Our Team

At Little Venice Pilates and Physiotherapy, we have taken great care to ensure only the very best specialists represent us and care for you. Our team of qualified and knowledgeable professionals are committed to provide the highest levels of care in a warm and welcoming environment. When you step through the door, we guarantee you'll notice the difference. Please take a moment to find out a little bit more about our key people.

Pilates and Yoga Team

EMMA DOWNES

An experienced fitness, Pilates and gym instructor, Emma specialises in Pilates.  Emma's wide training in other areas of exercise and fitness underpins her approach to Pilates and provides our clients with a goal driven, enthusiastic and tailored approach to exercise outcomes.  Emma is a highly dedicated and committed instructor of Pilates.

GERRY EDWARDS

Gerry is an experienced Pilates instructor and teacher trainer, trained and certified with Pilates Foundation.  Gerry has a background in Alexander Technique and is also a qualified Sports and Deep Tissue Masseur and brings a solid understanding of anatomy, physiology to his Pilates work.  He has an extensive repertoire of exercises and works with clients to obtain optimal health.  Gerry also specializes in pre/post natal Pilates.

ANTONIO DE LA FE

Antonio studied ballet in his hometown in Gran Canaria with Yaqueline Valido. His fascination with movement then inspired him to study for a Degree in Physiotherapy. In 2002, he moved to Madrid to develop his dance and movement rehabilitation skills, gaining a Pilates Certification in Rehabilitation with Polestar Pilates. Since then he has worked for a renowned Pilates studios in Madrid, whilst continuing to research the healing power of movement. He is currently undertaking a Post Graduate Diploma at London Contemporary Dance School.

Antonio is passionate about helping people achieve their full movement potential. He works with great sensitivity, allowing his clients to discover how to express themselves fully in all aspects of their lives.

DAVID JOHNSON

David has worked extensively as Pilates instructor gaining considerable expertise in all area of Pilates exercise training.  His repertoire includes Pilates, Pilates rehab, stability training and antenatal sessions.  David also teaches Breathe Yoga.  David has studied Capoiera in Brazil and currently trains with Mestre Poncianinho who features in the BBC indents.

IAN KING

SVETLANA KRENCIENE

CANDICE LEE

Yoga

Candice is an enthusiastic yoga instructor who teaches a range of yoga styles and techniques including Power, Vinyasa Flow, Restorative, Hatha, and Ashtanga.  Candice likes to bring " a synergy of Eastern thought for the Western mind" and believes that regular yoga practice brings innumerable benefits to help alleviate physical ailments. 

Candice likes to think of the asanas or poses in yoga as not only incredibly beneficial for the health of the body but perhaps better described as a moving meditation for the mind.

Candice welcomes all to her yoga sessions.

REINHARD MICHAELS

A child ice-skating champion in Hamburg, Reinhard trained as a dancer and actor, appearing in many West End and Broadway shows like West Side Story, Cabaret, Cats and Sweet Charity. But when an ankle injury forced him to retire, mirroring his role in A Chorus Line, he set up his own fitness and personal training company in New York which he ran for seven successful years.

Discovering Pilates helped Reinhard rebuild his strength, and allowed him to become a competent skier, roller-blader and runner. Reinhard has been practising Pilates for 16 years. His first studio, Holland Park Studio, is now in its fifth year and Little Venice Pilates is in its third year.

Reinhard believes that Pilates helps achieve not only physical
balance but also a sense of equilibrium in all aspects of life.

JENNIFER NODA

Jennifer Noda began her Pilates training as a ballet dancer at the University of Cincinnati (College-Conservatory of Music), where she received her BFA in dance.  Initially, she trained on the Pilates equipment to recover from an injury, but continued on, as she realized the immense benefits to her balance, and consequently jumps and turns.  After her performing career, Jennifer became a fully certified instructor through Stott Pilates.  Jennifer has an ongoing interest in education and finds teaching clients of all ages and backgrounds extremely rewarding.

Jennifer is also a ballet and Horton technique teacher, and has previously taught at the Mark Morris Dance Center in New York, and L’Academie Americaine de Danse de Paris.  In 2010 she completed her Masters degree in choreography at the Laban Conservatoire.   

ALISON SPINK

CATHRINE STONE

ALISTAIR TEMBA

Alistair has worked as a professional dancer with London City Ballet, Alexander Roy London Ballet Theatre, and Vienna Theatre Ballet among others.  He brings considerable experience of teaching Pilates having worked at The Practice, Laban Dance Centre, and West One Physiotherapy where he has devised and delivered programmes to a wide range of clients, including rehabilitation/remedial clients, dancers, elite athletes, and mothers preparing and recovering from birth.

Physiotherepy Team

Lucy Baker, BSc (Hons), MCSP, MHPC, MAACP, MOSPCA

Lucy completed her BSc (Hons) in physiotherapist at the University of East Anglia in 2006. She has worked full time in both private and NHS funded practice at Woodside Clinic, Dunstable. She has worked in muscloskeletal and sports injury clinic for outpatients and community physiotherapy. Her experience has coverered muscloskeletal, post-operative care, neurology and respiratory. Lucy also works for SCOPE, and Dunstablians and Leighton Buzzard Rugby Club.

Lucy uses a combination of manual therapy, movement correction, acupuncture and exercises to restore function and manage pain. She works to achieve fast and effective results for her patients.

Lucy is committed to professional development and regularly and extensively attends physiotherapy training courses, and in service training. Lucy is currently studying for an MSc in physiotherapy at Hertfordshire University. Lucy is a keen sportswoman, and plays Hockey at county level.

Lucy has worked with Little Venice Pilates and Physiotherapy since September 2010.

Jill Chapman, MSCP, MHPC

Jill trained at The Middlesex Hospital School of Physiotherapy, graduating in 1992. She has since worked extensively in both public and private medicine. She has worked for Hendon Rugby Club, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, Mayday Hospital Croydon, Old Whitfitians Rugby Club, Shirley Oaks Hospital. She has held lead physiotherapy positions at the Royal Air Force, and Millwall Football Club. She has held head physiotherapist position at the Royal Air Force. Jill has also worked for Fulham Football Club Lawn Tennis Association and Brixton GP Practice. She is currently senior physiotherapist to England Women's Football, Head Physiotherapist to England Women's Rugby, and Head physiotherapist of the Sports Injury Clinic at London University Union.

Jill accompanied the hugely successful England team during victories in five "Six Nation's Rugby Championships", runners up in one "European Championships", "the IRB sevens Plate" winning team and the three times" IRB Women's Rugby World Cup silver medalists" along with attendance at numerous other training camps and tournaments at home and abroad.

Jill is involved in the appointment of physiotherapists at Little Venice Pilates, mentors colleagues, and directs a progressive continuing professional development for the physiotherapy team in accordance with the Health Professional Council guidelines.

Megan Edwards BSc (Hons), MCSP, SRP

Originally from Wales Megan trained at Cardiff University. Megan is a highly motivated physiotherapist specializing in sports and dance injuries. Megan has worked as a team physiotherapist for a number of Welsh premier league rugby teams. Megan is an experiences muscloskeletal and orthopaedic physiotherapist. Besides her work at Little Venice Pilates Megan is currently touring physiotherapist to Matthew Bournes dance company "New Adventures".

Helene Malherbe, BSc (Hons), MSCP, MHPC

Helene completed her BSc (Hons) in physiotherapy at Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa in 1999. After working in private practice in Cape Town she moved to the UK in 2002. Helene worked in UK hospitals until 2003, returning to private practice in 2004. Helene became clinical lead for Metis Physio Centre, working in both Croydon and Covent Garden clinics. Helene has also worked in private practice with Dr Kennedy, Harley Street, and spent two years with ES Physical Health in Harley Street as a senior physiotherapist.

Helene uses both manual therapy and specific rehabilitative techniques to gain optimal results. She is trained in clinical pilates. Helene is physiotherapist to one of the Royal Ballet's principal dancers, and is experienced in working with trained high performance athletes and dancers.

Helene has worked with Little Venice Pilates and Physiotherapy since January 2010.

Massage Team

Patricia Hines

Massage

Chris Herodotou

An advanced masseur and massage tutor, Chris has a solid background in Sports Science and has a reputation for succeeding where others have failed.  Chris has worked for top cruise liners, and top London clinics.  Chris is also a Member of the Association of Freelance Writers and has published work in Massage World, Reader's Digest, and Church Times.  Chris brings an intelligent, professional and kind approach to his work.

Daniel Scott

Daniel has worked with London Scottish Rugby assisting the Head Physiotherapist in preparing players for matches and training, attending to players after matches and training, and assisting team doctors on pitch-side injury treatment. Daniel uses general massage, deep tissue massage, muscle energy techniques, soft tissue release in his approach and brings excellent customer service skills to his work.

Bryan Ward

With nineteen years massage experience, Bryan is a master masseur who uses general massage; muscle energy techniques, soft tissue release, and deep tissue massage techniques.  Bryan is a longstanding member of the Institute of Sports and Remedial Massage, and the Complimentary and Natural Healthcare Council.  Bryan has a warm personality and sense of humour, and an excellent reputation as one of London's best masseurs.

Contact us »

If you would like to discuss any of our services please contact us and we will be happy to arrange an appointment for you.