"Be in control of your body and not at its mercy"
~Joseph Pilates
who is Melissa Jackson?
Melissa has always had a passion for health and fitness, as an avid cyclist she first began Pilates as a way to complement her fitness regime. But that all changed after a cycling accident left her with two broken spinous processors. Trapped in a neck brace for 12 weeks, Pilates became a way of life and Melissa began learning all she could about the practice. Still wearing a neck brace, she completed her training at Aligned for Life Pilates in Melbourne, with Clinical Pilates playing a crucial role in her rehabilitation. Now with a full range of movement in her neck, Melissa is spreading her Pilates knowledge, expertise and passion to people from all walks of life.
Melissa created a successful stimulating and inviting Pilates Studio in the CBD where people of all ages and abilities were welcome.
In 2020 Melissa was innovative and pivoted Bendigo Pilates Studio to a fully online service. Delivering Pilates to all her amazing clients in the safety of their own living rooms.
Melissa is constantly researching, reading, participating in workshops and webinars all in the pursuit of deepening her understanding of Pilates practice and broadening her expertise. Her clients love her for this and are constantly benefiting from her evolving knowledge.
When not instructing online helping clients, Melissa enjoys walking her Cavoodle, Roxy, cooking, attending the theatre and sharing food and conversation with friends and family.
What is the Pilates method?
The Pilates Method was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates.
Pilates was formed by Joe during the First World War with the intention to improve the rehabilitation programme of casualties. During this period, Pilates was designed to aid injured soldiers in regaining their health by strengthening, stretching, and stabilising key muscles.
Joe preferred fewer, more precise movements, requiring control and technique over increased repetition. He believed that mental and physical health are essential to one another, creating what is a method of total body conditioning. Pilates uses correct alignment, centering, concentration, control, precision, breathing, and flowing movement (the Pilates principles) to establish a perfect working body from the inside out.
Executing the Pilates Method builds strength, flexibility and lean muscle tone with an emphasis on lengthening the body and aligning the spine, rather than your more mainstream forms of exercise which can bulk and shorten the muscles.
The focus on strengthening the core and improving postural awareness is essential when wanting to alleviate and prevent back, neck and joint pain.
‘When I am dead, they’ll say, “He was right”. I’m fifty years ahead of my time’.
-Joseph Pilates ..and he was!
Who is Roxy?
Roxy is a Cavoodle with no formal training in Pilates instruction but with multiple degrees in cuteness. She is a master at laying quietly during classes and an expert receiver of pats.
When not overseeing classes, she likes going for walks, playing with her toys and meeting new friends.
