At Aligned for Life Pilates, we’re a collective of experienced Pilates practitioners and educators passionate about helping people move well, live actively, and connect more deeply with their bodies.
Katrina Edwards, founder and owner of the Aligned for Life Pilates brand, has been a leader in the Australian Pilates industry since its early beginnings. A lifelong advocate for the Pilates Method and its transformative power, Katrina has played a foundational role in shaping how Pilates is taught, practiced, and shared across the country. She continues to be a strong voice in the industry, actively advocating for high professional standards, quality education, and greater recognition of Pilates as an essential part of active health and long-term wellbeing in Australia.
The story of Aligned for Life Pilates began in 2001, when Katrina Edwards opened the first studio in Moonee Ponds with a vision to offer high-quality Pilates instruction. A former professional dancer who performed in musical theatre, Katrina discovered Pilates while rehabilitating a serious knee injury, an experience that sparked a lifelong commitment to the Pilates Method. She went on to complete one of the first Pilates apprenticeships in Australia, and her dedication to excellence and integrity in teaching laid the groundwork for what has become one of Melbourne’s most trusted and respected Pilates networks.
In 2005, Kath Banks completed her Diploma under Katrina’s guidance and began teaching at the Moonee Ponds studio. With a background in sports science and rehabilitation, Kath brings a clinical, evidence-informed approach to the Pilates Method, blending precision and care with a deep understanding of injury recovery, athletic performance, and functional movement. Her genuine passion for education and her belief in each person’s capacity to move well led her into leadership early on, first as studio manager and later as owner/licensee of the Moonee Ponds studio in 2012. Whether working with clients in recovery, supporting athletes, or mentoring the next generation of instructors, Kath leads with empathy, expertise, and a commitment to helping people realise their full movement potential.
Passionate about advancing Pilates education in Australia, Katrina Edwards and Kath Banks co-founded National Pilates Training in 2006, combining decades of expertise in movement, performance, and rehabilitation. With a background as a professional dancer, Katrina brings a sharp eye for precision, flow, and whole-body integration, while Kath’s foundation in sports science and rehabilitation brings a clinical, evidence-informed lens to movement education. Together, they share a deep commitment to raising industry standards and nurturing confident, knowledgeable instructors.
Under Katrina’s leadership as Owner and Director of Training, National Pilates Training has grown into a highly respected, government-accredited training organisation with a presence Australia-wide. NPT offers a comprehensive range of qualifications, including the Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction and the Advanced Diploma of the Pilates Method, along with multiple entry pathways such as Group Reformer and Matwork training. Katrina’s vision—to create a gold standard in Pilates education—continues to shape a new generation of practitioners equipped to teach with integrity, skill, and purpose.
In 2012, Ben completed his Diploma through National Pilates Training in record time. Soon after, he became a licensee of the Aligned for Life Pilates – Melbourne CBD studio, also the headquarters of National Pilates Training. Ben now co-owns the Melbourne CBD studio with Katrina, and is a Senior Faculty Educator, with a deep commitment to client progress and a passion for mentoring the next generation of Instructors. His background as a professional Chef and personal journey through chronic pain bring empathy, precision, and real-world insight to both his teaching and client work. Known for his ability to distil complex ideas, Ben has built a strong reputation for delivering workshops that delve deeply into strength, anatomy, and movement mechanics.
In 2015, Chantel completed her Diploma with National Pilates Training and, by 2021, became the owner and licensee of the Aligned for Life Pilates -Carlton studio. With a background as a professional dancer, she brings a refined understanding of movement, control, and physical expression—skills she has seamlessly translated into both rehabilitative and performance-based Pilates. Her personal experience across three pregnancies, where she used Pilates to support her body through each stage of pre and postnatal recovery, has shaped her into a trusted practitioner in this area. Combining deep empathy with technical expertise, Chantel leads the Carlton studio with a warm, inclusive, and highly personalised approach, helping clients of all ages and stages build strength, confidence, and resilience through movement.
Today, the Aligned for Life Pilates brand encompasses studios in Moonee Ponds, CBD, and Carlton, all owned and led by Senior Faculty of National Pilates Training who each hold the Advanced Diploma of the Pilates Method. The team brings extensive experience working with dancers, athletes, people managing injuries or chronic conditions, and those simply looking to move well for life.
Together, Aligned for Life Pilates and National Pilates Training form a deeply connected, values-driven community, committed to movement education, intelligent programming, and long-term wellbeing.
Whether you’re returning to movement, deepening your practice, or training to become a teacher, we’re here to support you, every step of the way.
We work with community groups, sporting clubs and schools across Victoria
