Psalms & Stretches Instructor Network
No instructors near you? Many of our instructors are offering online classes at this time. Each instructor's contact details are listed below in their profiles.
Scotland
North Yorkshire
Cheshire
Northamptonshire
London
South West; Hampton Wick
South West; Isleworth
London
Deptford, South East London
Ruth Carpenter
Founder & Co-Director
Ruth is the Founder of Psalms & Stretches and is a Pilates and fitness instructor with over 10 years of experience. Originally trained as a contemporary dancer, Ruth graduated from Laban and went on to receive a post-grad Diploma from The Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Ruth then began her journey into the fitness industry as a practical way to transfer her skills in movement and went on to complete a wide variety of teacher training programmes (from Barre Fitness to Kangoo Jumps Bootcamp!). She is also a qualified Sports Massage therapist. Ruth specialises in Pilates, having experienced the benefits firsthand during her dance training, and believes it to be an invaluable influence when approaching any kind of exercise. Ruth began developing Psalms & Stretches in 2016 after feeling called to combine her skills in teaching exercise and choreographing movement with serving God in a creative way. It was the class she wanted to go to herself; a place where ministering to her wellbeing wasn't separate to her faith but complementary. Ruth has been teaching Psalms & Stretches in her local church and for Christian events across the country alongside creating the instructor training programme. She has also written for Woman Alive Magazine. She lives in SE London with her husband, Josh, who is a musician, and their daughter, Jesse, and their new arrival... Ruth will now be on maternity leave until the end of 2023.
Online class: Tuesdays 8am - click here for details
As Ruth is currently on maternity leave her Tuesday class is being covered by other instructors from our Psalms & Stretches instructor network.
Emma Wilson
Co-Director
London
Hampton Wick, West London
Emma was previously a dancer and is now a dance film-maker and also a practitioner in dance, teaching at The University of West London. An accomplished performer, having trained at the Royal Ballet School and LAMDA, and had a career on the West End, Emma also has years of experience running dance classes as part of church outreach. She knows firsthand what an important part creative offerings can play within the church's ministry to the community around it. Emma previously lead the Soho Vineyard church with her husband Ed, which is how Ruth [P&S Founder] and Emma met. Having known Ruth for years and seen Psalms & Stretches develop, Emma felt called to use her skills and experience to help further the vision now joins the team as Co-Director. Emma is passionate about sharing the vision of Psalms & Stretches, connecting instructors, churches and communities with this exciting new resource. Emma co-hosts the P&S Instructor training course with Founder Ruth, lending her years of experience and pastoral support to the team.
In-person class:
Friday 10.00am @ St John's Hampton Wick, KT1 4AL www.stjohnshamptonwick.org
Friday 12.00pm @ St Peter and St Paul, Teddington TW11 8PS www.stpeterstpaulteddington.co.uk
Online classes: Monday 8pm and Friday 10am (1hr)
Emma uses Whatsapp to organise her online Zoom classes - please provide your mobile number when you contact her
Sara Hunter
London
Hoxton, East London
Sara wears many hats! She is a Licensed Lay Minister at St John’s Church, Hoxton. She is a Community Organiser, who is passionate about fighting injustice and making positive change in people’s lives. She is also a musician and Choir Director for “Sing for a Change”, which uses the power of music to make a difference in the world. But before all that, Sara trained as a dancer and musical theatre performer, spending many years singing, dancing and acting as well as teaching and doing choreography for many different projects. Sara was introduced to Psalms & Stretches by Emma Wilson, and after taking part in Emma’s classes was inspired and excited by the potential of this powerful ministry. So much so that she completed our P&S Instructor training and now adds “Psalms & Stretches Instructor” to her hat collection!
In-person class: Wednesday 6.30pm (1hr) @ St John's Church, Hoxton N1 6NP www.stjohnshoxton.org.uk
This is a mat-based class with optional chair-assisted variations, for those who would like a little extra support while exercising.
Chiswick, West London
London
Kim Parkash
Kim is originally from the US and has lived with her family in West London for 28 years. Kim grew up dancing, joined the majorette drill squad in High School (think high kicks and jump splits in sequins!) and has always kept physically active. As a teenager she recognised the link between physical exercise and mental wellbeing for herself. She is a qualified Gym Instructor and a Level 3 Personal Trainer and enjoys encouraging others to keep active especially as one moves beyond youth! Kim loves Psalms & Stretches because it combines stretching and strengthening with spiritual growth and meditation on the bible. She was inspired by the way the Psalms come alive as the words take on physical shape through movement, and the opportunity Psalms & Stretches creates for spending time listening to God as He whispers just what we need to hear that day.
In-person class: Fridays 12.30pm @ Christ Church Turnham Green, W4 5DT www.christchurchw4.com
London
Eltham, South East London
Lorna trained as a gymnast from an early age and moved into dancing as a teenager. She trained at Roehampton University and as an apprentice with Springs Dance Company as well as completing an MA in Dance Science at Trinity Laban Conservatoire. For the past few years Lorna has been working in her church context and is passionate about seeing people's lives transformed. She was excited to discover Psalms & Stretches during lockdown and wants to use this wonderful resource to provide physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing to her local community.
Lorna Hall
Lorna runs regular Psalms & Stretches courses throughout the year. Please contact her for the next course start date.
Isleworth, West London
London
Paula Mcavoy
Paula saw the benefits of Psalms & Stretches first hand when she experienced a real sense of reconnecting to both herself and to God through the scripture, movement and meditation that she took part in during the class. She immediately saw how Psalms & Stretches could be a useful tool for the recovery community, which she is part of. Paula works voluntarily with the Recovery-Healing community, which supports people with addictive persuasions of all kinds. She has experienced for herself what a difference a relationship with God can bring to this turbulent journey, where often childhood traumas and the effect of dysfunctional behaviour, recognised or unrecognised, can cause pain within us and to those around. Paula had a desire to use Psalms & stretches to bring those struggling with inner turmoil into a meditative space where God can minister to mind, body and spirit. She believes it can create space to not only help us reconnect to our own emotions and inner conflicts but to invite God into this conversation, who in his infinite power always meets us with love. Having no previous experience in dance teaching and no certificate in exercise, Paula took on the challenge of a Level 2 Exercise to Music qualification, which demonstrated her dedication and passion for this ministry! We are in awe of her perseverance and commitment to continuing to serve others and her special skills and experiences in this field are an asset to her. We can’t wait to see how God uses Psalms & Stretches as part of Paula’s calling.
Cheshire
Frodsham
Pip Jacobson
Pip has participated enthusiastically in Pilates, Zumba, and Ballet classes for decades, whilst pursuing her own career, supporting her husband’s business ventures, and raising their three children (technically all adults now). She has come to rely on these different movement forms to heal and recover from various injuries, particularly in recent years. This has led her to really appreciate the positive effects of movement on the mind, body, and spirit. Finally with a little more time on her hands, Pip retrained as a mat Pilates instructor. At points during this course, she was unsure why she had gone back to studying after so long out, but was ultimately energised by the whole learning process. Very active in her local church, Pip co-founded and led a family service for 16 years, as well as being the church’s Schools’ Worker, which involved working in a team to deliver assemblies and lunch clubs in local primary schools. She also has played Mary in the annual Churches Together ‘Christmas Journey’ to local KS1 primary children for far too many years! Pip is passionate about connecting with people in her community and encouraging them to an encounter with God. She says that hearing about Psalms & Stretches so soon after qualifying as a Pilates instructor, was like finding the missing piece of the jigsaw. She is excited to feel God calling her again, specifically to use her new-found passion – combining His Word with exercise that is accessible to all.
Kingston-upon-Thames
Gen Rylett
Gen first discovered the connection exercise has with both physical and emotional healing when attending Pilates classes in between having her children. After baby number four (her children are now aged between 2-12!) she really understood the power movement has in “putting you back together” and making you feel like “you” again after childbirth – so much so she was inspired to train as a Pilates instructor herself, gaining a Level 3 Diploma in Pilates. Gen is a youth worker at her local church, St. Paul’s Church Kingston Hill, where her husband Adam is the vicar, and is passionate about helping people discover a relationship with Jesus. Being a mum of four, she understands how difficult it can be to create space and time to nurture your own wellbeing – spiritually, emotionally and physically – so when she was introduced to Psalms & Stretches, she knew this was for her! The combination of movement and meditation creates a space to rest, receive from God and be renewed by the Holy Spirit and Gen can’t wait to share that with others through her own Psalms & Stretches classes.
Kingston-upon-Thames
Clare Benka
Clare's career path might appear eclectic, but wellbeing has been the consistent thread. She has always loved movement and sport, but having studied psychology, she began her working life in recruitment, then management consultancy and training. A few years in and she felt her first ‘nudge’ from God to use movement and her hands to bring healing. She joined her church staff team whilst studying a range of manual therapies, biomechanics and physical fitness (including Level 3 Personal Training). She spent the next 10 years working with full-time athletes, exhausted desk workers and the chronically ill. During this period came her second ‘nudge’, which was to create a restorative movement sequence focused on scripture. She began to explore ideas, but then started a family and moved abroad with her husband. Several years later (and quite by chance), Clare heard about Psalms & Stretches, and was delighted to see that the vision had been brought to life through Ruth, in such a beautiful format! Psalms & Stretches is the ideal vehicle to bring together so many of Clare’s existing skills and we are so pleased to have her on team! To find out about Clare’s classes please contact her directly.
West Sussex
Haywards Heath
Helen Fletcher
Helen has been dancing ever since she can remember, and for much of that time has been passionate about using movement as an expression of faith. She trained at Roehampton University and as an apprentice with Springs Dance Company, after which she developed a ‘two-pronged’ career in community dance and charity finance. As a community dance facilitator, Helen has worked for many years in schools, churches, community centres and residential homes. She loves the capacity movement has for improving people’s physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, and was delighted to discover Psalms & Stretches. During a time when our holistic health has been brought into sharp focus for us all, Psalms & Stretches has been a real source of nourishment for Helen and she looks forward to giving that same opportunity to her community. Helen also teaches chair-assisted Psalms & Stretches classes.
In-person class: Monday 6.30pm (1hr) @ Haywards Heath Methodist Church, RH16 3DN
Online classes: Monday 11.15am This class is Seated & Standing: a chair-assisted version of Psalms & Stretches perfect for those who need a little extra support while exercising.
Horsham
West Sussex
Catherine Sleeman
Catherine's career in dance began, aged four, with a deep longing to wear a pink tutu. Since then her love for creative movement has overtaken her love for the colour pink, and she hopes that as a Psalms & Stretches instructor she can share that love - and her faith - with others. Catherine was nurtured under Springs Dance Company's apprentice scheme before going on to complete her training at Trinity Laban. She is now a dancer with E33 Dance Company and has recently formed her own company, Alauda Dance, to create work which responds to the beauty of God's creation in an era of human-led climate breakdown. While she enjoys choreographing and performing, she also has a desire to facilitate other people to express themselves through movement - particularly those who might feel that they do not fit within conventional dance or exercise settings. We want everybody to feel welcome at Psalms & Stretches - no experience is neccesary, come just as you are!
In-person class: Thursdays 6.00pm (1hr) @ The Barn, The Causeway, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1HE
East Sussex
Seaford
Sarah Oakes
Sarah has always had a love for dance and movement. After discovering and falling in love with contemporary dance at college she went on to study Performance and Communication Arts specialising in Dance at York St John university, obtaining a BA Hons. Sarah and her husband served in a church in France for many years where she was a worship leader and where three of their four children were born. On return to the UK Sarah then relished the opportunity to run a Christian performing arts academy on the south coast training children and young people in dance, drama and vocals. Sarah now enjoys adult ballet and contemporary classes in her spare time and has been delighted to find Psalms & Stretches. She loves how the Psalms are combined with movement as an act of worship and is excited to help others benefit from the classes.
In-person class: Wednesdays 8.30am (1hr) @ St Peter's Church, 85 Belgrave Rd, Seaford, BN25 2HE
Somerset
Radstock
Danielle King
Danielle Danielle has a background in cheerleading, competing from the age of 12 and continuing as a cheerleading coach for several years after leaving school. She gained a diploma in Anatomy and Physiology as part of her training in Remedial Exercise, which she studied during an NVQ Level 3 in Beauty Therapy. Danielle led a local “support and stretch” class for those recovering from breast surgery or treatment after having undergone surgery herself and experiencing, first-hand, the benefits of using exercise as therapy to heal both physically and emotionally. She was recommended Yoga after the loss of a family member and after practicing for several years, trained in pre-school, children’s and yoga for teenagers, which she taught within schools and holidays clubs for many years. She also has a Diploma in Meditation. However, as Danielle developed in her Christian faith, she felt God calling her away from the practice Yoga, and yet still nudging her to use her skills and experiences to help people with their wellbeing. This is where Psalms & Stretches comes in! With a God-centred class that uses scripture from the bible, prayer as well as great stretches, Danielle found a class that’s core values and ethos matched her own. Through the vehicle of Psalms & Stretches, Danielle can bring her experience with movement, meditation and stretching and combine it with her heart for nurturing people and encouraging others to develop a relationship with our one true God.
Dorset
Bournemouth
Robyn is an accomplished dancer and dance teacher who founded So Sacred; a Christian dance company, based in Bournemouth. She runs several dance classes in the area of Dorset, is an active member of her church, Destiny Life Church. She studied Physiotherapy at Southampton University and now works as a physiotherapist. Robyn is passionate about worship through movement and helping others take care of their wellbeing. She was inspired to become a Psalms & Stretches instructor as a way of continuing to use her gifts to bring glory to God and to expand her offering to her community.
Robyn Peters
In-person class: TBC Wednesdays @ Destiny Life Church, Bournemouth BH11 8LQ www.destinylifechurch.org.uk
Northamptonshire
Finedon
Sophie Loosemore
Sophie has always loved to act and dance. She studied ballet, tap and modern from a young age and then contemporary dance and physical theatre while at university, where she graduated with a 1st class BA(Hons) Degree in Performing Arts. She trained with Springs Dance Company in their Elevate programme and has since worked as a professional freelance dance artist and choreographer on various projects in theatres, schools and within the community setting. Sophie has spent many years working for Full House, a children's theatre organisation based in Bedfordshire and funded by Arts Council England. She is also a Zumbini instructor (music & movement for children aged 0-4 years). On discovering Psalms & Stretches Sophie saw a way to combine her faith and her art together. She found the experience of moving the body whilst reading out scripture really connects mind, body and soul together, and as a mum of three, Sophie knows firsthand the benefit of carving out some quiet time to spend connecting with God! She can't wait to share the Psalms & Stretches experience with you!
Greater Manchester
Bury
Claire "Fizzy" Grant
Claire (aka Fizzy) originally trained as a dancer at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance (BPA Hons) and the London Contemporary Dance School (Post Grad Dip.). She then went on to complete a PGCE in Dance at Bolton University (1st Class Hons). As a dancer, Claire performed in London’s West End and all over Europe for over 10 years. Her credits include Dance Captain, West Ends ‘The Snowman’, Performer, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita, productions for Opera North and the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Claire has been teaching dance for over 20 years and Pilates for 8 years. As a Pilates instructor, Claire qualified with Stott Pilates in Mat-work Reformer and Total Barre. She also has a Level 4 qualification in falls prevention accredited by Later Life Training. Claire believes that exercise heals the mind, body and soul and that Psalms & Stretches can play an integral part in a journey to wholeness. Claire was so excited to have found Psalms & Stretches and is 'sold for life’! She hopes you will be too, as you make P&S part of your routine prayer life for God. Claire is excited about creating new supportive P&S communities both online and off.
Online class: Mondays 7.00pm (1hr)
Greater Manchester
Salford
Rachel Welsby-Maiden
Rachel is passionate about making exercise inclusive and accessible to everybody. She began teaching various forms of exercise after having children, while stepping away from her original career in social work to spend more time with her family, and, crucially, as a way of leading others in worship. Rachel has led sung worship at her church for years, and been part of various expressions of worship in her church and community. She is qualified to teach Pilates and Exercise to Music, has taught HIIT and Insanity, and has trained in Exercise Referral, specialising in Obesity and Diabetes Type 2. Rachel can also offer nutritional advice (which she loves), is a Leader in Running Fitness, and established a women's running club that has been running for over 8 years in Salford. More recent adventures involve coaching one of her sons' football teams, with its many highs and lows! Rachel works hard to break down the barriers that people face in accessing exercise and it's many benefits, as well as in encountering Jesus for themselves. She is excited to use Psalms & Stretches to see people experience God's goodness in an embodied way.
Leeds
Clare is an Early Years Educator who lives with her party of five (plus Bear, the black Lab) in West Yorkshire, Leeds. She originally trained as a Secondary RE and PE teacher where she loved the connection between teaching the physical and spiritual. However, after having children of their own, Clare worked with her husband, James, to plant a new church into the centre of Leeds. She now teaches Early Years children and loves to combine fun, food, fitness, family and faith into the adventure of life. Clare discovered Psalms & Stretches through a friend, and after experiencing the space and freedom that it gave her, wanted to train as an instructor herself to share The Kingdom of God with those in her own community. She is excited to see Psalms & Stretches move amongst all ages - maybe one day in her school!
Clare Barnett
Contact: clare.b@psalmsandstretches.com
Saltburn-by-the-Sea
Estelle is a trained Ballet dancer, who also studied Contemporary Dance and Music at the ‘Conservatoire De Danse et De Musique’ in Lille, Northern France, where she is originally from. She now lives in Saltburn-by-the-Sea with her husband who is a vicar in the Church of England. Estelle is an experienced dance and fitness instructor who owns DanceFit Saltburn, which offers a wide range of dance fitness classes. She is also a dance coach for a local theatre, working with adults with learning difficulties, and has worked in schools and nursing homes. Estelle now brings her passion for movement and faith together through Psalms & Stretches and is incredibly excited to bring this powerful ministry to her community! Please contact Estelle directly for more information about her classes.
Estelle Reed
Scotland
Stirling
Kirsten
Kirsten has a wide range of experience teaching dance to people of all ages, from youth groups to care homes. She studied at Performing Arts Studio Scotland, graduating with a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Performing Arts and a Higher National Diploma in Dance, and was also a Zumba fitness instructor. Kirsten was inspired to become a Psalms & Stretches instructor because of the holistic approach to wellbeing – the idea of facilitating and creating space for people to relax and meditate on God’s Word as well as to nurture their physical strength and mobility. Kirsten is also a Massage Therapist and her work in complementary therapies, as well as for the NHS, have informed her restorative approach to wellness, an approach that is gentle, caring and God-centred. We couldn’t think of better qualities for a P&S instructor and we are so excited to have Kirsten as our first instructor in Scotland!
Debbie
Scotland
Forfar
Debbie loves to connect with God through movement and dance as worship and has a passion for sharing this with others. She is the Scotland Regional Co-ordinator for the Christian Dance Fellowship of Britain and has been teaching worship dance for several years. As an office worker by day she knows how important it is to have good physical and mental wellbeing and so when Debbie was introduced to Psalms & Stretches she quickly realised how valuable it was in creating a special time and space for us to rest, relax and meditate on God's Word. It is time to move with the beat of His heart in a new way - at whatever age or stage of life you have reached. Debbie looks forward to sharing the Psalms & Stretches experience with you.
International
The Netherlands
Heerenveen, Friesland
Angela Wolswinkel
Angela started dancing as a 3 year old and more than half a century later, she is still dancing! Over the past four decades, she has taught lyrical and modern jazz and tap in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. She was teaching an adult worship dance class when a combination of the covid pandemic and breast cancer brought that to a sudden end. It was as a result of this situation that she discovered Psalms & Stretches during an online dance conference. Dance has always been her go-to place to switch off or to express positive and negative emotions and P&S was a gift from God in that season. Throughout the treatment, P&S was physically achievable and, by delving into God’s truth through the Psalms, emotionally and spiritually beneficial. Angela is a business English language trainer, a Network trainer, an accredited coach and mentor (EMCC), and is hoping to complete her masters in Spiritual Formation by researching how dance can bring healing to ex-prostitutes and trafficked women. Her underlying motivation in all she does, is a desire to support and encourage people as they discover and express their identity in Christ. She is excited about being a Psalms & Stretches instructor and guiding others in this gentle yet powerful form of movement and meditation.
In person classes: Monday 7.15pm (1hr) and Thursdays 8pm (1hr) @ Rinkelbom, Heerenveen.
Israel
Rosh Pina
Hana Rose
Hana is a dance educator in “Dance and Praise”. She originally trained in Psychology and went on study a PGCE in Primary Education. She loves the creative arts and founded a small community arts organisation called The Collective, offering a wide range of creative activities to children and young people. She is originally from England but has been living in Northern Israel since 2011. Hana loves connecting to God through movement as worship and it has been a key way for her to experience more of the Lord’s presence, healing and freedom in her life. She loves to share this passion with others and has been teaching worship dance workshops and courses over the last 12 years in the church and wider community. Hana has a heart for believers to experience intimacy with the Lord, to know God’s heart of healing and to deeply know their true identity in Him. She seeks to facilitate a space for people to meet with the Lord and to journey more deeply with Him into greater freedom. She is excited to teach Psalms & Stretches, using movement and stretching to embody and express the word of God and to open up a space for people to encounter the Lord.