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Our Team

Physiotherapy & Pilates

Head of Physiotherapy, Reformer Physio-Pilates & Mat Physio-Pilates

Laura

Laura Schembri is a highly qualified and experienced physiotherapist. She comes from a health and fitness background, gaining her first certificate in teaching exercise to music in 1990.

Laura Schembri is a highly qualified and experienced physiotherapist. She comes from a health and fitness background, gaining her first certificate in teaching exercise to music in 1990.
Laura continued her studies within the fitness industry for several years before she decided to look deeper into injury prevention and enrolled in the physiotherapy course at the University of Malta, graduating with a BSc (Hons) in 2000. Her under-graduate dissertation was a practical study that looked at the effects of stabilising exercises versus manual therapy on chronic back pain.
After graduating she was keen to keep developing her knowledge and went on to take a post-graduate certification in Modified Pilates for Physiotherapists. She found that Pilates helped her patients with pain relief and they got fitter and stronger and could cope with everyday activities much better than before. She carried on attending courses over many years and is now considered to be an expert in the field, especially in relation to correcting muscle dysfunction and relieving back pain. The Australian Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute (APPI) awarded her with the title of Master Trainer in 2018. She teaches the internationally acclaimed APPI programme to physiotherapists and also teaches the APPI Comprehensive Pilates Course for would-be Pilates teachers. She has also lectured at courses and conferences in Malta and the UK.
She has developed her skills as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist by continuously updating her knowledge over the years and uses many different techniques to treat pain and rehabilitate her patients for optimal outcomes. She graduated with an MSc in Sports Physiotherapy at the University of Bath in 2015 after conducting further research on exercise therapy and how it has long term effects on pain relief, controlling muscle imbalance and regaining function in runners with knee pain. She had also conducted research within the public sector that concurred with the scientific evidence-base that regular exercise has beneficial effects for those in pain and those who want to improve their physical performance whether they were sedentary or sports people.
Her priority in her working life is to empower her clients towards leading the best life possible and remaining active.
Physiotherapist, Physio-Reformer and Mat Physio-Pilates instructor

Melanie

Melanie graduated as a physiotherapist from the University of Malta in 2001 with a bachelor in Science.

In the following years Mel worked locally as well as overseas namely United Kingdom, and Sydney Australia in the hospital setting. In 2006 she returned back to Malta and set up an Active Aging centre within the private sector. Since then her primary focus has been to promote physical wellbeing through monitored exercise towards this population, with special interest on strength , balance and falls prevention. She continued to further her knowledge in wellbeing through exercise by completing numerous Pilates Courses and became an APPI Pilates instructor.

She currently continues her physiotherapy rehabilitation work and simultaneously runs water rehab group sessions, land strength and balance sessions exercise sessions, mat work Pilates, as well as reformer based work

Melanie graduated as a physiotherapist from the University of Malta in 2001 with a bachelor in Science.

In the following years Mel worked locally as well as overseas namely United Kingdom and Sydney Australia in the hospital setting. In 2006 she returned back to Malta and set up an Active Aging centre within the private sector. Since then her primary focus has been to promote physical well-being through monitored exercise towards this population with special interest on strength , balance and falls prevention. She continued to further her knowledge in well-being through exercise by completing numerous Pilates Courses and became an APPI Pilates instructor.

She currently continues her physiotherapy rehabilitation work and simultaneously runs water rehab group sessions, land strength and balance sessions exercise sessions, mat work Pilates as well as reformer based work

HIIT Pilates & Barre Instructor

Kelly

Kelly grew up studying Dance in Malta from a very young age and at the age of 15 was choreographing and teaching young children Dance and Movement. After being awarded a full scholarship to a performing arts college in the UK at the age of 17, Kelly continued her studies in dance and graduated with a Diploma in Performing Arts three years later, soon becoming an agency represented and internationally published model/actress and dancer and working successfully within the London industry for the following 11 years.
With a keen interest in health and fitness always in mind Kelly became a qualified studio instructor with YMCA fit London, attended several APPI Pilates Instructor courses including the Ballet Barre Pilates where she reconnected to her love for dance and began her studies with CNELM in nutritional sciences. Kelly is now a mother to a young daughter and has a keen interest in working with children, ex dancers and people actively looking to improve their strength and mobility.

Kelly grew up studying Dance in Malta from a very young age and at the age of 15 was choreographing and teaching young children Dance and Movement. After being awarded a full scholarship to a performing arts college in the UK at the age of 17, Kelly continued her studies in dance and graduated with a Diploma in Performing Arts three years later, soon becoming an agency represented and internationally published model/actress and dancer and working successfully within the London industry for the following 11 years.
With a keen interest in health and fitness always in mind Kelly became a qualified studio instructor with YMCA fit London, attended several APPI Pilates Instructor courses including the Ballet Barre Pilates where she reconnected to her love for dance and began her studies with CNELM in nutritional sciences. Kelly is now a mother to a young daughter and has a keen interest in working with children, ex dancers and people actively looking to improve their strength and mobility.
Physiotherapist and Pilates instructor

Karen Galea

Matt Pilates instructor

SIGRID SWANSY

Sigrid is originally from the UK and is a Matwork Pilates Teacher through the method of Body Control Pilates. She has gone on to train further in specialist qualifications such as Pilates for lower back pain, bone health, Pilates for antenatal and post natal and myofascial release techniques.

Sigrid discovered the benefits of Pilates initially through her ballet training and immediately felt and saw results. It was the benefit of movement and Pilates that allowed her to remain strong and injury free throughout her life.

Sigrid is originally from the UK and is a Matwork Pilates Teacher through the method of Body Control Pilates. She has gone on to train further in specialist qualifications such as Pilates for lower back pain, bone health, Pilates for antenatal and post natal and myofascial release techniques.

Sigrid discovered the benefits of Pilates initially through her ballet training and immediately felt and saw results. It was the benefit of movement and Pilates that allowed her to remain strong and injury free throughout her life.

Reformer Pilates & Matt Pilates instructor

Giulia

Giulia Simonaviciute was born in Lithuania and moved to Italy at the age of 20. She started to work as a beauty therapist in Milan, which became her second home. Always passionate about sport and people’s well-being, she embraced the challenge of unifying her passions and started a comprehensive Pilates course- the Covatech method at a private school in Milan which she completed successfully. She is qualified and experienced to treat back and shoulder pain, post surgical knee and shoulder rehabilitation, ante and post natal as well as other conditions.

Giulia Simonaviciute was born in Lithuania and moved to Italy at the age of 20. She started to work as a beauty therapist in Milan, which became her second home. Always passionate about sport and people’s well-being, she embraced the challenge of unifying her passions and started a comprehensive Pilates course- the Covatech method at a private school in Milan which she completed successfully. She is qualified and experienced to treat back and shoulder pain, post surgical knee and shoulder rehabilitation, ante and post natal as well as other conditions.
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Yoga & Matt Pilates instructor

Anja

Anja Zammit qualified as an RSA Exercise to Music and Speedo Aquatic
Fitness Instructor in 1997 and has since then been working as a Group and
Aqua Fitness Instructor in some of Malta's leading gyms.

She obtained her first Pilates teaching qualification from the Pilates
Institute in 2007. Shortly after, she was introduced to APPI Pilates by
her physiotherapist Laura Schembri.

Anja has since then attended a wide range of APPI courses such as Matwork
1/2/3, Pilates with various types of small equipment (such as Theraband,
Pilates Circle, Stability Ball), Pilates for Runners, Reformer on the Mat,
Ante/Post Natal Pilates, 3D Standing Pilates, Pilates & Scoliosis and the
APPI Comprehensive Pilates Matwork Course which was held in Malta for the
first time in 2018.

Anja Zammit qualified as an RSA Exercise to Music and Speedo Aquatic
Fitness Instructor in 1997 and has since then been working as a Group and
Aqua Fitness Instructor in some of Malta's leading gyms.

She obtained her first Pilates teaching qualification from the Pilates
Institute in 2007. Shortly after, she was introduced to APPI Pilates by
her physiotherapist Laura Schembri.

Anja has since then attended a wide range of APPI courses such as Matwork
1/2/3, Pilates with various types of small equipment (such as Theraband,
Pilates Circle, Stability Ball), Pilates for Runners, Reformer on the Mat,
Ante/Post Natal Pilates, 3D Standing Pilates, Pilates & Scoliosis and the
APPI Comprehensive Pilates Matwork Course which was held in Malta for the
first time in 2018.

In the past Anja used to suffer from reoccuring episodes of lower back
pain, but luckily, physiotherapy and regular practice of APPI Modified
Pilates exercises have made her feel a lot better. Having experienced the
benefits of Modified Pilates herself, she is eager to pass on her
knowledge to her students and help them lead an active, healthy and pain
free life.

Yoga & Matt Pilates instructor

Diane Mercer

Diana started her journey and exploration within the fitness industry at the age of 3. For the first 2 decades of her life she studied classical and modern ballet as well as practicing archery. Through dance, she discovered Pilates and Yoga to assist and enhance her dance practice when she was 13 years old. In 2009, she qualified as Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer (EQF level 4) at the Irish National Training College and in 2011 she qualified as a Yoga Teacher at the Irish Association of Holistic Medicine in Dublin. She specialises in Hatha & Raja Yoga, Steel Mace Vinyasa Yoga, Aerial Yoga, SUP Yoga, and Yin Yoga & Yoga Nidra (RYT 505). Most recently she now also teaches APPI Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates. She has added further specialisation courses such as Boxercise in 2009, Kettlebell coaching in 2010, Acqua aerobics in 2013, and countless other group exercise fitness class genres. She has continued teaching across Europe and collaborated with various big chain gym facilities amongst which she also held the role of Studio Manager and has been in charge of personally running in house training courses for her team of instructors and trainers during her time in London. In 2020 she became a Crossfit level 1 Trainer just before the pandemic broke out and in 2021 she further specialised in Olympic weight lifting as a Burgener Strength Weight lifting Level 1 trainer and Burgener Strength Mobility trainer. This varied background alongside her kinesiology and biomechanics master studies, allows her to create fusion classes, mixing functional training, weight training, kinesiology and biomechanics principles through a Yoga and Pilates lens resulting in an athletic, as well as holistic practice.

Diana started her journey and exploration within the fitness industry at the age of 3. For the first 2 decades of her life she studied classical and modern ballet as well as practicing archery. Through dance, she discovered Pilates and Yoga to assist and enhance her dance practice when she was 13 years old. In 2009, she qualified as Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer (EQF level 4) at the Irish National Training College and in 2011 she qualified as a Yoga Teacher at the Irish Association of Holistic Medicine in Dublin. She specialises in Hatha & Raja Yoga, Steel Mace Vinyasa Yoga, Aerial Yoga, SUP Yoga, and Yin Yoga & Yoga Nidra (RYT 505). Most recently she now also teaches APPI Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates. She has added further specialisation courses such as Boxercise in 2009, Kettlebell coaching in 2010, Acqua aerobics in 2013, and countless other group exercise fitness class genres. She has continued teaching across Europe and collaborated with various big chain gym facilities amongst which she also held the role of Studio Manager and has been in charge of personally running in house training courses for her team of instructors and trainers during her time in London. In 2020 she became a Crossfit level 1 Trainer just before the pandemic broke out and in 2021 she further specialised in Olympic weight lifting as a Burgener Strength Weight lifting Level 1 trainer and Burgener Strength Mobility trainer. This varied background alongside her kinesiology and biomechanics master studies, allows her to create fusion classes, mixing functional training, weight training, kinesiology and biomechanics principles through a Yoga and Pilates lens resulting in an athletic, as well as holistic practice.

Grow Organic !

Head of horticulture consultation services

Mac

Mac is a seasoned horticulture expert, having travelled most of the world on agricultural consultations. Now resetting his roots on the sunny island of Malta, leading his local horticulture consultation enterprise at Elevist.

"Make Malta Green again!"

Services on offer :
One to One horticulture consultation available as virtual meeting or on-site visits.
Large scale Horticulture consultations.
Personal purchase recommendations.
Cannabis-specific grow consultations.

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