About Victoria
Victoria Cunningham is a trailblazer in the wellness industry, renowned as the Founder and CEO of the Ordinary People Academy. Armed with an MA Honours degree in English Literature & Sociology and an MSc in Marketing, Victoria seamlessly blends her academic prowess with over two decades of entrepreneurial experience. Her multifaceted expertise extends to copywriting, mindset, and marketing, making her a master at transforming wellness businesses into successes.
With over 30 years of yoga practice and two decades of teaching experience, Victoria is a Yoga Alliance Professionals Senior Yoga Teacher, boasting over 10,000 hours of instruction.
After doing youth work by day and teaching yoga by night she developed award-winning charity Stretch & Play for children and young people back in 2006. She continues to offer her model of facilitator training both online and in person.
She created Stretch NI in late-2009 to work specifically with adults and then developed this work into teacher training courses through StretchBodyMind (later rebranded and launched as the Ordinary People Academy in 2023).
Since 2011 she has been at the forefront of Pilates instruction, delivering Northern Ireland’s first Level 3 accredited Pilates Instructor Training. And since 2023 Victoria has spearheaded the development of Breathwork Facilitator Training in the UK.
She is a creative force – continually developing new and innovative training for Yoga teachers, Pilates instructors and other wellness professionals – and her expertise was recognised when she was shortlisted for Health & Wellbeing Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 by the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and was a Regional Finalist in the Pitch UK 2024 (where she delivered an “anti-pitch” breathwork session).
As the Pilates expert for Platinum Training Institute and Master Trainer for Fitness Academy Europe, Victoria’s influence extends across Europe and the Middle East. In 2023, the Ordinary People Academy achieved international accreditation as an executive training provider with the International Pracitioners of Holistic Medicine, solidifying its commitment to holistic education with the IPHM Trustmark. Then in 2024 the Ordinary People Academy became an Organisational Member of the International Breathwork Foundation because they adhere to their ethics and standards for the promotion of conscious breathing and breathwork as a vital tool for healing and well-being in all areas of life. Victoria continues to inspire and empower wellness professionals worldwide with her visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to wellness education.
About Lynne
Meet Lynne, the dynamic COO of Ordinary People Academy.
Since meeting Victoria in 2015, Lynne has been a steadfast supporter and friend, contributing significantly to the academy’s mission both behind the scenes and as an instructor.
By day, Lynne is a registered nurse at a GP surgery, specializing in diabetes and women’s health. Her dedication to Lifestyle Medicine fuels her passion for holistic well-being.
But Lynne’s expertise doesn’t stop there! As a senior yoga teacher, she is devoted to helping our community maintain ease of movement and improve self-care practices as they age. Additionally, Lynne is a skilled breathwork facilitator, guiding you to unlock profound levels of relaxation.
Lynne is also a wellness warrior, actively overcoming Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. She shares her journey and insights to help you lead a healthier, happier life through Health Coaching and Lifestyle Medicine.
About Claire
Meet Claire, Founder of Claire’s Yoga Studio, Magherafelt and co-trainer on the in-person Yoga Teacher Training course in Mid-Ulster.
Claire was first introduced to Ashtanga Yoga while living in London in her early twenties, one of many styles and practices have benefitted her enormously throughout life’s journey.
On returning to her hometown in 2012 with a young family & more on the way she knew there was a need for Yoga & Meditation in the area. That year she embarked on her initial 200-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher training journey with Paddy Hamill of Santosha Yoga Studio in Lisburn which was an incredible and life-changing experience.
Since then, she further studied Yin Yoga, Yang Yoga and Mindfulness (all through the Josh Summers School of Yoga), Myofascial Movement and Anatomy with Gary Carter as well as Restorative Yoga and Kids’ Yoga.
Passionate that a yoga practice is for everyone, Claire left her corporate career and created her own boutique yoga space, Claire’s Yoga Studio, which opened its doors in 2014.
About Jen
Meet Jen, The Healing Rebel, and our co-trainer on the in-person Pilates Teacher Training. She has many qualifications, including a Pg Dip TQFE (education), BSc in Sport & Exercise Science, Active IQ Level 3 Assessor, HND Health, Fitness & Exercise, Level 3 Pilates, 300 hours Yoga, Advanced Nutrition, Advanced Personal Trainer as well as Level 1 Barefoot Specialist and Functional Movement Coach, along with many other fitness qualifications
Her Massage qualifications include Swedish, Sports, Dynamic Thai, Ayurveda Yoga Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Cupping, Acupressure, Menopause Massage and Aromatherapy, and has also trained in Reiki, Access Bars, Sound Therapy, and Herbalism.
She has been working in the Health, Fitness & Wellbeing Industry since 2009 and is deeply passionate about every aspect of how the body works.
About Kellan
Meet Kellan – a transmasculine, neurodivergent, trans-racial adoptee and co-trainer on the Breathwork Facilitator Training. (Pronouns are they/them).
They are OPA’s breathwork facilitator training graduate, a trauma-informed coach, and a somatic therapist with a nutrition and lifestyle medicine postgraduate degree. They work predominantly with fellow queer folks and adoptees through their work at Kai Ming Holistics. They consider themself a ‘guide’ on people’s journeys and resonate with an intuitive approach to body-orientated nervous system regulation and somatic processing.
Their journey with breathwork began with seeking a way to heal from COVID-19 fatigue. Breathwork quickly led them on a path of recovery from both fatigue and early developmental trauma that they had previously thought ‘unhelpable’ and onto other somatic modalities!
They believe there is a vast amount of innate healing wisdom inside us all; it’s always communicating with us.
When we cultivate an environment where our bodies feel safe and supported, this wisdom can come forth.
They’re excited to be a part of the OPA faculty and facilitate more spaces to nourish, heal, and grow together!
About Caroline
Caroline McCann is a forerunner in the Northern Irish wellness industry, renowned for her compassionate approach.
With 12 years of Pilates practice and two decades of teaching experience, Caroline further qualified with Australian Physiotherapy Pilates Institute having completed the Matwork bridging course in 2020.
Currently working daytime as a Personal Assistant and delivering Pilates by night Caroline brings her academic and organisational skills to the forefront through facilitator training.
Since 2012 she has been delivering Pilates Matwork Level 3 across various Private, Community and Public Sector organisations.
She is passionate as to the benefits of Pilates not only physically but also mental health and wellbeing from the practice.
Commencing as a Pilates tutor in January 2025 with Ordinary People Academy in conjunction with Platinum Training Institute in Belfast she looks forward to continuing professional development with Victoria as her Master Trainer.
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