About Kickstep

Kickstep Wellbeing was set up by sisters Verity and Etta Bell.

Verity completed her Performing Arts training in 2004 from ASAD. She was certified by the International Sivananda Organization as a Yoga Shiromani (teacher of Yoga) in 2005 and has travelled around India and Sri Lanka advancing her knowledge of Yoga and Meditation in various ashrams. Returning to London she continued her studies with Yoga Anatomy Training with Pete Blackaby, Birthlight Perinatal Yoga, Subtle Yoga training (Yoga Junction), Hatha Yoga teacher-training Diploma from the British School of Yoga, The Anatomy of Movement Diploma from Gary Carter, Energy Channelling with Tracey Ash, Usui Reiki Ryoho (qualified Reiki Practitioner), Fascial Dissection/common injury dissection at ICL and Meditation at various Buddist Monasteries. She is currently studying Chinese Medicine and Acupressure. Her teaching style is a mix of Sivananda, Hatha, Scaravelli and dynamic flow yoga, focusing on alignment, breath and meditation, incorporating eastern philosphy with modern science to help understand the subtlety of energy and spirit. She has rid herself of the physical pain that came from mis- alignment and is dedicated to helping people understand their beautifully designed bodies.

Etta also trained in Performing Arts from the age of 4 completing her training in 2004 at ASAD. She has been practicing Ashtanga, Hatha, and Iyengar Yoga since she was a child. She is certified by the International Sivananda Organization as a Yoga Shiromani (teacher of Yoga) and has travelled around India and Sri Lanka advancing her knowledge of Yoga and Meditation in various ashrams. Returning to London she continued to study with a years Yoga Anatomy Training with Pete Blackaby, The Anatomy of Movement with Gary Carter. , Yoga Psychology with Uma Krishnamurti, Cadaver Anatomical Study at ICL and is certified by Birthlight as Perinatal Yoga teacher. Returing to India she also studied Reiki Ryoho and Osho Meditation Techniques in Rishikesh.  She has recently qualified as a Doula under Michel Odent and is looking forward to working in this field.  Etta also has years of experience of performing and choreographing dance with credits such as Her Majesty's Theatre, West End and professional music videos.  

Etta and Verity continue to do workshops in London with Simon Lowe, Jonathon Monks, Uma Krishnamurth Siva Rea. They are on the Yoga Register and the Register of Independent Fitness Instructors and have completed First Aid training.

Both have more than 4 years experience in teaching Yoga, Dance and Drama to adults and children as well as in choreographing a variety of children's shows. They teach all over London in Schools, offices, Gyms and Homes.

If they cannot teach the classes themselves, they have a team of excellent hand picked, qualified and experienced teachers, all of whom can offer something special from their own teaching styles.

The Rest of the Crew

Beko Kagee - martial arts & dance

As a former instructor for Tai Chi UK, and now Chairperson for the Annual National Martial Mayday Tournament & Championships Beko is the only member of Tai Chi UK to be given exclusive permission to represent the Organisation both nationally and internationally as a Presenter of the Holistic System. Beko's Martial Arts background is in Tai Chi, Ren Shin Kai Karate, Shotokan Karate, Kickboxing, Taekwondo, Wu Shu Kwan, Kateda, Capoeira, I Chi Chun and Shaolin Kung fu. Beko's other passion is dance and particularly African Caribbean dance which he presents at conventions as well as teaching to adults and children in London. He trains instructors for his F3 Fitness company and is a columnist for NCT News.

Naomi Absalom - yoga

Practicing yoga for 10 years, and teaching worldwide for the past two, the roots of Naomi's teaching are derived from a background of dance and performance, and independant studies in Ayurveda, Polarity Therapy, Thai Massage and Yoga Philosophy. She has studied with Shri K. Patthabis Jois (Ashtanga), Prahalad Reddy (Sivananda), Emma Henry (Jivamukti) and Bharat Shetty (Yoga Therapy).http://www.naomiabsalomyoga.com/

Tori Lewis - yoga

Since gaining a teaching PGCE from Cambridge University, Tori has qualified as a Naturopath, an Advanced teacher of Yoga from the Sivananda Centre in India, and is currently training in Yoga Therapy at the Life Centre and Cranio - Sacral Therapy at the CCST. She has been teaching Yoga and Brain Gym to children in inner-city schools for years, as well as teaching in gyms, schools, offices and 1-1s across London. www.yogadamba.com.

Max Hoare - dance & drama

Max has been performing since he was a child, taking part in musicals and concerts in and around his hometown of Cardiff with various well-known companies, including Applause Theatre Company. He studied Art and design before moving to London to attend Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts for a BA in Musical Theatre. He has been performing and teaching acting, dance and singing for 2 years in and around London.

Jodie Cole - dance, drama & yoga

Jodie has been teaching dance and drama to kids for 4 years. With a BA Hons in Dance from Middlesex and a higher education certificate from London Contemporary Dance School, she has performed and choreographed shows in many London's Theatres and various music videos.

Clare Craze - dance

Professional dancer Clare Craze and her dance partner Kevin are now available to hold Latin/Ballroom Dance workshops or classes. Clare and Kevin teach and perform in and around London. For more information on this couple you can view pictures and videos of their work on www.myspace.com/kevinandclare. Enjoy!

Sarah Perryman - dance, drama & singing

Sarahs background in Musical Theatre goes back to when she was a child, when she performed in many professional shows in Cardiff. She moved to London in 2004 to take a post graduate Musical Theatre Course at Mountview Theatre Arts. She has been performing and teaching singing, acting and dance in London for 4 years.

Leila McMillan - creative dance & drama

Leila has been performing and teaching dance throughout the UK and Internationally for the past 4 years. She holds an MA in Performance and a BA (HONS) in Contemporary Dance Theatre from Laban and was a member of Transitions Dance Company 2004/05. She has worked with many renowned choreographers such as Athina Vahla, Henry Montes, Crystal Pyte, Alicia Herrero Simon, Rafael Bonachela, Thomas Lehmen, Wendy Houston. As well as running her own project based dance company called Space Monkey Dance, she teaches contemporary dance, creative dance, street dance, choreography, workshops based on plays and fairy tales and can teach workshops based on any subject imaginable.

Valia Phyllis - yoga, drama & directing

Valia trained in Yoga & Drama at ASAD and since 2005 has been teaching both to a mixed level groups in various schools, gyms, and private clubs across London.

Valia focusses on the guiding principles of Vijnana Yoga, working closely with Beverley Downie (YRT). She pays particular attention to deep understanding and feeling of both body and mind. She is also currently acting directing and producing plays in London.

Vivianne Jonsson-Valenzia - pilates, dance & injury rehabilitation

Vivianne Jonsson-Valenzia trained as a contemporary dancer. Vivianne's interest in Pilates started while she was a student at Laban Centre. She was diagnosed with a spinal injury related to an injury as a Professional Runner for the Swedish junior-team 1995. After one year of rehabilitation work, she started studying Pilates at the Scott Studio to become a Pilates Foundation Teacher.

While helping her Father through cancer she was impressed how the principles of Pilates can help the circulation, respiratory function as well as helping with body alignment and strength. Her class is focussed on re-medial pilates, strength and everyday awareness to gain a strong core and prevent falling in old bad habits. To help women have a better body awareness and well being during and after pregnancy, pre-post natal pilates.

Shanti Gill - yoga, tai chi, chi kung, personal training, massage, NLP

Shanti is extensively trained and a very experienced trainer and healer.

Her qualifications include:

• Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training Diploma (U.S. Yoga Alliance)
• LifeForce Yoga Teacher Training
• Infinite Tai-Chi and Chi-Kung Teacher Training Diploma
• Personal Trainer (National Academy of Sports Medicine)
• Anatomy, Physiology & Massage (I.T.E.C. Diploma)
• Advanced Thai Yoga Medical Massage Diploma (Wat Pho, Thailand)
• Hot Stone Massage Diploma
• Reiki Master and Ling-Chi Healing Diploma
• Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner ..and extensive training in meditation, life coaching, various styles of bodywork and holistic nutrition.

Melanie Kay - Dance, Pilates, Boxercize, Capoeira

Melanie has been dancing since the age of two years old, training at Stonelands School of Ballet, The Northern Ballet School, The National Youth Ballet and The London Studio Center, finally finishing her incredible training in 2000!

Melanie has appeared in many stage and screen productions namely, 'The Robbie Williams Show', Spirit of broadway (starring the Osmonds), Paris Can Can, Spirit of the Dance, fashion shows and award ceremonies, uk and worldwide.

During her success as a dancer Melanie began teaching and choreographing, enthusing young students with her passion for dance. She formed a successful university dance group 'the Poptarts' and loves teaching anyone any form of dance as well as Pilates and Boxercise.

Emily Cardno -dance, drama, movement

Emily trained in dance and theatre performance at Bird College SE London where she gained a BA Hons. She then went on to train at the Guildford School of Acting receiving her Diploma. She has worked extensively as a dancer, aerial artist and actor throughout Europe, Asia and the Uk. As a teacher she has worked in many schools specialising in musical theatre, ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary and drama. She is also qualified to level 3 in cheerleading and coaching. As well as teaching the vocational art of dance Emily is passionate to work with performance in schools as a way of offering alternative support and approach to a curriculum.

Tasmine Magloire - dance

Tamsin's love for dance began at the age of 9 when she started her first modern class. She went on to complete a range of istd dance exams, and subsequently attended the Brit Performing arts Academy to study A-level and B.tec in dance and stage craft.

Her love for performance and the stage led to a passion for sharing dance through teaching. She gained an RSA (Royal Society of Arts) in Exercise to Music and now she teaches a range of dynamic dance and aerobic classes throughout London, including accreditations in street dance for 16-18 year olds.

Kate Wakeling - singing & dance

Trained first as a musician, Kate studied music at Cambridge University before continuing to postgraduate studies in Balinese music and dance at the School of Oriental and African Studies, where she is currently working on a PhD. Kate has studied Balinese dance since 2003, including a year’s intensive training in Bali with dancer Ni Komang Cipta from 2006-7. She performs regularly in London both as a solo dancer and as a member of the Balinese dance troupe Lila Bhawa. She has worked on collaborative dance and drama projects with Thiasos Theatre Company, and has performed in such diverse venues as LSO St Luke’s, Dartington College of Arts, Shunt and the Groucho Club. Kate is an experienced teacher and workshop leader, and currently teaches for the Hackney Music Development Trust and at the School of Oriental and African Studies.

Chaitali - Nutritionist

Trained as a biochemist Chaitali has studied Naturopathy and Nutrition. She holds a Diploma in Naturopathy and Masters degree in Nutrition. She is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and also has certificate as Sports Nutritionist. She has practised alternative medicine and therapies for several years in India and USA.

A frequent contributor to internet forums, Chaitali is an active member of International Natural Hygiene Society. She has delivered yoga demonstrations on several occasions, especially to children and senior citizens. She strongly believes in natural and self-healing techniques. Chaitali maintains her website www.chiraayu.com dedicated to healthy living.

Zoe Copley - Personal and Executive Coach

Coaching offers a safe and confidential space for thinking and planning, for articulating your dreams; but also a foundation and a spring board for incredible growth and change, liberation and fulfilment. Zoe uses perspicacity and humour to help you identify the mindsets and actions necessary for movement towards your desired outcomes. She helps you to articulate your ambitions, supports you in making the shifts in awareness that enable change and helps you to plan the steps required to achieve your goals. Together, you design and work towards a new and improved reality. An Australian Barrister with over 14 years experience in tax structured finance, Zoe is familiar with the challenges of career progression a demanding working life and juggling that with family and personal ambitions.

Elkie Phillips

Elkie trained at Laban (2001-2004) where she gained her BA (Hons) Dance Theatre & MA Dance Performance. She then joined Transitions Dance Co (2004/5) and toured UK, Singapore and Japan. After Transitions Elkie moved to Melbourne, Australia for two years. There she did internships with Chunky Move Dance Co. and Lucy Guerin Dance Co. She also became a full time dancer for Hip Hop crew Beatphonik, competing in major events and performing in various projects at the Victorian College of the Arts.

After returning to the UK in 2007, Elkie has been performing with Thomas Goodwin Co and Leila McMillan Dance Co.

Elkie is now working as a freelance dance facilitator in east London, teaching on outreach programmes and children under the umbrella of NEET. She also teaches adult MTV classes at Frame studios in Shoreditch.

Darrell Aldridge

Darrell graduated from Laban in 2004 with a BA (Hons) in Dance Theatre. He is a CMA (Certified Movement Analysis). Since finishing his degree he worked extensively with the National Theatre teaching and developing Laban-based movement for actors from GCSE to A Level and teachers to practitioner, where he co-wrote a book - A Practical Guide to Working with New Media and Live Performance.

He now works RADA and Drama studio. Darrell toured national with State of Emergency, worked with Irie! Theatre Dance Company, Bedfordshire Youth Dance Company, Nottingham's CreativeRoom, East London Dance and Oxford Pegasus Theatre, Kinetika as well as being a Movement Advisor for all 90 TheatreTrain centres around England. He has always had an interest in working with and helping people with mental health and learning disabilities having just sent up a Laban: therapeutic movement pilot project with NHS Oxleas foundation trust.

How We Think

When booking a Kickstep teacher we endeavour to provide highly qualified, reliable, honest and inspirational teachers with complete integrity and passion for what they teach.