About me.
Every journey has a story.
My journey into the absolutely fascinating world of fascia started in 2004 when I nearly lost my legs in a water-skiing accident. A fun filled Saturday afternoon of skiing turned into horror when, in a freak accident, the ski rope became wound around my legs and I was pulled under behind a fast-moving ski-boat.
As part of my rehabilitation, my chiropractor suggested Pilates to help restore strength and movement in my legs. I was hooked on Pilates. Eventually, I ended up becoming a Comprehensive Certified Pilates Instructor (Peak Pilates® out of Boulder, Colorado) and owning my own Pilates Studio for almost 10 years.
Pilates made me strong but not flexible.
I started researching about stretching. Between countless hours of reading about stretching, stretching my own body, teaching Pilates and managing my Pilates Studio, I found time to work with Bob Cooley in Boston, Massachusetts on Resistance Stretching. This led to an interest in Rolfing as a method of restoring movement. I completed Rolfing Level I and II in South Africa.
Rolfing presented me with a solid foundation for my studies of human anatomy in movement and fascia and led to my fascination with the body’s ability to heal itself.
I became fascinated with fascia.
The study of fascia and the role it plays in movement and rehabilitation of movement became my all-out passion. I have read countless articles and books on the subjects of anatomy, fascia and fascia therapy. Reading on these topics still forms a large part of my daily routine.
Then I discovered the John F Barnes Method®.
By now I had my own practice in Pretoria where I started assisting people, especially young athletes and professional sport people, with injury prevention and rehabilitation. I had great success in treating people that came to my practice but I had no way to test the soundness of my techniques and my philosophy with anyone else. In South Africa, I was alone in this field and in the way I practiced.
In my researching efforts, I came across Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR Therapy) according to the John F Barnes Method®. I started reading everything I could on him and his method and in January 2017, I finally got the opportunity to attend his Myofascial Release (MFR) Level I and II as well as Myofascial Unwinding Seminars in Captiva, Florida.
This was the Eureka moment in my life.
I was no longer uncertain about my practice or my philosophy of treatment. I got the affirmation that I was looking for and much, much more. In October 2017, I attended a Healing Seminar with John Barnes and had the opportunity to do Skill Enhancement Training, working with him at his Therapy on the Rocks Treatment Center in Arizona, USA.
I believe in the John F Barnes Method® and have seen amazing results in my practice since I started to work according to his method. I am constantly reading and doing research to better my knowledge and understanding of fascia and the role it plays in allowing the body to heal itself. In September 2019, I attend the Rebounding and Cranium seminar with John Barnes in Massachusetts, USA.
I believe in healing through movement.
Besides my fascination with fascia I am also a certified Pilates Instructor, had a Pilates studio for 10 years Absolute Pilates SA.
I am a yoga teacher and completed 200 hours Yoga Teacher training, and 30 hours of Yin Yoga teacher’s training in Bali. I completed 50 hours of Yin Yoga Teacher’s training with Joe Phee in Jakarta, Indonesia.
I completed my Fascia Fitness course in London, 2012 and did an updated course in 2022 on the latest findings. I am a Certified Fascial Fitness Trainor – certified by the USA Fascia Training Academy.
I opened my first concept store on 29 Aug 2022, where retail meets fitness – Pause Apparel & Fitness Studio Ballito.
I do MFR (Myofascia Release Therapy) and give fascia fitness classes. I spend a lot of time creating classes, studying and preparing fot the first Fascia Foundation Course 3-5 February 2023.
Please join a fascia fitness class when you’re in town (Ballito/Durban) and feel what it feels like to be able to move with ease.
Birth of Pause Apparel
In 2020, I decided to give all my time and energy to my creative business Pause Apparel, where we create Art that you can wear™.
Pause Apparel reflects my journey and is an expression of my personal belief in choosing happiness, to live my life in freedom and with style.
Certifications and seminars.
- Fascial Fitness Trainer with Fascia Training Academy (2022, USA)
- Fascial Cranium Seminar with John F. Barnes (2019, Brewster, Massachusetts, USA)
- Myofascial Rebounding with John F. Barnes (2019, Brewster, Massachusetts, USA)
- Myofascial Release Skill Enhancement with John F. Barnes (2017, Sedona, Arizona, USA)
- Fascia Research Summer School (2014, University of Ulm, Germany)
- Club Physio Anatomy Trains Foundation Course (2013, Cape Town, South Africa)
- Club Physio Fascial Manipulation Course (2012, Cape Town, South Africa)
- Fascia Fitness Trainer Course (2012, London, UK)
- Myofascial Release I and II according to the John Barnes Method® (USA)
- Myofascial Unwinding according to the John Barnes Method® (USA)
- Rolfing level 1 and 2 (South Africa)
- Peak Pilates® Comprehensive Certification (USA)
- Certified Yoga Teacher (Vinyasa 200 hours and Yin 80 hours) (Indonesia)
Get in touch.
My practice is located in Ballito, KZN.
Contact me for more information about what I do and if you have any questions.
WhatsApp only:
Zelda Visser
082 887 4040
Or you can email me:
Zelda@pause-apparel.com
If you would like to pop in, I’m located:
Pause Apparel & Fitness Studio
Ballito Steps,
Shop 3 Upper Floor
10 Jack Powell Road,
Ballito,
Durban, KZN
4399
