Benjamin Palumbo

Pilates Instructor & Personal Trainer

Ben’s background as a competitive gymnast & professional acrobat gives him a very focused approach to his 10+ years experience in Pilates tuition. His progression into fitness & Pilates coincided with rehabilitating a chronic back injury, as well as other various injuries caused by the demands of his acrobatic career. Consequently, he now has a very thorough understanding of addressing the specific conditions of his clients.

His calm & polite nature is always focused on his clients’ needs, & he prides himself on providing a warm & welcoming environment in which his clients can achieve their goals.

From 2008–2011 Ben lived & worked in Lausanne Switzerland, where he learnt to speak French, teaching in both French & English in Lausanne & Geneva.

Ben teaches Privates, Semi-Privates, Group Reformer, Mat & Circuit classes at Emergy Pilates, & is one of our Senior Instructors.

Priti Dave

Pilates Instructor

Born & raised in Japan, Priti took up sports from an early age – tennis, golf, swimming, & volleyball – & she continued on to play varsity volleyball in school. Moving to Sydney in 1998, she was introduced to Pilates & the Pilates Moves studio by her sister in 2001.

Priti quickly discovered how regular practice of Pilates improved her mobility & strength for sports, & helped manage the mild scoliosis of her spine.

Priti currently works full-time as an associate financial adviser for a financial planning firm, & runs a jewellery & fashion business brand with her mother & sister. She is equally passionate about teaching Pilates & helping clients connect with their bodies & improve their quality of life.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Commerce, University of NSW, 2000
• Diploma of Financial Planning, Deakin University, 2004
• Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning, Financial Services Institute of Australasia, 2007
• Certificate III in Fitness, Fitness Institute Australia, 2010
• Anatomy & Physiology Units 1A/1B/1C, Nature Care College, 2011-12
• Senior First Aid Certificate 2013
• Certificate IV in Pilates Matwork, Polestar Pilates Australia, 2013
• Diploma of Contemporary Pilates and Teaching, 2015.

Shirley Jackson

Pilates Instructor

Shirley has always been passionate about dance & the performing arts.  She trained in classical ballet & Greek dancing (Isadora Duncan style) & had the distinction of being the only student to win a four year Checchitti Ballet Scholarship. Later she was awarded a scholarship to The Arts Educational School in Hyde Park, London.

Her passion for dance & movement extended over the years into Jane Fonda aerobics, low & high impact & step.  Shirley ran her own studio for a while & taught at other local gyms.  She also taught at the local amateur dramatic society — often choreographing, directing & participating in musicals, cabarets & theatrical events.

On moving to Australia, Shirley found Pilates and, in this wonderful discipline, she discovered a natural extension from her classical ballet & Greek dance education.  She loves the technical foundation of Pilates, the ability to condition, train & move the body, using props or the Reformer.  Shirley gained her Pilates accreditation in Mat and Reformer in 2011, teaching at Elixr’s Bondi Junction & City Clubs.

Shirley is excited about sharing her passion, her knowledge & experience with others.  She encourages everyone to give Pilates a go!  She understands & places a great deal of importance on exercising safely, whilst extending your horizons as your strength & ability grows.

Elaine O’Doherty

Pilates Instructor

Elaine began dancing aged 3 in her hometown of Portsmouth in the UK, studying most forms of dance including ballet, tap, modern, jazz and competitive disco and rock ‘n’ roll.

Having appeared in numerous stage & TV productions both in the UK & Europe, Elaine hung up her dancing shoes in 1999 to travel the world with her husband.

Having settled in Sydney in 2006, Elaine soon discovered & fell in love with Pilates. She gained her Pilates certification in 2012 & completed her Pilates Diploma in early 2017.

Elaine wants to share her passion & enthusiasm for all things Pilates, & endeavours to make each & every class challenging, safe & fun.