Instructor Profiles

Aina teaches a dynamic flow class that takes both inspiration from the heat building in ashtanga and the attention to alignment in lyengar. This unique blend of the two styles will allow you to detox through heat, and approach the asanas safely through the careful attention to technique and correct alignment. You will find yourself being led through creative and well developed vinyasa sequences that will open and prepare your body for more challenging peak poses later on in the class.

Aina moved to London in 1994 to study contemporary dance at The Laban Centre and graduated with a BA(hons) degree in dance theatre. However the passion for yoga quickly took over and she spent many years in London practising ashtanga yoga, dynamic flow yoga, yin yoga and jivamukti yoga. Aina has been inspired through studying with teachers such as John Scott, David Swenson, David Paradise and Cat Alip-Douglas, and also had the pleasure of attending Sri K.Pattabhi Jois classes during his visits to the UK.

After completing a teaching course with the British School of Yoga in 2003 Aina started teaching classes in London until moving back to Norway in 2008. Whilst in Norway, she decided to deepen her yoga experience through the 200 hour intensive YogaWorks teacher training course where she also worked as a teacher assistant. The YogaWorks teacher program allowed her to accommodate a broader group of students from seniors, pregnant ladies to overworked professionals with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Alexandra Cat has worked as a body worker, for over 15 years, using a variety of mediums including dance, yoga, and mountaineering.

Originally trained in Western approaches to psychology, philosophy and neuroscience (Oxford and Sussex Universities), Alex shifted her emphasis from the intellectual to the physical in her late 20’s, working with the National School for Mountaineering, Northern Ireland, as well as many of Ireland’s top contemporary dance companies.

Alex took her original yoga teacher training with Louisa Sear of Yoga Arts, and has since explored her practice with Luke Jordan, Guy Donahaye and Cary Perkins.

As a yoga teacher, Alex instructs in a variety of styles and teaches both beginners and intermediate asana classes throughout London. She teaches the advanced asana class for Soho Gyms, Borough, and works in a 1-1 capacity with clients looking to begin or deepen their practice, and with those in recovery from an injury.

As a therapist, Alex is the founder of Mindfulness Based Yoga Therapy - a therapeutic yoga practice combining Ashtanga Yoga and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. Her client base has included individuals variously identified as living with depression, anxiety, addictions, obsessive-compulsive, borderline personality and eating disorders.

Angela has worked within the fitness industry for over sixteen years teaching in the top health clubs in London, Hong Kong and Scotland and presently runs a successful Personal Training business. As a child & teenager she modelled and danced, progressing to a full time stage school to become a successful professional dancer, singer and model. Her dancing career took her to many places but the most important was Hong Kong where she transitioned effortlessly into the health and fitness industry. Here she trained to become an ACE Personal Trainer and began her vocation working in several prestigious gyms in Hong Kong. Her choice of teaching is varied from aerobics, to dance, step, spin, glide - you name it Angela has taught it! Always looking for new & exciting avenues Angela trained as a Pilates teacher 11 years ago with Michael King’s Pilates Institute. Instantly she knew this was something special and different to all other forms of exercise. Pilates is a form of exercise that develops body awareness and helps to engage the brain with body thus working to create stability, strength, balance and flexibility all focused around the spinal column plus relaxation, all of which are essential to everyday life & well being.

Angela’s experience allows her to bring a plethora of expertise and knowledge to her Pilates lessons and she teaches a strong class focusing on the basic principles of alignment, breathing, balance and centering. “I believe once the foundations have been set firmly in place and a greater understanding of your own body (proprioception) has been attained we can then progress onto the Pilates exercises thus creating a strong & balanced mind & body.”

It is well documented that Joseph Pilates himself suffered from health problems and today participants should not be put off if you too have an injury or ailment. Angela teaches a multi-level style of class therefore no one is exempt. Age and gender do not exclude as all are encouraged to join. Angela explains in depth the reason for each exercise and the target areas to focus on therefore teaching a clear and concise class that is easy to follow. Having trained as a dancer some elements of movement and flow will also be included in Angela’s classes. Finally, Angela’s approach is friendly and welcoming, so what are you waiting for, after all your body will thank you for it afterwards!

Arnaud has been in the fitness industry for the past 10 years in France and more recently in London, where he has lived since 2007. As well as teaching group fitness classes (both freestyle and Les Mills programmes), Arnaud is a personal trainer and an instructor trainer.

The variety of classes that Arnaud teaches allows him to teach, train and evaluate instructors in both freestyle and Les Mills classes. He has been a Les Mills French National Pro-Trainer since 2003, involved in training and assessing BodyAttack, BodyBalance and BodyJam. In that time he has been responsible for developing over 1000 instructors in countries worldwide including Turkey, Belgium and Egypt.

His work also takes Arnaud to conventions around the world where he has been presenting since 2004 when he was FISAF’s Best French Talent.

An experienced instructor and self-confessed fitness-fanatic, Ben began his fitness career in Wales at the Welsh Institute of Sport and has been teaching group fitness classes for several years. Following regular attendance at various Les Mills Classes, Ben trained in and subsequently taught BodyPump and BodyAttack in Cardiff before relocating to London. Ben now teaches these classes at several reputable gyms in Central London.

Outside of the fitness industry, Ben works full-time as an Academic, lecturing in ‘Health’ and ‘Clinical Research’.

Ben currently teaches at Earls Court.

A classically trained dancer, Clare began practicing Yoga 8 years ago and 2 years ago gained her teaching qualification with the great master Sri Dharma Mittra in NYC. Clare teaches Hatha Raja Yoga at an intermediate – advanced level on Saturday mornings at Soho Gyms Covent Garden. Incorporating balancing, back bends, forward bends, twisting and inversion variations the class has a dynamic flow and intensity, which cultivates a sense of peace and uplifting calm to the practitioner.

Yoga acts in a wholesome manner - not only does it help keep the body and the mind flexible but it also works deep within the body. It increases lubrication to all of the joints, ligaments and tendons and it massages the nervous system and ALL the internal organs of the body. Working from the inside out will keep you healthy, happy and free from disease. Yoga is compassion – give to yourself that little bit of time to be calm and “present” in this crazy and fast city that we live. What greater gift…. Pure bliss!

I have a great passion for group exercise. I am a full time fitness instructor at gyms all around London and Group Exercise Manager for a major health club in the city. I teach Spin, RPM, BodyCombat, BodyBalance and BodyPump, boxing, Pilates and Yoga. I aim for people to always leave my classes knowing how to use the right technique, to work hard and above all have fun! I enjoy hooking into the lyrics and really using the music to drive the workout.

I strongly believe that there is a group exercise class for everyone as long as you let go of any inhibitions and just give it a go!!!

John is one of the UK's most respected and sought after Freestyle instructor/presenters and successful international exports; in 2007 he was named "International Presenter of the Year" at the prestigious Can-Fit-Pro convention in
Toronto, Canada.

With a career spanning over 12 years he has presented in more than 15 countries, is a regular contributor on radio and has appeared in numerous TV shows and fitness DVDs. He combines his passion for teaching with a job in Group Exercise management.

John has been part of the Soho Gyms family for over 8 years and his dynamic and creative teaching has inspired many of our members. We are proud to have him as part of the team.

Leo Nunes is a Qualified REPs Level 3, specialising in personal fitness programs, with over 9 years’ experience. BA (Hons) SUPERIOR DEGREE IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION Universidade Salgado de Oliveira, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil 2005 Qualified to teach Spinning, BodyPump, BodyCombat , Body Conditioning, LBT, Circuit, TRX and Technogym Kinesis.

Leo was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and has had a passion for fitness and sport all his life. Moving to London in 2008, he soon started teaching classes in the UK as well as working as a Personal Trainer.

Leo offers a unique teaching style that he has brought from Brazil, with incredible energy, dedication, and discipline. He currently teaches at Earls Court, Clapham Common and Camden Town and is often to be found enjoying other people’s classes at the various Soho Gyms sites.

Rob has been involved in the fitness industry for 4 years as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. He is also Les Mills UK National Trainer, Presenter and Assessor for BODYATTACK and BODYSTEP.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Personal Trainer
• Exercise to music
• PTTLS teacher training
• CYQ assessor
• Les Mills International
• Bodyattack
• Bodystep
• Bodypump
• Bodycombat
• Bodybalance
• RPM
• CXWORX

Will has worked in the fitness industry for over 10 years, beginning his career at Les Mills World of Fitness in Christchurch, New Zealand before moving on to teach BODYATTACK, BODYPUMP, BODYSTEP and RPM (Spin) at the home of Les Mills in Auckland.

Will was a national trainer and presenter for Les Mills in New Zealand before moving to London in 2007, and has presented on a number of instructional DVDs and at conventions across Australasia, Europe and North America.

Will works full-time outside the fitness industry as a media lawyer.