HAVING helped bands such as INXS and Duran Duran prepare their bodies for performances, Moorebank mother-of-four Melissa Barry is now planning to work on local dancers.
``Many dancers don't know how to look after their bodies,'' she said.
``They put too much strain on them and then often end up with injuries.''
Mrs Barry has run the Hudson Barry Pilates studio for adults and children for six years.
She said dancers needed to learn how to look after their muscles through specialised stretching exercises, to keep in shape with an appropriate diet and to maintain strength to avoid illness and injury.
``Courtney Walter, from Channel 10's recent show So You Think You Can Dance, will be here on the day giving people advice about how to reach the level of success that she has achieved,'' Mrs Barry said.
``I have more than 4000 hours of teaching Pilates under my belt and have worked as a naturopath and masseuse for many years.
``In recent years I have massaged clients including INXS, Duran Duran and My Chemical Romance as well as six of the 10 dancers from So You Think You Can Dance.
``It's important to do strength and balance work to keep the muscles strong.''
Details: hudsonbarry.com.au,
0408825102, 96006676
or misspilates@bigpond.com.