Chris Lavelle, New PAA Ordinary Member
Prior to taking up Pilates Chris Lavelle had an academic career in Systems Science, graduating with Honours and the University Medal from The University of Western Sydney (Hawkesbury). She worked on the faculty of Silliman University (Philippines) for two years and then returned to the University of Western Sydney where she worked as a lecturer and in consultancy/research for several years.
Although seemingly unrelated to Pilates, the paradigms of systems science and experiential learning that defined Chris’s academic career, set her in pursuit of a balanced and conscious approach to her own evolution.
After leaving academia, Chris studied human movement and began performing with amateur dance group “Bricolage”, under the tutelage of modern Dancer, Annetta Luce. She also studied with Mind Body Centering practitioner, Alice Cummins. In 1995, she was recommended to Cynthia Lochard’s Pilates studio after injuring herself dancing. Chris attended Cynthia’s studio three times a week for private classes and was very excited about this strange new movement vocabulary and the strength that quickly developed in her hyper-mobile body! Chris continued her classes for over a year before beginning an apprenticeship training programme with Cynthia.
In 1996 Chris participated in the first Australian workshop run by Pilates elder Romana Krysanowska, at Cynthia’s studio in Leichhardt. After a two year apprenticeship with Cynthia (which included seminars with Romana and Sari Mejia Santos in Australia), she travelled to New York and spent over 7 months working alongside Romana and Sari in Drago’s gymnasium (now known as TRUE Pilates New York). During this time she also worked at Brooke Siler’s studio “Re-Ab” and at a Physical Therapy studio, teaching Pilates as an adjunct to their rehabilitation programs.
Chris returned to Australia in 1999 and opened a Pilates studio in Balmain. Over the next few years, she worked informally with RP apprentices who completed observation hours in her studio. In 2004 she was granted Teacher Trainer status.
Throughout her Pilates career, Chris has continued to explore Joseph Pilates deeper ideals of a balanced body/mind/spirit. She maintains a strong belief that instructors need to nurture this delicate balance with independent research, disciplined personal practice and an ongoing commitment to classes from other instructors. Chris has written numerous unpublished papers on specific aspects of Pilates and runs regular Pilates continuing educational workshops.
Chris comes to the PAA committee with a desire to:
1) Enhance the learning and research capabilities of instructors through continuing education, and
2) Encourage awareness and strong client based relationships between Pilates instructors and Allied Health practitioners.
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