Christina Iredale
Born in London to an Italian mother and an English father, I grew up in Imperia (Italy), where I began studying dance at the age of 9—first classical, then modern. Becoming a professional dancer was my dream and, aged 20, I moved to Milan to pursue it. Sadly, it was not to be: following a serious knee injury and multiple surgeries, I had to stop and give up dancing
It was in Milan, though, where I met Anna Maria Cova and where, in 1990, I began practising the discipline in her Pilates studio. Anna helped me get back on my feet—not just physically. She welcomed me during a period of insecurity following the end of my dance career and motivated me to regain my strength.
How I discovered Pilates
My rebirth
through Pilates
I immediately fell in love with Pilates—it’s a fascinating, creative, and precise technique. I experienced first-hand the benefits of the CovaTech method, which not only succeeded where rehabilitation had failed but also gave me a stronger, more flexible body and renewed my physical and mental energy. This new strength allowed me to re-imagine my life beyond dancing.
At the time, my career as a publicist in the music industry was thriving. I managed public relations for artists like Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Lopez, and Ricky Martin. In 2004, the record label I had been working for shut down. I had been considering a career change for some time and this event gave me the push I needed.
Anna Cova suggested I become a Pilates instructor. I went back to studying and undertook the extensive training necessary to turn my passion into a profession.
In January 2006, I became a certified CovaTech® Pilates® Teacher at the prestigious CovaTech® Pilates® School in Milan, the first such training school in Italy. From 2006 to 2008, I taught at the Studio Pilates Srl of Anna Maria Cova and Silvana Lucca in Milan.
In 2008, I left for a long sabbatical trip to Argentina and, upon my return, I moved back to my home town, Imperia.
At the beginning of 2009, I opened Studio Pilates Aires in Imperia, my first studio equipped with all the machines designed by Joseph Pilates. The name “Aires” pays homage to Buenos Aires, a fascinating city where I lived, learned Spanish and danced tango.
The opening of Studio Pilates Aires: a tribute to Argentina
Continuing education: staying up to date
Studio Pilates Aires was an instant success, but I continued studying. Every year, I attended education at the CovaTech Pilates School in Milan and participated in seminars in Italy and abroad, in places like Monte Carlo, London, and New York, with world-renowned teachers such as Elizabeth Larkam, Alan Herdman, Karin Gurtner, and Ilaria Cavagna.
- LOLITA SAN MIGUEL, a direct student of Joseph Pilates.
- JONATHAN URLA, with whom I became certified as a Yogilates Instructor (Yogilates Training and Education Department, New York) in 2007.
In both instances, I was both a student and interpreter for the two Master Teachers.
- ELIZABETH LARKAM, an American Master Teacher and a major innovator of the method since the 1980s.
- ALAN HERDMAN, a pioneer of the technique in Great Britain, where he was the first to open a Pilates studio.
- BLANDINE CALAIS GERMAINE, creator of the “Anatomy for Movement” program and author of numerous books that have become essential references for Pilates instructors worldwide. Between 2014 and 2018, I attended her workshops: “Perineum,” “Safe Abs,” “Breathing Kinetics“, and “Spinal Column.”
- I became a CARDIOLATES INSTRUCTOR, an aerobic activity developed by PILATES ON THE FIFTH (New York) that combines the alignment principles of Pilates with the cardiovascular and physiological benefits of rebounding on trampolines.
- KARIN GURTNER, creator of Art of Motion Academy and developer of Contemporary Pilates, which applies Tom Myers’ studies on “fascia.”
- In January 2023, I participated in the Pilates Tour in New York, an advanced training course for instructors held at various New York studios, including Rolates, the original Joseph Pilates studio.
- ILARIA CAVAGNA, Master Teacher (New York) for the annual training courses organized by CovaTech Pilates School: “From Head to Toe,” October 2023 – “At the Heart of Pilates,” October 2024
Both in my personal and professional life – first with music and now with Pilates – I have always been used to working in an international environment, where I feel particularly at ease. In addition to being bilingual in Italian and English, I have learned French and Spanish, which allows me to teach Pilates in different languages and collaborate with international organizations.
Passion, determination and expertise are the main driving forces behind “my world,” pushing me to further my studies of the human body, even at an academic level through the Faculty of Sports Science, specialising in Biosanitary studies.
I believe in the saying: a good teacher is an eternal student.
My strengths
My life-long dream
