Jen
15 Jun 2017
I have been attending Flexi Beast split classes for just over a year now and the progress I have made in my splits is just one of the many benefits I get from attending class. Progress in your flexibility and strength is a given with Alicia, thanks to her fantastic knowledge of the body, safe practices and her unique blend of techniques your body will thank you. The other added benefits is the atmosphere that Alicia has created within her lessons. It is a very safe atmosphere, full of laughs, great music, camaraderie and empowerment, I always feel refreshed after a Flexi class.
I have also had private sessions with Alicia, one of which was while I was recovering from a small surgery and she really listened to what my body was saying and worked around my injury.
Thank you Alicia
Lyns McG
05 Jun 2017
I have decided to break my testimonial up into a few parts... get ready for war and peace y'all!
Flexi Beast Splits Classes
I attend the Sunday night classes (and occasionally the Wednesday evening classes) at Watermelon studio, I was welcomed into the classes by Alicia in May 2016. My first class was the same weekend as a Pole competition so I wound up being the only one in the class with Alicia. She was an absolute star, ran the class even though it was just the two of us, focused on really talking me through the core movements and getting me in a position where I wouldn't feel lost when I attended my next class with other students. I really appreciated her taking the time to do this with me. The classes are brilliant, we work on a range of movement, Alicia will never push you harder than you need to be pushed. She understands we all have limits and sometimes we need a wee kick up the bum to put in some more effort but she knows where that line is, even if we don't! The other students that attend the classes are all at varying degrees of flexibility too. If you come along for the first time, don't worry we've all been there - stiff as an ironing board! Everyone that comes to flexi has a good time, this is not your stereotypical yoga class. We chat, we laugh (a lot), we share and we support one and other. I count myself lucky to have made so many friends through flexi beast. Thank you Alicia! And thank you fellow flexi beasts - you guys are amazing! <3
Private 1 to 1
I had a private with Alicia to work on my technique and move through some of the transitions more easily, she really broke things down for me and showed me how to build my strength and what I should focus on the next time I went to class. It made such a difference, I loosen off so much more quickly, my poses are more solid and I don't look so much like bambi learning to walk! Alicia tailors your 1 to 1 to match you - no one else! You want her to take you through a real hard session, she will, you want her to help you focus on technique and explain it all, she will. It is your session and the focus is 100% on you!
FlexiCamp May 2017
I was lucky enough to get a spot at FlexiCamp in May 2017 and I do not regret it one bit. It was such a brilliant weekend, spending time with a great group of people. It was refreshing to be with a group who could openly speak about everything and anything. No topic was off the table. Alicia guided us through group discussions about nutrition, body image, self doubt etc. Realising that everyone has had their own body niggles at some time or another really helped us to connect and come to the realisation that 'we are not alone'. This was not restricted to body image either but our mental health too. The workshops that Alicia ran over the weekend were superb, really focusing on our technique and getting our movement much more polished, we took away so much which we could apply to our practice at home and in class. Alicia ran a great range of workshops, which were challenging, motivating and most importantly great fun! I was sad to leave on the Monday, but I took away so much more than just flexibility knowledge. You will never know how much the weekend meant to me Alicia, it was superb.
To sum up my testimonial - Alicia is incredible, if you want to work on something she will help you. I started the classes a year ago and actually now feel like splits are something that could happen for me and my mental health has improved dramatically. Thank you Alicia you are a star! xx #trifle
SuzanneH
05 Feb 2016
Alicia
Alicia is an absolutely stunning spirit, inside and out. She’s very warm, friendly, professional but also so funny – which helps through the classes (to the point I nearly fell of my mat). I was nervous about going to the hips classes however Alicia took the time to speak to me via email before I joined the class which prevented me from doing what I usually do – backing out.
When I arrived she was very positive, motivational and welcoming and took the time to say hello to everybody individually. I never once felt like the ‘newbie’
Classes
Throughout the class Alicia really takes the time to explain and demonstrate the different movements and provides you with an easier/harder alternative. Alicia observes each individual and if needed will help them along the way before the movement is done in routine to prevent any difficulties/injuries, so you know you’re in very safe hands. Alicia’s immense knowledge of the body (and mind) is incredible as is her ability to create an atmosphere of tranquillity as you move through the various different movements.
I am not flexible at all with my hips, never have been. However, there was a period of my life where for 6 months I couldn’t walk properly. My strength regained very quickly but my flexibility (although has never been great) worsened through this period and was still as bad 3 years after. After the first hips class, I’ve never been so aware of that area before. Not just because I could feel this area had been worked (not in a lot of pain at all, but can feel it) but because my hips feel really open. I felt more flexible after 1 class than I ever have. I'm looking forward to the rest of this first block of classes and I’ve just booked a second block. If you're thinking about doing any flexibility work I suggest you go to Alicia.
Thank you Alicia <3
Anna Gesine Marie
04 Feb 2016
I started coming to Alicia’s classes for splits almost as soon as I signed up at the Watermelon Studio. Actually, I was very disheartened at the time because my physiotherapist had forbidden me from ever working on my splits again due to my hypermobility that was (and is) most pronounced in my knees. Alicia lovingly encouraged me to come to class, saying she loved working with hypermobile people. Sooo I started going to her splits classes in summer of 2015 and it was just the best! I love Alicia’s teaching style, she has a quite calm but very unique, badass teaching style. The way she talks you through the exercises does certainly not make you want to go to sleep (many people seem to associate yoga with boredom and sleepiness!), unless Alicia wants to send you to sleepytime at the end of class, where you get to relax and let your body rest from what is truly a hardcore workout. Alicia is very, very good at motivating and encouraging you to give her yoga classes your absolute all and I can’t think of a time where I was NOT sore the day after. During the class, even if it is pleasantly demanding, or as Alicia calls it ‚awesome’, you can feel you’re working your muscles...but in a rainbow-and-unicorn-kind-of-way. Just everything feels wonderful. I’m rarely ever as happy as when I come back from one of Alicia’s classes. (I think Emma called it feeling 'like a million bucks'.)
For the progress, I can only manage the splits classes when the university is on holiday, but it took Alicia less than three weeks to teach me how to listen to my body, to show me how to figure out when my knees have had enough and to gently ease me back into the splits. Essentially, her classes have given me back the confidence that with active flexibility training like yoga, splits are possible and not painful, even with hypermobility. For the Sunday night backs classes, I cannot give enough praise. I love splits class, but nowhere near as much as I love backs class. I had no clue my back could do these things, I saw incredible improvements in strength and flexibility after the first two classes – with only these classes, I did not work on the taught material from home (shame on me). Within a few weeks I could do a plough – something I was last able to do at the age of maybe 15 (I am now 25). And it didn’t hurt, it didn’t even feel difficult when I was doing it, although my body certainly said: „Wow, let’s build some muscles so you can do this again, and better!“ All in all, I’m always a little sad I travel so much for my work that I can’t attend as regularly as I would like.
PS: Whenever someone says that yoga is boring, or makes them sleep, I recommend Alicia. I’m a fierce supporter of how badass yoga can be (and always is) when Alicia teaches it. People who think yoga sucks clearly have never been taught by her!
Jellina
01 Feb 2016
I am not naturally flexible. I am naturally very inflexible.
But, I’m strong and love lifting weights, Crossfit, and a bit of boxing.
Although I could lift a reasonable amount of weight in squats and deadlifts for example, I noticed I did not have much ‘ room ‘ in my legs. In a squat, I was struggling more with not lifting my heels off the floor than lifting the actual weight. I realised more flexibility would make my life easier.
I then started looking for someone who could help me gain flexibility. I tried some dancing and ballet but that was not very effective.
When I saw a pole dancer in all of her gymnastic glory- so strong AND so flexible- I knew where to go!
It has changed my movement so much and I am looking forward to see where it can take me. I don’t bend like a pretzel yet, but I am now able to lift more and more easily. It is easier to do high kicks and I even find there is a huge difference when I walk and run!
The biggest gain from doing FlexiBeast might not even be physical. I always thought I was just not flexible and it is true- I am not naturally.
However, if you put time and effort into it you can become more flexible.
If you think your body tells you it can’t do something, listen carefully, it’s probably saying it can’t do something YET.
Lidia
01 Feb 2016
Before I started pole I never really considered flexibility as something “for me”. I’ve always been very aware of the need of stretching but never considered stretching itself a workout, and although I was probably more flexible than the average gym goer I never thought getting the splits at my age was an option. Alicia’s classes have shown me how wrong I was! Stretching is a workout, flexibility is fun, and the splits are totally an option at any age… but you have to work for it. Thanks to Alicia’s Sensible Splits classes I now see splits as an achievable goal, but more importantly this has come with a great deal extras. Alicia’s classes have made me more aware of my body, of what it’s capable of doing, and of what I can do for it. With the perfect dose of humour and laughter and Alicia’s knowledge and professionalism, Alicia’s classes have helped me achieve way more than I never thought possible. I have now started Healthy Bendy Backs and cannot wait to see the awesome results I know will come with time.
Gwen D
31 Jan 2016
Alicia is the most knowledgable yoga/flex teacher I have come across when it comes to anatomy. Her practice combines strength and flexibilty in a safe and comfortable environment. The classes work you hard whilst having lots of fun and laughter! Since attending Alicia's classes I have noticed a marked improvement in my upper body strength (which has really helped with pole) and how much my hip/leg muscles have opened and released. I would recommend anyone with muscular aches, joint problems, hypermobility or recurring injuries to book a private session with Alicia. Her classes are open to anybody and she really thinks outside the norm of your typical yoga teacher. A sense of humour also required!
EmmaW
31 Jan 2016
I have been a FlexiBeast since Queen FlexiBeast Alicia started running the classes. The classes are amazing – a great workout but never leave feeling worn out, rather I leave feeling like a million bucks and usually get a great sleep that night too. The FlexiBeasts themselves are a friendly bunch, each with their own great sense of humour which makes the classes so much fun.
Although I’ve only been training with Alicia and the FlexiBeasts once a week (sometimes less than that) and doing very little maintenance in between, my flexibility and strength have improved greatly.
Alicia is a fab instructor, very friendly and knowledgeable and most importantly she really cares about her students and her passion for her job is plain to see.
I wouldn’t practice Yoga anywhere else.
emmaM
31 Jan 2016
My favourite part of the week is my hour as a FlexiBeast. A fantastic class focusing on long-term flexibility in a safe and effective way. I am personally not very flexible but have seen a huge improvement since starting and had a lot of laughs along the way. The class and teacher are both awesome.
abi
31 Jan 2016
When I first started my FlexiBeast journey, it was with a goal of not getting flexi but more repairing the damage that I do to myself every week and preventing my back from seizing/losing any flexibility it had. I’ll be honest, I struggled at first and may have intensely disliked some moves but Alicia kept me going with her enthusiasm and her down to earth approach. After some hard work on both our parts I finally managed a bridge and my back is stronger and healthier than it has ever been.
Alicia also understands the demands of balancing life and our propensity to try and do too much. She doesn’t lecture, it’s all common sense and helping us realistically.
FlexiBeasts are more than classes; it’s become a community of people guided by Alicia to be the best we can be. Honest, funny, supportive flexi awesomeness.