Meet the team

The Body Restore team is comprised of qualified individuals who are passionate about what they do and have been chosen to offer you personal and caring service during your stay. Specializing in massage, yoga, alternative cuisine and environmental activities, our team are fully committed to sharing their skills to positively benefit and enhance your wellbeing.

We believe ourselves to be part of a new paradigm in human thinking. We see sustainability, environmental awareness and deeper levels of compassion and understanding for all forms of life on Earth as important. We feel that a critical reflection of our own human nature in pristine natural environments can help us to develop an all encompassing understanding of the concept of the 'self' within ourselves and surrounding world. Through education and experience, we have found our way to a lifestyle dedicated to maintaining a sense of mental and physical health, wellness and 'joie de vivre'; our mission is to communicate this philosophy with you in the most enjoyable and beneficial way possible.

Director - Vincent Dickie, Dip. Mass. (NZ), Cert. Nutrition

After a facing personal health challenge whilst in a corporate consultancy background in the Netherlands, Vinnie sought out natural health techniques to become healthier, happier and stronger. It became a lifestyle which saw him return to New Zealand to study Natural Medicine (Naturopathy) for one year, with a 6 month interlude of outdoor leadership studies. He then went on to complete a Therapeutic Massage Diploma after which he began a working internship in a private Osteopathic clinic in New Zealand before travelling, studying and working with natural health in South East Asia and Europe.

Vincent’s massage practice goes well beyond the physical manipulation of soft tissue to incorporate postural and lifestyle changes to energise and restore wellbeing. Since 2003 he has been based in Chamonix, the French Alps where he practices privately and is committed to introducing people to natural health lifestyles in spectacular environments.

"Has an approach and outlook that goes beyond a regular massage" – B. Renshaw, author of Supercoaching.

"A rare treat to receive massage from somebody so competent and reassuring. [I] appreciate the depth of your training. Keep the open mind." -C. Donovan – Chamonix Guiding; Chamonix

Chef / Massage Therapist - Alison Prideaux, MA

Alison has been working in the French Alps and on the Cote D`Azur as massage therapist for 15 years. Before moving to France she trained at Lieth`s school of food and Wine and cooked aboard private yachts in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and trans-Atlantic. Her previous university studies of environmental science and landscape architecture as well as her work as dive guide in the Galapagos National Park have served to enrich her understanding and love of nature.

Alison has followed her own programme of personal growth, meditation, healthy eating and yoga for 25 years and continues to explore with enthusiasm. She believes that every step toward individual wholeness helps the greater whole.

Environmental Activities and Awareness - Ian Disturnal, BSc

Ian's life has been dominated by a passion for geography and the natural sciences. His GCSEs, A Levels, Degree Studies and work as an outdoor instructor have given him a deep understanding for many aspects of the natural world. He has qualifications in a wide range of subjects including Physical Education, Biology, Applied Climatology and Climate Change and Third World Development Processes. Recent summers have been spent writing programs for and leading outdoor activities in a wild and remote area of the Spanish Pyrenees.

He has spent more than 7 years of his life walking, climbing, ski touring and snowboarding in Chamonix. He hopes that by stepping away together in this beautiful valley from our daily routine, experiencing the concept of life in the present and becoming grounded within ourselves we can empower individuals to see that we all possess the tools to make positive and constructive changes in our lives.

Yoga and Pilates Instructor - Kelly Aikins, BA psych, Cert. Yoga Ashtanga

Yoga Alliance Certified Ashtanga Teacher Kelly Aikins spent four years teaching Ashtanga Yoga, Power Yoga, Pilates and Pre-Ski Yoga in Vancouver and Whistler. After graduating from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Psychology and Human Kinetics, Kelly moved to the south of Crete to teach at an Ashtanga Yoga Retreat Centre and learn from some of the foremost Ashtanga teachers in the world. Eventually the pull of the mountains became too much to resist, and one sunny day in October Kelly arrived in Chamonix to see if she could challenge herself both on the mountain and in the Valley by trying to spread a passion for of yoga and it's many benefits within the community. Her first season was hugely successful, and she was able to provide many people with a healthy alternative to the typical ski town lifestyle, as well as the courage to try new things both on and off the slopes. The fundamental ideology behind Kelly's teaching is the unconditional self-acceptance she learned through her practice; and she encourages students to explore both themselves and the world around them in a lighthearted and non-judgemental way.

Yoga Instructor - Susie Barnes, Llb

Susie came to Ashtanga Yoga in 2001 as an alternative to a busy criminal law practice in Sydney. In 2004 she travelled to India and studied at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore with Patthabi Jois and his grandson Sharath. She teaches a style of yoga which introduces people to a realistic programme that is easily intergrated into daily life to help individuals find balance and happiness.

Love of the outdoors brought Susie to Chamonix, and it is the ever-changing spectacular scenery and feeling of community that keeps her here. She also enjoys skiing, snowboarding, walking and climbing.