meet phaedra imbert

With over 20 years of experience, Phaedra is a passionate, expert and certified teacher, a dedicated practitioner, movement educator and lifelong student who continues to explore Pilates beyond her work in the Studio.

Her teaching brings together Joseph Pilates’ original method, its contemporary evolution through biomechanics, and movement science knowledge — creating an approach that is both deeply rooted in tradition and responsive to the individual.

Trained and certified under Jolita Trahan at Pilates Network in Florence, she continues to deepen her expertise and refine her teaching through international programs and mentorships with leading Master Trainers.

“Pilates first became part of my life when I needed it for myself. My experience became knowledge, sharing it became my purpose”.

Pilates Reformer Scissors: Phaedra Imbert lies on the carriage with one leg lifted and the other extended away.

pp philosophy

Ti osservo e ti guido a "sentire, trovare e capire" i movimenti e organizzare il tuo corpo correttamente. In base alla tua situazione personale e alla mia conoscenza dell'anatomia, dell'allineamento e dei movimenti e attraverso l'abilità nel riconoscere cosa succede nel tuo corpo, sceglierò gli esercizi  che il tuo corpo ha bisogno per creare consapevolezza, connessione globale tra tutte le parti, controllo e vero cambiamento.

Decades of practice have taught me that how we move today shapes how we feel for years to come.

Phaedra Imbert balances in the starting position on the mat for Pilates Rolling Like a Ball, holding her bent legs close to her chest.

my story

I was born in Langenthal, Switzerland, to a father from Lucerne and a mother from Lugano. I grew up in Lugano and in 1988 I moved to Geneva to pursue my university studies. Between 2003 and 2011, I lived between Geneva and Paris before returning to Lugano in 2012.

My professional journey began in the art world. My father is a General Internal Medicine MD specialized in Energetic Medicine, Acupuncture and Auricular Acupuncture, as well as an art collector and a passionate lover of the arts. During our travels, we visited museums and cultural sites, while in my free time I spent much time drawing.

Studying art felt like a natural choice, I pursued Art History at the University of Geneva while attending the École Supérieure d’Arts Visuels (ESAV), and began my professional career in Geneva, working with Auction Houses and Contemporary Art Galleries.

I stepped away from my professional career when my children were born, in 2004 and 2007, dedicating myself fully to my family.

In 2008, after the birth of my second child, I developed lower back issues and I began practicing Pilates to strengthen and mobilize the area. Within a few months, my back pain had disappeared.

I gradually discovered how deeply the practice could change the way I moved and felt in my body. I became fascinated by its precision, the Mind-Body connection and the awareness it created. Pilates soon became part of my routine and, ultimately, my lifestyle.

After nearly a decade of practice, passion and research, Pilates became my profession.

In 2017 I began my Pilates Teacher Training Program in Florence with Pilates Network, founded by Jolita Trahan.

In 2020 I began teaching Pilates at GGGgym in Lugano.

In 2023 I began collaborating with physiotherapists (2023-2024), Dr. Med. Franz Jost, Lugano (2024 to present), and Grand Hotel Splendide, Lugano (2025).

In 2024 I opened my own Pilates Studio in Lugano, a space where I could share the knowledge and experience I had gathered over the years, while bringing my own personal approach to teaching.

Phaedra Imbert in black workout clothing seated on a Pilates spine corrector in her Studio in Lugano.

the body as a whole

Phaedra’s relationship with the body, health and movement began long before her Pilates journey.

Growing up as the daughter of a doctor, she was surrounded from an early age by conversations about health, anatomy and the way the body functions. Her father’s holistic and energetic approach to health taught her to see the body as an interconnected whole rather than separate parts acting in isolation.

“This way of seeing the body deeply resonates with the principles of Pilates, where Mind, Body and Soul work as one. Movement is a whole-body process shaped by connection, balance, coordination and harmony”.

Older man and woman reviewing an art book beside a wall displaying framed artwork.
Healthcare professional pointing to a plastic model of the human shoulder and upper spine anatomy

the art of movement

Phaedra’s background in art has deeply influenced the way she observes and teaches movement.

Art and Pilates share an appreciation for balance, proportion and aesthetics. Pilates creates harmony and grace not only in how the body looks, but in how it moves and functions.

Her years at ESAV also helped develop her natural ability and pleasure in drawing. She still uses this skill today, drawing “little figures” to create movement sequences, anatomical sketches and handwritten notes to design and structure her lessons.
Drawing helps her visualize and memorise movement, understand relationships within the body and translate complex ideas into clear and meaningful exercises.

“In many ways, these two worlds — art and physical wellbeing — have shaped the way I observe, understand and approach movement today through my teaching”.

Woman in black workout clothes performing a seated yoga stretch on a mat, holding one raised leg.
Hands sketching architectural designs in a graph-paper notebook with a red pencil on a wooden desk

teacher training courses

Phaedra completes her Pilates training program at Pilates Network, Florence.
Pilates Network is founded and Directed by Jolita Trahan, Second Generation Master certified by Lolita San Miguel (First Generation Master Teacher, Pilates Elder).
Certified NPCP, NCPT Teacher, President of NPCP (National Pilates Certification Program).
Pilates Network is a School Approved PMA-PSAP-NPCP-APPI.

  • Postural Analysis, One-To-One Personal Programming, Reformer Base, Reformer Intermediate, Reformer Advanced, Cadillac, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, Wunda Chair
    Certificate Percorso Studio Comprehensive Pilates Apparatus (2024)

  • Special Clients, Pilates Props and Monothematic Courses
    Certificate of Competence Pilates Matwork The Original Repertoire (2019)
    Certificate of Competence Pilates Matwork Intermediate Level (2019)

mentorship

  • One year Mentorship Program with Patricia Medros (second generation Teacher certified by Romana Kryzanowska)
    This course focus on how understand movement patterns and compensations in real bodies through biomechanics in order to create effective and individualized programs.

  • Weekly Mentorship Program with Katharine Jemmett (certified Romana’s Pilates International Comprehensive Program, London)

monothematic courses and seminars

  • Reformer Guiding Hands, Master the Cadillac, Ped-O-Pull, The fluid Teaser - Pilates for Parkinson, Neurological Conditions - Magic Wunda Chair - Barrels of Fun
    Teachers: Troy McCarty, Cecilia Pulido, Jolita Trahan, Daniele Fortuna

  • 3D Matwork, Spiral movements - Pelvic Flow Matwork - Movement analysis - Standing Matwork - From the Hand to the Core
    Teachers: Daniele Fortuna, Angelica Stella, Franca Rossi, Marcella Pastore, Anna Lattuada

  • Hands On Pilates 1 & 2
    Teacher: Nick Pilates, Master Teacher Balanced Body Educator
    Hosted at Kasia Dieder Studio, Wien

  • How to unlock your movement potential and build strong, resilient joints
    Teacher: Ava Rodriguez, Founder and CEO
    Certificate of Recognition Mobility Fitness Academy, Title of Mobility Practitioner and qualified to teach M.F.A classes (2025)

  • The spine and its fascial envelope - Does the Body Lie? Pilates beyond movement - F.I.R.E. (Flettere, Inclinare, Ruotare, Estendere) - Iron Legs
    Teachers: Franca Rossi, Daniele Fortuna, Anna Lattuada, Alessandro Meloni

  • Pilates the Archive, the Elders and Modernity
    Teachers: Ton Voogt and Michael Fritzke

  • Two are better than one: work with two props to achieve better results - Axis of Life: discover the benefits of Dr. Bellei’s postural technique - Introduction to the Spinefitter: getting to know this new piece of equipment - Temporomandibular Joint: TMJ disorders and posture - Revival 70/80 Successful Ageing: how to revive mobility for seniors Pilates
    Teachers: Anna Lattuada, Franca Rossi, Marcella Pastore, Angelica Stella and Dr. Umberto Stella (Dentist), Daniele Fortuna

  • Matwork Fascial Flow, Balance is key - Franklin Method for Pilates, Happy Back, Shoulders and Neck Fascial Release - Dynamic Matwork, Magic Wunda Chair - Cadillac La Grande Dame - Knee, Mechanism for Vertical Alignment - Studio Circuito Iron Legs - Spine Fitter
    Teachers: Amy Havens, Eric Franklin, Miguel Silva, Jolita Trahan, Franca Rossi, Alessandro Meloni, Anna Lattuada e Marcella Pastore

  • Embodied fascia of the Organs
    Teacher: Eric Franklin

  • Spine Fitter - Resistance Band - Endometriosis - Reduce risk of injury
    Teachers: Anna Lattuada, Franca Rossi, Angelica Stella, Marcella Pastore

  • 3D Anatomy
    Teacher: Dr. Errol Toran

  • The soul and body of Contrology - Spiraling on the Mat, Magnified Matwork - Return to life on the Mat - Axis of Life
    Teachers: Miguel Silva, Rebekah Rotstein, Benjamin Degenhardt, Franca Rossi and Dr. Vittorio Bellei

  • Pilates & Performance - Spirals with Orbit & Oov: Architecture & Pilates, diagonals lines & spirals, find the correct alignments, challenge the balance, increase control through Orbit & Oov - Triadball Tensions/Releases - Endometriosis & Pilates -Low Back Pain & Post-Sciatica
    Teachers: Alessandro Meloni, Anna Lattuada, Angelica Stella, Franca Rossi

  • Teachers: Jean-Claude Nelson and Rebekah Rotstein

  • Athletes: Pilates & Performance- Scoliosis - Shoulder: Rotator Cuff Issues - Feet: From the Periphery to the Center, Hand, Foot and Stability)
    Teachers: Alessandro Meloni, Angelica Stella, Franca Rossi, Anna Lattuada