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November 2023 by Clara Jones
I understand the first intention was perhaps to help, but the lack of understanding of people going through physical therapy, while engaging in what seems to not be a total “robot conversation”…it’s just rude and tacky.What professional texts you on Thanksgiving saying, “I hope that’s not another resource sitting in your inbox”.Not very flattering , encouraging or remotely polite at all.I have screenshots but I don’t want to go into how unprofessional the conversation went while I restated (explaining for the 2nd time) I have a cyst in a knee from an MRI weeks ago, so the warm up of “jumping around” wasn’t realistic and I am working with an osteopath, chiropractor, and physical therapist. So I filmed my routine and offered to send videos like discussed.Maybe it’s because I’ve had a yoga background for the past 13 years, and it’s a part of yoga to practice things like “ahimsa”.Shelly made it seem at first, like she was supportive and wanted to see my modifications, but this is clearly an elitist program that has no thing that actually is tailored to the individual.The lack of understanding and compassion, why would anyone return to this? I know no one is perfect, but there is also being straight up rude and not genuine.I guess she isn’t a yoga instructor or physical therapist….I’ll get myself back yoga class.So sad to see people being toxic in the fitness world once again.
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October 2023 by Heather Govender
I am so happy to have found this training program. I was a child gymnast, and have decades of gymnastics, acrobatic, and aerial training (including in-person handstand classes), but never found balance in my handstands until I started training with Shelly and all of the other amazing ShellyFlex coaches. My shoulders can finally open all the way for the first time since I was a small child, and I can comfortably hold a handstand and even transition through different shapes.It is pricy, and the cost deterred me for quite a while but after doing several of the free workshops that Shelly hosts sometimes and seeing what a big difference the program was making for me I finally signed up for the monthly membership. (I also want to add that I fully acknowledge the privilege that allowed me to make the decision to spend this money on myself).I perform as an aerialist but I am hopeless at coming up with ground choreography, so I was very excited to see that the program now includes a contortion choreography class! I will be using some of the combos in my next performance (with permission of course).In addition to having better handstands and flexibility since training with Shelly and team, I am feeling stronger and healthier overall. Shout outs as well to Vera for helping me find stability in my handstands, Tikara for helping me access flexibility I didn't know was possible for my body, Natalia for teaching me choreography that will give the illusion that I'm graceful on the ground and not just in the air, and Mira for helping me gain so much strength. And Shelly for seeing potential in me and helping me achieve it.
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October 2023 by Jamie Greenzweig
I took my very first class with Shelly when I was three years into kicking up a wall into handstands with pretty significant wrist pain and no signs of freestanding anything ever. On day one, Shelly was able to identify the most glaring of my bad habits (including the cause of my achy wrists), and broke everything down to a very basic level to start correcting them...complete with demos to show me what I was doing wrong, and how to change what I was doing to make it right. It's been 2 months since I joined ShellyFLEX and the progress I've seen in my handstands has been insane! This is the first time in my life that I've genuinely believed that I can do a handstand...like it doesn't even matter that I'm in my 40s, never did gymnastics, and understanding where my body is in time and space when I'm upside down doesn't come naturally to me. The fact that I no longer have wrist pain is just an added bonus.Speaking of bonuses, I signed up for ShellyFLEX for the handstands, but I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I also LOVE the flexibility classes. As a mom with 3 very busy kids, I don't have nearly as much time to work on my flexibility as I would like. Fortunately, there are numerous flexibility classes offered throughout the day, and they are so intelligently sequenced that there is an amazing efficiency to it. But more important than getting deeper into all of my bendy postures, I love that the coaches are so knowledgeable about form and alignment and know how to get you to activate the right muscles in the right way. As someone who truly values the importance of finding flexibility in a safe and sustainable way, I am so grateful to be learning and growing under the tutelage of such great coaches.
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October 2023 by Jen Hill
I would give this program 2.5 stars so I'll round up to 3. I have to agree with some other reviews that this program is overpriced. I was in the Flex-ed yearly membership, and it was $5000. I came to this program desperate for help as I'd been not making flexibility progress for quite some time, and Shelly convinced me that she could fix me.I left this program with a hamstring tear (that took a year to heal) and an injured shoulder. To be fair, I entered this program stating I had just finished PT for my injured shoulder and was looking for a coach to help me make it better than it was before. Shelly was positive that she could rebuild me. In the end, I ended up getting a refund for the last half of the year in her program due the severity of my newer shoulder injury that I injured while in Shelly's class. I did not realize this at the time, but she was having me work on a rather advanced handstand position that I had no business being in when I was struggling with a shoulder problem. I had been stating fairly frequently that I was struggling with the shoulder again during classes. Shelly has a tendency to say, "I would not push you if I did not think you could do it." As such, I tried this advanced position and hurt myself. It took me about 6 months to get my shoulder back to where it was before Shelly's program.I think this injury situation really sums up most of my frustrations while in this program: there were many times where I felt I was not provided with adequate regressions. In some classes with some instructors, if I did not do what they wanted, instead of providing with me with an alternative more basic exercise, I would be ignored for the rest of the class. (There were other instructors in the program that did provide regressions, and so I gravitated towards them). In other classes, I would try the thing that I was being pushed to try because they "believed in me." More than once, I threw myself into the wall because I was not strong enough to do an exercise and was provided no other advice beyond just learn to stop throwing myself in the wall and do the drill right (literally did not have the strength). I did a sketchy drill with a chair and not have the strength to hold a position and crashed into the chair and almost hurt my back. And then yes, there was the incident where my previous shoulder injury was much worse. Shelly loves to pitch that this is the Cadillac of all flexibility programs, but it just doesn't seem to match the experience. If you are paying $5k for a fitness program, you expect to be met at the level you are at. After leaving the program and working with others, I have learned that regressions always exist, you just have to find coaches who will meet you where you are at.Another issue in this program is that overtraining is not taken seriously, and training on injuries seems to be acceptable. I think this tone is set by Shelly, who on several instances has stated that she is injured (you can find these posts in her Instagram) and then does a workout anyways. The students follow suit. I just feel like safety and slow progress isn't prioritized enough throughout the culture of this program.I did make progress while in the program, but I lost all of it due to injury so I don't feel like it was worth it, hence my 2.5 rating. I was really loving this program for the first few months, but once my shoulder started to bother me again it all just went downhill quickly. It was really frustrating and I learned some hard lessons about choosing a coach.If you are already strong, then Shelly will absolutely help you make gains in flexibility. She has plenty of students who she can brag about, no doubt. But I will say, there are other options for much cheaper with more regressions. And don't let anyone talk you into doing something you feel sketchy doing.
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October 2023 by alexis middling
I have tried so many classes for flexibility and handstands just to find myself no where closer to my goals. Until I found this program I started this year and since then have seen myself progress more and more each month. It is all cause of the amazing coaches and the students. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to progress in their goals.
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July 2023 by Lorelee Sicat
I was trying to learn handstands for what felt like forever and I always had to have my back against the wall. Here comes Shelly and her amazing program and now you see me kicking up in the middle of the room! I still couldn't believe that I got to progress this fast in such a short period of time. Now, I can't wait to learn more from Shelly and her team!
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June 2023 by Jared Pettit
I took a two week handstand crash course with Shelly and was impressed with how she was able to simplify an unfamiliar and uncomfortable position until it became doable, and in a low key no pressure kind of way.I have a lot more to learn but at least now I am able to move forward with practice, because I am finally practicing smart. 10/10 would recommend training with Shelly.
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April 2023 by Mallika Mhapankar
I can’t even begin to thank Shelly and her team of absolute geniuses that have made such wonderful things happen for me!!!I come from a zero-sport/gymnastics/athletics background and never in my wildest dreams thought I’d ever get into a split (WIP) or stand on my hands!Shelly and team have the best skills under their belt, they know exactly what you need and push you when you need it. I’m still mostly a beginner in every class but I love it and not once have I felt out of place. I’m sooo grateful to have fabulous coaches guide me to get the best out of me! Don’t think twice if you’re looking to turn your life around to face the brightest side ever :)
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April 2023 by Tanya Hubbard
Shelly and her team of coaches are amazing! I have learned so many new things to improve my handstands and flexibility. All of the coaches are extremely knowledgeable and able to give feedback specific for you. The community they have created is truly wonderful also, everyone is supportive and kind.I highly recommend working with ShellyFLEX athletics, they will work with you to help you meet your goals!
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March 2023 by Kristin Bowen
I can’t say enough about the Flex Ed program. When I tell you going to live classes with some of the best coaches in the world has changed my life, I’m not exaggerating. Learning to handstand within this community has helped me heal past trauma and take back control and power of my life. The coaches are supportive and truly care about your progress and attendance in class. The whole team has a tremendous amount of skill in all areas of contortion and flexibility. While the program is certainly an investment, it’s not one i regret putting myTime and money into based on the value I have received in return.
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March 2023 by Emem Enriquez
I've been with Shelly for almost 6 months and my experience with her was totally a life changing. I've witnessed how she provide a quality teaching and she always make sure you learn something from her. I superrr like her personality... Very approachable and kind.. I also love on how she build a good foundation inside the program. Best coaching athletic I know <33
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March 2023 by Sonya Blade
I have truly enjoyed my experience with Flex-Ed. I feel supported, encouraged and more than capable because of the amazing coaches I've gotten a chance to learn from. The feedback is positive, uplifting, and pushes me past my limiting beliefs.I 10/10 recommend EVERYONE to join this amazing platform!! Shelly has put a lot of time, effort and thought into everything and it truly shows!!! Cannot wait to join a retreat or two!!!
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March 2023 by Mary Ann Sisevic
I've worked with Shelly for nearly two years. She's an approachable, down-to-earth person who's skilled at coaching. She's open-minded and seeks suggestions from others which makes it easy to collaborate with her. Also, I love the fact that the community is inspiring and uplifting--they make sure everyone stays supported. ?
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March 2023 by CleanBeauty with Jessica
Not one for writing reviews unless I've come across something pretty special. Shelly and her incredible coaching program and community she's created is one of them!She has truly designed a program for success and has you accomplishing things you've always dreamed of or thought you could never do. If you fully dedicate yourself to everything she has put together for you to utilize incredible progression happens. I took the one year program last year and experienced how many of the coaches within the Flex Ed Program brought something unique to their well structured classes.Since contortion and handbalancing is a passion of mine I discovered through yoga I wanted to do my research to find the best help out there when investing my time and money into this. Well... of course I signed up for a second year because you just cant get better than this! Classes for some can be daunting but I can honestly say I LOVE taking classes in this program! I'm constantly smiling in class, laughing , and even learning from my peers as well because of the group setting. The support and encouragement I've received has been amazing! I'm really looking forward to Shelly's in person retreat coming up that I signed up for as soon as it was announced. I've been documenting my progression with photos and it's been blowing my mind!I hope this helps someone on their search when seeking out help to achieve their goals.Jessica
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March 2023 by Jamie Ann
I was a member of her online flex-Ed program for one year. The program is wildly overpriced for what you get. The majority of classes are taught by instructors who do not have expert level knowledge of their disciplines.Shelly preys on people looking for help by making them feel like she has the only program that can help you reach your goals. Her business lacks price transparency so she can try to convince you to sign up for an expensive product without really knowing what you’re getting. She harasses people into signing up for her programs by repeatedly calling and texting.Admittedly there are a few good coaches within the Shelly Flex program. But it is absolutely not worth the price or the headache to join her program to access these coaches.