“Wherever you are, be all there.”
I grew up on a farm, my father was a dairy farmer. We were always outside, running around, playing tennis, riding horses, swimming, walking, anything active. Surrounded by farmers with bad backs and arthritic hips I grew up very aware of the importance of a healthy functioning body. My mother always said I should have been an occupational therapist as I loved helping people, making them feel better.
I discovered yoga and pilates after a skiing accident where I damaged my knee rupturing my ACL. As a result of the injury I had many imbalances in my body which led to back pain and niggles that wouldn't go away. Through the rehabilitation of pilates and the mental and physical strength building of yoga I returned to full fitness. I did my 200hrs Grace & Presence yoga teacher training with the wonderful Mollie McClelland Morris, followed by my pilates teacher training with the physio based APPI, Australian Physiotherapy Pilates Institute. I am certified by Yoga Alliance and the APPI. When I'm not teaching I am found outside - walking, cycling or playing tennis. A strong, balanced body leads to a happy, healthy body, resulting in a positive mind.
I have a particular interest in therapeutics and injury rehabilitation. I pay a lot of attention to safe alignment in my classes and helping people overcome injuries, particulary sporting injuries. My classes benefit people on the physical side, such as improved energy, flexibility, balance, strength, coordination, and posture. They also mentally benefit people, improving mood and helping people manage stress levels as they encourage mindful movement and deep breathing which together with music, helps promote relaxation. The sequences are creative and imaginative and flow with a sense of freedom, connecting breath with movement. My yoga classes vary according to the levels/needs of my students from a vinyasa or dynamic practise to a more gentle/restorative style of yoga. Likewise my pilates classes can be modified from power pilates for people who want to have a good work out (e.g. get “ski fit”) and toned, to rehabilitation or simple movement classes which keep the body moving efficiently and injury free. We can adjust the intensity of each exercise, using different levers (arms and legs) positions (lying, sitting or standing), and resistance (use of small props, bands, circles, balls).
I want people to feel better, lift their spirits, over come pain or if that is not managable, simply manage their pain. If people leave my classes feeling balanced and challenged, stretched and strengthened, calm, and most importantly, having had fun, then I know I have done my job.
Yoga & Pilates is for everyone. Whatever age, shape or size. Go on give it a go, I promise you won't regret it.
I look forward to seeing you on the mat.
Hattie x
