Nicholas Psarros - The Movement Refinery, Melbourne.
Nicholas Psarros is the owner of the Movement Refinery. Nic is a creative entrepreneur and connector in the industry here in Australia and someone I very much admire.
He is also the creator of the well known resource: The Pilates Teacher Network and creator of TMR Academy. In this interview, Nic talks honestly and openly about his business journey from his first studio in 2005 to today. We chat in depth about:
How he found Pilates as a young, injured dancer
How Nic feels about the immense teaching talent we have here in Australia (and New Zealand)
How important imagination, self belief and creativity is in the running of his business.
His vision to create ‘The Pilates Teacher Network’ and how it was a source of valuable information through Covid as well as his hopes for the future of TPTN.
How he navigated his business through Covid (when Melbourne was the most locked down city in the world.)
His advice to those new to the industry.
Find out more about Nic here:
www.themovementrefinery.com.au
Nicholas@themovementrefinery.com.au
And on the socials:
Nic mentioned this resource in the Podcast:
Thank you Nic!
More about Nic Psarros
Studio Director
Founder and lead educator TMRACADEMY
Founder The Pilates Teacher Network
Thanks for looking me up. My name is Nicholas and I have been teaching the Pilates method full time since 2002. I enjoy working with clients who have a variety of interests and goals. Generally, clients come to classes because they are a bit itchy in their skin or have something they want to accomplish and look to The Movement Refinery for support; all clients who are interested in Pilates and exercise are welcome at my studios.
I grew up in Adelaide and was introduced to Pilates as a teenage dancer. It wasn’t for me, I was young and it was an hour of breathing on the floor with my eyes closed, I wanted to MOVE! After relocating to Brisbane for vocational full-time dance training, I was immersed in Pilates several times each week with some great teachers (Jennifer Pohlman, Maggie Magill and Nicole Vass) and I loved it. I realised that it was the user-manual for my body that I never received and also helped me to manage my big feelings and dropped me firmly, ‘in’ my body.
I completed three comprehensive programmes (Nicole Vass for Lifecare Physiotherapy 2003, Pilates International 2011, Authentic Pilates Education International 2016) a post-graduate teachers programme (The Heritage Training 2021) and countless workshops and development opportunities over the last twenty years. You’ll find me happily at a conference, a training programme or reading and sharing information as I digest it. I don’t have the answers for everything Pilates-related, but I do enjoy exploring the profession so that I can support any client on any day of the week at the studios.
My love of movement and feeling good lead me to the Gyrotonic method which has a huge impact on how I work with clients, particularly looking at the spine and rib cage and how clear and supple movement creates positive change through the rest of the body. I was certified in the method in 2005 and spent ten years working with the specialised equipment operating Gyrotonic Clifton Hill which I later absorbed into The Movement Refinery. I’m not currently teaching Gyrotonic formally but my clients will tell you that it is embedded into how I ‘see the body’ and connect them to their core.
Even though I had excellent and thorough Pilates training, I felt that I wanted to know more about the human body and other systems. This lead me to balancing a full-time studio with study and raising a puppy (now a very senior doggy) and in 2014 I received my degree in Exercise and Sports Science. This programme allows me to take a step back and consider my clients both holistically and theoretically as an allied health professional and then pull from my skillset to support them to their individual successes.
For four years I worked alongside Elizabeth Hewett at The Australian Ballet School and as the Strength and Conditioning coach, supporting the future of dance amongst a magnificent team of health professionals. These years were deeply rewarding and exciting and I love when seeing former students light up the stage.
My classes help you to get rid of aches and pains and get you strong. I will help you to decode the traditional Pilates method and support you to become an independent and curious practitioner.
