This is an amazing new space designed to work in conjunction with the treatments offered by Walnut Grove Clinic. The studio was completed in March 2020 but then, sadly, had to pretty much remain closed. We are now thrilled to welcome clients into our new air-conditioned, solar powered studio run with covid safe guidelines.
The ethos of the clinic, and the studio, is to use treatment, education and classes to equip clients with a tool set which will enable them to live full lives. We have a team of therapists and instructors who are highly trained and at the top of their game. The aim is to make studio classes appropriately challenging and fun.
Justine Blaber – Pilates and yoga instructor
Justine has been involved in fitness from an early age (her father was a ski instructor in the Royal Marines). Justine developed a particular passion for Pilates whilst working as a member of the cabin crew for an airline. She found the discipline really helped with her physically and mentally demanding job. Justine decided to qualify as a Pilates instructor and is now also trained to teach a wide variety of fitness techniques, including yoga, aerobics and swimming.
For relaxation Justine competes in half marathons, triathlons and mad cycles across continents, mostly for charity. She lives in Portishead with her husband and dogs
Sally Parsons – Health rehabilitation instructor
Sally has a Nursing background and spent several years in the field of Pharmaceuticals before entering the Fitness Industry. With over 14 years of experience in rehabilitation within the fitness industry, Sally is registered with the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (BACPR) in phase IV cardiac rehabilitation, the Wright Foundation for community pulmonary rehabilitation and the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA). She is also ESCAPE trained in knees and hips which helps her to enable clients to self manage and cope with arthritic pain using exercise.
Patients are referred to Sally to continue with their rehabilitation programmes, or to begin a new journey to better fitness and wellbeing. Passionate about her work, Sally’s mission is to encourage and support clients to remain as independent as possible through good conditioning of the cardiorespiratory systems, good functional capacity, and the general feeling of wellbeing that physical activity brings.
Sally personally enjoys keeping fit and healthy and participates in several activities including cycling, swimming, running and golf.
Sally runs a variety of small group classes aimed at specific health conditions which allow her to focus on individual concerns and expectations:
HEALTHY HEARTS
A small group exercise session for individuals looking to maintain cardiovascular health following a cardiac event or for those newly diagnosed with a cardiac condition or referred by a hospital/community programme or by a GP.
BETTER BREATHING
A small group exercise session for individuals diagnosed with a respiratory condition such as COPD or Asthma. This class aims to Improve respiratory and cardiovascular fitness enabling an improved quality of life, and management of breathlessness. Improved functional capacity makes every day living easier.
STRUCTURED MOVEMENT THERAPY (Active Wellbeing)
A small but personalised group exercise session aimed at individuals looking to improve/maintain overall health and fitness. The class includes cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strengthening, balance, mobility and flexibility. The session is open to individuals newly diagnosed with medical conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis and arthritis etc (please enquire about inclusion criteria).
ESCAPE pain
A 12 session programme for individuals diagnosed with Osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. The rehabilitation programme for chronic joint pain, integrates educational self-management and coping strategies with an exercise regime. The programme will help you to understand your condition and learn simple strategies that can aid everyday life and coping with pain.
STROKE
A small group exercise session to improve movement, mobility, strength, flexibility and balance. The classes will help you to maintain independence and improve quality of life.
Tanya Hewitt MSc, BSc(Hons), MCSP, HCPC – Physiotherapist & Pilates Instructor
Tanya is a Chartered Physiotherapist and holds an MSc in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health. She specialises in treating musculoskeletal injuries and spinal pain using manual therapy, acupuncture and exercise prescription. Alongside this, she runs Rehab Pilates classes at the clinic.
Tanya has worked with numerous sports teams and events, including Sussex County Cricket Club, Bristol Rovers, the London Marathon, and the Academy of Gymnastics in Portishead.
She has competed at a high level in sporting events including triathlon and cycling, completing a stage of the Tour de France. Tanya lives in Portishead with her husband and 3 children.
Gemma Hitchins - Pilates Instructor
Gemma initially studied Pilates to complement to her career as a fitness conditioning coach. She is passionate about helping people and joining them on their journey to a more rewarding, healthy lifestyle. Her classes are sociable and fun for all levels from beginner to advanced.
In her spare time, Gemma enjoys travelling and exploring different cultures, as well as challenging herself physically through endurance cycling. For her, health and fitness are all about balance and being able to reward yourself with a well-earned treat. Gemma lives in Bristol with her fiancé and, outside of teaching, her passions are travelling, cycling (and chocolate and pugs!).
Rebecca Rock – Pilates Instructor
Rebecca began her career in the health industry back in the mid 1990’s, having completed a diploma in Dance and Fitness and qualifications towards an Advanced Fitness Instruction Diploma.
In 2003, her passion for Pilates led to her qualifying as a mat based Pilates Instructor. With her newfound knowledge, she integrated many of her methods into her existing relaxation and stretching classes.
After having two children, Rebecca utilised her Pilates skills and knowledge to rehabilitate herself back to full fitness. It was at this time she specialised in Pilates, teaching classes, facilitating small group training and delivering one to one sessions. She has also been a Swedish/Holistic Massage Therapist for the past 25 years.
Rebecca lives in Portishead with her husband, two children and her dogs.
