Meet the Board

Winona Holl

Winona's passion for working with the body has been a lifelong journey: from practicing various forms of dance since childhood, to studying physical anthropology at the University of California Berkeley, and later working in the midwifery community there. While living in New Zealand 10 years ago, she discovered the transformative power of the Pilates method when regular practice alleviated her chronic back pain. In 2006, Winona qualified in matwork at The Place in London and further qualified to teach Pilates apparatus in 2010 after studying with 2 of the 5 Pilates Foundation Founders, Hana Jones and Anne-Marie Zulkahari.

Winona believes that as a not-for-profit organization we set ourselves apart from the multiple commercial Pilates entities: we stand as a community of practitioners dedicated to promoting excellence in the teaching and practice of Pilates. It is through this approach that we promote health and well-being via this powerful method, and honour the man who inspires what we do. Above all, it is this community with common purpose that is our strength in moving the Foundation forward and in developing the holistic practice of Pilates in our community and the community at large.

Winona has experience as: a midwife and childbirth educator; the chair of a childcare cooperative; a multi award-winning entrepreneur; PF workshop coordinator; running an international household and being the mother of 3 dynamic teenagers. It is this broad skill set that she enthusiastically brings to the Pilates Foundation board.

Adam Murby

Adam has an extensive background in movement. After graduating from The Laban Centre for Movement & Dance, he worked extensively as a dancer and performer for more than 12 years. He completed his Pilates matwork training at The Place in 2004 under the tuition of Susanne Lahusen, Hana Jones and Sonia Noonan. He recently qualified as yoga teacher accredited by the British Wheel of Yoga.

He has taught Pilates, both in this country and overseas, for numerous gyms, studios, dance companies and recently within the super-yacht industry. He founded Pilates-Balance in 2004 as a vehicle to teach matwork to his local community in South East London.

This work was recently recognised by the RSA who invited him to become a Fellow of the Society.

Anne Marie Thomas

Anne-Marie Thomas' career began as a professional dancer with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal. She worked as a performer and teacher for over 10 years, both in Canada and in the UK. She first encountered the Pilates method while training in dance and has practiced it for over fifteen years.

Anne-Marie has a BFA in Contemporary Dance from Concordia University in Montreal and an MA in Dance Studies from The Laban Centre for Movement and Dance. She completed her Pilates matwork training at The Place in 2004 under the tuition of Susanne Lahusen, Hana Jones and Sonia Noonan. She is married with 3 children and lives in South East London where she teaches a diverse client base, including the Adult Community Education programme, helping to make Pilates more accessible to members of the community who would otherwise not have access to Pilates tuition.

Anne-Marie has also recently competed the PTTLS, C&G 7303, required by the Foundation to qualify to be a teacher training provider.

Monika Zarebska

Monika's journey with Pilates started about 14 years ago, when recovering from serious back injury. The healing process was long but paid off with physical independence and skills of pain management. As a result of this experience and facing further, unrelated changes in her life, Monika decided to become a Pilates Teacher, to help other people feel the many benefits of the Pilates Method. She trained and graduated with Anoushka Boone and is currently working at Pilates in Motion Studio in Ealing.

Driven by recent developments within Pilates Foundation, Monika decided to contribute some of her skills from previous work (administration, customer services) to help daily running of Pilates Foundation, by becoming a board member and taking over the role of lovely Rochelle (Administration Manager), while she is on her maternity leave.

Monika believes that future progress of Pilates Foundation rests in the efforts and involvement of all its members and therefore welcomes any constructive feedback and comments, however small or big. (email address available on contact page).

Tisha Harrington

Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Tisha studied Politics and Economics for her BA at The American University in Washington D.C. She came to the UK in 1995. Already qualified as a Fitness Instructor Tisha began to work in London as a Freelance Instructor, Studio Co-ordinator and National Presenter on the UK fitness circuit.

Tisha studied Pilates under Dominique Jansen and Sian Williams at Pilates Off the Square in 1997. She completed the comprehensive training and became a full member of the Pilates Foundation in 1999.

It was also in 1999 that Tisha was invited to set up and run the Pilates studio and matwork programme at Triyoga in Primrose Hill. Eventually she left to set up her own studio in 2002, Kings Cross Studios, which she continues to run today with a wonderful team of teachers.

Tisha strongly believes that at the heart of our organization is our non-profit status. This makes us unique to anyone who chooses to be a member and it offers us great latitude to stand apart from other Pilates organisations.

As a Board Member Tisha's objectives are to offer a clear direction for our organisation's future,individual professional support and inspire greater member contributions to the Board and Committees that ensure we keep our organisation vibrant and alive.

Tisha completed her City and Guilds 7303 course in 2008. She is also a qualified Gyrotonic Pre-trainer and Gyrokinesis Teacher. She lives in North London with her partner Wayne, son Whittaker and Cosmo the Wonderdog.

Kara Dressel

Kara Dressel has enjoyed practising and teaching Pilates for the past 10 years. She comes from a fitness and teaching background and is originally from Chicago. She has a M.A. in Adult Education and taught English as a Second Language for 10 years before having 3 children. Kara enjoyed the benefits of practising Pilates which led her to train with Anne-Marie Zulkahari at Pilates and Yoga Movement.

After certifying in 2002, Kara moved to the New York area where she continued learning a different style of Pilates. Kara taught Pilates and ran her own studio while living in New Jersey and became interested in working with women recovering from breast cancer. She has continued teaching and presenting workshops for this population after moving back to London in 2006.

Kara is very pleased to be a Pilates Foundation board member. She is hoping other members will consider becoming involved and using their various skills to maintain the high standards and bring new energy to our organisation.

Vanessa Smith

Vanessa Smith has been a full member of the Pilates Foundation since 2001, teaching matwork and studio classes since then. As a result, has a deep understanding of our organisation’s history.

Vanessa trained as a dancer at the Laban Centre in London. She worked as a Dancer, Dance Teacher, Choreographer and Company Director for many years. In 1998 she was Dance Artist in Residence at Glasgow’s prestigious Tramway.

Vanessa began training to teach Pilates in 1998 with Brigid McCarthy in Edinburgh, and worked with her at her studio until 2006. She gradually built her own practice in Glasgow, opening a studio in 2008. She teaches from her studio in Glasgow, and also works with ballet students from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Vanessa runs professional workshops for other teachers in the area which have proved very popular

In 2003 she began her Feldenkrais Training with Mia Segal, completing it in 2008. This work has enriched her knowledge and she uses this work alongside Pilates every day.

In June last year Vanessa completed the City and Guilds 7303 course in preparation for becoming a teacher-training provider.

Vanessa has developed skills through managing dance projects, and through working in and running Pilates studios. She brings these organisational and diplomatic skills to assist the board during this interesting time.

As a member of the board, Vanessa is keen to promote an organisation tolerant of all members in their diversity, both with regards to individual studio practice, training, and the needs of the growing numbers of regional members.