Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q:  What are your qualifications?
    • I am a Level 3 Personal Trainer, a 200 hour Yoga Teacher, a Les Mills BodyBalance instructor and First Aider.  
  • Q:  How long have you been teaching?
    • Since October 2019. 
  • Q:  What do you teach?
    • Gentle Yoga classes, Vinyasa Classes, Les Mills BodyBalance, Core Classes, 1:1 and 1:2 Personal Training. 
  • Q:  What is lumbar spondlylosis?
    • Lumbar spondylosis is age-related "wear and tear" or osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine (lower back), involving degeneration of the intervertebral discs and facet joints. It is a common condition that can lead to symptoms like low back pain and stiffness, and in some cases, can result in spinal stenosis, causing numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs if nerves are compressed.
  • Q:  Why don't we lift heavy weights in your Dumbbells class?  
    • My Dumbbells class is aimed at people who have never lifted weights before, or the older adult who wants to keep moving and maintain their bone density.  It is a class, which means that I am catering to everyone in the class and erring on the side of caution with regards to weight suggestions.  If you want to start lifting heavier weights, I can do 1:1 sessions with you, where I tailor the workout to your ability.  
  • Q:  What would we do in a 1:1 PT session?  
    • It depends on your goals, your abilities and (if we are doing this remotely) what equipment you have available.  There are some basic moves you want to be able to do to work your major muscle groups, and there are many different ways of working them.  I would tailor your programme to suit your fitness level and health needs.  
  • Q:  How can yoga help me to manage my back pain?
    • Yoga will keep you moving, which will help.  In addition, flexing and extending the spine (within the comfortable range) will keep the bones and discs healthy.  Twists and side bends will keep the muscles and fascia in a healthy state. 
  • Q:  How can exercise help my ADHD symptoms?
    • Exercise produces endorphines, which are the body's natural painkillers.  These also come with an added 'feel good' factor and so can help you feel more relaxed.  It can also help you to be more focussed.  
  • Q:  Do you do online classes?
    • Yes, I do online classes in the morning, twice a week, on a Tuesday and a Thursday for 30 minutes.  7:30am Gentle Yoga, 8:15am Dumbbells at Dawn, 9am Foam Rolling.  The classes are £5 each. 
  • Q:  Do you have discounts for less fortunate people?
    • Yes, I can provide a discount, email me to ask.  
  • Q:  Do you teach older adults?
    • Yes, I do.  
  • Q:  Do you teach younger adults?
    • Most of my class participants and PT clients tend to be over 40.  
  • Q:  Do you teach children?
    • No
  • Q:  How do I breathe in yoga?
    • A general rule of thumb to remember is that if you close through the front of your body (like a forward fold) you exhale.  If you open through the front of your body (like a backbend) you inhile. 
  • Q:  Where do you teach in-person classes?
    • I teach at Bannatynes in Fairfield, Everyone Active in Biggleswade, InspireAll in Silsoe and the Letchworth Settlement.  I also do Personal Training from my home studio in Bedfordshire.  
  • Q:  Can we have a quick call so I can see if I would like to attend one of your classes?
    • Yes!  I welcome a quick chat to see if I can help you. 
  • Q:  Can you help me with weight loss?
    • Indirectly, by getting you to exercise more often.  I don't specialise in weight loss, but can help with looking at a food diary and advising on how to clean up your diet, as well as helping you to plan a workout routine and train you to ensure that you are safe.  
  • Q:  Why is it important to keep muscle as we age?
    • Muscle is metabolicaly active and will help to keep your hormones and blood sugar in line.  Muscle will keep you strong and more able (which in turn will keep your bones strong).  
  • Q:  How can weight training help to prevent osteoporosis?
    • Weight training puts a 'stress' on the muscles, bones and cariovascular system.  Working with a trainer ensures that the 'stress' that you put on is gradually increased, to give you body to adapt and get stronger.  Any 'stress' causes and adaptation, which is to get stronger.  
  • Q:  What courses are you currently doing?
    • I am in the process of learning about back pain and yoga.  
  • Q:  What is your specialism?
    • I am starting to do more with people who suffer from back pain, mainly because I have my own back pain issues that mean that I am having to adapt my own training and learn new ways to keep myself strong.  This translates into being able to help others with similar issues. 
  • Q:  Can you do online coaching?
    • Yes, I do online and in person Coaching, PT, Yoga and classes.  
  • Q:  Do you train couples?
    • Yes, I can do one to one as well as one to two training.
  • Q:  Q:  I don't like the gym, can I train somewhere private?
    • Yes, I have a private home studio in my flat in Bedfordshire with all the equipment you could possibly need to train. 
  • I don't have any equipment, what is the best exercise to do?
    • Anything is better than nothing.  Yoga or pilates don't require any equipment and there are many body weight exercises you could do, including walking.