Hemel woman helps people keep active during lockdown

A dance and fitness coach from Hemel Hempstead has taken her classes online to help keep people moving during the coronavirus lockdown.

Shannen Redmond, 25, from Boxmoor, moved her classes to the web when she had to close her business at the end of March when the country went into lockdown, she decided to use her time to help motivate people to move, both for their mental and physical health.

She said: “I aim to lift people’s moods and feel motivated after the class to achieve anything in the day!

"No matter what age, size, or fitness level.

"At first it was a challenge especially the technology side of it. Zoom isn’t really designed for fitness classes with music, but now that I have the hang of it it’s been been great.

"My clients seem to like the online aspect especially as you can do the class in your Pj’s and no one would know!

"I have also had friends who wouldn’t normally be able to join me in the studio which has been so nice.

"I have one join from Virginia and one in New Jersey all the way in America. Seeing everyone has definitely kept me going."

Shannen is a professionally trained dancer and fitness instructor with over five years of teaching experience in all ages and areas of fitness/dance.

She is passionate about the link with mental health and exercise making it her main focus in the classes.

Shannen started dancing when she was three and has learnt a number of styles over the years including RAD ballet, ISTD tap and modern, contemporary, Street and Irish dancing at competition level. She went on to train professionally at Ballet West Scotland graduating in 2016 with a BA (hons) in dance.

She added: "Like many fitness instructors and dance teachers, we just don’t know how long the restrictions will be for us and when and possibly if we could get back to full capacity in the studio again.

"The class numbers would have to be much smaller but I don’t know how social distancing would work especially for a barre class for example which involves being close to people on a ballet barre.

"I think we are very lucky to have the internet and the technology to bring the classes online however. If we can get back to the studio but people still don’t feel comfortable yet they know they have the virtual classes as an option.

"I see this becoming the future of fitness classes though. It would hopefully have a positive effect and encourage people the give it a go that have never stepped into a gym before - they would feel more comfortable in their own home exercising."

Shannon has over 10 years stage experience including productions with the National Youth Ballet, English Youth Ballet, One youth Dance and East London dance.

These include performing for the Queen at her Coronation Concert at Buckingham Palace and at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games Opening ceremony.

Since graduating she has worked professionally as a dancer in the 2018 feature film 'Little Stanger'.

For more information about classes visit her Facebook Page or Instagram Page.