No products in the cart.
I have often been asked, “Where Did Your Journey Begin?” So here it is. You may need a cuppa, it’s nearly 30 years condensed into one blog.
I began teaching fitness way back in 1990 when it was called “Exercise To Music” Or as we use to call it ETM (Having previously trained as a dancer since the age of 5)
We had no social media back then so the only way to publicise yourself was through word and mouth and letter writing (yes letter writing) I cannot tell you how many letters I must have written to Clubs, Centres etc in the hope of attaining a class on their studio timetable.
I was fortunate enough to secure a couple of classes – one late, one very early, not ideal but I was grateful. I really needed the experience. I stayed with these classes for a couple of years gaining as much experience as I could from my class participants (you can learn so much from the people that stand in front of you) and trying to carve out my own teaching style. I learnt a lot from my time here, I made lots of mistakes but I think it shaped me as a teacher.
From there I ventured into London, which was a scary place to work as a Fitness Instructor. A class in London was very sort after by so many instructors and there tended to be lots them trying to audition for just one class, one chance to get onto the timetable. I didn’t have to wait long, thankfully.
My first ‘London class’ was at a wonderful club called “The Broadgate Club” located just outside Liverpool Street Station. The class members were very savvy with their knowledge, they knew their stuff and expected you to be on the top of your game. Ohh it was a nervy few weeks but it sharpened my skills and boosted my confidence. Coming out of your comfort zone is scary but it is so worth it.
I then started to train in lots of different disciples – step, skipping, boxing and yoga, expanding my knowledge as much as I could. Out of the blue, I received a call from a studio coordinator who wanted me to audition at one of the premier clubs in London “Cannons” only the best instructors worked here. To say I was nervous was an understatement but fortunately, I passed the audition and was offered a place on the Cannons studio timetable. I ended up working for there for over 10 years.
In those days I taught over 20 classes per week? It was draining but so exhilarating – I’m not sure if my knees agreed though? But hey when your 20 your knees can withstand anything.
A few years went past and I felt confident enough to Audition for FitCamp, a new team of instructors touring the UK bringing classes to the masses. This is where my convention experience began. I ended up teaching at all the major UK conventions and was lucky enough to join a newly formed team of instructors that PUMA was searching for – I will save my hilarious audition for this role for another time. Suffice to say it involved High Heels and a Skipping Rope? I loved my time with this wonderful brand and am still in contact with them today.
Some of my proudest achievements came next. Starring in and choreographing four Workout DVDs with some of the loveliest people I’ve meet, who happen to be the most recognisable – Patsy Palmer, Angela Griffin and Zoe Lucker. How lucky was I?
I also began to teach further afield in Lanzarote, Germany, Italy and the Caribbean Islands of St Lucia and Grenada. This is where my love of Yoga begun. I started practising physically a few years before but in the wonderful isle of Grenada, my spiritual calling came. I started training in this wonderful discipline and gained knowledge through workshops, retreats, classes and through the wonderful master trainer Katy Appleton. I am still learning today, I don’t think we ever truly stop?
In between my Yoga training I was approached by a couple of lovely ladies who wanted some PT sessions, you may know them? Sara Cox, Kate Magowan and Lisa Faulkner? And there is where my “Celebrity Personal Trainer” tag came to life. It’s a funny tag and I am still shy about using it but it seems so many of us like a tag? I continue to train these lovely ladies on and off.
More good fortunate was to come my way in the form of Netflix UK and Ireland and Matalan, Get Fit with Netflix was born and Bath Yoga was created. These Two campaigns were so incredible to be a part of and I am very proud to be ambassadors for both of these amazing companies.
Throughout my career, I had always envisaged creating my own company where I could bring all my knowledge of dance, my experience and fitness and of course my love of yoga together. And that is where Sadhana Yoga was created. My own company delivering bespoke yoga classes to the Essex area.
I now offer a range of services from Sadhana Yoga Classes to Sadhana Kids (new for 2017) I also felt there was a gap in the market for a Wellness Day. No One was hosting this type of day locally, you had to travel further afield to find a spa type day where you could relax, sample healthy snacks, attend bespoke yoga classes and have a Beauty Treatment? I am proud to say Sadhana Yoga is the first one of its kind locally. I am due to host my third Wellness Day this June 25th.
I will leave this next part free, as who knows what’s in store.
Niki XX
twitter.com/nikiwibrow
facebook.com/nikiwibrowfitness
instagram.com/nikiwibrowyoga
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sadhana-summer-wellness-day-tickets-30951092551
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/yoga-music-vol-1/id1209403337?ls=1&app=itunes
