Meet Jenna Blair and the Team

Jenna Blair ~ Director at jenna blair yoga

Jenna is a yoga teacher and the beautiful practice of yoga is the love of her life.

Like many people, Jenna was first drawn to yoga for its physical benefits - she was keen to keep fit and healthy and yoga was a form of exercise that she actually enjoyed! The practice improved her overall fitness levels, strength and flexibility but after starting to attend regular classes it soon became clear that the benefits were reaching far beyond the physical...

Jenna found that she was happier, calmer and more content with all aspects of her life, her mood was lighter, negative habits were easier to kick and she knew that she had found something that she was always meant to find. 

Jenna delivers mindful sessions focussing on moving the body, using the breath and finding time to relax. Her classes are gentle in approach and suitable for beginners (as well as more experienced yogis!). Her vision is to offer as much yoga to as many people as possible. She opened Jenna Blair Yoga (yoga studio, treatment rooms and wellbeing hub) on Belle Vue Road, Shrewsbury in May 2021 following the conversion of the building during the pandemic.

Natasha Arnfield ~ Yoga Teacher and Community Group Fundraiser

Natasha has been practicing Yoga for several decades. She is drawn to its philosophy as a non-competitive physical and spiritual practice that unites the movement with the breath allowing the mind to quieten. Natasha is passionate about the inclusive nature of yoga and believes that yoga can benefit anyone and everyone potentially creating a transformative experience each time we arrive on the mat. 

Natasha also supports Jenna Blair Yoga Community with fundraising to enable the work of our community group to continue

Hazel Banks ~ Pregnancy and Postnatal Physiotherapist

Hazel is a pregnancy and postnatal physiotherapist and Mummy MOT practitioner. As a mum of two, she understands just how hard it can be to prioritise your own health and wellbeing when looking after young children. She prides herself in finding practical ways to build rehabilitation into your schedule without taking up much precious time out of your day. 

Contact Hazel directly here > https://www.natalrestore.com/services

Anna Botley ~ Administration | Operations Assistant and Yoga Teacher 

Anna supports with administration and general operations and his a much valued member of the team. Yoga has helped Anna create a more balanced and peaceful life and is a part of her everyday routine. She shares Jenna's passion for offering the practice of yoga to as many people as possible. Anna completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2022 and teaches yoga regularly here at JBY. Anna has a mind, body and soul approach to life, and finds that yoga really supports that.

Olivia Bound ~ Administration | Operations Assistant

Olivia recently became part of the wonderful team at Jenna Blair Yoga working parttime as an Admin and Operations Assistant. She thoroughly enjoys being part of an incredible team. Liv says that welcoming people at the front desk, coming into the centre to feel their very best, is a true blessing.

Liv also helps to support the smooth functioning of the centre by handling a variety of administrative and operational tasks. She has attended various yoga sessions and family workshops and feels a strong connection to the space. She looks forward to supporting new initiatives, including not-for-profit work, and being part of the ongoing impact Jenna Blair Yoga has on the community.

Liv first discovered yoga eight years ago at the beginning of her pregnancy and has practiced ever since, Initially drawn its physical benefits, such as improving strength and flexibility, she soon realized the profound impact it had on her mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Beth Bradbury ~ Finance  Manager

Beth oversees all things financial here at JBY from invoicing and bookkeeping to managing grant funding for our community work. She also helps ensure that things run smoothly by organising the diary, timetable and room bookings. Beth also helps to look after the building and the people who use it, and plays a key role on our Yoga & Wellbeing Retreat Days ensuring that everyone is fed and watered when they need to be! (she's also been Jenna's best friend since 1989, the two of them having grown up next door to one another!). If you don't encounter Beth on our reception desk or at the end of an email, you'll find her on her yoga mat in our studio space.

Sally Brocklehurst ~ Yoga Teacher

Sally is a Yoga Alliance certified teacher, registered with FRYOG and Yogakidz Worldwide. Sally is a fully qualified teacher in both Postnatal Yoga and Mummy&Baby Yoga. She is certified in Mindfulness, Movement, Relaxation and Meditation, and has completed a 30h Yoga for Stress and Anxiety training course with Yogacampus.

Sally has a BA hons degree in Early Childhood Development and has many years of experience working with new mummies, babies, toddlers and children. Sally has two beautiful daughters of her own and truly understands that each and every journey into Motherhood is unique.

Becca Cartwright ~ Yoga Teacher

Becca first met yoga when she was 11 years old, after finding the book 'Wake Up to Yoga' by Lyn Marshall on her mum's bookshelf. Sneaking the book into her bedroom trying to copy the poses in there with no idea what she was doing...

Roll on 10 years and dalliances with various meditation and fitness groups she finally landed on Buddhism with the Soka Gakkai International and was a keen yoga student. The Buddhist principles and yoga practice went together beautifully, hand-in-hand.

Becca continued to practice yoga for another 14 years with various teachers from different yogic traditions and loved how it made her feel mentally, emotionally, and physically.

In 2021 the perfect opportunity arose to attend a 200-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training course with Sandstone Yoga (Yoga Alliance Professionals Trainer Pro) at Jenna Blair Yoga and followed this up with Children and Teen Yoga Teacher Training (50 hours) with Wellbeing Bees (also YAP Trainer Pro) in 2022.

Becca firmly believe that yoga is for everybody and every body and demonstrates this through the classes she delivers on behalf of both Jenna Blair Yoga and Jenna Blair Yoga Community, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.

Maria Cross ~ Reiki Practitioner

Maria has always valued holistic approaches to physical and mental wellbeing. Being out in nature and tapping into the natural energies all around induces a sense of calm and balance especially during her career in education. The feeling of wellbeing that natural energies bring, inspired Maria to explore Reiki energy and train for her Level 1 Certificate in April 2023. The journey of self-healing did quiet the internal chatter and heightened an awareness of being at peace both mentally and physically. The Reiki practice and principles resonated with Maria and inspired her to train as a Reiki Practitioner (Level 2) so that she can share the wonderful benefits of the universal life force energy with as many people as possible.

Lizzie Daley ~ Yoga Teacher

Lizzie has been practicing yoga for around 10 years having discovered the practice during a stressful time in her life. Lizzie found that yoga - lifestyle, breathwork and meditation enabled her to live a healthier and happier life and was inspired to offer the gift of yoga to others. Lizzie's intention is to create a safe space in the studio for people to bring their mind, body and spirit back into balance.

Tessa Durham ~ Yoga teacher

Tessa is a mother of three children and she lives and works in Shrewsbury. Tessa discovered yoga as a stressed out young solicitor, but really began to explore it in greater depth during and after her pregnancies. She qualified to teach core strength vinyasa yoga in 2018 and her classes are very much influenced by the in-depth anatomical education she received during this training. However, she takes a softer, slower approach than you might expect to find in vinyasa classes, allowing plenty of opportunity to pause and rest. Tessa also facilitates women’s circles and has a particular interest in building supportive communities of mothers.

Tessa teaches Pregnancy Yoga at Jenna Blair Yoga on Sunday evenings 5.30-6.30pm. Please contact her direct to find out more, or to book > tessadurhamyoga@gmail.com

Steph Flynn ~ Birth Nerd

Steph trained as a midwife before leaving in 2018 to follow her heart and intuition in antenatal education, hypnobirthing and birth doula. This is where Steph’s heart and passion truly belongs and she feels like this is her calling. The word 'midwife' means being with woman and this is what Steph can do now! Without the barriers, red tape and politics.

Steph can now be at women's sides. Holding space, providing continuity, advocating and truly having the time to listen to their concerns, wants and needs.

Steph wants to provide positive, realistic and non-judgemental antenatal classes for a confident and informed birth experience.

Steph is an experienced certified Katharine Graves hypnobirthing teacher and Yes Mum Birth Project affiliated teacher. This, combined with the experience and skills acquired during her time as a midwife, has given her a solid understanding of the birthing process and the maternity system. Steph knows exactly what it takes to help you on your own positive birth journey.

To read more about Steph's work and to book go to > https://www.birthnerd.co.uk/

Nena Foster ~ Marketing | Administration and Operations Assistant 

Nena is currently studying for her 200hr Yoga Teacher Training. She is volunteering at JBY helping to set-up classes, working on reception and generally being on hand to help out and soak up the day-to-day life at a yoga studio.

Nena first found yoga as a teenager and it has weaved its way through her life ever since. She was drawn to the physical and philosophical aspects of the practice in equal measure and has found yoga to be a constant source of comfort, guidance and inspiration. Whatever stage of life she has been at and whatever has been showing up for her it's the practice of yoga that has been consistent. In a world that is often busy and noisy, yoga has offered stillness, balance and calm.

Her motivation to teach is to be able to share with others the wonderful power that yoga has to bring ease and calm to both body and mind. 

Nena also works as a designer for a marketing agency. She creates designs for social media campaigns, as well as posters, flyers and presentations. Through her work as a designer she has worked on brand development and designed for the greetings and fashion industries. She particularly enjoys working with brands to help them to visualise and communicate their message.

When she's not working or studying, Nena will be taking care of her son, spending time her family or gardening.

Jane Gill ~ Creative Workshop Facilitator

Jane has a degree in English and Drama and spent many happy years as a teacher. When menopause struck, anxiety crept in and life was feeling lack-lustre, creative journaling helped Jane find her joy and sense of fun once more. Having fun with colours, words, paints and pens, helped her discover the deep benefits of creating, without an end product in mind - having busy hands really helps to quiet the mind.

Jane runs a range of creative workshops at Jenna Blair Yoga and with different groups across Shropshire, made possible by our community group including creative journaling and seasonal arts and crafts.  She is also passionate about reading and runs our very own book club – The Serenity Society.

Helen Grosscurth ~ Holistic Therapist

Helen is an excellent and experienced holistic therapist who trained over 22 years ago - she is one of those lucky people who can honestly say that she loves her job! Helen offers the following treatments at Jenna Blair Yoga - Sports Remedial, Swedish, Deep Tissue, Holistic (using aromatherapy oils) and Lymphatic Drainage Massage and Holistic Facials using the beautiful range of Neal's Yard Remedies Organic products. She tailors massage treatments depending on the client's specific needs.

To book an appointment with Helen, get in touch direct - jennablair@hotmail.com / 07812 596609.

Louise Hampson ~ Holistic Therapist

Louise is a fully qualified holistic therapist and offers the following treatments at Jenna Blair Yoga; Swedish massage, pregnancy massage, hot stone massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage massage and Neal's Yard facials. Louise loves sharing her skill and passion for health and wellbeing as well as providing support and advice on living a healthy, holistic life. Louise loves seeing her clients float out of the treatment room stress free and relaxed.  You may also find her behind the desk in reception, helping with some of the day-to-day administration. Whether in the yoga studio or one of the lovely treatment rooms, Louise thoroughly enjoys spending time here at Jenna Blair Yoga!

Emma Hickson ~ Yoga Teacher and Women’s Circle Leader

Emma is a Yoga Teacher, Occupational Therapist and trainee Yoga Therapist and Women’s Circle Leader. Yoga for Emma, has been an invitation to a more wholesome life and she believes that yoga can be a therapeutic tool to enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of individuals and communities. Emma has had the privilege to teach yoga in a variety of settings, including: village halls, teaching patients and staff in a mental health hospital, NHS staff as part of a Wellbeing Initiative and chair-yoga to individuals living in residential care homes.

Emma’s style of yoga teaching takes a restorative approach which invites students to find ease and drop out of the thinking mind and into the present sensations in the body. Her classes are designed to deliver a soft and mindful practice which combines breathwork, meditation, flowing movements, and deep relaxation. Emma’s aim is to encourage both beginners and more seasoned yogis to cultivate a greater connection to self by listening and responding to their own bodies and by finding more instinctual and intuitive movements which support them.  

Jess Irvin-Wright ~ Relax Kids Coach

Jess is a certified Relax Kids Coach and specialises in supporting children's emotional wellbeing through teaching mindful and relaxation techniques. Throughout her 20 year career of working in educational settings, she has always had a keen interest in children's emotional wellbeing and noticed there was a real gap in services to support this. Jess completed her Relax Kids training in 2022 -she loves that, through gentle yoga stretches, mindfulness, breathwork and meditation, Relax Kids is a reset button that allows the nervous system to find peace and calm, and that's so valuable in our childrens' busy lives.

Emily Jones ~ Yoga Teacher and Holistic Therapist

Emily is a yoga teacher with a background in fitness and dance. She is also a holistic therapist offering a range of beautiful treatments in our wellbeing rooms. After many years working in the London dance industry, Emily stumbled across yoga in between shows and auditions and fell totally in love with its mind and body approach to movement, and life. Learning how to stretch without pain or discomfort and finally looking after her body felt incredible. Emily seeks to help and support everyone that she meets in the yoga studio and/or the wellbeing room.

Zoe Lomas ~ Pilates and Metafit Teacher

Zoe has spent the majority of her life in Shropshire, having grown up horse riding across the hills to now walking them.

A change in direction in her late twenties, allowed her to develop an interest and achieve several qualifications within the fitness industry. This she has put to good use, having spent the last 12 years working as a fitness instructor and personal trainer. During this time the birth of her beautiful daughter helped her to realise the importance of Pilates and all of its benefits in her own exercise routine. This led her to gain a qualification in Fitness Pilates.

Sophie McCahey ~ Yoga Teacher

Sophie is a Shrewsbury based yoga teacher who takes a mindful approach to her classes. Since completing her teacher training (at Jenna Blair Yoga) in the autumn of 2021, Sophie has taught yoga classes and workshops in a variety of settings. With a background in working with health and wellbeing, Sophie weaves that holistic approach to wellness into her classes. Although yoga has so many benefits, it really goes beyond the physical and Sophie is true to this philosophy throughout her work as a teacher. She believes that yoga is for everybody and always aims to create a relaxed, friendly and inclusive environment.  

Maggie Nock ~ Yoga Teacher

Maggie is a Shropshire based yoga teacher who works with children and adults with SEND and their families. Since completing her practitioner training in 2022, Maggie has worked in a variety of settings. With a background of over 20 years teaching in Special Education, Maggie delivers the Special Yoga methodology combining the practices of movement, breathwork, relaxation, sound and singing, massage and energy, and mindfulness. The benefits of Special Yoga include: balanced body and mind; increased body and spatial awareness; development of motor skills; self-regulation; improved posture; flexibility, strength and muscle tone; reduced anxiety and depression; improved sleep quality. 

Special Yoga sessions are for all the family, and are ‘grounded in love, respect for ourselves and compassion for those in our care. Everybody has the right to shine.’ Jyoti Manuel Special Yoga Founder

Maggie delivers beautiful outreach yoga sessions on behalf of Jenna Blair Yoga Community.

Karena Orton ~ Counsellor

Karena is an experienced Counsellor, passionate about helping her clients reach their full potential and develop into well-rounded, happy individuals.

​She creates a warm, supportive, healing environment, giving people the time and space they need to feel heard and feel less burdened.

Karena is a fully qualified, a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and has experience working with various organisations including The NHS and within voluntary and educational settings. 

If you would like to take the first step towards finding happiness, reducing anxiety and creating positive change in your life, please contact Karena directly > Counselling Directory / karenaorton@outlook.com

Emily Owen ~ Yoga Teacher

Yoga was introduced into Emily’s life by her mum when she was 14, enrolling into a 6 week beginners course. On this course she began to feel the power of the practice within her body and from then on she knew there was more to Yoga than just stretches. Yoga later found its way back into her life in 2015 - it became a focus, a way of being present during a time of mental distraction - an escape. This led to embarking on a life changing Yoga Retreat in Thailand, where Yoga became more than the practice on the mat, it changed her entire mindset and perspective on life.

With a relaxed, light- hearted teaching style, there is no pressure or competition within Emily’s classes just the desire to learn from within. Focusing on alignment, she provides her students with clear alignment instructions. Classes are creative, playful, and explorative. Emily encourages people to learn about their own body and motivates them to take on new challenges.

Emily is passionate about sharing Yoga with everyone ,helping on their journey to health and happiness.

Lucy Pugh ~ Yoga Teacher

Lucy has been a dedicated yogi for over 10 years after wandering into a class at university and never looking back! Yoga has been her anchor and her passion ever since.

She is driven by a commitment to guide people through their own personal yoga journey to greater self awareness, increased fitness and flexibility and a deep sense of inner peace and contentment! Each class is carefully choreographed to music, weaving authentic yoga philosophy and themes into a series of yoga poses and gently flowing sequences to create a deeply relaxing atmosphere and a class which is both challenging and fun - different levels of poses offered to suit everyone from beginners to experienced yogis! Come and share the joy of yoga and leave feeling rejuvenated and inspired by this beautiful practice.

Sian Rogers ~ Bowen Technique Therapist

Siân qualified as a Bowen Therapist 5 years ago having been inspired to help others with healing and is registered with BTAA. Siân found this non-invasive treatment following many years of hip pain and medical procedures and the results were life changing. Not only helping with physical discomfort, Bowen Therapy was also a huge aid in assisting with personal grief. 

When not in clinic, Siân can be found looking for her Beagle, or exploring in her camper. 

Jess Sewell ~ Yoga Teacher

Jess's yoga journey began over 25 years ago during nurse training in Brighton and supporting her through her experiences as a mother of two daughters. She certified as a yoga teacher in 2011 and is deeply passionate about the transformative power of breath and movement. Jess's teaching philosophy centres around nurturing mind, body, and breath to cultivate a sense of freedom and release. Jess recently expanded her expertise by training with renowned Menopause Yoga teacher Petra Coveney. 

Laura Smith ~ Integrative Counsellor

Laura is a humanistic integrative counsellor accredited with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists. She holds a PG Diploma in Integrative Counselling and has completed additional training to become a Bereavement Counsellor and an Anxiety UK approved therapist.

Laura works in private practice and within the hospice care sector specialising in grief work.  She works with adults of all ages (18+) supporting them through bereavement and loss, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and trauma. 

Laura is a warm, curious, and compassionate therapist who is passionate about exploring what it means to be human and helping people live authentic and fulfilling lives. 

To book an appointment with Laura at Jenna Blair Yoga, get in touch direct - laurasmithcounselling@outlook.com / 07342 819166

Nick Smith ~ Yoga Teacher

Nick originally trained as a Contemporary dancer, graduating with a degree in Dance in 2010. He qualified as a Yoga teacher in 2016 and a Pilates teacher in 2018. More recently, Nick completed an MSc in Dance and Sports Science graduating with a Merit in 2020. Nick is a lecturer in Anatomy and Exercise Physiology at Universities across the Midlands, acting as an advocate for physical movement and the benefits an active mind and body can bring.

Tom Stacey ~ Yoga and Tai Chi Qigong Teacher

Tom Stacey is a qualified yoga teacher and has completed various teacher training courses with The British Wheel Of Yoga, Karam Kriya and Patanjali Yogpeeth Schools.

He teaches Kundalini Yoga and also runs Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes and workshops. He has many years experience running classes for adults of all ages and levels of experience.

Olesia Tanaka ~ Yoga Teacher

Olesia is a yoga teacher who is passionate about her practice, and sharing it with others. Alongside caring for her large family, Olesia guides a number of private classes each week here at Jenna Blair Yoga. She also hosts our Friday evening yoga sessions supported by Shropshire Supports Refugees - these sessions are taught in Ukrainian and are open to anyone wishing to attend, particularly those who have moved to Shropshire recently. 

Hattie Thorpe Gunner ~ Project Manager and Communications | Yoga Teacher

Hattie started to develop a yoga practice in 2015 as a way to improve strength and flexibility but soon found herself being drawn to the mat time and time again as she began to learn more about yoga’s deeper, quieter and spiritual roots.

Hattie is passionate about the powerful benefits of yoga to our physical and mental health and as an essential antidote to the demands of our busy, modern lives. She aims to teach safe, non-competitive classes focusing on what feels good in postures.

After completing a yoga foundation course with British Wheel of Yoga in 2017, Hattie decided to take her passion a step further and completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training with Sandstone’s Teacher Training Academy, recognised as a ‘Trainer Pro’ by Yoga Alliance Professionals.

Julia Ugrinic ~ acupuncturist

Julia is a classically trained Five-Element acupuncturist and a full member of the British Acupuncture Council. Julia studied for 3 years at The Acupuncture Academy in Leamington Spa and was awarded a distinction for her Professional Licentiate, and highly commended for her clinical skills.

Julia has gained experience treating both teens and adults presenting with various physical and emotional symptoms who have struggled to find relief from more conventional medical approaches. She says ‘Since my late teens I have suffered with physical pain that led me to try acupuncture. I have been so impressed with the outcomes of this wonderful form of treatment that it took me in the direction of retraining and becoming an acupuncturist. This beautiful and gentle form of treatment rebalances at a mind, body, and spirit level, and therefore as I have experienced myself, not only has treatment helped with a physical complaint, it has helped with emotional symptoms that have presented in my life.’

Claire Walker ~ Administrator

Claire is our Virtual Assistant and she is busy behind the scenes updating our website and emailing newsletters to the yogis on our mailing list. Claire has recently rekindled her love of yoga and is now a regular attendee at our yoga classes, along with her husband and two children.

Charlotte Williams ~ Administration | Operations Assistant

Charlotte has been passionate about health and wellness for most of her life and realised the importance of taking responsibility for her mental health early on when finding ways to manage anxiety after suffering with panic attacks. She has studied with the Academy of Healing Nutrition and has qualified as a Holistic Health Practitioner.

Yoga has always been Charlotte's go to when it comes to movement, and after experimenting with different styles, she finds gentler classes provide most benefit for her busy mind (Yin and Gentle Yoga are her favourite classes here at JBY!) 

Charlotte has recently created more space in her life and is excited to connect with her dreams and passions using her practical skills and empathy. She echos the mission here at JBY to help and provide positive space for others to find peace and wellness.