Meet The Bodies Under Construction Team

Leslie is the Clinical Director of Bodies Under Construction. He has over 19 years of clinical experience collectively in Private Practice, both in South Africa and the United Kingdom.

He has a special interest in Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy, lumbo-pelvic stability dysfunction and lower limb biomechanics. He has previously worked and travelled with high-level athletes in the field of cycling and volleyball. Leslie also has a special interest in Spinal Treatments and Rehabilitation, and has experience dealing with patients post injury or surgery. He believes in movement culture, assisting patients to reverse the effects of modern day lifestyle on their body, and providing them with strategies to maintain wellness.

Leslie has post-graduate qualifications in Acupuncture, Dry Needling, Strapping, Sports Physiotherapy and Hydrotherapy and has completed full training in Pilates through the Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute (APPI). Leslie is also a Master Trainer in the APPI Method and presents courses locally and abroad on a regular basis.

Leslie leads the overall team and has a strategic role in the direction and growth of Bodies Under Construction.

Pascale came to Pilates following back surgery, to strengthen and address the postural issues she knew had led to this.

She trained with Anoushka Boone at Pilates in Motion, first as a matwork teacher and then in equipment. She is also a member of the Independent Pilates Teacher’s Association.

This journey has reawoken her love of movement and given her an in depth understanding of how Pilates strengthens us from the inside out. It is this appreciation of what our bodies can do, challenging our own limits in a safe and fun environment, which she loves to share with her clients.

Stefania was born in Italy and began dancing at 4 years old. She started at The Royal Academy of Dance and switched to the American- style Ballet. After a while Stefania became interested in contemporary dance and in 2006 she moved to Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance, she received a three year diploma and a Company year Bodhi Project”Artist in practice”(one year Postgraduate Program).

In 2009 she gained a BASI Pilates Certificate and she became a fully qualified Pilates Instructor . She has worked privately with clients in Italy and most recently has been teaching in Brussels as a Yoga and Pilates Instructor where she worked at Coached By Marie/ Corpus Studio/ ByP Brussel /Jims Porte De Namur/Worldclass Fitness Center, BE Pilates Studio .

Stefania enjoys making her clients feel good and satisfied. Her goal is to always make the clients feel comfortable in what they do and and she always adds her own personal experience from a dancers point of view. Stefania is still active as a performer and a professional contemporary dancer.

Mary Grace Anderson is the Clinical Hypnotherapist from MG Hyphosis who works with us here at Bodies Under Construction Physio within our Chiswick Clinic. Appointments can be made by calling Mary Grace directly on 07931 547 414 or by emailing mghypnosis@aol.com . Here at Bodies Under Construction within our Chiswick clinic and in association with MG Hypnosis, we offer a comprehensive service for clients looking for additional help in the complete cycle of care including lifestyle changes and body and mind wellbeing. Visit www.mghypnosis.com .

Yoshiko qualified as a Sports and Remedial Massage Therapist from the London School of Sports Massage (LSSM) and has a 2nd degree black belt in Aikido. In Japan, Yoshiko qualified as a Physiotherapist in 1999, studying at the Tohoku Gakuin University, Sendai.

Yoshiko specializes in Sports Massage and Deep Tissue Massage. She currently works with marathon runners and martial artists, as well as many people with non-sport related issues like occupational, emotional and postural stress. Yoshiko has a special interest in massage during pregnancy: gentle and safe, provided in comfortable positions so that expectant mothers can feel the benefits of a relaxing, calming and soothing massage in a safe and supportive environment.

Sophie has a degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the University of Westminster, and has spent the last 8 years practising acupuncture in Australia.

She has worked with all age groups, and is used to treating a huge variety of conditions. Sophie’s aim is to take excellent care of each person she works with, and to make the sessions as relaxing and enjoyable as they are therapeutic.

Fleur qualified with a degree in nutritional medicine from the University of West London in 2006 and has worked as a nutritional therapist since then.

In 2013 she earned her post graduate diploma in clinical psycho-neuro-immunology (cPNI). Psycho-neuro-immunology is a science linking neurology and endocrinology and the impact of our environment as well as genetic variation on our immune functioning. Fleur uses nutritional medicine, exercise advice and psycho-social techniques as a therapeutic solution in an approach that is geared towards preventative and regenerative medicine.

Fleur is co-author of the best selling book The In-Sync Diet. She uses an ‘evolutionary biology’ model which incorporates movement and dietary advice to achieve your body composition goals. She uses a Styku 3D body scan which allows you to see, for the first time, a 3D scan of your own body. The Styku body scanner will also calculate the number of workouts you need to do alongside a nutritional programme to reach your fat loss goals.

Hannah is a highly experienced clinician specializing in sports and spinal physiotherapy as well as women’s health physiotherapy. She has developed her career for the last 11 years by working with professionals at the top of their field.

She graduated in 2004 and has gone on to gain post-graduate qualifications in acupuncture and dry needling, Pilates, myofascial release in chronic pain,  abdominal release techniques and womens health physiotherapy. From 2012 Hannah spent 2 years working at a clinic in the Harley Street area. She has worked in the city and in corporate health since 2009, treating postural and neuropathic pain and the ‘weekend warriors’ of sport. Previously she worked for 3 years at the prestigious Royal National Orthopadic hospital in Stanmore treating people with highly complex musculoskeletal pathologies and pain issues.  She is passionate about treating the common and often overlooked but debilitating post-natal and gynaecological problems including urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain as well as rehabilitation pre and post gynaecological surgery.

She has extensive experience in bio-mechanical analysis and postural screening to reveal the root cause of an injury or imbalance and work towards a long-term solution. Hannah spent 2012 winter season working as a physio in a Courchevel ski resort in France and now specializes in the treatment of skiing injuries and performance issues.

Jo graduated as a Physiotherapist from Curtin University in Western Australia in 1999 with Honours. She has worked in Musculo-skeletal Private Practice in Australia and the UK. She has worked and managed a leading London Practice.

Jo completed her Masters degree in Manual Therapy in 2006 and received a high distinction and was awarded the Karim Khan prize for rehabilitation science. She has post graduate qualifications in manipulation, Acupuncture for Pan relief, dry needling and Clinical Pilates. Her special interests are management of spine and pelvic disorders. She is also qualified in the management of headaches and TMJ (jaw) conditions.

Jo has returned to practice at Bodies under Construction following the birth of her second child

Steph trained with Polestar Pilates and teaches both mat and equipment and has a bias towards using Pilates as a rehabilitation tool. She has a keen interest in helping people overcome pain and weaknesses, by helping to improve their function. She very much enjoys assisting people in achieving their fitness and wellness goals through the use of pilates.

Steph also qualified as a sports and remedial massage therapist in 2003, with the International Institute of Sports Therapy. She is very passionate about the benefits of massage and working in conjunction with physiotherapists and pilates in order to reduce your recovery time after injury.

Steph enjoys travelling and is a keen mountain biker, scuba diver and is now attempting kite-surfing. She is also a fluent Spanish speaker.

Denah studied Sports and Remedial massage at the School of Natural Therapies, gaining a level 5 BTEC diploma. Continuing her professional development at SNT she has further certifications in Deep Tissue massage, massage during pregnancy, elastic therapeutic taping and Seated Acupressure massage.

She is an avid martial artist with a passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA. After dealing with several of her own training injuries, she elected to study massage herself and now works with a number of amateur and professional athletes as well as those who are office based, aiding in relaxation, stress management, injury recovery, rehabilitation and pain relief.

Denah is a firm believer in finding and treating the cause of pain/discomfort rather than just the symptoms.

Rebecca graduated in 2000 with a first class BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy from Sheffield Hallam University.

In 2006 she gained her MSc In Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at UCL, and became a member of the Manual Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP).  She incorporates a range of therapeutic techniques including: manipulation, joint mobilisation, myofascial release, dry needling, exercise therapy and Clinical Pilates.

Rebecca enjoys a varied caseload, but has a special interest in tennis injuries, spinal and shoulder conditions.  Having worked with young tennis players, she is keenly aware of the importance of sports screening, especially throughout a players developmental years.  She advocates preventative rather than reactive intervention, and offers a player-specific approach.

Luke graduated from St Mary’s University in 2001, with a degree in Sports Rehabilitation.

Since then, he has gained experience working in various different sporting settings including rugby and rowing. He also has over 7 years experience as a hydrotherapist working closely with patients of all ages and abilities, to achieve their rehabilitation goals. In 2008, he gained a first class honours degree in Physiotherapy from The University of Hertfordshire. Luke has worked for the NHS as well as Private Practices in the UK.

Luke also has post-graduate qualifications in Acupuncture for pain relief.

Leigh-Anne is our Pilates Studio Manager.

She has been a Pilates teacher since 2005 when she trained with Peak Pilates. Prior to this Leigh-Anne was a professional dancer and has a degree in Human Movement Sciences (University of Port Elizabeth, South Africa 2001). She has practiced Pilates for many years and understands first hand how Pilates can help when injured and as part of the rehabilitation process. She has a special interest in low back issues and instability problems. She believes in ‘The Return to Life’ that Pilates offers. She has a lot of experience working with clients in pain and early into their rehabilitation but also with the high level client who can achieve full classical Pilates repertoire.

Leigh-Anne is also a UGi Master Trainer and a Peak Pilates® and MVE® Master Instructor candidate. Taking steps to become the Master instructor and bring Peak Pilates® and the classical work to the UK and life.

Nicola is a fully accredited Pilates Instructor from Body Arts & Science International (BASI Pilates®), a leading Pilates education academy led by the world renowned Rael Isacowitz.

After graduating in Chemistry in 2004, Nicola became a Project Manager in the banking industry. During this time she began a regular practice of Pilates; finding it to be an exercise method that brings mental balance and overall wellbeing to a hectic lifestyle and demanding career. Falling in love with Pilates, Nicola left her desk-based profession and started training to be a Pilates instructor in 2014. As such, she relates to the many clients who have been impacted by office jobs on the body.

Her personal journey has allowed understanding of movement and postural difficulties, and the commitment and time required to make an improvement. A self professed ‘Pilates Nerd’, Nicola enjoys nothing more than sharing her enthusiasm for Pilates with others; helping clients reach their goals and seeing them leave their class feeling invigorated, with a smile on their face!

Sibylla, originally from Switzerland, was a keen figure skater, competing at national level. Upon leaving the competitive figure skating world Sibylla moved to London to pursue an acting career. It was during this time at drama school that she was introduced to pilates, discovering its benefits for herself.

Through her own injuries she has found pilates to be indispensible to her recovery. She trained with Pilates International (now Sampson Pilates) and has been teaching across London for the past 8 years. She enjoys teaching a wide variety of clients, finds it extremely rewarding when clients are able to perform exercises or movements that they once struggled with, seeing that movement is a healer.

Bhavini graduated in 2005 from the University of Manchester with a BSc (Hons) degree in Physiotherapy. Since qualifying she has worked in the NHS within the Manchester areas, followed by an opportunity that took her to Salisbury and finally moving to London in 2007 to work at Kings College Hospital.

In 2010 she joined the team at Bodies Under Construction. Bhavini has trained in the APPI Modified Pilates method, Acupuncture and dry needling techniques. She has experience in kineso-taping, movement dysfunctional problems and has developed more specialist skills in the Kinetic Control concept of ‘Uncontrolled Movements’. This is a specialist assessment tools for detecting movement faults in both sporting and non-sporting related injures, which then allows Bhavini to design a specific rehabilitation programme for individual needs. Bhavini has a keen interest in all kinds of movement impairments, but with a particular interest in tri-athletes, runners and shoulder-based injuries.

Joseph is a qualified Sports and Remedial massage Therapist. He is also qualified to deliver Holistic and Deep Tissue massage. Leaving his competitive Judo days behind, he currently teaches Kempo Jujitsu both privately and as part of an International association, as he prepares for his 3rd degree black belt. Having trained for several years as a powerlifter, he clearly understands and is sympathetic to the demands and stresses placed on the body together with the desire to keep active.

He knows the importance of body maintenance to achieve sporting goals and the need for relaxation as part of a balanced healthy life style. Joseph has treated people from a wide spectrum, those preparing for competitive challenges to the sedentary office worker. Through massage, soft tissue and muscle energy techniques, he aims to reduce tension, free muscle restrictions and adhesions, improving postural balance to get people back to their chosen activity, be it sports and everyday activities.

Kinga is a passionate life and executive coach. She works closely with many private clients to help them create balance and wellbeing along with reaching their dream goals and achieve the results they desire in their personal life but also has great insights and understanding of real business issues at many levels which makes her a great business coach too.

She holds a MSc in business administration and finance, and is an ITS accredited coach and NLP Master practitioner. She has an extensive business background through a number of consulting, sales and management roles.  Aside of being a part of the Bodies under construction practice, she runs her own coaching practise (www.aumentech.com) along with being co-founder of a social enterprise which runs courses and uses coaching skills to help young adults on their journey through life (www.thewisecourse.com). Her mission in life is to help make a difference to people and businesses in a meaningful and long lasting way.

Pieter is interested in all aspects of movement, health and rehabilitation. She was introduced to Pilates in her late teens (as injury threatened to disrupt her dance career).

Now with over 15 years of professional dance experience she is even more aware of the benefits Pilates provides (with its’ unique capacity to alter neuromuscular patterning and postural tendencies encouraging a lifestyle of vitality and balance). Pieter trained with the Pilates Foundation UK and teaches a class that equally stimulates and encourages the individual. Her enthusiasm for Pilates, movement analysis and wellbeing is complimented by an interest in Nutritional Therapy and Yoga.

Originally from Poland, Magdalena is a certified Pilates instructor with over ten years experience teaching throughout Europe and Australia.

A qualified pharmacist, Magdalena made a life-changing decision to leverage her in depth knowledge of the human body and pursue her love of exercise, becoming an accredited fitness instructor and certified body building trainer. Having experienced so many forms of exercise, Magdalena was amazed by the benefits of Pilates in terms of strength, flexibility and relaxation. She has specialised in Pilates ever since discovering it. She studied Pilates through the Pilates Institute, Queensland Institute of Pilates and most recently Polestar International. She moved to Australia in 2006, mastering English and teaching permanently in many places around Brisbane. She has recently settled in London as is teaching at Bodies under Construction on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays.

Valentina came to Pilates after suffering a disk injury during her ballet years. She found that Pilates kept her pain free, where doctors and medications failed. That is when she decided to discover more about Pilates and ended up embracing the discipline and making it a greater part of her life and ultimately bringing its benefits to other people.

Valentina first qualified in Yoga earning a Yoga Campus diploma in 2011 and is British Wheel of Yoga Certified. She coupled that with study, self practice and experiential knowledge of Pilates being coached by APPI and STOTT qualified teachers. She also undertook a formal teacher training and qualified as a STOTT Pilates instructor coupled with a  REPS level 3 Diploma  (Anathomy and Physiology for Pilates Professionals).