In this interview I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Kerrie Murphy from Infinity Pilates studio in Balaclava, Melbourne.
Kerrie has owned and operated her Pilates studio for 21 years now. When you look at statistics related to business success, it is no mean feat to be running a thriving business for that long, in any industry. In this interview we discuss the many changes she’s seen in the industry in that time - from the explosion of Clinical Pilates, to the current Reformer studio model in the market of late.
Kerrie draws from a number of influences in her work. She is a deeply curious and educated teacher of the Pilates method and it was a privilege to chat with her.
In this interview we discuss:
How Kerrie found Pilates while training as a dancer
Her early education in Pilates, including her time spent apprenticing in the UK
The birth of her Pilates studio and how she started small and grew over time
The long term relationships she has with her clients, some as many as 25 years in the making
The people that have been influential in shaping her as a teacher.
Her approach to melding together the scientific application of body movement with a deep intuitive sense of the body.
Moments when Kerrie felt burnt out and isolated in her business life
How she views the current state of the Pilates industry and how we need to remember our value as instructors and business owners.
And so much more!
Additional Resources:
Tom Myers Author of Anatomy Chains.
Dr Robert Schleip : Leading fascial researcher
John Sharkey :Clinical Anatomist.
Dr Emily Splichal: Podiatrist and Movement specialist.
Podcast: Liberated Body: Brooke Thomas
And you can find Kerrie here:
Email: info@infinitypilates.com
Socials: @infinitypilatesmelbourne
More about Kerrie:
Kerrie is the owner and principal trainer of Infinity Pilates Studio, Balaclava Melbourne.
A life-long to dance, especially to perform classical ballet, underpins an even greater
fascination for Kerrie Murphy—the mystery and magic of human movement.
Dancing from the age of eleven and helping to teach discipline since she was 15, Kerrie
completed her year 12 in Canberra. She went on to gain a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from
the University of Western Sydney, where she was first exposed to Pilates.
The degree gave her the impetus to return to Canberra where she danced professionally
with the Canberra Dance Theatre for three years. She also worked with the Australian
Institute of Sport, instructing gymnasts aiming for the Sydney 2000 Olympics and also taught
ballet at local ballet studios.
A two-year stint in the UK in the mid-1990s gave her the chance to explore Pilates further.
She completed a two-year apprenticeship with a Highgate, London studio led by Heather
Sampson, before returning to Melbourne in 1996 to a combination of performance, ballet
teaching and Pilates instruction.
Pilates gradually absorbed her other activities leading to an official course with the Australian
Pilates Method Association, followed by a two-year course with Body Arts and Science
International with Rael Isacowitz.
Kerrie now holds the highest levels of certified Pilates qualifications available in Australia. It
includes the Advanced Diploma in Pilates Practice through Sydney’s Pilates International
Training Centre with Sally Anderson.
After the highly competitive dance world, she loves the balance and absence of judgement
Pilates brings. And an environment in which both client and instructor continually learn and
grow.
Travelling to NYC 2007 Kerrie began further training with Deborah Lesson who worked with
Elder Carola Trier and Blossom Leilani Crawford who worked with Pilates Elder Kathy
Standford Grant. Over the years their mentoring continues to inspire and shape Kerrie’s
teaching and practice.
The interest in human movement inspired Kerrie to dig deeper into the human form.
Training with Dr Robert Schleip in Fascial Fitness 2014. Later training with clinical anatomist
John Sharkey who shared his knowledge on Bio tensegrity.
Drawing inspiration from the full integrated system of the natural world that works collectively
to keep life in motion shines the light on the true value and purpose of the Pilates Method.
Heading into 21 years operation at Infinity, Kerrie still strongly believes, more certainly than
ever that the Pilates Method gives you the space to explore the full purpose and potential of
your body. This gift means you can live a full and meaningful life.
