“While other trainers have toolboxes from which to draw various training exercises and methods, Sam has an entire shopping mall of Saudi-Arabian proportions. The sheer variety of exercises, games, ideas and drills she knows and is able to teach due to her own rigorous and multifaceted training is a breath of fresh air, and she never stops to facinate or surprise me.
This is evident in how she coaches people from all walks of life. She doesn't just prescribe exercises that strengthen X or lengthen Y - she creates experiences that change how people think about their own bodies and what they are capable of.”
"When I watch Samantha dance I see elegance, musicality, spinal articulation and mobility. I see a sense of humour and ability to connect with the audience, but what I see most is strength and resiliency. Seven months since her serious accident she is rising above and an even stronger mover and dancer than before. Different and more versatile. Can't wait to see what she does next!
DR. CYNTHIA BUTLER, CALIFORNIA USA
“You have been giving me tools to actually notice and correct things rather than just patch things up, which is what I was doing with standard physio. Pilates has also helped a lot but with some limitations. So, thank you thank you thank you!! It is a long road ahead but who knows maybe in a small way I will be able to help others like you do one day. I would love that”
Mrs A
I discovered movement in my early 20's, through Kung Fu and Belly Dance. I quickly discovered Tribal fusion thanks to Rachel Brice and fell for the style. I have been studying, teaching and performing internationally since 2006. I toured with Miles Copeland's The Bellydance Superstars, collaborating with dancers at the top of the genre. I have performed and taught workshops in over 42 countries.
In 2018 a serious accident left me immobilised. I worked through over a year of rehabilitation, going from a wheelchair back to dancing on stage again.
I am European qualified in Pilates and hold a BPJEPS Pro Sports Instructor Diploma in France. While I am not a medical professional myself, I work in collaboration with healthcare professionals, teaching at a local physiotherapy clinic in Burgundy, France as a “collaboratrice” under the supervision of a physiotherapist.
Once patients have had their physio treatment, I guide them through Pilates and movement sessions drawing from my dance background, Pilates training and study with my mentors, Jozef and Linda of Fighting Monkey Rootless Root
I am a proud member of “FM Stray Dogs” A collective of exceptional professionals bringing art and science together through movement.
I collaborate with people of all ages and varied disorders ranging from back pain to neurodegenerative disease, stroke survivors, Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s. I am constantly researching and developing my work in order to give people the best possible experience, while moving in their bodies, in collaboration with medical professionals.
When not at the clinic (and not in a pandemic) I travel to teach at international dance events instructing and performing my take on dance and movement based on current research fused with my years of experience as a professional performer.
BJEPS Educateur Sportif Européen. Activités de la Forme. Cours Collectifs.
Certified FRCms® Functional Range Conditioning Mobility Specialist.
Qualified Level 3 Mat Pilates instructor VTCV City and Guilds.
Theatre performance study at The London International School of Performing Arts (LISPA)
American Tribal Style® Certified the first Tribal Fusion instructor to receive the FatChanceBellyDance® ATS General Skills Teacher Certification.
