TESTIMONIALS
I’ve been doing 1-1 Boxing/Muay Thai sessions with Ruth for a couple of months now and have absolutely loved every minute of it. Ruth’s welcoming personality and encouraging attitude leaves you feeling confident even as a beginner. Ruth makes every session different, challenging and enjoyable, she understands your training limits but ensures she pushes you when she feels you can do it. In just a short amount of time I’ve seen such an improvement in my fitness levels and have learnt so much already! Ruth is a truly amazing trainer and I would recommend her to anyone looking for 1-1 sessions!
AMY PARRATT
THAI
BOXING
Personal Training
After letting myself get out of shape, working long hours, eating the wrong food and drinking too much alcohol. With lockdown, work stresses and young kids, time and knowing what to do to improve things were in short supply.
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After always playing football and doing a fair amount of cross fit and having dabbled in boxing years ago, I contacted her and had a few initial sessions with her as a way of getting back into fitness and getting a bit of motivation. Having the opportunity to train with a 5 time world champion and such a well known figure in Muay Thai could have been an intimidating experience, but Ruth was brilliant, friendly and put me at ease right away, so much so that I now consider her a friend.
I have continued to train regularly with Ruth for the last year and have progressed massively in that time.
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Ruth has challenged and pushed me to succeed and I have grown in confidence, ability and belief along the way. Ruth is a fantastic coach and mentor who I cannot recommend highly enough to anyone, so much so that I have encouraged my girlfriend to do Ruth’s strong yoga classes too! I really look forward to my PT sessions with Ruth and even though I am often on the floor after, I know I have worked extremely hard thanks to Ruth’s encouragement. She keeps the classes interesting each time through thorough planning, tailoring to each client’s needs and combines technique and skill knowledge with general strength training. If you are looking to get into shape or train at boxing or Muay Thai then Ruth will help you reach your goals.
OLIVER MACEY
THAI
BOXING
Personal Training
Absolutely love Ruth’s sessions! They’re fresh & different every week, a challenge for every fitness level, with a group of fantastic ladies. Awesome for getting all over fit and a great way to mentally & physically reset mid week.
Thanks Ruth - please don’t ever stop doing these lessons.
CAROLINE MEPHAM
THAI
BOXING
Ladies' Classes
I've been training with Ruth for a few months now and it's been the best training I've ever experienced.
Ruth is literally a world champion and has such a deep level of expertise in Thai boxing that even though I was a complete beginner, she has helped me build up my skill in such a short amount of time.
She is very friendly, warm and approachable which made me feel comfortable from our first session together.
If you're looking for one of the best Muay Thai boxing coaches in the UK and someone who can help you increase your skill and confidence, you're in the right place - Speak with Ruth!
LEWIS MCDONNELL
THAI
BOXING
Personal Training
Ruth is uniquely qualified to take a complete novice to someone who falls in love with the training within the space of 1 session. The sessions themselves push you, but no so far you can’t cope, and Ruth makes the sessions so much fun.If you are looking for a Thai boxing coach, then Ruth is by far the best in the business. With a proven track record and her fighting ability, Ruth has taken all her knowledge and experience and applied it in a setting suitable for beginners right through to professionals. She makes every training session fun, and in a relaxed setting that makes learning new skills a joy.
CHRIS PATCH
THAI
BOXING
Personal Training
I have been training with Ruth for about 4 years now. I was an absolute beginner when I first started, and I found it difficult to gain confidence and push myself. Ruth knows how to get the best out of me, and she has the ability to strike a good balance between being tough whilst also being patient. This is more than a job for Ruth, she puts so much time and effort into her personal training sessions, and the pride she has for her pupils as she watches them improve and grow, really shines through in each session. This is what sets her aside from other trainers and makes her entirely unique.
LAURA COWLEY
THAI
BOXING
Personal Training
Hello!
It is an absolute pleasure to attend Ruth’s Yoga & Thai Boxing classes and it certainly is my favourite part of the week.
Ruth engages with everyone in such a beautiful way, no matter what your experience she puts you at ease and makes you feel incredibly comfortable.
Her yoga is like nothing I’ve been to before! It really focuses on building strength and her funny nature makes these classes super enjoyable, I come away from these classes feeling super refreshed.
I cannot recommend her enough.
HELENA KIRTLAND
THAI
BOXING
Ladies' Classes
I started doing yoga with Ruth during lockdown through zoom. Even though we were all in our own homes, I could still feel the connection and community spirit and it brightened my days. Ruth isn’t just great at what she does, she is a beautiful soul who puts her all into her classes and that is obvious every single time.
ANDRÉ ROBERTO
STRONG
YOGA
Zoom
Ruth is an amazing teacher. Her classes on fun, yet she will push you to give it your all. She always offers advice and suggestions to improve technique. You will walk out of her class sweaty yet happy. It is a great way to get fit but for me it was also a great stress-reliever and truly helped my mental health.
No prior experience needed, nor do you have to be fit to join her class. Just give it a try!
YSANNE HENDEY
THAI
BOXING
Ladies' Classes
I’ve been to Yoga classes on and off for a few years and although I’d enjoyed them and different types of practice, I never quite felt they gave me the physical and mental benefit of other exercise so I’d never kept them up. With limited time outside of work and family life, I needed to maximise the time I have to myself to exercise.
When Ruth started Strong Yoga classes it sounded like a more intense form of Yoga and the timing and location made it easy to join the first four-week course.
From the very first class, the mental benefit was very evident. I’d successfully managed to switch off my mind and clear the content mental chatter for an hour. I walked home afterwards with no music, podcasts, phone calls to friends - just present in myself.
The classes have enabled e to understand better how to control and switch off my mind and the mental calmness and amazing peaceful, deep sleep afterwards is unrivalled.
Physically, my flexibility, strength and core improvement have amazed mum and benefitted my swimming and running - and also recovery from a calf tear. Ruth’s method of teaching has elevated my confidence and belief in myself and what my body and mind can do.
KELLY ROBERTSHAW
STRONG
YOGA
Classes
Ruth's classes are always varied, lots of fun and is suitable for all levels! Love practicing and learning with Ruth.
CHEREE HARRIS
STRONG
YOGA
Classes
Ruth's classes are the best! I've been training with her for years and they're the friendliest, most fun classes I've ever joined. The combination of hard work and technique means I can switch off from everything else. The format changes every class to keep it interesting too. These classes are amazing, just try it!
JILL DODDINGTON
THAI
BOXING
Ladies' Classes
Strong Yoga with Ruth Ashdown has been the perfect supplement to my Thai Boxing. Ruth’s unique brand of Yoga focusses on the athlete and has given me improved balance, flexibility and, most importantly, mental fortitude. Strong Yoga is far from easy and by holding difficult poses I was soon waking up the muscles I didn’t know I wasn’t using. I’ve already seen big improvements with my boxing, with combos flowing much more easily and the flexibility gained from Yoga is allowing me to generate much more power from the hips and shoulders. The core Yoga elements of quieting the mind and controlling the breath carry over - not just into boxing but all aspects of life. Stretching and opening the body also leaves you feeling refreshed, recovered, loose and ready to get back to training. A huge benefit to any athlete.
ROB GOULD
STRONG
YOGA
Classes
Strong Yoga with Ruth is a perfect compliment for runners. It aids in developing muscle strength, flexibility and balance, which can help reduce injury. The mental focus will support the hard, long runs, when you’re simply exhausted.
I do Yoga a few times a week as a stand alone, as well as using the poses for my stretches post-run. I was injured a lot in my first year competing and I’m certain that the attention I pay to strength work, including Yoga, has assisted with keeping the niggles at bay.
I was initially put off as I attended a session at my local leisure centre. I left frustrated as I didn’t have time to lie around, gently moving with no physical benefit, but when I saw online about Strong Yoga with Ruth - the clue is really in the title! For runners, it’s the perfect strength session as well as flexilibyt (which we often lack - well I do!) and balance, which is essential when you’re running down a Scottish mountain! It helps strengthen your legs and core. Perfect!
All that said, it’s also an enjoyable hour of devoted time where you switch off and feel fully engaged.
MIRANDA ATTWATER
STRONG
YOGA
Classes
Doing Yoga sessions with Ruth has been very rewarding and a great compliment to other training. She has helped me to work through joint weaknesses that have been persistent for years due to a previous injury and tailors the class so that there is something for everyone - modifications if a particular position is hard, or more challenging for areas you are strong in.
Ruth has given her time to lead classes and build a sense of community through lockdown free of charge, and these have been invaluable to help with feeling connected whilst apart. I’d happily recommend her classes to people of any ability.
NATHAN NOAKES
STRONG
YOGA
Classes
Strong Yoga with Ruth has not only made me physically strong but also mentally strong.
I danced for any years and stopped due to work. I have always felt something was missing when I stopped. Anxiety and self-doubt really kicked in. I started running and Yoga which was incredible for me. Then my friend, Hajar, said to me “why don’t you try Ruth’s class?”. I was scared as I didn’t feel I would be able to do it. From my first class I have never looked back. Yoga with Ruth was my missing part.
Classes are always fund, hard, confidence-boosting and a safe place to go when you’re not feeling your best. Top be honest, I never thought I would be doing Yoga in a park full of people and it has been an amazing experience.
Ruth makes you feel confident and comfortable.
ALEXIS MAHER
STRONG
YOGA
Classes
I’ve been to Yoga classes on and off for a few years and although I’d enjoyed them and different types of practice, I never quite felt they gave me the physical and mental benefit of other exercise so I’d never kept them up. With limited time outside of work and family life, I needed to maximise the time I have to myself to exercise.
When Ruth started Strong Yoga classes it sounded like a more intense form of Yoga and the timing and location made it easy to join the first four-week course.
From the very first class, the mental benefit was very evident. I’d successfully managed to switch off my mind and clear the content mental chatter for an hour. I walked home afterwards with no music, podcasts, phone calls to friends - just present in myself.
The classes have enabled e to understand better how to control and switch off my mind and the mental calmness and amazing peaceful, deep sleep afterwards is unrivalled.
Physically, my flexibility, strength and core improvement have amazed mum and benefitted my swimming and running - and also recovery from a calf tear. Ruth’s method of teaching has elevated my confidence and belief in myself and what my body and mind can do.
KIRSTY PERRYMAN BEST
STRONG
YOGA
Classes
As an ultra runner, spending long periods of time doing the same repetitive movements can make me very wooden and I was ‘feeling it’. Tight hip flexors and cramp was very common in my races. I was looking to change my training and diet. I started Strong Yoga with Ruth and noticed straight away how much better I felt the my mobility improved massively. Over an eight month period I noticed how much better I was running.
Last August, I got a personal best of 22.56m on the A100 miler. In March, I completed The Tunnel Ultra 200 miles non-stop in 53h, 25m - one of only 10 people to complete the race in two years.
Yoga has helped not only my physical abilities, but also my mental ability.
BRENDAN TURNER
STRONG
YOGA
Classes
Being an ex-bodybuilder, I was never the most flexible of people for obvious reasons. However, when I discovered the joys of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu many years ago, I knew I needed to make some changes. I knew Yoga would help me immensely with my flexibility and having recently been the recipient of a new knew and metal kneecap, I understood the need for it even more.
What I did not want, thought, was some skinny bloke with a man bun, wearing baggy elephant pants, telling me I needed to spend the time humming with I’m whilst we ate vegetables.
Luckily, I met Ruth who took her time helping and encouraging me and, on more than one occasion, manoeuvring me into the correct position to maximise the benefits from that particular pose. This has greatly helped with my flexibility and core strength with, frankly, amazing results.
I would not hesitate to recommend her classes or her positive attitude. I would actively encourage other Jujitsu people (or anybody for that matter) to give it a try under her expert guidance.
DANNY SAVAGE
STRONG
YOGA
Classes
It was only after turning 40 that I really started to take an interest in fitness. I particularly love strength training and running, but when I started to struggle with hip pain after every run, I decided to see if Yoga would help.
I’d tried Yoga before and hadn’t really enjoyed it, so didn’t stick with it. Ruth’s Strong Yoga is different though; it isn’t easy, but it’s fun, and that’s what makes it so good. The feeling when you manage a pose or a balance for the first time is amazing. Ruth helps you achieve things you would not have thought possible for your, whatever level you’re starting from.
I’m seeing real improvements in my flexibility and strength, and I’m able to get more out of my gym sessions. Best of all though, no more hip pain from running!
Ruth is an amazing teacher, and such an inspirational person. She puts so much energy and thought into her classes; I absolutely recommend them to anyone.
LINDSEY O'MAHONY
STRONG
YOGA
Classes
Ruth is a born teacher, she has an amazing ability to read the room and knows exactly when each of us may need a compliment, a word of encouragement or a push! The class is so much fun, always varied and I feel more confident and stronger every week. Such a lovely bunch of ladies too, all so kind and down to earth.