Felicity's Journey in Pilates

Although Felicity isn’t yet 40, she brings nearly two decades of experience to her Pilates teaching. She began her journey as a Mat Pilates instructor at a small personal training studio in Ballarat and has since grown to run her own successful business. Felicity is now also a key contributor to one of—if not the—leading Pilates training organisations in the world. Her story is one of humble beginnings, unwavering dedication, and a deep passion for health, the human body, and the practice of Pilates.

Part 1: passion and humble beginnings.

As mentioned above, Felicity’s passion for sport, exercise, and health has been evident since her school days. A classic example comes from her time at Loreto College in Ballarat, where she eagerly signed up for every sport on offer—back when that meant writing your name on a piece of paper pinned to the wall. And we mean every sport. Unsurprisingly, she was named Loreto’s Sports Captain and was the recipient of both the Middle School and Senior School Sports Awards.

While Felicity thrived playing her favourite sport—women’s football—unfortunately, it wasn’t taken as seriously then as it is today. The opportunities and recognition just weren’t there. Given her natural talent and athleticism, we often wonder how far she might have gone had she had access to the pathways and programs now available to young female athletes.

It’s no surprise that after graduating from Year 12, Felicity went straight into a Diploma course to become a personal trainer. True to the dedication that defines her journey, she threw herself into the role and quickly became an outstanding trainer—but she wasn’t content to stop there.

Keen to deepen her knowledge, Felicity enrolled in a full-time university degree in Exercise & Sport Science, all while working 20–30 hours a week as a personal trainer at a small but reputable studio in Ballarat. And it was here that her Pilates journey began.

At the time, there were very few Pilates instructors in Victoria—let alone Ballarat. Encouraged by her boss, Felicity completed her basic Pilates training and began teaching a few Mat-based Pilates classes each week. That small beginning would go on to shape the rest of her career.

The more Felicity taught and practised Pilates, the deeper her passion for it grew. Beyond improving her core strength, mobility, and balance, the practice had a noticeable impact on her athletic performance—especially in running half marathons.

After circumstances beyond her control led her to leave her job as a personal trainer, Felicity found herself feeling a little lost. But within a few weeks, she took a leap and started her own small Pilates business—aptly named Felicity Porter Pilates.

She found a charming little hall in a local complex, complete with polished wooden floors and floor-to-ceiling mirrors—perfect for Pilates. The rent was just $10 per hour, paid in cash and slipped into a box on her way out. With minimal advertising and no pressure, she launched two classes per week, needing just one client per session to cover her overheads.

To her surprise, 20 people showed up to her first Monday evening class—and 25 to the Wednesday session. It was an incredible start, and those numbers held steady throughout the two years she ran the classes.

As word spread, Felicity was approached by schools, community groups, sporting associations, and even friendship circles to lead tailored Pilates programs—and she happily said yes. By day, she was at university; by night, she was running a growing Pilates business.

Part 2: Further study and the Polestar impact

Although things were going really well at the time, Felicity made a decision that would ultimately change the course of her life—she enrolled in a Diploma of Mat & Clinical Pilates with Polestar Pilates, a globally respected education provider founded by American physiotherapist Dr. Brent Anderson.

While the program’s reputation for high standards and excellence initially drew her in, it was the people she met during the course who left a lasting impression. Physios, osteopaths, exercise physiologists, and athletes—a diverse group of driven professionals, all eager to deepen their knowledge and learn from the best in the field.

The course not only sharpened Felicity’s skills and deepened her understanding of Pilates, but it also opened the door to a career path that felt like a natural extension of everything she loved: Osteopathy.

The next step in Felicity’s journey was one of the biggest yet—leaving everything behind in Victoria to move to the Byron region (and eventually the Gold Coast) to pursue a five-year Master’s degree in Osteopathy. Fresh off completing a Bachelor’s degree in Sport Science and running a thriving little Pilates business in Ballarat, it’s no wonder people were asking, “Are you crazy?”

The answer? Yes—in the best possible way.

Having made the move to a foreign, yet beautiful, part of the country, studying Osteo full-time and working part time at a cafe in stunning Bangalow, Felicity made the tough decision to put her Pilates training with Polestar on hold. But that didn’t last long. Enter Dav Cohen—an American credited with bringing Polestar Pilates to Australia and one of the country’s most respected Pilates instructors and Physiotherapists—who just happened to set up shop in Byron Bay. Talk about timing. With someone of Dav’s calibre suddenly in her backyard, Felicity immersed herself back into her Pilates education under Dav’s mentorship.

The next few years became some of the most pivotal in her career:

1. She completed her Diploma of Pilates and Rehabilitation.

2. She began working with Dav at Byron Bay Physio & Pilates.

3. She graduated with her Master’s in Osteopathy from Southern Cross University and subsequently gained employment at AMC (Associated Medical Clinics) under Ray & Sarah Lewis. 

At this point, Felicity was truly thriving. She was working as an Osteopath on the Northern Gold Coast, teaching Pilates in Byron Bay (no small commute, by the way), and living her best life in Coolangatta

But home came calling.

Part 3: starting Bay City Health and becoming a Pilates mentor

Felicity’s deep desire to start a family, build a business, and be closer to her loved ones in Victoria became the driving force behind her decision to leave the Gold Coast and Byron Bay in 2018.

But where in Victoria would truly feel like home? Ballarat? Melbourne? Geelong?

After some heartfelt soul-searching with her partner and fiancé, Clint, the choice became clear: Geelong. It was close to the Surf Coast, a place that reminded Felicity of the relaxed, coastal lifestyle she cherished up north.

In the end, it felt like the right fit.

A lease was signed in Newtown, Geelong, a name chosen — Bay City Health Group — and the dream started to take shape.

Not many people know this, but the colour scheme of Bay City Health is Sea-foam Green — a nod to mid-century California. For Felicity and Clint, it was essential to bring a piece of Byron Bay’s calm, creative energy into their new space.

They wanted the studio to feel different from typical clinics — to inspire a sense of warmth, connection, and belonging. That’s why you’ll find an abundance of plants, colour, and natural timber throughout the studio — subtle touches that help people feel instantly at ease the moment they walk through the door.

Another non-negotiable for Felicity was quality.

When it came to Pilates, she was determined to bring the knowledge and experience she had gained over the years into her own studio. From the beginning, her vision was clear: to create a central hub for Pilates excellence in the Geelong region.

And so far, that vision is well on its way to becoming reality. Bay City Health now offers a diverse range of Pilates services — including Clinical Pilates, Rehab Pilates, Reformer Pilates, and 1:1 sessions — catering to a wide range of clients and needs. There are even more exciting developments on the horizon… but we’ll keep those under wraps for now.

Amidst all of this, including a couple of challenging, COVID-disrupted years, Felicity also fulfilled a deeply personal dream — becoming a mum to her beautiful daughter, Florence, who is now a familiar and much-loved face around the studio.

As if that weren’t enough, Felicity was also invited to become a Pilates Mentor with Polestar Pilates — a true recognition of her expertise and dedication to the practice. This mentorship involves two years of hands-on training in Melbourne, assisting in the formal education of aspiring Pilates instructors. Once fully qualified, Felicity will join a select group certified to host and guide students throughout their entire journey — from observation and apprentice teaching right through to exam preparation.

It’s safe to say that any Polestar Pilates student will be incredibly lucky to have Felicity as their mentor.

Personal Note:

Clearly, this wasn’t written by Felicity — her humble nature would never let her say most of what’s been shared in this blog.

As her partner in crime (and fiancé), I’ve had a front-row seat to her journey in Pilates, and I can confidently say that her passion is unmatched. She absolutely loves what she does. And thanks to her relentless drive to keep learning and growing in the field, her skills and knowledge have risen to meet that passion — and then some.

The best part? I know she’s only just getting started. She’s not even 40 yet, and there are so many years ahead for her in both Pilates and Osteo.

I truly hope that anyone reading this gets even a small sense of just how hard Felicity has worked to master her craft — and how incredibly lucky the Geelong community is to have someone like her raising the bar and setting the standard in Pilates.

To book an Initial Clinical Pilates assessment or 1:1 Private Pilates session with Felicity, click the button below. Or, you can call our friendly reception team to make a booking with Felicity or ask any questions you may need answering on 03 5229 3220

Clinical Pilates VS Reformer Pilates: Which Pilates is right for you?

Clinical VS Reformer

There has been an explosion in the popularity of Pilates across Australia in recent years which has lead to a significant increase in the number of studios opening. Considering Pilates has been around for over 100 years some might say “it’s about time”. There seems to be a new studio popping up almost weekly at the moment. Obviously demand for Pilates has never been higher, which, as Pilates enthusiasts and instructors for 15+ years, warms our heart. However, there is some confusion as to the different forms of Pilates out there, including which studio offers what type of Pilates, and what Pilates is the best fit for you?The term Pilates means a lot more now than it did 30 years ago with all of the variations that have grown off the central Pilates branch. Imagine walking up to a barista and saying “I’d like a coffee please!”. I’m pretty sure you’d receive a blank stare quickly followed by the response “what type of coffee would that be?”. Well, if you called up a studio these days and said “I want to do Pilates please” you’d get a pretty similar response. So after managing to blend 2 of things I absolutely love - Coffee and Pilates - I’d like to clarify that the aim of this blog is to give an in depth rundown on the 2 most popular forms of Pilates: Clinical and Reformer.

 Clinical Pilates and Reformer Pilates both focus on integrating the core, breath and correct from into all movements, however, they differ in approach and application. Let’s take a dive into how they each suit the different needs of individuals:

Clinical Pilates is characterised by individual programs, smaller class sizes and addressing a patients specific needs and goals. It's often guided by an Allied Health professional or Clinical Pilates instructor who have completed a 1-2 year diploma (depending on the level of training organisation). Your instructor will tailor exercises to address specific injuries, conditions or goals with an emphasis on correcting movement patterns and improving functional outcomes. Keep mind that, even though Clinical Pilates is excellent for people with musculoskeletal conditions, you don’t need any injuries to do Clinical Pilates. We have many patients who come in and enjoy having their own customised program designed around their goal of maintaining or improving general health and wellness.

Reformer Pilates, on the other hand, utilizes the reformer machine to perform exercises that enhance strength, flexibility, and balance. While it can be therapeutic, it is often practiced in a fitness setting and typically doesn’t target rehabilitation. There are generally larger class sizes in Reformer Pilates with classes reaching up to 20+. Due to larger classes, there is obviously less focus on an individuals form and technique relative to Clinical, however they are typically cheaper once you’ve done a few classes and gained confidence on the machines you’ll understand why it’s so popular. With a stronger focus on faster movements, more repetitions and increased resistance, Reformer Pilates can provide benefits that include weight loss, muscle tone, and improved cardiovascular fitness.

Let’s run through some points of interest as we continue to compare and contrast Clinical & Reformer Pilates:

-       Assessment: An assessment is required prior to entering Clinical Pilates classes. This is important as program design is based of assessment results (and other factors such as goals, experience ect.). An assessment isn’t performed for Reformer Classes.

-       Individual programs: Reformer Pilates is a group fitness setting meaning that everyone performs the same exercises together as prescribed by the instructor. Minor variations can be made for individuals. In Clinical Pilates, programs are designed and customised for each individual based on a number of factors. Programs are always evolving depending on progress, suitability and personal preferences.

-       Use of Pilates machines: As the name suggests Reformer Pilates is performed on the Reformer. All machines/apparatus and props can be used in Clinical.

-       Suitable for beginners: Both forms of Pilates are suitable for beginners.

-       Suitable for injuries: If you are carrying an injury then Clinical Pilates is the best option. Exercises will be prescribed and modified to help with recovery. With Reformer – if a client has any injuries that may result in movement limitations (and hence their ability to complete exercises sufficiently), it’s generally recommended to avoid until those limitations have resolved.

 -       Caters for all levels: Big yes to both.

-       Cost: Reformer Pilates is typically cheaper and more cost-effective than Clinical due to the larger class sizes, whereas Clinical is slightly more expensive due to the further level of training required for instructors, the detail required in programs and more intimate class sizes.

-       Instructor training: Due to the greater amount of machines (Reformer, Trapeze/Cadillac, Chair, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, Mat) there is more training required for Clinical relative to Reformer.

-       GP referrals: Most referrals from GP’s and medical clinics are typically for rehab applications, therefore much more suited to Clinical Pilates. Again, in the absence of injuries or significant movement limitations, Reformer can also be an effective referral option. 

-       Class times: Clinical Pilates is usually run during business hours, whereas Reformer Classes are most busy before and after work hours, but can be run at any time during the day.

 -       Class sizes: Reformer Classes will range anywhere between 5-20 participants, whilst Clinical Pilates are characterised by smaller class sizes ranging from 1-5.

In summary, Clinical Pilates is more individualized towards the patients’ needs and personal goals, while Reformer Pilates is generally more group fitness-oriented. Both are great. One will most likely suit you over the other. Hopefully this article will help give you more knowledge to make an informed decision on which type of Pilates aligns with you and your health goals.

Clinical Pilates VS Reformer Pilates: Comparison Chart 

Reformer Classes On-Hold

Update as of 23/3/2020

We hope everyone is holding up ok during this uncertain time. Right now it seems impossible to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We understand that there is incredible instability regarding people's health, livelihoods, job security and finances.

There is a lot of differing information going about at the moment which is adding to the confusion. Just know that we are in the same boat as many of you, however have been lucky enough to have a couple of strong sources of information guiding us through.

There are a couple of important updates below regarding the operation of certain services.  

Reformer Classes On-Hold

• Due to the current situation regarding group gatherings and numbers we have decided to temporarily cancel all Reformer Group Classes

• We are unsure of how long the classes will be on hold for.

• We will keep everyone updated so that when classes start back up you will know.

• All purchased memberships will be put on hold and class pack expiry dates extended ie. if we are shut for 1 month - packs are extended for 1 month. There is no need to reach out and request an extension during this time.

• Any current bookings will be credited back to your account for future use.

• You will receive an automatic email upon each class cancelation from our booking software WellnessLiving (you will not lose any classes)

**Rehab classes will continue as they are small and will have safe 'social-distancing' spacing of 1 person per 10m2

Allied Health services still OPEN

Osteopathy is not part of the Australian or State Governments stage 1 closure plan. We will be running our Osteo, Rehab and Clinical services for the time being as we've been advised to do so, however that could change at literally any minute.

We have received the following advice from the Minister of Health: "The Australian Minister of Health has today confirmed that all Allied Health businesses can continue working and are encouraged to do so."

For those that don't know, Osteopathy is an Allied Health profession. For more clarity here is a small list of Allied Health professions in Australia:

• Osteopathy

• Exercise Physiology

• Physiotherapy

• Podiatry

• Chiropractic

• Occupational Therapist

• Psychology

• Dietetics

• Speech Pathology

• Radiography / medical imaging / sonography

**For a full comprehensive list go to the Allied Health Professions Australia website at https://ahpa.com.au/

Continuation of New Hygiene Policies
As mentioned in last weeks email update, we have implemented some new policies and procedures based on hygiene on top of the strict hygiene practices already in place at Bay City Health. Here is the list revisited:

• Everyone who enters the clinic will be required to sanitise their hands with hand sanitiser provided at the reception AND/OR wash their hands thoroughly in the bathroom.

• We will be returning to Dettol disinfectant wipes to wipe down each Reformer and Clinical Pilates apparatus after each use.

• We have now provided single use paper cups to drink from (or you can bring your own drink bottle).

• You will be encouraged to wash or sanitise your hands before leaving the clinic – we have more than enough hand wash.

• All ‘frequent touch’ surfaces will be sanitised every morning before any clients arrive.

• There will be less tactile/hands-on cueing in the Pilates Clinic.

• Osteo clients will be required to wear socks in the treatment rooms.

• There will be an option for clients to remain fully clothed during Osteo consultations (as opposed to wear gowns or remove shirts ect.) – this option will be addressed with each client individually at the start of every consult.

Thank you kindly to the ongoing support of everyone. We have been blown away by this awesome Greater Geelong community. We hope and pray for the health and safety of not just our clients, but all people across the state and country (and world for that matter).

Please check our social media platforms and our website to keep up to date. We will endeavour to be as open and informative as possible throughout this difficult time. If at any time we are instructed to completely close the clinic, the length of the closure will depend upon the advice of the relevant government departments. If that were the case, all patients with appointments will be notified via phone and SMS. 

Plan for the worst, hope for the best

Kind regards from Clint, Felicity & the team from Bay City Health Group

Will Pilates give you abs?

Pilates will help you build up your abs and core muscles (and a lot of other muscle groups too), but weather they start to show is dependant on you and your lifestyle. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to lose weight and gain that rippling '6 pack' that you desire. You have heard it all before - diet and exercise is key. One of my favorite sayings related to this question is: ‘Abs are made in the kitchen’ and it couldn’t be more true. Very few people have a 6 pack - and there is a very good reason for that - it is hard work! If it was easy for people to gain those nice shredded abs then everybody would have them. But it’s not easy. Pilates will contribute to the exercise component of the ‘gaining abs’ journey by burning calories and building muscle, but overall lifestyle and commitment to your diet will determine if your abs will show shine through or not.

To start the process of building up your abdominal muscles and burning those calories in a quality and professional environment, contact us at Bay City Health for the best Pilates program or Reformer Class to suit you and your goals - www.baycityhealth.com.au or 03 5229 3220

For dietary advice to help you lose weight, our Osteopaths can offer you professional advice. Alternatively, you can seek out a qualified Nutritionist to get structure with your diet.

Is Pilates a good workout?

Pilates is a great workout. There are different forms and levels of Pilates to cater for a wide variety of people, but if your intention is to get a workout then Mat classes & Reformer classes will suit you. Usually there a different levels of group classes, so depending on your fitness level and Pilates capabilities, there will be a class that will provide you with the right workout at the right intensity. In Mat Pilates, the class is predominantly body-weight which is traditionally a tough workout designed to get a sweat and build strength. On the reformers however, the use of springs can either increase resistance and hence the challenge making it an extremely hard workout, or provide assistance when needed to help participants perform correct movements they couldn’t have achieved otherwise.

What are reformer classes?

Reformer classes are group based exercise/movement sessions performed on the most popular piece ofPilates apparatus - the Reformer. In Reformer Classes, everyone performs the same exercise or variations of that exercise (to cater for everyone in the class). Each movement and exercise has multiple variations which can be used to suit each person. Class numbers can vary from 3 per class to 12+ per class. It is recommended that classes are limited to no more than 10 reformers/clients per class, due to the complexity of movements available on the Reformer and the (likely) inability of the instructor to correct every persons form. Reformer classes can cater for a wide range of clients with different goals - from injury rehab and prevention to beginners and elite athletes.