Becky
“…I had a lot of questions, & group classes left no time to ask them or dig deeper into my own body's flexibility journey... I realised recordings did not work for me.
I needed 1:1 tuition & dedicated time that worked with my schedule.”
What other hobbies/ professions do you have?
Aerial Arts, Climbing, Walking, Running, Acro
When you begin training with me, what were your main flexibility goals?
I had a specific flexy goal/ pose in mind, Injury prevention, I wanted to learn more to develop my teaching/ coaching, I wanted to improve my flexibility to level up my other hobbies/ professions
What brought you to flexibility training?
Noticed that my lack of flexibility limited the moves and transitions I could access in my aerial training. This impacted my teaching and performing work and led to a lack of confidence.
What were you struggling with before we started working together?(physically, emotionally, or logistically e.g. pain, fear, lack of progress, confusion, inconsistency…)
Lack of progress, confusion over how to safely stretch, especially my upper back and shoulders. I was inconsistent in my stretching and did not prioritise it during my training.
How did that challenge make you feel?(Physically, emotionally, or both — whatever feels true.)
Led to lots of self-comparison to others, which resulted in frustration and self-consciousness over my flexibility level. Also, a lack of flexibility, technique and knowledge led to repeated hamstring injuries.
Have you tried anything else before joining KMM? If so, what was missing?
I had tried online flexibility classes, but if I couldn't make it. Due to work, I did not make the time to catch up on the recordings. Group classes either felt too easy or too difficult to access. I had a lot of questions, and group classes left no time to ask them or dig deeper into my own body's flexibility journey. Online stretch libraries also didn't work. I realised recordings did not work for me. I needed 1:1 tuition and dedicated time that worked with my schedule.
“…Moves that once felt stiff on the aerial equipment became easier, and I could feel my shoulders had begun opening up. ”
What made you choose to work with me / join KMM?
I had seen the flexibility progress made by others on your social media, as well as by people I knew in real life. Your availability and flexibility for daytime 1:1 sessions.
What was the moment you realised things were starting to change?(A movement breakthrough, a mindset shift, a feeling in your body…)
I understood what I was trying to achieve in a stretch, even if my body couldn't do it yet. Moves that once felt stiff on the aerial equipment became easier, and I could feel my shoulders had begun opening up. Progress images of my bridge.
What specific tools, techniques, or support that we explored working together do you feel helped you the most? (Feel free to mention anything from class cues to emotional encouragement.)
Creative cues, such as firing fireballs out of my palms, really helped me extend further in stretches. Opportunities to discuss why a particular stretch would be good for my body, what the exact aim of the stretch was and where I should be feeling it. Encouragement and reframing my mindset to continue stretching even when progress was slow or I didn't have time to stretch outside of classes. Enjoyed being encouraged to move within a stretch or move in and out of a stretch - finding fluidity in my body.
“…Creative cues, such as firing fireballs out of my palms, really helped me extend further in stretches.”
How has your flexibility or movement practice changed since we began? And how do you feel in your body and mind now, compared to when you started? (Feel free to share physical progress, mindset shifts, or anything else that feels meaningful.)
Mindset has changed from achieving the splits quickly, even if the technique is bad, to flexibility being a journey, and I have learnt to love the process and enjoy the ride. I'm now stretching sensibly, aiming for good technique with longevity in mind. I want to be active for a long time, not seriously injured within a couple of years.
Physically feel more connected to my body, able to isolate and activate particular areas and muscles. Better understanding of my body and that of my students in order to achieve better movement pathways, both on and off the aerial equipment.
“… I'm now stretching sensibly, aiming for good technique with longevity in mind.
I want to be active for a long time, not seriously injured within a couple of years. ”
What are your goals now? Think about the next step in your previous goals, &/or any new goals you now have.
Just keep going with the slow gains, and the mindset of it is a marathon, not a sprint.
How did working together help you overcome your flexibility struggle or original challenges?
Paying for weekly private lessons reframed flexibility as a priority in my schedule. It also removed the questions and confusion I had, instead of trying the same old stretches or a random stretch from Instagram. I had homework and targeted approaches to flexibility training. I now make time to stretch and feel confident in the stretches I practice.
What has surprised you most about this journey?
Learning to enjoy the journey, reframing flexibility as a long-term goal.
How much my shoulders have opened up, often this felt unattainable for me.
What part of your progress are you most proud of? (This could be a pose, a feeling, a habit, or a new level of confidence.)
My mindset shift and my bridge
Is there anything else from your continued journey that you feel is important to share? Or do you have any tips, recommendations or advise for anyone wanting to begin their flexy journey?
Be curious about your body. Why does one stretch feel good while another doesn't? What are your strengths and weaknesses when stretching?
“…be curious about your body.
Why does one stretch feel good while another doesn't? What are your strengths and weaknesses when stretching?”
What would you say to someone who’s struggling with flexibility and thinking about joining KMM?
Give it a go! Kathryn is a great teacher. I recommend her regularly to my aerial students and colleagues. She makes flexibility training fun and engaging. She is great at encouraging you to keep going when it gets tough. She finds creative ways to explain a stretch to you and is always open to curious questions. Her style of teaching and approach to stretching has drastically changed my relationship with my body and flexibility training for the better!
