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Meet The Team

Unity Pilates Studio is dedicated in sourcing only the best teachers in Melbourne. Going beyond their qualifications, each teacher is required to showcase their skills through 1v1 sessions with our Head Trainer Elisa Messina prior to teaching clients. We require all of our teachers to be fully qualified with several years experience and ensure they represent the core values we hold dear towards Pilates.

Elisa Messina

I have been teaching Pilates for over 16 years. I first became certified in classical pilates Mat work with Power Pilates New York when I was 18 years old. Following this, approx. 3 years later, I expanded on my knowledge with CovaTech Pilates school, which included the use of all equipment’s and Mat (having more focus in variation for people with injuries such as scoliosis, osteoporosis, arthritis, bulging disc, general back injury, knee injury and frozen shoulder). During this time, I also became certified in pre-natal and post-natal, whilst still remained a professional dancer and qualified at the S.P.I.D dance academy.

After becoming certified I started to work for several classical Pilates studios in Italy. I knew I found my passion and I wanted to expand my knowledge which led me to want to know more about postural exercises to integrate into my daily routine for clients. I became certified in ‘Postural Pancafit Metodo Raggi’ in Italy, which is a great method and designed to stretch all the muscles using specific techniques and the Pancafit equipment.

I’m also qualified in Gyrotonic, Garuda apparatus, and a Master Trainer and Teacher Trainer in CoreAlign with Balance Body. I’m also qualified in Yoga, studying in Bali with 250hrs.

Nicole Ritchie

Nicole has had a love of movement since she was young and has always enjoyed helping others develop their own knowledge of their bodies. Along with her Pilates certifications, Nicole is also a personal trainer. Nicole is fully certified in Stott for all apparatus and certified to teach pre and post natal as well as people with injuries. Nicole has been travelling for the past few years in between London, Kuwait, New Zealand and Australia where she deepened her knowledge through continued studies, also becoming a certified yoga instructor.
Outside of Pilates, Nicole is currently completing her degree in phycology at University as she is interested in expanding her knowledge of the mind and body through physical practice.

Certifications:

  • REPS accredited Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training (includes Level 2 Gym Instructor)
  • PT Certified: Studio Cycling (Spinning), Circuit Training, Sports Nutrition, Gym Based Boxing
  • BOSU certified
  • Power Plate Trained & Certified
  • TRX Trained & Certified
  • Fully Certified STOTT Pilates
  • Barre Instructor
  • Yoga Teacher Training 200hrs
  • Functional Fitness for Pregnancy & Postpartum

Vikky Gallagher

Reformer
Vikky’s first introduction to Pilates was back in 2018 and from there she was completely hooked after her first class.
Vikky says ” Pilates is everything that I believe in, low impact on the body and muscles, but also look at the alignment, movement of the body and balance. It can still be a hard work”.
Health has always been a big party of Vicky’s life and she exercises frequently and maintains a healthy life style. She is a true believe that pilates is for everybody. Vikky became fully certified with Breath education back in 2019 and is certified in both Reformer and Mat Pilates.

Specialised in Pilates for dancers
Specialised in Pilates for hip arthritis
Specialised in Pilates for back pain
Specialised in Pilates for students that want to became Pilates teacher .