Alison Shirley

With over 20 years of experience in the clinical setting, Alison Shirley is a dedicated Principal Pilates Practitioner with the Pilates Association of Australia, who has guided a diverse range of clients from beginners to professional athletes and dancers on their movement journeys. Alison’s passion for human movement ignited in childhood gymnastics, led her to explore various sports, including state-level netball. Alison majored in contemporary dance in 1995 at Deakin University, earning her Honours in Dance at VCA Melbourne University in 2020, and recently completed her Master of Dance at VCA Melbourne University in 2024.

Alison holds a postgraduate certificate in Advanced Anatomy with Monash University and specialised postgraduate studies focus on dance science, somatics, and the female body in Western medicine. Her extensive background also includes the latest research in strength and flexibility training, allowing her to provide comprehensive and informed instruction.

Alison’s expertise extends beyond teaching. She has maintained a vibrant personal movement practice, training in Feldenkrais, the Franklin Method, contemporary dance, and various dance genres. Her versatility as both a dancer and instructor is showcased in her performances in films, music videos, and cabaret productions. Alison has also facilitated professional workshops that bridge the worlds of dance and Pilates, further demonstrating her comprehensive understanding of movement arts.

Currently, Alison teaches Pilates to undergraduate dancers and is involved in teaching Dance Video and anatomy, sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience with the next generation of movement artists. Although Ali’s teaching history is vast, she delights in facilitating the older population into an empowered experience of aging, through vitality in posture, strength and mobility.