Life is a journey full of movement, we want you to enjoy every minute of the ride.
Back Hero is the little sister of Barefoot Studio, Karen and Paula’s original company which they co-founded in 2005.
In a rapidly changing world in 2020 we closed our shop, studio and treatment rooms to focus on helping people in pain. Karen developed the Back Hero programme during the first lockdown. It’s based on two decades of experience, Karen’s own personal journey and the latest pain science.
Karen Ingram.
Pain & Movement Coach
The short bit…
Karen has a post grad in Pain Science from the University of South Australia. She has over 20 years experience of teaching Pilates and movement and specialises in chronic back pain using a combination of movement and coaching. Karen is a Senior Master Instructor for Peak Pilates and an International Nordic Walking Trainer for INWA. She is a best selling author.
The long bit…
Karen began teaching Pilates as part of her journey to heal years of chronic back pain. She initially qualified with Body Control Pilates and then went on to train classically with Peak Pilates.
“I love helping people to move without pain and getting back to doing the things they love. I love anything to do with movement, being outdoors, running, skiing, cycling, walking the dog! Sitting still is the problem!”
Karen has trained with SIRPA (Stress Illness Recovery Practitioners’ Association) and the NOI Group (Neuro Orthopaedic Institute). Using pain education, coaching and movement programmes she enables people to live without back pain and to enjoy moving again.
Karen is an INWA (International Nordic Walking Association) International Trainer and has taught Nordic Walking since 2006.
When she’s not at the studio you are most likely to find Karen in the big outdoors, walking in the hills, mountain biking, messing about in the sea or out for a run with Billie the dog.
Qualifications: Professional Certificate in Pain Science, Peak Pilates Senior Master Instructor, Fully Comprehensive Pilates Teacher, REPs Level 4 Lower Back Pain, INWA (International Nordic Walking Association) International Trainer. SIRPA Practioner.
Read Karen’s Story
Paula Wooding.
Paula has always been at the heart of Barefoot Studio, doing her best to keep Karen and the business organised! She is Co-Director and heads up finance and admin.
Paula knows Barefoot Studio inside and out and loves to match people to the best service that we offer.
“Making Barefoot Studio a welcoming place for everyone is what I love to do. You’ll find me at the end of the phone Monday to Thursday with Billie (the dog) under my desk”
Paula also runs our sister company nordicwalk.store
When Paula’s not at work, you will find her on a remote campsite somewhere in her Moho, most likely by the sea or up a mountain, either that or she’ll be digging the garden!
Meet Nosey, the Hero Shrew
Scutisorex.
We named our back hero programme after an amazing little animal. The Hero Shrew lives in the Congo and has the strongest spine in the animal kingdom. A fully grown man can stand on a Hero Shrew's back and not harm or damage the little one in any way!
Shrews use their noses to look for food and to sense danger. We thought this would make them a great character to help explain how danger sensors work or nociceptors. Nosey pops up in the Pain Lectures!
To help protect the amazing wildlife on our lovely planet we give 3% of all our income to The Ocean Clean Up