Meet the team

Perry Ives

Pilates Teacher

I am a Body Control Pilates certified teacher, working at Ismini Phillips Studios. I love working with clients and planning out classes to make sure their goals are met; I am always honest, and I’m passionate about what I do. I work to develop myself as a teacher, and as I continue to grow and learn, so too do my clients.

I haven’t always been a Pilates teacher. I worked in the city as a currency trader for over 30 years, which really took its toll on my back and posture. I tried all sorts, but nothing cured the problem. When I began Pilates, the difference was almost immediate and I was hooked. Just like me, so many people are now discovering Pilates, which is great as it can do so much good for the body and mind. Even celebrities like novelist Martin Amis are getting involved – in an interview, he said: “I stopped groaning. When I get out of the car now, I don’t go arrggghhh.” And that’s all thanks to Pilates!

Having experienced the difference Pilates made to my own life, I decided to train as a teacher. I love that I have a job where I can really help other people, and it’s very rewarding to see clients progress. I make corrections during lessons and often, people feel the difference straight away. It’s great to be doing something I really believe in – it only took me 30 years to find it!

I am also a golf teacher, so outside of the studio you might find me playing a few rounds of golf – or perhaps enjoying a good meal with friends and family afterwards.

EVIE POAROS

Marketing and Events & Guest Teacher

I am a guest teacher at Ismini Phillips Studios, and I am also responsible for the studio’s marketing and taking care of events.

I love my work at the studio and I enjoy seeing people develop physically, emotionally and mentally as they progress with their classes and activities. I really believe that movement can help with mental health and throughout my career, I have seen people becoming aware of those mental changes, as well as enjoying the physical benefits of activity.

When I’m not working and teaching at the studio, I am a professional dancer based in the UK and Germany. I have a BA degree in Classical Ballet and Contemporary Ballet. I continue to study, and I will receive an MSc in Psychology at the end of September 2019.

I am a naturally chatty and bubbly person, something that I always bring into my classes. I love the social element of working at Ismini Philips Studios, so if you see me around, let’s grab a coffee and have a chat!

CIARA STYLES

Yoga, Pilates and Children’s Dance Teacher

I am a Yoga, Pilates and children’s dance teacher here at Ismini Philips studio. I absolutely love teaching, sharing knowledge that I have gathered through my own exploration of movement and to see people transform their bodies through the practice of yoga and Pilates. I am a dancer too and have worked teaching children for the London Children’s Ballet in the past. I love to teach children, helping to channel their abundant energy into creativity and helping to harbour habits and discipline that will stick with them for life. Above all dancing is a lot of fun, and in my opinion, the most enjoyable form of movement.

I have been training in Dance, Yoga and Pilates from my early childhood. I have a Diploma in Performing Arts and Dance with Millennium Performing Arts, a Yoga London 200 hour certificate and a Diploma in Mat Pilates with HFE. For the past year I have been away teaching in Vancouver where I gained a different perspective on teaching styles and added to my own teaching skill set with different ideas and techniques from across the pond. I am a professional dancer and Actress, and I choreograph, however nowadays I am channelling more of my energy skills into teaching and helping others.

I have worked for Ismini in the past and I am delighted to be back and working at her beautiful new faculty. I look forward to seeing you all in the studio!

MARK LACEY

Feldenkrias Teacher

Mark is an actor, director, choreographer, educator and Feldenkrais Practitioner whose specialist interest is in finding ways to improve performance quality by reinstating a sense of autonomy in groups and individuals.
He Studied physical theatre with Desmond Jones (U.K) and Antonio Fava (Italy) and went on to win Street Entertainer of the year, before going on to study Acting on the three year acting course at Central School Of Speech and Drama. He has worked extensively in Theatre, television and film.

He studied The Feldenkrias Method under Garet Newell and qualified in 2007. During his final year he became the first teacher in the UK to develop a full Feldenkrais module for a professional acting course. He is one of only three assistant trainers of the Method in the country. In addition he teaches corporate workshops on tone of voice and presentation nationally and internationally, and is one of the few actor/assessors in management development and recruitment.
He has taught workshops in over 400 schools and Universities, including at Gordonstoun, Cheltenham and Benenden.

He currently balances his time as a director, an actor, a Feldenkrais Practitioner and an associate lecturer in acting at Canterbury Christchurch University, as well as the student ambassador trainer at University of Kent.

In his spare time, Mark likes to write crime stories and has just completed his first novel.