OUR TEAM

What we consider to be a rare privilege at Central Balance, is the combination of the uniquely different experts on our professional team, who all have a common goal at heart.

Their will to empower people towards a healthier, happier and pain free life, is reflected in the way they strive for excellence every day, through their reflective practice, ongoing learning and endless compassion. 

Christina Hadjigeorgiou

  • Owner of Central Balance, Health and Rehabilitation Center

  • BSc Hons Physiotherapy 

  • Pilates Foundation Matwork and Apparatus Instructor

  • YMCA Level 3 Pilates Instructor

  • Pre and Post Natal and Clinical Exercise Specialist

 

Born in Australia, to Cypriot and Maltese parents, Christina set the bar high from an early age. 

She comes from a background of 15 years of modern and classical dance training, through which she was first introduced to Pilates, discovering its great benefits in improving her overall strength and technique. In 2005, she undertook a Pilates Foundation Teacher Training course, in Derby UK, with Rachel Rafiefar qualifying as a Fully Comprehensive Pilates Instructor by 2007, when she began to work at Body in Mind Pilates Studio Ltd, in Derby, UK. She also gained a post-graduate certification in Pre and Post Natal Pilates in 2008.

Throughout her Pilates training and apprenticeship, Christina developed a particular interest in rehabilitation and special populations and hence, continued her studies at the University of Nottingham, on the BSc Physiotherapy course. The development of her work combining clinical and therapeutic concepts with the Pilates method began here, and an undergraduate research project lead to presenting her work at the International Physiotherapy Congress in 2011, Amsterdam. Her Physiotherapy qualification has offered her the opportunity to experience practicing across a variety of specialties and environments in the UK, including in patient hospital departments, community centres and outpatient clinics, involving areas from paediatrics, gynaecology/obstetrics, neurology, musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and orthopaedic physiotherapy. Following graduation, she immediately began working as a Physiotherapist and Pilates Instructor, at Ashby Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic, an NHS outpatient clinic in the UK.

Christina moved back to Cyprus, in 2011, offering her services as a freelance practitioner in both Physiotherapy and clinical Pilates, for a wide range of injuries and pathologies. In 2014 she established the Central Balance Health and Rehabilitation Centre. She is also qualified to teach in the Life Long Learning Sector (PTLLs) and often delivers lectures, practical workshops and seminars on several Pilates teacher training programs and other organizations in Cyprus and the UK. She has mentored a selected number of individuals in teaching the Pilates method, to work alongside her at Central Balance, creating a trustworthy and competent team of professionals at the center. 

Christina continues her professional development, constantly gaining new knowledge through more training, courses and qualifications in subjects such as Reiki energy healing, yoga and innovative practices related to neuroscience and psychology.

Christina is a full member of the Pancyprian Association of Physiotherapists as well as the Institute for Learning, UK.

Elektra Pitsillidou

  • BSc Hons Sports Rehabilitation Science

  • Pilates Matwork and Studio Instructor

Electra was born in Cyprus.  She has always been interested in sports, being part of a professional volleyball team as a teenager and a participant in a folklore dance group at school. She successfully finished her studies at the University of Bolton, UK, where she received her degree in Sport’s Rehabilitation. She began to practice her qualification in Cyprus, alongside Christina Hadjigeorgiou at the beginning stages of launching Central Balance, Health and Rehabilitation Centre. She was intrigued by the Pilates technique and how it complemented her existing knowledge and decided to study the technique with Christina as her mentor, and assessed by Rachel Rafiefar, of the Thoughtful Body Pilates Teacher Training programme.  At a later stage she enhanced her knowledge and skills, by receiving a Level 1 Diploma in Reiki by the Thoughtful Body (TM), as well as a certificate in Nutrition and Exercise. 

Further training has included Pilates for Special Populations such as Clinical Pilates and Pilates for Pre and Post Natal Women, Reformer and Wunda Chair studio equipment. She is now a full time Sports Rehabilitation Therapist and Pilates Matwork and Studio Instructor at Central Balance Health and Rehabilitation Centre. Electra is also a loving mother of two. 

Maria Finikaridou

  • Pilates Matwork and Studio Instructor

Maria was born and raised in Limassol. She began her career in teaching Pilates straight after high school, by joining Christina at Central Balance, as her mentor, and assessed by Rachel Rafiefar, of the Thoughtful Body Pilates Teacher Training programme She is a dedicated and talented Pilates Matwork Instructor at Central Balance, Health and Rehabilitation Centre. Further training has included Pilates for Special Populations such as Clinical Pilates and Pilates for Pre and Post Natal Women, Reformer and Wunda Chair studio equipment. 

Maria continues her studies and expertise in body work, in order to combine her knowledge, experience and skills to help people optimize health and wellbeing.

She is a nature lover that likes spending time with good friends and her family. 

Monica Panayi

  • Neuro-musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Therapist

  • Athletic Trainer

Monica Panayi is the newest addition to the Central Balance Team, where she practices the role of Neuro-musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Therapist and Athletic Trainer. She was born in Nicosia Cyprus and after graduating from High School, she decided to relocate in Kansas USA in 2007, where she started a bright career in the Sports’ and Rehabilitation field. In 2013 she received her BSc in Athletic Training and became a Certified Athletic Training by the Board of Certification, in the same year she obtained her NC Board of Athletic Trainer Examiners Licensure.  During her years at the University of Kansas , Monica worked for Lawrence and Eudora High Schools in Kansas by practicing her Rehabilitation Therapy knowledge and techniques, and at a later stage she become a part of KU Football Team Lawrence Kansas in 2011, and in 2012 a part of KU Soccer Team Lawrence Kansas where she evaluated and treated athletes. In May 2013 she completed her academic career in Sports Rehabilitation and her clinical hours, at the Haskell Indian Nations University. Following her graduation, Monica moved to Durham, North Carolina in order to offer her knowledge and skills as an Assistant Athletic Trainer for the NCCU Volleyball and Softball Teams while obtaining her Master’s Degree. In 2015 she worked for Durham, YMCA as a Wellness Attendant and Shift Coordinator and in 2016 she becomes a Health and Physical Educator and an Assistant Athletic Trainer for Broughton High School, in Raleigh North Carolina.  In 2017 she moved back to Cyprus where she worked until January 2019 as a Track and Field Coach for GSP in Nicosia. She is an active member of the National Athletic Trainers Association and among other professional practices, she now also a dedicated part of the Central Balance team. She is a huge Sports’ lover.

Lorraine Jeffers

  • Massage Therapist

  • Reflexologist

Lorraine was born and raised in the UK and in 1995 she became a Grade 5 Classical Vocalist. She then moved to Cyprus to become a vocalist for a production company. She is specialized in Complimentary Therapy as she holds several levels of certification in the specific field including First Aid, Management of Sport Injuries, Nutrition and Physical Activities. 

In 2012 she completes her Beatty Therapy Level 3, Indian Head Massage Level 3, Aromatherapy and Reflexology Level 3, while in 2014 she became a qualified Pediatric First Aider by St Johns Ambulance in Aylesbury. 

She enriched her musical expertise in 2006 where she completed grade 5 as a flute player. Her humanistic and compassionate approach led her to gain a Level 2 award by Bolton University, in Auricular Therapy and in 2017 she completed the Child Protection foundation course, at Silverline private school in Cyprus. 

Alongside her professions, Lorraine participated in recorded TV shows for a CY channel, performed concerts in Cyprus and Europe in favor of CTO Cyprus and she modelled for a CY Model agency.

Lorraine continues her professional career at private educational institutes in Limassol, and in parallel she is a Massage Therapist & Reflexologist at Central Balance Health & Rehabilitation Centre.