Gemma James
Managing Director/Fascial Movement & Contemporary Pilates teacher
BSc Sports Science, BSc Psychology, Diploma Fascial Movment, Diploma Contemporary Pilates, Cert IV APMA Pilates Method.
Gemma became interested in Pilates 25 years ago after experiencing a severe back injury in her early 20's. She was eventually discharged from care by her team of rehab specialists, but was unable to return to a normal level of function and was living in chronic pain. It’s hard to believe now, but Pilates was incredibly rare in Perth at that time but was the very thing that brought Gemma back to a level of function that surpassed her expectations. Her pain gradually disappeared. As she became stronger and more mobile than she (and her previous team of rehab specialists) ever thought possible, her joy in movement returned. This led Gemma to change careers, study sports science and become a Pilates Instructor, focused on exercise rehabilitation.
Gemma began her Pilates career in 2001. Eight years later she discovered the Contemporary Pilates Method and shortly after, the profound and brilliant method of Fascial Movement formerly known as Slings Myofascial Training. Fascial Movement. This method of structural integration through movement revolutionised her understanding of functional anatomy and exercise prescription. Gemma was able to create change for her clients more quickly and with more ease than ever before in her Pilates career.
Martina Palmer
Contemporary Pilates & Slings Instructor
Martina co-founded Sense of Space with Gemma and Karin in 2010. Martina has had a life long passion for movement which started with athletics and playing handball for Slovakia in 1992. Today she is a lecturer and assessor for art of motion training in movement, and a self confessed anatomy junky.
Martina loves to choreograph functional and fun sequences in her classes and incorporate the use of small props to invigorate, challenge and stimulate our clients' bodies and minds. Martina wears her heart on her sleeve and her passion, compassion and enthusiasm are contagious!
It has been 16 years since Karin, Martina and myself, first opened the doors of our Subiaco studio on Coghlan Road, in the autumn of 2010. I want to acknowledge how grateful I am for the life enhancing, awe inspiring movement practice that FAMO is, and for each and everyone one of you, who have been part of our Sense of Space community in one way or another, whether for 16 weeks or 16 years. It's a beautiful thing to look back upon and realise how grateful you are for the connections you have made. Thank you for being part of that.