“The most important attitude that can be formed is that of desire to go on learning.”
 John Dewey, Experience and Education

 

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

 

I'm a movement enthusiast, Yoga and Pilates professional, Exercise Referral Specialist, pain educator and Somatic Movement Coach and one of a small group of certified UK Clinical Somatic Educators, also know as Hanna Somatic Educators.  I have 12 years’ experience of teaching physical movement, and over 24 years of teaching experience overall (before going full time into movement/exercise therapy and pain management, I was a teacher of Modern Foreign Languages). ​​

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Pilates

In 2008 I qualified as a Level 3 Pilates Teacher with Modern Pilates.  Modern Pilates is the 'clinical approach to Pilates', developed by physiotherapists, physiologists and respected teachers/fitness presenters.  I have subsequently taken personal trainer modules in the following:

• Shoulder stability

• Shoulder diagnostics

• Hip and knee problems

• Hip and knee diagnostics

• Spinal conditions

• Pilates in pregnancy

• Pilates and hypermobility (APPI)

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Yoga

​I began the Dru Yoga Teacher Training course in Autumn 2010 (postponing my studies due to pregnancy) and graduated as a certified teacher in February 2014.  Yoga eased me through my pregnancy and birth in so many ways, and continues to be a positive part of my life. For me, yoga is not about being bendy and super-flexible.  It is about moving and energising the body, and providing excellent stress management in learning to access the parasympathetic nervous system in autonomic relaxation.  It is for EVERYONE, and can be as physically challenging or therapeutic as you want it to be. I have recently completed a 60 hour training in yoga for the perimenopause and am rediscovering my love of yoga on the Myofascial Yoga teacher Training Programme with the wonderful Christine Wushke. She effortlessly fuses ancient wisdom and practices with pain science, neuroscience and polyvagal theory andintegrated anatomy. More to come in 2023.

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GP Referral and Exercise Specialist for Back Pain and Cancer Rehabilitation

I am also qualified for GP Referral with Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) Level 3 Diploma and specialism in the management of low back pain at Level 4 in the REPs/CIMSPA scale.  This enables me to design and deliver programmes of progressive training for specialst populations.  I have learned about the many benefits to body and mind that come with exercise and strength training in the right doses, and that restoring movement variability in so-called 'functional movement patterns' and the activities of daily living can be a game changer in recovery from pain. I recently qualified as one of the few UK specialist teachers for cancer patients seeking health and fitness prior to, during or post treatment. I am now completing additional training to join the Safefit team of Cancer Rehab specialists and taking part in a clinical trial on exercise-based rehabilitation with cancer patients and survivors.

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Massage, Somatic Movement, Clinical Somatic Education & Embodiment

I qualified as a Somatic Exercise Coach in October 2014, and after a 3 year, 500 hour training with Martha Peterson of Essential Somatics I graduated as a Clinical Somatic Educator.  I am thrilled to be educating somas to sense themselves better and move in a more co-ordinated, controlled and comfortable manner. Clinical Somatic Education, developed by Doctor of Philosophy and Feldenkrais practitioner, Thomas Hanna, draws on a rich tradition of somatic movement and inquiry. I am also qualified in Sports Massage and am currently learning Dermoneuromodulation - treating the nervous system via cutaneous nerves.  I was supposed to be attending the first first ever UK course in May and September 2020 of this hightly respected neuroscience- and research-based Dermoneuromodulating manual therapy training ... but as you know,our world changed.  I am now studying online. I have completed the Foundation of Embodiment coaching course with Embodiment Unlimited and am looking forward to enhancing my coaching skills on their annual signature Certificate of Embodiment course in April 2022 - on which I have already eagerly enrolled!

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Pain education, neurodynamics and the sensitive nervous system

I have attended several trainings in therapeutic neuroscience/pain education, pain management and mobilisation of the nervous system with, among others, Neuro Orthopaedic Institute, Noigroup  Learning how pain and central nervous system sensitisation works has been an indispensable part of my continuing recovery.

 

Cognitive Functional Therapy

After having undergone this myself, I have attended a workshop on it with the internationally leading clinical and reseacher of complex musculo-skeletal issues, Professor Peter O'Sullivan of Pain-ed.  Whilst remaining within my scope of practice I draw upon the knowledge and skills I have learned through CFT in my daily life, self-care habits and in my work with others.

 

Mindfulness

I practice Mindfulness as part of my own self-regulation, and have come to see that it overlaps with what I know from Somatic Education and pain science.  Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction is well-recognised for its efficacy in mediating pain, stress, depression, anxiety among other conditions.  In 2017 I undertook Teacher Training in Mindfulness with the respected UK teacher Suryacitta at Mindfulness CIC in order to enhance the toolbox of skills I use with/pass on to clients.

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Women's Health and Perimenopause

At the age of 50, these areas are topics dear to my heart! Ihave recently completed trainings in the pelvic floor rehab and the  mechanics of the pelvic floor and diaphragm in Julie Wiebe's Piston Science and Female Athlete courses and her course with Susan Coel Clienton on the connection between the glottis and the pelvic floor. I have also recently qualified in exercise programming and health coaching for the needs of the middle-aged woman in Jenny Burrell's Menostrength course, as well as taking a 60 hour deep dive into teaching yoga to perimenopausal women with embodied yoga teacher, Jane Dancey. I am LOVING my new movement passion - Hypopressives and have completed the Level 1 Teacher Training with Tamara Rial and Becky Keller. I am also studying with UK Hypopressives. More news to come in 2023.

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Continuing professional development

Martha Peterson has her Clinical Somatic Education graduates assisting at trainings, so we are able keep up to date with our skills in this way. I assisted at the Level 1 Essential Somatic Movement Teacher Training in Spring 2019 and am looking forward to mentoring new Essential Somatics students in the future.   I am also a member of the Hanna Somatic Education Association, a regsitered Exercise Referral Specialist with CIMSPA for anxiety, depression, cancer rehabilitation and back pain, and a Registered Somatic Movement Educator with ISMETA.  I read and take part in forums on Somatic Education, yoga, Pilates, massage therapy and bodywork, fitness and strength training, trauma, embodiment, pain science and evidence-based pain management.

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I was a virtual attendee at the San Diego Pain Summit in February 2018 and attended the Paincloud Convention in November 2018.  In January 2020 I completed an accredited 2 day certification as a Mental Health First Aider with Mental Health First Aid England, in order to signpost people experiencing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and psychosis to relevant services and information.  during the first lockdown I attended Therapy Live 2020 and the 2020 Virtual Chronic Pain Summit.

I also completed virtual trainings on lymph and blood flow with Perry Nickelston, and a professional course on Covid and Long Covid Rehabilitation - a subject dear to my heart.

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As is evident from the training and continuing professional development record here, I am absolutely committed to keeping my skills sharp, and passionate about keeping my knowledge relevant and up to date.  This has meant, at times, realising that some aspects of the training and learning I have done in the past doesn't stand up to scientific scrutiny and in fact in some cases, has been incorrect.  This has been uncomfortable at times - but progress, change and improvement always is!  Furthermore, I remain firmly within those scopes of practice where I have skills, qualifications and training, referring on where necessary.  I do not diagnose or offer medical treatment. My goal is always to deliver repeatable movement, exercise and skills you can rely on and information/education you can trust.  Learning never ends.

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Just for lockdown fun, I'm curently doing a Personal Trainer qualification. Movement is truly my medicine. I love this stuff. I live this stuff. I know my stuff - and I can assist YOU with your mind-body-movement goals and concerns. 

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I look forward to sharing the best of my knowledge and skills and developing a successful therapeutic alliance with you!

Qualified in a range of mind-body practices and one of a growing number of Somatics Practitioners UK, Hanna Somatics Practitioners UK, Clinical Somatic Educators UK,
Hanna Somatics UK, Somatic Education UK,
Clinical Somatic Education, Hanna Somatic Education, Hanna Somatics, Somatics,
Somatic Movement Education