Instructors

A physiotherapist by day, Alex is also a certified LYT Yoga® Method teacher (400hr). LYT Yoga® is a vinyasa practice grounded in the principles of Physiotherapy, with a focus on creating balance in the body & re-establishing optimal movement patterns in our practice, & in life.

“I am passionate about teaching people of all abilities how to move better for optimal health, wellness and happiness. I believe that everybody should be able to enjoy freedom in movement and I love the strength, mobility & adaptability that LYT Yoga® offers, & most importantly the chance to forget the stresses of the day & have Fun!” 

Alex teaches mindful yet playful & creative functional yoga for all abilities, underpinned by knowledge of the body to ensure a safe and adaptable practice to suit each individual. Alex’s classes have a strong awareness of postural alignment & core integration to help you move optimally both on AND off the mat.

Brenda has been a fitness  instructor for over 25 years specializing in many different types of fitness.

“I especially love to teach Yoga and Pilates. My class will improve your core and back strength, make you leaner, stronger and more flexible for a healthier and fitter mind and body.”

Yoga has played an increasingly large role in Hannah’s life.  What started as a hobby, became a passion, eventually developing into a lifestyle. Hannah aims to practise yoga both on, and off of the mat, bringing a sense of gratitude and acceptance to every day.

Hannah is a Yoga Alliance accredited teacher, having undertaken her 200hr training with Vikasa Yoga.

“My style is a blend of Vinyasa and Hatha, and my classes aim to unite breath, body and mind. My flows feature pranayama, asanas and meditation. We practise with heat, exploring challenging asanas that test our physical and mental strength, and improve our flexibility.  This effort is rewarded with a guided meditation, and a relaxing savasana, allowing you to return to your day with a peaceful state of mind. See you on the mat!”

“I started dancing and in particular Fitsteps as a way to get fitter and de-stress. Dancing never seemed like exercise as it was fun. I am now a qualified Fitsteps Instructor the dance fitness designed by strictly’s Ian Waite, Natalie Lowe and Mark Foster.”

Fitsteps gives the best of both worlds, the cardio and energy of Latin and the grace, balance, core strength and tone of ballroom.  Join Izzy at one of her classes for a strictly fab-u-lous fitsteps workout and experience, fun dance and fitness with like-minded people in a friendly environment.

Jennie has been teaching in the fitness industry for nearly 15 years, with a passion for learning and teaching mat Pilates.

“I teach Mat work (STOTT Pilates), giving people structure in an encouraging environment in which to learn with instructions and appropriate focus. I enjoy helping people to improve their health and fitness by building confidence to become stronger, leaner and better aligned.” 

Tash has always been into my fitness and athletics with sprinting being her passion in her early years, however she knew this would never pay the bills!

Having settled into a good office job and starting her own family, Tash managed to juggle family and work with her desire for fitness.

“My burning desire to actually work in the fitness industry was too strong! I therefore, some 7 years ago, gave up work to teach, initially cardio-vascular and strength classes such as Bodypump, Body Attack, Metafit, HIIT and Spin, pushing myself to the extreme. I then had the opportunity to attend a Pilates class, which initially didn’t appeal to me as I assumed it would be slow and easy. How wrong could I have been!! I haven’t looked back since. I qualified as a Pilates Instructor and now teach at four different gyms as well as running public classes in my community, and I absolutely love it.”

Olivia originally started her career in London working in corporate property. To unwind Olivia regularly practiced Yoga and Pilates, with Pilates becoming her focus following an accident which required her to undergo spinal surgery.  Training others was something that Olivia did a lot in the corporate world, so she decided to use those transferable skills and train as a Pilates instructor.

“I whole heartedly believe that movement is an integral part of wellbeing and I focus my practice around controlled, precise movement and breathwork.  Pilates requires a mind to body connection, working together as a whole.  In Pilates we talk about core strength, and yes Pilates will certainly give you a stronger core, but it will also support your posture, help main mobility, flexibility and improve balance too.  The result is better health and functional movement.

“In addition to Pilates, I regularly practice meditation, yoga & tai chi. I have a strong interest in wellbeing, nutrition, and women’s health, so expect me to share some of my knowledge of wellbeing in my classes too.”

Sylvia’s life has always been fitness and well-being focused, working as a fitness instructor since 2010. Sylvia since gained her Pilates qualifications and enjoys teaching and practicing Pilates as a core-strengthening training method. Recently Sylvia trained as a Yoga instructor which was a dream come true. 

“I believe Yoga is a way of life. Yoga has changed my life and I would love to show others how it can help to make a difference in theirs. I feel so happy and honored to have a job that is my hobby, to be able to teach classes, to connect with beautiful souls and simply having the opportunity to contribute to so many lives. I would love to see you in my classes whether it’s Pilates or Yoga, we always have a little giggle and lovely family atmosphere as I encourage friendships and social interactions amongst my participants. Come along and see how Pilates and Yoga can change your life for the better”.

Becca rediscovered yoga eight years ago, having first practiced in her teens.  Becca has since qualified to teach a range of yoga styles and traditions, deepening her expertise through her time training in India. Becca also enjoys teaching Pose Barre, a ballet-inspired fitness class at Ironstone.

“I aim to be a supportive and engaging teacher, inspiring others to improve, build their confidence and improve their fitness.  Yoga has helped me to recover from a back injury, build strength and flexibility.  I very much look forward to sharing my passion for Yoga and Pose Barre with you!”

“I first started practising yoga in 2012.  I had a young son and a super stressful job (I was a full-time GCSE and A-Level teacher) and desperately needed some ‘me time’, so I took up a 30 days for £30 offer at a Hot Yoga studio and never looked back!” 

Helen practised Bikram for 5 years before switching to a more geographically accessible Sun Power Yoga class in 2016.  Sun Power Yoga offered local training, so in 2018 Helen took the plunge and qualified from their 200hr SPY/SPY Kidz programme.  Following this Helen studied a CPD in chair based yoga for the elderly, Yin, and Hotpod Vinyasa Flow. 

Most recently Helen undertook her Level 3 Exercise Referral qualification.

“I firmly believe that activity in general, and yoga particularly, is for everybody and every body, regardless of age or ability, from toddlers to the twilight years! Movement. Meditation. Mindfulness. is the way forward!”

Ruth has a background and BA(Hons) in musical theatre, she has enjoyed practicing Yoga for over a decade but it was following the death of her beloved Mother, seven years ago, that Ruth was drawn to a deeper spiritual practice as a tool to live with grief, take better care of ourselves and explore a meaningful connection to our inner being and the world around us. 

Ruth has studied with exceptional teachers in India, Edinburgh and Thailand with 600-hours teacher training in Hatha, Vinyasa, Vikasa and Pregnancy Yoga. Her teaching style is playful, inclusive and encourages continuing self-enquiry harnessing the power of breath. 

“Yoga is a vast practice but first and foremost, it is a state of being. We do not do Yoga, we are Yoga. Exploring this is transformational in my experience of life and it’s an honour to share a small part of it! I look forward to seeing you on the mat.”

Maz completed a 200hr Yoga Teaching Training course with Camyoga in 2017, and teaches several classes at Ironstone.

“I started my Yoga practice as a way of improving my general well-being, as part of my drive to do more of what makes me happy. My personal Yoga preference is a vinyasa/dynamic practice. My aim for all of classes is to be accessible for all, fun and relaxing and hope to help my students become more aware of their bodies and breath.”

Liz began her yoga journey around 5 years ago, initially dabbling in yoga classes to calm her busy mind. Liz fell in love with that post-class feeling and wanted to share her passion for yoga with others.

Liz embarked on her Yoga Teacher Training journey in April 2022, training in 50 Hours Restorative Yoga and 50 hours Vinyasa Yoga.

“The learning never stops, and I am nearing the end of my 200hr YTT online with House of Om. My aim is to provide accessible yoga classes that use flowing movements and intentional breath to connect the mind and body.

“I believe that everyone’s yoga practise is uniquely different, so I encourage my students to listen and tune in with their bodies. My classes provide the space to unwind and ignite a sense of presence in the body. See you in class soon!”

Diana has been a Pilates instructor since 2015, initially training in Argentina under Lili Guelman, then Michael King in the UK. Diana has taught in Mexico, Argentina, India and Europe. During her 5 years in India, Diana began her Yoga Teacher Training with emphasis on subtleties in the body, meditation and the philosophy behind the practise. Diana has found Catuskoti practises (based on vedic texts) to be the most valuable in her wellness journey, helping her find her purpose and path to liberation. 

Diana’s session are usually a blend of contemporary and classical Pilates, Yoga, self love & acceptance. 

Passionate about health and wellness, Ben runs many of the HIIT and weights-based training classes at Ironstone. Ben’s approach to fitness is fun and lighthearted, and his classes appeal to all ages and abilities. 

“The reason I love Ben’s classes is because they are fun and hard work. A perfect combination! Keeps me coming back” – Olena, Ironstone Member

“Hi, my name is Paul and when I am not doing yoga, I enjoy playing golf, watching Sheffield Wednesday Football Club and cooking. I have been married for 34 years to my wife Judy and we have two grown up children, Chris and Katie.”

Professionally, Paul worked most of his life in senior management positions within the computing industry. The pace and stress of this environment led him to search for an outlet that would provide calmness and stillness – Paul found this, and more, with yoga.

“Yoga is a great tool to deal with life’s stresses. I have been practising yoga for over 10 years and recently gained my yoga teaching qualification in India under the guidance of Oceanic Yoga. It would be great to see you at one of my classes.

 “I have been intrigued by Yoga since my early teens, borrowing library books on postures and its philosophy and trying to teach myself – no internet then!”

Sarah-Jane started practicing yoga on and off in her 20s and found yoga a go-to refuge at various times through her life. 

After a highly stressful period Sarah-Jayne decided to take the plunge, leave her job and follow her dreams, becoming a fully qualified teacher in 2020. Sarah later added to her expertise, taking further training in Yin Yoga.

“In my classes, I love to encourage students to embrace their practice with a spirit of fun and playfulness.  I seek to help others thrive by nurturing body, mind and soul with yoga, and my hope is that you step off the mat feeling the refreshed, centered and balanced.”

“I’m a Royal Academy of Dance qualified ballet teacher, Personal Trainer and nutritionist. I’ve danced my whole life and am passionate about fitness and wellness.”

Amie is a qualified ballet teacher and Personal Trainer who has trained through the Royal Academy of Dance. She has been teaching fitness and dance classes for 15 years and is passionate about helping people find their fitness through enjoyable means. A keen runner, weightlifter and dancer she appreciates the importance of training across various disciplines.

Aime teaches Barre Fitness at Ironstone, a low impact body weight and resistance-based workout using the foundation of ballet as a strengthening tool. The class is suitable for everyone and will allow you to work on your core stability, strength and posture.

Kerry is a highly regarded yoga teacher based in Leicestershire, UK. She’s accredited by The British Wheel of Yoga and Yoga Alliance professionals and is currently studying to achieve her ‘Advanced Yoga’ teacher status which entails a year of specialised studies into the biomechanics of yoga asana, neuropathy, yoga for anxiety and trauma sensitive yoga, the subtle body, creative sequencing and the role fascia plays for the health of body and mind.

Kerry’s teaching is built on the foundations of twenty years of yoga practice, seven years as a yoga teacher and five years as a mentor to new Yoga teachers.

Kerrys initial training was an in-depth two year journey on the Tri Yoga Teacher Training program in yoga asana, anatomy and philosophy which accumulated over 390 hours of study and gave her a RYT200 certification accredited by both BWY and Yoga Alliance Professionals UK and US. After which she complemented her studies with a 33hr in-depth Restorative Yoga training under the UK’s top restorative teacher Anna Ashby.

Kerry discovered yoga during professional dance training in the early 90s. With her first exposure to somatic-based systems, such as Feldenkrais and the Alexander technique, Kerry soon realised the connection between body and mind.

Yoga became a transformative practice that changed the direction of her life, leading her to want to share her knowledge and yoga practice today.

It is Kerry’s belief that yoga can benefit everyone. Her aim is to provide safe, accessible classes for people to grow, heal and learn. Her classes are grounded in precision and clarity, using alignment as a framework to facilitate students’ understanding of the body’s anatomy and breathwork to explore the body/mind connection. Kerry believes in building a community by holding a safe space for people to find self-discovery and acceptance.

Outside the yoga studio, Kerry is a mum to two amazing kids. Skyla 12 and Beau 8. She loves being within nature and can be most often found in her garden planting, walking the fields or participating in outdoor adventures. She is an animal lover and is often called upon to take care of injured wildlife whilst currently housing 3 rescue chickens, a cat, a big daft golden retriever and various fish.

By sharing her love of yoga, and understanding of the body and movement, she hopes to inspire people to come together to live a life they love.

Charlotte started as a member of Ironstone, before undertaking her Barre training to become a part of the instructor team. We wish Charlotte a warm welcome to team Ironstone!