Meet the Team
Our Tutors
Our team of tutors includes educationalists, sports scientists, physiotherapists and midwives who are also proactive in the fitness, health and Pilates industry. Christine and her team believe we offer exceptionally high-quality training in specialist areas of Modern Pilates, pregnancy, older adult, spinal conditions, hip & knee and shoulder conditions. We also offer in-house training in the UK and abroad.
All our tutors, assessors and physiotherapists are proactive in their field of delivery. They all run their own successful businesses which enables them to pass their valuable skills and knowledge onto our students. If you wish to change direction and begin a new career, we can inspire you to achieve your ambitions. You couldn’t be in better, more qualified hands.
Graeme Baxter
Cert Ed, D32/D33 Assessors Award, IQA, Diploma in PT, Diploma in Pilates, Level 4 Specialist PT in Nutrition and Level 4 Specialist PT in Back Care.
Director of Training, Tutor and Assessor
My career in exercise, fitness and health began at an early age by playing competitive sports during my career in the British Army. On leaving the Army I completed the Diploma in Personal Training with YMCA Fit in London in the late 1990s and was so inspired by the quality of teaching and the relaxed atmosphere that was created to enhance learning that I decided to complete my qualifications as a tutor and assessor.
I became part of the fabulous tutor team at Professional Fitness led by Christine North. I have been involved in the delivery, assessment and development of Modern Pilates since it began in 2002 and as of January 2022, I am now the Director of Training.
My love for teaching also involves working as an Associate Lecturer for Leeds Beckett University working with students from Sport, Physical Activity and Health Degree and Sports Science degrees.
During the past 25 years, I have also worked as a freelance tutor/assessor for YMCA Fit, Lifetime Training, Origym Centre of Excellence, Nordic Walking UK, Learning Curve Group and B-Skill teaching a range of health and fitness courses all over the UK. I also run my own Personal Training and Modern Pilates business working with a wide range of clients.
I love being involved with teaching and training and I am very passionate about creating fun, relaxed learning environments to share knowledge and create the best learning experience.
Christine North – Minchella
BSc Cert Ed. Dip in PT, Dip Matwork Pilates
Specialist Tutor, Assessor and IQA
Christine has vast experience in the health and fitness industry. She is the current Director of Training at Professional Fitness & Education and was the original founder of Modern Pilates. Christine’s knowledge, passion and professionalism was recognised and she was awarded the Exceptional Achievement Award for her contribution to the development of the health and fitness industry.
Christine also runs her own Personal Training and Pilates studio in Leeds.
Jay Kostyszyn
Bsc in Sports Studies, Cert Ed. D32, D33, D34 Assessors Award, IQA, EQA, Diploma in Modern Pilates, Diploma in PT, Level 4 Specialist in back care
Specialist Tutor, Assessor and IQA
Jay has extensive experience as a tutor, assessor and IQA in the health and fitness industry. He has worked for Professional Fitness, YMCA Fit and Calderdale College delivering a diverse range of qualifications. He is also an associate lecturer at Leeds Beckett University working with students on the Sport and Physical Activity and Health degree.
Jay has been involved with Modern Pilates for over 20 years and works as an IQA ensuring that all standards of teaching and assessing are at the highest level.
In addition, he has a successful PT and Modern Pilates business in South Yorkshire.
Sandie Keane
NVQ/TDLB Assessor, Stott Pilates Cert, MP/CYQ Matwork Pilates
Course Tutor and Assessor
Sandie has a background in classical dance and she originally trained with Stott Pilates in Toronto, Canada. She has been involved with Modern Pilates for over 20 years and is a tutor on the Diploma in teaching mat work Pilates.
Sandie still teaches classes in the community and she is the author of two books; Pilates for Core Strength and Pilates with chi principles.
Julie Reynolds
Assessor
Julie has extensive experience in the health and fitness industry delivering a diverse range of classes. Julie has recently joined the tutor team after completing her assessment qualifications. However, she has been teaching Modern Pilates for a number of years in health clubs in the Leeds area and also runs her own PT and pilates business from her home studio. Julie also has some specialist qualifications in Exercise referral and Level 4 Low Back Care and is a great asset to the team.
Jenny Heron
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, MCSP, PGCE, Post Grad Cert.
Physiotherapist Tutor
Jenny first qualified as a physiotherapist in 1996 and specialises in women’s health. Her vast knowledge, skills and experience ensure that we deliver the most up to date evidence-based content.
She is passionate about Pilates and after successfully completing the very first Modern Pilates course in 2001 she has been an integral part of the team developing our educational products over the past 20 years.
Jenny also has her own physiotherapy and Pilates practice in Leeds.
Rebecca Parker-North
Specialist Tutor and Assessor
Rebecca has over 20 years’ experience in the health and fitness industry. She has worked as a fitness tutor for Professional Fitness and Education and YMCA Fit delivering and assessing a wide range of courses. Her interest in anatomy and physiology led to a career in the NHS where she now works as a senior anaesthesia associate.
Rebecca also teaches Modern Pilates classes and specialises in pre-post-natal clients.
Jo Burrows
Physiotherapist Tutor
Jo has been a physio for over 20 years and has gained a wealth of experience working in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. She has worked primarily in the musculoskeletal field of physiotherapy; however, her current role is working as a First Contact Practitioner alongside GP’s providing initial early assessment, diagnosis and treatment for patients who present with MSK disorders. Jo is also a qualified MP teacher and teaches classes in the South Manchester area.