Meet the Team
Zorena - TVL Owner, Head Instructor of Pole, Aerial & Fitness.
Zorena started pole with Julie in 2009. She has been teaching pole since 2012 and hoop since 2013 and is now head instructor at, and owner of The Vertical Lounge She now teaches classes in pole, aerial hoop, silks, sling, body sculpture and stretch & flex.
Zorena works for Spin City Instructor Training as an instructor trainer & assessor.
Zorena has competed and performed as a solo and doubles artist in competitions and shows since 2012, gaining some national titles along the way.
Zorena holds the following qualifications and certifications: Spin City Beginner to Advanced Pole and Aerial Hoop Instructor, Beginner & Intermediate Silks & Sling Instructor, Teaching Children ages 5-10, Stretching and Flexibility, Spinning Pole, Pole Flow, Pole Fabrics, and Anatomy and Physiology.
She has also completed: XPert Beg/Int Pole Instructor, XPert Children's Pole & Aerial Instructor, XPert Silks Instructor.
Alongside this, she has qualified in L4 Nutrition Coaching, L3 Personal Training and L4 Sports Massage Therapy. She is also qualified in L3 Teaching and Assessing. She also holds the following: Exercise Programme design for Pre- & Post-Natal Clients, L2 in Kettlebells, Circuits and Fitness Instruction, as well as Safeguarding Adults & Children.
Zorena started pole with Julie in 2009. She has been teaching pole since 2012 and hoop since 2013 and is now head instructor at, and owner of The Vertical Lounge She now teaches classes in pole, aerial hoop, silks, sling, body sculpture and stretch & flex.
Zorena works for Spin City Instructor Training as an instructor trainer & assessor.
Zorena has competed and performed as a solo and doubles artist in competitions and shows since 2012, gaining some national titles along the way.
Zorena holds the following qualifications and certifications: Spin City Beginner to Advanced Pole and Aerial Hoop Instructor, Beginner & Intermediate Silks & Sling Instructor, Teaching Children ages 5-10, Stretching and Flexibility, Spinning Pole, Pole Flow, Pole Fabrics, and Anatomy and Physiology.
She has also completed: XPert Beg/Int Pole Instructor, XPert Children's Pole & Aerial Instructor, XPert Silks Instructor.
Alongside this, she has qualified in L4 Nutrition Coaching, L3 Personal Training and L4 Sports Massage Therapy. She is also qualified in L3 Teaching and Assessing. She also holds the following: Exercise Programme design for Pre- & Post-Natal Clients, L2 in Kettlebells, Circuits and Fitness Instruction, as well as Safeguarding Adults & Children.
Emily - Aerial Hoop & Pole Instructor & Executive Assistant
Emily started pole in 2010, starting in 2014 at TVL. She has competed at both amateur and pro level in hoop, pole and doubles, placing well in a range of competitions over the years, including a national title! Emily has completed a variety of instructor courses, for pole, aerial hoop and aerial sling!
Emily is also the other half of the admin team behind TVL, along with Zorena. Emily works on a lot of the advertising, social media, customer services and online work (scheduling/website etc.) In her day job she works in insurance!
Emily started pole in 2010, starting in 2014 at TVL. She has competed at both amateur and pro level in hoop, pole and doubles, placing well in a range of competitions over the years, including a national title! Emily has completed a variety of instructor courses, for pole, aerial hoop and aerial sling!
Emily is also the other half of the admin team behind TVL, along with Zorena. Emily works on a lot of the advertising, social media, customer services and online work (scheduling/website etc.) In her day job she works in insurance!
Caroline - Aerial Hoop Instructor
Caroline started aerial hoop in 2014 and pole shortly after. Caroline has competed several times; as an IPAAT 2016 finalist in intermediate hoop and IPAAT 2018 semi-finalist in Advanced Hoop, she was also a finalist in the Solent Pole & Aerial hoop Competition 2018 for advanced hoop. Caroline has completed the Spin City Beginner to Advanced Aerial Hoop and Beginner Pole instructor courses and completing Spin City physiology and anatomy course, she also completed the XPert Children's Pole & Aerial Instructor training.
Caroline started aerial hoop in 2014 and pole shortly after. Caroline has competed several times; as an IPAAT 2016 finalist in intermediate hoop and IPAAT 2018 semi-finalist in Advanced Hoop, she was also a finalist in the Solent Pole & Aerial hoop Competition 2018 for advanced hoop. Caroline has completed the Spin City Beginner to Advanced Aerial Hoop and Beginner Pole instructor courses and completing Spin City physiology and anatomy course, she also completed the XPert Children's Pole & Aerial Instructor training.
Hannah - Pole Instructor
Hannah began training Pole around 7 years ago. She has had a background in dance and decided to try something new and challenging.
Hannah really enjoyed the confidence it gave her and how the studio had an encouraging vibe taking her away from the stresses of work.
She entered the Solent Aerial and Pole Competition in 2015 and placed 3rd and again in 2016 where she placed 2nd in the beginner category.
In 2017, Hannah took a small break from aerial to have a baby and on her return she decided to try aerial hoop as an alternative way to progress. She entered the Solent Aerial and Pole competition in 2018, this time in the beginners hoop category and placed 3rd.
Her love affair with pole was rekindled soon after and she trained alongside hoop.
Since then Hannah has worked towards her qualification and is a newly qualified beginners pole instructor. She has enjoyed every aspect of teaching so far and relishes seeing the confidence and ability grow in her class each week.
Hannah began training Pole around 7 years ago. She has had a background in dance and decided to try something new and challenging.
Hannah really enjoyed the confidence it gave her and how the studio had an encouraging vibe taking her away from the stresses of work.
She entered the Solent Aerial and Pole Competition in 2015 and placed 3rd and again in 2016 where she placed 2nd in the beginner category.
In 2017, Hannah took a small break from aerial to have a baby and on her return she decided to try aerial hoop as an alternative way to progress. She entered the Solent Aerial and Pole competition in 2018, this time in the beginners hoop category and placed 3rd.
Her love affair with pole was rekindled soon after and she trained alongside hoop.
Since then Hannah has worked towards her qualification and is a newly qualified beginners pole instructor. She has enjoyed every aspect of teaching so far and relishes seeing the confidence and ability grow in her class each week.
Aimee - Pole Instructor
Aimee started pole in 2011 and hoop in 2018. Aimee completed PDC gradings up to level 5. Aimee has completed the Spin City Beginners to Advanced Pole Instructor Courses.
Other than pole and hoop, in her spare time Aimee likes to roller skate and can be found in London most weekends skating at the roller disco on her quad skates.
Aimee started pole in 2011 and hoop in 2018. Aimee completed PDC gradings up to level 5. Aimee has completed the Spin City Beginners to Advanced Pole Instructor Courses.
Other than pole and hoop, in her spare time Aimee likes to roller skate and can be found in London most weekends skating at the roller disco on her quad skates.
Gemma - Hoop Instructor
Gemma started aerial hoop in 2016 by accident after wanting to pursue silks, before quickly discovering that aerial hoop was far more achievable as a beginner! Years later, she is still practicing her accidental hobby and couldn’t imagine a better way to de-stress after the corporate day job. .
Gemma particularly enjoys the fitness element to training, and the confidence that comes with feeling strong. She performed in the Willy Wonka routine for Once Upon A Pole (a pole and aerial show in Milton Keynes) as an oompa loompa, on silks with approximately 2 weeks notice but secretly loved it!
In October 2019, Gemma completed the Spin City Beginners Aerial Hoop Instructor Course.
Gemma started aerial hoop in 2016 by accident after wanting to pursue silks, before quickly discovering that aerial hoop was far more achievable as a beginner! Years later, she is still practicing her accidental hobby and couldn’t imagine a better way to de-stress after the corporate day job. .
Gemma particularly enjoys the fitness element to training, and the confidence that comes with feeling strong. She performed in the Willy Wonka routine for Once Upon A Pole (a pole and aerial show in Milton Keynes) as an oompa loompa, on silks with approximately 2 weeks notice but secretly loved it!
In October 2019, Gemma completed the Spin City Beginners Aerial Hoop Instructor Course.
Lucie - Hoop Instructor
Starting as a hoop student in 2019, Lucie went on to fly through to advanced hoop and pole classes. In 2021 she started her instructor training with Spin City for Aerial Hoop, since completing the intermediate and advanced courses too, and has been running regular courses in Beginners and Improver hoop ever since!
Outside of SFAA Lucie is a member of a competitive rowing team!
Starting as a hoop student in 2019, Lucie went on to fly through to advanced hoop and pole classes. In 2021 she started her instructor training with Spin City for Aerial Hoop, since completing the intermediate and advanced courses too, and has been running regular courses in Beginners and Improver hoop ever since!
Outside of SFAA Lucie is a member of a competitive rowing team!
Kim - Pole Instructor
Kim is a Certified Intermediate Pole and Beginners Hoop Instructor. She started pole fitness classes with TVL after lockdowns finally ended. At the time, she was looking to pick up a hobby to get some strength and fitness back after having her second baby. Needless to say, she loved it straight away, and with a background in coaching, didn't hesitate to become an instructor when the chance arose. Kim's favourite moves are seats and anything that looks even remotely like a straddle! She's passionate about coaching and loves seeing people achieve their goals.
Outside of teaching pole, Kim is a busy sports therapist and mum to two gorgeous boys.
Kim is a Certified Intermediate Pole and Beginners Hoop Instructor. She started pole fitness classes with TVL after lockdowns finally ended. At the time, she was looking to pick up a hobby to get some strength and fitness back after having her second baby. Needless to say, she loved it straight away, and with a background in coaching, didn't hesitate to become an instructor when the chance arose. Kim's favourite moves are seats and anything that looks even remotely like a straddle! She's passionate about coaching and loves seeing people achieve their goals.
Outside of teaching pole, Kim is a busy sports therapist and mum to two gorgeous boys.