Mitsi Pippa

Mitsi (Efthymia) Pippa, whose life focused on understanding and teaching the essence of human movement and function, died December 24, 2015, at her home in Madison. She was 57.

Ms. Pippa, who was born in Greece, was an experienced teacher of the Alexander Technique and a Pilates instructor and trainer. She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Andreas Tzanetakis, of Madison; her brother, Dimitris Pippas, and niece, Antigone Periquet-Pippa, both of Athens, Greece.

Ms. Pippa loved teaching and helping a variety of clients. Her life and work focused on understanding the concepts of poise, mindfulness, efficiency in the use of the self, injury prevention and ease of movement.

Ms. Pippa qualified to teach the Pilates Method of body control in 1986 before the approach became popularly known. In 1997 she began studying the Alexander Technique of using movement to rid harmful tension through the Victoria Training Course in London, under the direction of the internationally known teacher Shoshana Kaminitz. She continued post-graduate studies with Master Teachers Nelly Ben-Or (of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London), Peter Ribeaux, Anne Battye, Marjorie Barlow and Misha Magidov.

In addition, she held a diploma in ballet teaching and a diploma of applied arts and performed in contemporary dance.

For more than 30 years, Ms. Pippa taught in Greece, the UK, Finland and the United States, working with musicians, dancers, actors, physiotherapists, other Pilates instructors, IT professionals, and others. While in Finland, she worked extensively with members of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the State Symphony Orchestra, the Finnish National Opera, as well as dancers of the Finnish National Ballet. Her work was mostly focused on rehabilitation after injuries, prevention and optimal performance

Ms. Pippa and her husband lived in Madison from 2002 to 2005, where they built a community of friends from their home on East Skyline Drive. When her husband's work took them to Finland, they sold the house and moved. In 2013, her husband's work again brought them to Madison where, to the delight of their neighbors, they were able to return to their Skyline Drive home and resume close friendships.

Her devotion to understanding human movement and its effect on well-being shown brightest when she was diagnosed with cancer. When initial treatment failed to produce positive results, she joined a clinical trial and derived strength from knowing that even if this did nothing for her she would be part of research that might help others in the future.

A celebration of Mitsi's life will be held at 2:30 PM on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at Gilda's Club, 7907 UW Health Court, Middleton, WI 53562. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the charity of one's choice.

Cress Center
6021 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53705
608-238-8406