Time Ultrasound and Pelvic floor Assessment. Her passion for the early intervention and control of lumbo-pelvic muscle insufficiency has led to specific exercise programs together with individual physiotherapy treatments which focus on developing `best practice' strategies for all her clients.
Over the past 8 years Vanea has focused on consolidating her Pilates Method education and is a Polestar Pilates Rehabilitation Practitioner. She also holds the physiotherapy `Clinical Pilates' Certificates Levels I-IV. Her clinical practice now concentrates on women's health through all life stages.

Tina Pollard
Qualified CSTD Teacher; Diploma in Theatrical and Tap
Certified Pilates Mat Instructor (Polestar)

Tina trained in Adelaide in all aspects of Dance including Jazz, Theatrical, Classical, Tap and Ballroom. Her wide ranging career has seen her performing overseas in Monte Carlo & London, including NBC TV specials for Paul Anka & Donna Summer and working at several prominent London venues. In Australia she has performed in many and various shows, corporate, television and private engagements. She became one of Adelaide's leading choreographers, and was Dance Director for leading Adelaide dance school The Studios and The Johnny Young Talent School for many years. She is also an experienced and in demand choreographer for fashion parades, with clients including David Jones, Myer, George Gross, Osh Kosh, Mini Minors, Ready Set Go, and more recently Bonds and Big W. Tina also has extensive experience in other aspects of the entertainment industry, having run a successful Children's Agency, worked for 5 years with producers Grayboy Entertainment, and as an Entertainment Consultant for a leading corporate booking agency. Tina's interest and passion for Pilates was ignited after taking classes herself and finding a huge improvement in an existing back condition. She is certified with Polestar Pilates International as a Mat Instructor and is currently undertaking Certification in Pilates Reformer Instruction.

Bansi Somaiya
Bachelor of Engineering
Certified Level 1 Yoga Instructor

Bansi discovered the healing magic of Yoga in 2006 after a bout of illness, and cherishes the mental and physical benefits that regular, mindful practice bestows on a person. Initially practicing the Bikram Yoga style, her practice has flourished after trialling various other styles of yoga, and brings to her instruction various aspects from these yogic explorations. Bansi teaches both Hatha and Dynamic flow styles and designs themed, creative classes to challenge students to grow in their practice. Her clients appreciate the focus on alignment and love the dreamy visualizations she includes as part of the meditation instruction.