Bälans

“As a Pilates instructor, I have been delighted to find Bälans. The studio has easy access and parking. Joakim is an excellent teacher: enthusiastic and knowledgeable, fully up to date with all the latest developments and ideas and with the skill of knowing how to get the best out of a session. My weekly ‘one to ones’ are challenging, enjoyable and tailored to me. Follow a session or class with a massage and you have the perfect combination!”
Margaret Thomas, Pilates Instructor, St Andrews

“Karen you have the best hands in Britain!”
Mrs G Snelling

“I thoroughly enjoyed my session on Wednesday, and have been enjoying doing my exercises. For the first time in many years I have not had to take any painkillers for my back today, so am delighted already with the results.”
Susan Smith

“I just wanted to pass on how much I enjoyed your workshop in Stretching for Sport. As a fellow sports massage specialist I was aware of many of the stretches covered but I also learnt a lot more which is very much appreciated both for use with my clients and myself during  training.   As a lecturer myself I am aware that far too often people forget to pass on the compliments where they are due, so I hope you accept my apologies for taking  so long in sending this. I look forward to attending some more of your workshops in the future.” (sent three days after attending the Workshop)
Naomi Nettleton

“Karen at Bälans is well worth a visit whether you wish a relaxing massage to relieve everyday stresses or should you require treatment to specific areas due to injuries/muscle problems.

From the moment you walk through the door at Bälans you feel totally at ease and whatever treatment you choose you are guaranteed to relish the experience and leave fully relaxed.”Alison Stockley

“I enjoyed your demo at our podiatry branch meeting in Dundee yesterday as did we all. It has engendered an interest in Pilates which I mean to pursue, so thanks again for introducing us all to this useful discipline. You suggested that we request an email copy of the exercises shown and I would like to avail myself of your kind offer.

As a fully qualified reflexologist I have a great interest in complementary therapies, and seek to utilise any that may assist conventional medicine - or indeed may prove more successful. Your demonstration to the group was well received as it was delivered in a positive structured way and essentially involved the group as participants. I would certainly feel that a follow up one day would be welcomed by the branch. In the meantime, many thanks again and we feel assured of a successful outcome in Pilates.”
Ron Gibson - Podiatrist

“Joakim, thanks for the work done this week. Amazing difference in my leg for the game yesterday!”
Alasdair Archibald
Captain, Scotland Polo Team

“We would like to thank you for help that you have given Rohanne, our daughter in helping her to improve her core strength, as you will know, Rohanne, is a Ballerina who has been studying at the Dance school of Scotland in Glasgow, and during her early teenage years, Rohanne’s Core strength dipped and needed to be reinforced, the palates sessions you gave to Rohanne, assisted her greatly and without which she would not be in the position she is today. She has now earned a full scholarship at Elmhurst, with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Again with our many thanks, for your invaluable help.”
AP & LJ Compson-Bradford

“I was recommended to go to Bälans for sports massage by one of the Perth Triathlon Club members. I was training to run the 2009 London Marathon in April, using one of the places that my running club the Strathearn Harriers, has. I am self-employed, so I managed to fit in the appointments during the day every few weeks. I train nearly every day, either running or weights, and normally run on hills and trails. For the marathon, I introduced one long road run every week, starting at 8 miles last Autumn, building up the distance to 10, 12, 16 and finally 18 miles, on a hilly loop. By Christmas I was feeling pretty stiff and beaten up, despite stretching and restitutional bicycle turbo training, so I figured I was overdue a sports massage, and made an appointment with Joakim in January. I returned four weeks later, then about every three weeks after that.

Sports massage got rid of all the stiffness and soreness from the long runs and build up races. Joakim also found a few old injuries that I didn’t know about, and the massage broke up the old muscular scar tissue, to help them heal properly. I went the week before the race, and on the day had a very good run, not feeling stiff or cramping up at all. The London Marathon lives up to its reputation, with first class organization and fantastic support from the crowds and bands around the route. It was one of the most memorable races that I have done, and I finished in 3:48, under my target of 4 hours.

In the hours after the race I didn’t feel feel anywhere near as stiff or sore as after other races I have done, probably because I didn’t start with any from the training and previous races. I went for a couple of short restitutional runs and stretched afterwards, and went back to Bälans on the following Friday. That massage took away any remaining stiffness, and I ran the Dumyat Hill Race at Stirling University on the following Wednesday. I think that proved to me that including sports massage in my training helped my recovery, and also prevented small injuries from stiff muscles, so I could race and train how I wanted to with confidence. I have several more races this year, so I will keep up the sports massage, which is now part of my training.”
James Bussey

“Thanks for this, Joakim. The Pilates session made a huge difference both in terms of feeling that it had me a lot of good and also in giving my confidence a much needed boost. I have been practicing already and am really looking forward to the 27th. Thank you again”
Sue Doig

“Having managed to get to 4 1/2 stone overweight I was finding it difficult to motivate myself to exercise and take control of my weight. With many aches and pains due to the weight and previous injuries I was told about Joakim and found that some regular deep tissue massage sessions got me feeling more mobile and motivated. Over the next year and half I topped up those massage sessions with either Joakim or Karen and started to attend the Pilates classes. Focussing on regular, effective exercise and diet I lost the 4 1/2 stone in around 18 months. In October 2009 I completed my first ever 10k at Loch Ness in 1 hr and 6 mins. I continue to progress my fitness and have new goals for running in 2010. Thanks again to Joakim and Karen.”
Jann Heigh