BECKY SZWANDT
07873525417
From the self-confessed reserved beginner who could barely touch her toes or do a press-up when she first began yoga, Becky has steadily reconditioned her body and mind to become the dedicated practitioner that she is today. An ERYT (experienced registered yoga teacher) with Yoga Alliance, who began her training in the fitness discipline, she reads widely on the subjects of yoga, philosophy and anatomy and aims always to incorporate this reading in her teaching programme. Though desirous to challenge herself and others, she is also aware of the need for meditation and relaxation. As a practitioner and teacher, Becky is attuned to the requirements of the group and designs every session with this in mind, showing flexibility of practice at all times.
CLASSES
FITNESS PILATES TUES 5.30PM | POWER PROGRESSIONS MON 6.45PM + WEDS 10.15AM + FRI 10.30AM| REACHING RANGE -YIN YOGA MON 5.30PM
CAT HINDSON
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Cat is a newly qualified Yoga Alliance certified instructor for both Ashtanga and Vinyasa yoga having travelled to Goa, South India last May to study and train with Sampoorna Yoga School. Since qualifying, she has worked in collaboration with Catalyst Personal Training back in her home town in the Cotswolds, teaching mixed ability vinyasa flow sequences as well as offering workshops on foundational strength to develop an inversions practice. Having moved to Cardiff last year to study Biomedical Science, Cat has an in depth understanding of human anatomy which she uses to choreograph creative and mindful movements to release tension in both body and mind. With a background as a practitioner of Iyengar Yoga, she places emphasis on careful alignment and awareness of the body while encouraging a deepening of individual asana practice through breath work and playful flows. Her class will guide you through a dynamic vinyasa flow sequence tailored to develop range of movement, flexibility and strength.
CLASSES
JESS SIMMONS
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Jess began her personal yoga journey several years ago with the practice of Hatha yoga and continues to explore and experiment with different styles. In a relatively short time, yoga became, and still is her passion.
Jess is passionate about yoga and the positive effects it has on the body and mind. Yoga, with its balance of physical and spiritual practice encompasses all the components of the holistic discipline she was seeking.
Jess completed RYT-200 with Yoga Health Mandala in Goa, India, and is accredited with the Independent YogaNetwork. Most recently she has gone on to achieve 100 hours Yin Yoga here at Stretchy Suzie's with YUJMU.
Her focus is primarily on the practice of Hatha and Yin. She incorporates a fluid dance of movement and breath through the asanas. Moving through your flow you will develop strength, mobility, and awareness. For Jess, yoga is a lifelong experiential journey, both in and out of the classroom.She looks forward to sharing this wonderful practice with you.
CLASSES
REACHING RANGE -THE YIN CROWD SUN 8PM
MARK VEYSEY
Hi! My name is Mark and my passion is helping people live healthier, more positive and happier lives. Health is wealth in my mind.
I have been teaching yoga for over 5 years now but have been a health and fitness professional for 2 decades, teaching a range of other fitness related activities both indoors and out and also as a PT. From a background of fitness, Martial arts and meditation I found yoga and with it a healthy system of living. I see yoga as a life affirming process that should encourage self- enquiry, acceptance, self-belief with a positive mental attitude.
I have a light hearted approach to both my teaching and life in general. My classes typically combine vinyasa style movement and strong posture work, attention to breath and some meditative moments too. Aimed at those both newer to yoga and the more experienced, all are welcomed and encouraged to work to their own personal level. I aim to teach clearly, be informative, and create a sense of wellbeing as well as a sweat. Yoga is not a shape but an experience. Get to know your body. Get to know yourself.
CLASSES
STRONG FOUNDATIONS TUES 6.45PM
RAE DWYER
After years of swinging between reckless hedonism and squeaky clean, self-loathing, disordered eating, bone-idle laziness and bad health; Rae realised that not only did making sincere and sustained life style changes need to come from a place of acceptance, but said changes could in fact become enjoyable and profound acts of self care, as opposed to a gruelling, self-defeating pursuit of an impossible ideal.
Releasing negative habits and the thought processes attached to them is a lot easier said than done – through the creation of mindful movement and massage therapy Rae is dedicated to helping others release themselves from their vicious cycles somewhat more efficiently than she was able to relieve herself of her own.
Rae is a recently qualified teacher/practitioner and continuous student of both Ashtanga yoga and ayurvedic massage therapy. She studied for and obtained her qualifications in Rishikesh, India towards the end of 2014 and spent the following year travelling through Asia and Europe applying what she had learnt.
CLASSES
ASHTANGA - VINYAYA YOGA WEDS 8.00PM | DYNAMIC FLOW -WEDS 6.45PM
SOPHIE GRANT
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I started my personal yoga journey 3 years ago, and my journey started at Stretchy Suzies. Having struggled with low mood, I initially started going to yoga classes as a form of fitness, with the hope that it would make me feel a little brighter, and as a bonus, hoped I could improve my terrible flexibility.
Within a matter of weeks, I noticed a difference in my mood, and how yoga practice helped to calm my anxious mind. 3 years into my personal practice, and unhappy in my job, I quit, and spent a month in Rishikesh, India, where I studied a 200hr teaching training course, focused on Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow. I look forward to sharing this wonderful practice with you, as I continue to learn, and grow as a teacher.
CLASSES
KELLY MORGAN
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Competing as an international athlete for many years, Kelly is finely attuned with the body’s needs and desires for both exertion and nourishment.
Kelly recently completed her 100 hours Yin Yoga at Stretchy Suzie’s. With her study of sport science and health, she values the space a yoga mat offers to be playful, mindful and present.
As a practitioner and a teacher, Kelly strives to deliver a soulf nourishing practice, welcoming you to connect your body, mind and breath.
CLASSES
THE YIN CROWD MON 8PM
BEC JENKINS
Bec discovered yoga after being diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome when yoga was recommended as a way to help focus on her breath. The difference that control over her breathing made, sparked her interest in learning more about the connection between the body, mind and breath.
She completed her 200 hour teacher training in Ashtanga at Himalaya Yoga Valley in Goa and her 100 hour in Yin at Stretchy Suzies with YUJMU. Having seen the changes that yoga has made to her life she wants to share this as a tool to reduce stress and bring balance to the mind.
CLASSES
THE YIN CROWD MON 8PM
CATE HOPKINS
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Cate has been a yoga practitioner for over 10 years. She recently completed her Yin Yoga training with TJ Maher here at Stretchy Suzie's and is looking forward to developing her Yin practice. With an emphasis on mental wellbeing and relaxation, her classes and workshops are aimed at releasing potential and creativity.
CLASSES
REACHING RANGE THE YIN CROWD SUN 8PM
SCARLETT O'CONNOR
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Scarlett was first introduced to Yoga 12 years ago whilst studying Contemporary Dance at University. Completing her 200hr Yoga Teacher Training Certification in early 2015 at Sampoorna Yoga, India, she has gone on to teach full time and has well over 1,000 hours of teaching under her belt.
Since gaining her qualification she has taught at studios in and around London, held retreats in Ibiza and has become a very familiar face on the Yoga scene here in Cardiff.
At the start of 2018 Scarlett went back to India and assisted on several teacher training programmes and has since lead the Vinyasa Flow and Teaching modules for Green Yoga International, Mallorca’s 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Course.
Scarlett has also assisted workshops with Master Yogi, Leon London, and has taught classes at the Om Yoga Show, London. She is also qualified to teach Rocket Yoga and Pregnancy Yoga.
2019 has seen Scarlett put her knowledge into action and alongside Stretchies very own Becky Swandt the duo have developed the most Cardiff’s most innovative and amazing Yoga Teacher Training Course!!!
Expect fierce flows, creative transitions and imagery that will help to gently coax you out of your comfort zone. Scarlett’s main aim is to get you to pop your worries and stresses on pause for the duration of her class; connecting your breath to your body and ultimately leaving the mat a little bit lighter in both body and mind than before.
CLASSES
MATT GOODE
Matt first began teaching yoga in 2011 while working on cruise ships – around this time and despite his complete lack of flexibility his competitive nature was drawn to the practice of Ashtanga yoga. With time Matt's reasons for practising and teaching have altered heavily, however despite these other changes he continues to find his own practice of Ashtanga as a hugely important tool for helping him navigate through life
A lover of all movement – in 2016 several years after discovering the discipline of AcroYoga he completed his teacher training and he began sharing it immediately. As an ex-personal trainer with a MSc in Exercise Psychology he approaches movement and yoga holistically with a view to the long-term. He believes that yoga should value function over form and his classes reflect this key principle.
CLASSES
ACRO YOGA FRI 6.00PM
WALA ASHI
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Wala is a qualified personal trainer, who is very keen to help women achieve a healthy strong body. Her training pays particular attention to holistic health, and works on her clients bodies from the ground up, ensuring their safety and that they achieve their goals. She also provides a platform for people to learn how to achieve balance through fitness and nutrition, and has positive experiences in helping people with Polycystic ovary syndrome, metabolic syndrome & gout.
Wala provides Nutritional advice to her clients and has a successful effective nutrition plan, which when followed leads her clients to so many benefits, they never knew they could achieve. Whether you're a busy student, on the go mother or a boss babe, the nutrition plan will help you achieve your goals and will support your lifestyle.
Hand in hand she sees fitness and nutrition as a means to achieving balance, relieving stress and achieving greater life goals and physical ones.
CLASSES
STRONG FOUNDATIONS YOGA SAT 9.00AM
RUTH HUGHES
07828453040
Restoration Therapies provide a holistic treatment to restore people to full natural well being. The level of clinical training is professional and has a full understanding of anatomy and physiology. The underlying theme of peace is a foundational value of the treatment. Life is often busy, people have a wide range of pressures on them and a variety of different demands on their time. All too easily we forget to monitor and maintain our health; our bodies suffer from the pace of life and our stress levels rise. When did you last stop and treat your body to something truly positive? Complementary Therapies can help to bring our bodies into a more balanced state while also providing a safe place for people to have time for themselves to stop, refocus and to be restored.
THERAPIES
AROMATHERAPY | BELLABACCI CUPPING | DEEP TISSUE + HOLISTIC MASSAGE | HOT STONES MASSAGE | REFLEXOLOGY | THAI YOGA MASSAGE
SARAH MCHARG
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07375388299
Super Calming and Holistic is a Mary Poppins inspired holistic therapy service that provides a variety of massage treatments. Their list of top class services includes Swedish and Indian Head massages, Ear Candling and Cupping. Furthermore, the hybrid treatments e.g. Swindian (Swedish and Indian Head Massage) are becoming very popular for those who can't that decide on what they want. Award-winning business owner Sarah has passion shines through in everything she does, which means you will not be left disappointed with the treatment you receive.
THERAPIES
BELLABACCI CUPPING | HOT STONES MASSAGE | HOPI EAR CANDLE | INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE | SWEDISH MASSAGE
