“…Imogen provides a friendly inclusive environment, and a wonderfully structured practice…”

I’ve been practicing yoga for a few years now, and was really excited when I found out that Imogen was going to do her yoga teacher training – as I knew she’d be a fantastic teacher. Over the years I have attended various yoga classes, and been taught by a wide range of teachers. Some are fantastic, and some really should not be teaching yoga! For me, there are a few things that make for a great yoga experience: a welcoming, safe and nonjudgmental environment. A well curated class, which can be adapted for all levels from beginner to experienced. And most importantly – a teacher you trust, who guides you with kindness, and who isn’t afraid to laugh at themselves when they too get the wobbles! Imogen definitely delivers on all of my prerequisites. I love that there’s no “ego” in her classes. By that, I mean I feel Imogen really embodies the true essence of yoga – it’s not about being the most flexible, comparing yourself with your fellow yogis, or posing in the newest yoga gear. Imogen provides a friendly inclusive environment, and a wonderfully structured practice. You won’t be made to feel inadequate or embarrassed if you can’t get into a “pose” either. I’m a self confessed full on yoga lover – I could quite happily yap on for an eternity about how fantastic yoga is! When I first started my yoga journey, it was initially for posture issues, and wanting to relax away from the stresses of work and life in general. But yoga is so much more than that – it teaches you so much about yourself, to listen to yourself, and to be kinder to yourself. I highly recommend attending Imogen’s yoga classes. You won’t regret it.

“…great care to attend to individual needs…”

I’ve done yoga with lots of different teachers over the years, and couldn’t really imagine Imogen not bouncing around on full energy to lively music (I’ve done Zumba and DFF with her). However I was surprised at the calmness I found in her yoga classes, as well as a brilliant stretch and strength-building set of practices, and she took great care to attend to individual needs and differences and set exercises that worked for each of us. Great classes. I’ll be back.

“…Tuesday night ballet is the calmest hour of my week…”

I started ballet with Imogen when my second child was just over 6 months old. I was exhausted and had limited time without the baby to exercise so I was looking for a class that would help me feel I actually owned my own body again and which gave me a bit of a mental challenge too. I had done ballet as a child and into my late teens, then spent a quarter of a century (!)  intending to pick it up again – but somehow never managing

[the classes have been] very varied!! It’s been so nice coming back into live classes after lockdown (though the online classes were a total lifeline too!)  – everyone in the class is very different but there’s a lovely supportive vibe. Imogen teaches very clearly, and has an impressive ability to give really precise feedback to help us all, individually, get the most from the class whatever our ability. We do have a laugh – but we’re working hard, and are pretty focussed. I like the fact that Imogen uses varied music, and she periodically changes the exercises – so we have time to work at something and improve, but she’s also keeping our brains working.

I couldn’t quite believe a free class was an option. In all honesty I was probably imagining that an adult ballet class in a local community centre might be a bit rubbish, and I suspected I wasn’t going to be signing up. BUT there was a nice atmosphere and I immediately rated Imogen as a teacher, and over a year later I still seem to be turning up every week!

Life is pretty chaotic at the moment and Tuesday night ballet is the calmest hour of my week.

I’ve also located my core again (in the early classes I was trying my damnedest to engage it…but it was as though it wasn’t there!)

It’s very weird returning to something I used to do with a MUCH younger body, but I feel that by sticking with it I’m finding a new way to enjoy it and gradually get better at it – which is for me and no-one else!

“I have definitely become more aware of my posture and body movements…it strengthened my muscles, improved my balance and allowed me to prance around in ballet shoes feeling cute…”

I have neck kyphosis and it’s been bugging me since I found out. I joined the ballet class with the intention to improve posture and add grace to my body movements. I had never done ballet before, but I was very exciting to try it. To be honest, Imogen’s online videos were showing what a great atmosphere she creates in all her classes, so nothing held me back. It was very easy to sign up for the course straight after the taster, while the sessions themselves always left me feeling euphoric every time. I loved the warm-ups, as well the routine that we learned at filmed at the end of the course. We practised a new sequence in each session, adding to the parts we had already learned. I have definitely become more aware of my posture and body movements. Imogen’s class was a kind of yoga-dance to me, it strengthened my muscles, improved my balance and allowed me to prance around in ballet shoes feeling cute and I cannot wait to return to it!

“…I always feel energised after Imogen’s classes and I feel like I’ve had a good work out….good for the soul as well as the figure!..”

… I had just moved to a new area so lost all my local yoga, zumba and exercise classes.
I found it hard to find classes that suited me that I enjoyed and felt comfortable taking part in… I had an apprehension about what it would be like compared to my last zumba class which I loved for 7 years as I knew the steps and felt confident in the sessions… The classes are incredible! Imogen has so much energy and enthusiasm it helps keeps the spirits up in class. She’s always so positive and helps everyone in class feel confident and ensures everyone is involved and having fun… I always feel energised after Imogen’s classes and feel like I’ve had a good work out. The music is fun, entertaining and the songs are current and enjoyable… This happy and fun class is good for the soul as well as the figure!

“…the best thing I’ve taken away from the classes is learning how to balance!”

I’d been doing Imogen’s Zumba classes and enjoying them a lot. But I also like trying out new kinds of dance, as it keeps me interested. I’ve done a bit of blues, swing, and even bhangra – so when I saw Imogen was running ballet classes, I was excited to have a go.

I had a mixed experience doing ballet as a small child, which is why I haven’t tried it again since. Although I adored watching ballet videos of Swan Lake, the Nutcracker and Coppelia, I remember finding the classes repetitive and was always disappointed never to get a chance to wear a tutu. 🙂 

The classes have been approachable and fun, while also increasingly challenging. It was wonderful to learn real choreography from the first lesson, to the music of Swan Lake. I found myself wanting to practice at home because it fired up my original love of ballet.

The best thing I’ve taken away from the classes is learning how to balance! It’s an art that I’ve enjoyed learning.

“…they’ve become an essential part of my social life as well as my exercise routine…”

…I’ve been coming to Imogen’s classes for a couple of years and they’ve become an essential part of my social life as well as my exercise routine. The music is fab, the routines are fun (challenging but achievable). She’s got real charisma and makes everyone feel the joy of dancing, even if we’re less than brilliant! Its a real community experience, all ages, all sizes, all abilities welcome!

“To be able to dance to part of such a beautiful ballet such as Swan Lake and be able to feel even vaguely graceful makes my inner childhood ballerina dreams sing with joy.”

I’d done a handful of beginner ballet drop in classes before but in the large classes I found it very overwhelming and wasn’t really enjoying it or learning much and many of the students I spoke to had don’t the class for many months without seeing much progression. 

Having little to no prior ballet experience I was really worried I would be the only person doing completely the wrong moves but having been coming to Imogen’s Zumba classes for a few months I was confident Imogen  would make the class fun and inclusive.

I’ve loved the classes so far. Imogen makes the classes really fun and explains all the moves and positions clearly and gives good feedback to help everyone progress. There are a real mix of abilities, but Imogen makes sure everyone is happy with the exercises and choreography and goes through all the tricky steps so you don’t feel overwhelmed by the pace of the class. Everyone in the class is friendly and that helps feel less awkward about not always feeling or looking like the perfect ballerina! Plus the exercises are deceptively challenging for the body- you can really see why ballet fitness is so popular- especially when you feel your legs after all the jumps!  

I’ve loved the choreography we have learnt so far and how the initial barre exercises are taken through into the dancing at the end of the class. To be able to dance to part of such a beautiful ballet such as Swan Lake and be able to feel even vaguely graceful makes my inner childhood ballerina dreams sing with joy.

“…I’ve become more positive and relaxed…”

…I was diagnosed with Major Depression and my GP suggested that I start doing exercises to help me cope and to keep myself busy. It took me a while to convince myself to attend the Zumba classes but in the end I persevered and turned up not knowing what to expect. I had absolutely no reservations [about joining Imogen’s classes] because I immediately felt welcomed and it is a pleasant and a non-judgemental environment (especially for someone like me who struggles with self confidence). I have enjoyed every single class. Imogen is patient, friendly and she makes us work hard and very importantly she interacts with us! [I have] lost weight, met new friends, my mental state has improved so much and my friends in SA commented on the fact that I’ve become more positive and relaxed!

“…I feel more supple and energised…”

…As a retired 60 something, my exercise regime was lacking in regular commitment. I had access to a gym but would go and exercise but stop when I got tired or fed up and it was not particularly fun. I did walk quite a lot so I felt my fitness levels were okay. When my daughter suggested Imogen’s Zumba classes I agreed to go with her to see if I liked it as I had never even seen a Zumba class before. I did not know if I could keep up with the class or whether I would feel daft as I have two left feet and no sense of rhythm. My first class was delightful. I did a lot of laughing and had fun. Although I could not keep up with the steps, I did not feel nor was I made to feel, daft or hopeless. During the class I was so busy concentrating on the steps and music that I did not notice what any of the other ladies were doing and I hope that it was the same for them. I therefore did not feel the odd one out who could not do the steps.

I finished the first class full of adrenaline and a satisfaction that I had exercised for the full 45 mins and had had fun. Each class has given me the same feelings since. The routine alters slightly each class which keeps it fresh but I still do a lot of laughing and exercising at the same time. Two good combinations. For me one result of doing the classes is the knowledge that even with my two left feet and no sense of rhythm, I can still do a Zumba class and not feel stupid. My energy levels have increased and I know that if I miss a class I will feel sluggish all that week until I get to my next class. The best result from the classes are that I feel more supple and energised.

“… I can feel my stamina coming back and definitely feel stronger…”

…Before I started the Zumba class in January, I did not work out for over two years at least! I was not sure I could fit in, as I took dance classes a long time ago, and if I had the stamina to do it. It’s been very positive. The class, the people, and Imogen is very laid back. It’s clear that she wants to have fun and she brings a very energetic and positive vibe to the class. She puts us at ease and she is encouraging to everyone. My best result is that I can feel my stamina coming back and definitely feel ‘stronger’, as opposed to totally shattered after 5 mins of dancing. On a bigger scope, I have improved my lifestyle, definitely more healthy, caring about eating the right food as well as working out every day, for the first time ‘ever’ in my life. Awesome and intense.

“…My stamina’s up & my weight’s down…”

…I wanted to find a friendly, flexible & convenient exercise class, where I could both get fit and have fun. I was a bit nervous, since I’d never done Zumba before & didn’t know how I’d get on. [Working with Imogen has been] fun and rewarding. I always look forward to the class – it’s a good laugh, there’s no pressure & I feel good about myself afterwards. My stamina’s up & my weight’s down!

“… Imogen made it easy to WANT to come to classes every week…”

…Monday to Saturday was split between work, children and caring for my elderly dad…a very tiring week as you can imagine. I thought I would feel out of place, but that NEVER happened. It’s been great, by that I mean Imogen made it easy to WANT to come to classes every week and I’ve met and spoken to a few women from different cultures and age-groups and I’ve enjoyed this very much. [The best result I’ve had from working with Imogen] is the difference I feel in my body days following the classes and the fact that I have NEVER [before] been able to work up a sweat…this is a FIRST. I’m now looking forward to combining the classes with the 5:2 diet (which I’m starting this week).

“…the classes really helped me to feel confident and in shape for my wedding over the summer…”

…I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to you for your dedication and for the fantastic classes I’ve enjoyed. I can’t believe I have been going for over a year – I have enjoyed it so much- more than any other exercise class or gym- and the classes really helped me to feel confident and in shape for my wedding over the summer. You are a natural teacher and a very talented dancer.

“…Everyone is so friendly and it’s not about being an amazing dancer, it’s about having fun and getting fit…”

…I’d lost a lot of fitness. I wasn’t doing any exercise at all anymore and I’d put on weight. I was also feeling very low in my mood. I found Zumba was such a fun way to start getting active again. I’d done a Zumba class before moving to London but I’d always gone with a friend so I was a bit nervous to come to a class on my own. I was also pretty nervous about not being able to do the moves and keep up in class.

How wrong I was! Everyone is so friendly and it’s not about being an amazing dancer, it’s about having fun and getting fit. Imogen makes you feel so welcome I recommend it to everyone!