Who's Who

PILATES

Jane Lunn
Director and Master Trainer

Jane has been in the health & fitness field for 18 years and is qualified as an Exercise Instructor, Personal Trainer and Pilates Instructor, both from Michael King Pilates Institute and a rigorous training programme in mat work and Reformer by STOTT PILATES™. She is the senior trainer at Breathing Space and overseas the monthly training sessions the team meets for. Jane is also a trained Sports Masseur having qualified with the London School of Sports massage in 1993 and is a member of the Sports Massage Association. “Our aim is to help bring balance, whether it be physical, mental or spiritual to our clients”

Michelle Smith
Studio and Events Manager

Michelle started Pilates in 2001 in Australia where she lived, after suffering a car crash spinal injury in 1997 at just 18yrs old. She found a passion for the Reformer and was soon participating 3 times a week and finding her body pain free! Upon her return to the UK in 2003 she left behind her media career and trained with Michael King Pilates Institute so she could show other people the wonderful benefits she had experienced. She later trained in Fitness Yoga and has worked with Jane since Breathing Space began, having taken on development training under Jane’s wing in STOTT PILATES™ and Reformer. Her work has also taken her into the world of professional footballers, having worked with players and WAGS from Tottenham, England, QPR, Luton and Watford.
Outside of Pilates and Yoga, Michelle loves badminton and used to be Country standard- but now just plays with her family every Tuesday!

Victoria Betts

Having trained at the Pilates Institute in London, Victoria has been teaching Pilates for 3 years. This was a major career change from the design industry where she had previously been, but after the birth of her second child, she decided that it was time to get out of the commuter rat race and find a new way of life. Having been practicing Pilates for ten years herself, she had experienced first hand the rehabilitative effects that it can have as it aided her own recovery from a persistently bad back. Compelled to spread the word about this and the many benefits of Pilates, she continues to work in and around Harpenden, enjoying the calming environment and friendly clientele at Breathing Space! Vicky has recently added the Reformer to her skills.

Jackie Birch

Jackie started in the fitness industry as a gymnastic coach worked her way through from personal trainer to general manager of a fitness club, while all the time teaching pilates, over the last three years has decided to give up the suit and go back to full time teaching her passion pilates, and weight management programmes. Jackie has recently added the Reformer to her skills.

Andrea Gregory

Andrea's been in the fitness industry for 17 years. She loves dancing and singing and spent most of her youth competing and teaching ballroom dancing in her home county of Yorkshire. She works in health and fitness centre's around the area teaching step, conditioning, bodypump, aerobics, stretch, ball and added pilates to the list 3 yrs ago. Andrea has recently added the Reformer to her skills.
She loves the variety of the job and all the interesting people she meets, even those who are always lurkiing in a supermarket aisle checking to see what she's putting in her trolly! Her new passion is golf, very enjoyable but extremely frustrating at times! Andrea's one ambition left is to be the oldest instructor in town!

Colin Peerman

Having competed in elite-level cycling events and Ironman triathlon, Colin turned to Pilates in 2002 to rehabilitate from a back-injury. When an opportunity arose for a career change, Colin decided to train to become a STOTT PILATES™ instructor and is able to teach both matwork and reformer Pilates. With his knowledge of sport, Colin is able to tailor a programme for both athletic and rehabilitation goals, as well as fulfilling the needs of Pilates for everyday lifestyle.

YOGA

Melanie Ashley- Astanga / Teens / Mens

Melanie trained to instruct in Ashtanga Yoga following the RYT200 Teacher Training with Michael Gannon of Ashtanga America.  From this course Melanie learnt the true traditional format of Ashtanga Yoga and came away with the enthusiasm to share this with as many people as she could.  In addition, Melanie realised just how powerful this yoga programme is as it actively integrates the use of synchronised breath with a structured physical practise designed specifically to help the mind and body open - physically, emotionally and energetically in a particular and safe way.  When practised regularly Ashtanga brings many rewards and challenges.

Linda Hodgman- Hatha

Biog to follow

Julia Green - Sun Power

Julia teaches Sun Power Yoga, Aqua Yoga, Yoga for Sport and Specialist Therapeutic Yoga in groups and one to one. She is an accredited member of the British Wheel of Yoga and a qualified Yoga Therapist. In addition she is also qualified Herbalist, Relaxation Therapist and holds a diploma in nutritional therapy.

Anna Sanz - Core Power

Anna has been always interested in the mystery of the body and the interconnectedness of all. Drawn to the philosophy studies of Integral Yoga practice, she discovered the healing powers of the breath and become a teacher for adults, children and special needs.

Anna’s Yoga style is creative (combining her knowledge of Ashtanga, Integral and Therapy Yoga style into one power based class, in which the power comes from within your own body) but always true to the main practices of yoga – “Align the body , open your heart and breath”

Greg Downing - Power

Greg has been working in fitness industry since 1990, and has also competed in numerous sports from triathlons to martial arts and surfing. He works as a personal trainer, sports massage therapist, and group fitness instructor across multiple class disciplines from Combat to Yoga. Greg's passion lies in helping people develop their mind and body holistically in alignment with the true essence of what makes their life meaningful.

Tina Hardy - Power

Biog to follow

CHILDREN

June Rowlands- 7-11yrs

June Rowlands began her teaching career with all ages of children over 30 years ago and because of her love of yoga developed a unique children's yoga program called JUNE'S YOGA. She now travels to schools all over UK and overseas teaching her Yoga to teachers, who integrate yoga into the curriculum. Her heart is still with the children and loves nothing more than her sessiones working directly with them but feels secure that all teachers using JUNE'S YOGA will be imparting a great gift for their future.

Gemma Fitzjohn- 4-7 yrs

Gemma is a fully qualified and Insured YogaBugs and Yoga'd Up teacher, teaching children form 2 1/2 to 12 year olds. Gemma is passionate about the benefits of yoga for children, Gemma has been practising yoga for 10 years. Gemma has had a lot of success in schools and nurseries teaching children with various abilities including special needs.

Miranda Palmer-Merrett- Street Dance

Miranda is a classically trained ballet dancer and a professional instructor/choreographer in ballet, street dance and salsa. She is a personal trainer to up and coming ballet professionals and hold regular street dance classes at Breathing Space, Harpenden. Miranda has an undeniable passion for dance, and knows how to get the best from her students.

OTHERS

Paul Lowe - Personal Trainer

Paul switched from a well established sales career to set up his personal training business. He has qualifications from both Premier International Training and YMCA, whilst being on level three of the register of Exercise Professionals. He is a martial arts expert and specialises in body massage, nutritional advice, injury rehabilitation and pre/post natal exercise. Paul is particularly skilled at devising programmes suited to sufferers of asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and arthritis.

David McGill -
Premier Master Trainer

David gained his Master Trainer status with Premier Global in 2008, following 6 successful years experience as a freelance personal trainer.  He offers expert, state-of-the-art knowledge and bespoke programme design to fit his clients’ specific needs. He has contributed on an advisory basis towards published articles in national fitness magazines including Zest, Health & Fitness and Ultra-Fit.  David’s expertise enables him to design safe exercise programmes for pre & post-natal women.  His specialist knowledge also covers the safe and effective training of people affected by diabetes, arthritis, obesity, osteoporosis & hypertension.  One of David’s specific areas of expertise is Kinetic Chain Assessment.  This revolutionary technique is used by experts to assess and correct body postural faults.  This area is commonly overlooked or not understood by the majority of trainers in the industry and can have clear, long-term health implications.  David is an expert trainer in this field and gives his clients sound, specialist guidance. Whether designing personal programmes or personal training, David understands how to care for clients’ long and short term health objectives.  www.davidmcgill.com