From the Volunteers’ Perspective…

Volunteering at the PAA Conference 2015

If most of you don’t know already, only two weeks ago (feels like forever now) the PAA held a conference at the Australian Technology Park in Sydney with a fantastic turn out of over 250 people! There was a plentiful amount of workshops and skilled instructors from various schools of Pilates, as well as across states and countries.

What an honour it was to have the opportunity to volunteer at this conference as a student apprentice with APEA. The conference definitely exceeded my expectations! I knew it was going to be a great experience to be surrounded by so many talented Pilates instructors and educators, but the level of skill – both mentally and physically, and knowledge that was available was beyond imagination. One can only dream and work hard to reach the level of quality teaching that was available from the presenters which saturated the minds and bodies of the Pilates community.

As a PAA conference newbie, I walked in on the first day to meet a wonderful group of other Pilates students, instructors, and PAA committee members who were thankfully as wide-eyed as me and ready to go. The first couple days were potentially the most physically demanding; it consisted of unpacking and assembling pre-ordered equipment and apparatus, crushing and moving giant boxes beyond my size (most importantly – “don’t chuck the bubble wrap!”), as well as the dreaded packing for the 250+ gift bags. The days that followed were joyfully welcomed; although eyes not quite as wide open by then due to the early starts. Coffee lingered on the minds of the majority, if not all of us – some even considered paying the cafe to open earlier than 6am!

For three full days of the conference, the other volunteers and I were busy moving apparatus from one room to another between workshops, scanning delegates in to their registered workshops, as well as running to our Volunteer coordinator Kirsti Viitala for further instructions – might I add, she handled us perfectly. Luckily, we were also able to jump in to whatever workshop we desired…this was without a doubt one of my best experiences during the conference. The national and international presenters held a wealth of skill and knowledge in their expertise of Pilates. My notebook of scribbles and drawings still slaps me in the face every time I look back in it! The practical workshops were physically and mentally challenging, fun, and insightful, whilst the ‘lecture’ style workshops were highly educational, informative, and motivational.

The most inspirational thing for me was when Sean Gallagher said:
“Movement is simply a progressive shifting of postures” emphasising to me how we can learn different exercises in different axis and configurations, on different apparatus to train our mind and body to adapt to our natural environments – something I will definitely be keeping in my pocket of Pilates skills.

Jessica Tsui

Authentic Pilates Education Australia (APEA) student

The PAA conference 2015 was a blast!

Volunteering for the PAA conference 2015 was a blast! Don’t get me wrong, they were busy days with early starts but my fellow volunteers and the organising committee were so welcoming that the days just flew by. It was great to work with such a diverse group of people from all corners of Australia and many variants of the Pilates world. It was fantastic to see the box strewn rooms and piles of paperwork transformed into a slick and well run operation. And when the conference started and the delegates arrived I thought, aren’t they amazing and that could be me one day.

For me there were two highlights. The first seeing classical Pilates for the first time and picking out those key elements that make Pilates so unique. It has enhanced my understating of the repertoire I know. The second was Brooke Siler. She was both so personable and willing to share her very extensive knowledge that she made it seem easy. I am excited to continue my Pilates journey one roll up at a time.

Caitlin McArthur

BASI student

The Enthusiastic Scanner!

I had a fantastic experience volunteering at the conference – you might remember me as the enthusiastic scanner at the theatre lecture room!  I loved that I got to meet so many fabulous instructors from all over the country (and at least one Kiwi!) and re-connect with friends who work interstate and regionally.  I was inspired by so many of the presenters and could write for days about what I learnt, but what really stands out in my memory are Dr Joe Muscolino’s anatomical lectures.  I have started re-reading my anatomy text books with a re-ignited passion because of his fascinating insights and Simona Cipriani’s applications of the anatomy into the Pilates context.  Overall it was an enriching and rewarding experience that I am so thankful for.

Jeremy Hunt

Smart Health Training & Services

Inspiring and Humbling…

I couldn’t speak higher of the 2015 PAA conference; The experience of volunteering more than exceeded my expectations. I was able to meet and connect with a lot of people that I will be sure to stay in touch with and visit whenever I am in their part of the world.

The committee were so outgoing and hard working that it was hard not to be inspired by them, the speakers were knowledgable and so approachable, the attendees were patient and friendly.

I hadn’t expected to be able to attend the amount of the workshops and classes that I did and I took away so much value from each and every one of them; I noticed the difference in my teaching from what I had learned immediately. The hardest part was choosing which workshops to attend.

As a very new instructor who is still learning a lot, to see such a large group of experienced Pilates instructors still hungry to continue their self development and knowledge was both inspiring and humbling and now I just can’t wait for the next one!

Stevie Peers

BASI student