Cheryl Bristow Bodywork for People & Horses

24/05/2026

Bodywork is great for pregnancy and postpartum!

🤰During pregnancy it can allow more space for growth, take the pressure off mum's organs, and reduce heartburn, nausea, carpal tunnel, round ligament pain, and rib displacement. Also reduce back pain and improve balance, and allow the baby to move and orient with less restriction.

👩‍🍼Postpartum it helps Mum with 'closing the bones', birth trauma, and reintegrating her own body. Mum's are welcome to bring baby along to the session.

For any stage of the process this is a big journey in terms of lifestyle, sleep disruption, headaches, big hormonal shifts, sometimes feelings of loss of control, alone-ness, insecurity or 'baby-blues'.

Bodywork can help integrate the body and stabilise emotions on this magical and life-changing, yet fulfilling journey.

As some of you know my brother
Rhys Dwyer - Pax Bodywork for Body & Mind
also does the same bodywork as me and is based in Levin & Silverstream & Upper Hutt.
Thanks for letting me steal your words Bro x

26/04/2026

It’s been a while since I last posted, so a wee update. Every year, I do continuing education (no surprises there, I hear some of you say 😂 ). Earlier this month I completed an advanced Zero Balancing® course. Pregnancy & Post Partum with Rebekah Harbour, our Kiwi/USA teacher. I’m grateful that Rebekah continues to teach in NZ and brings her 20+ years of experience Down Under.
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for people & horses

18/06/2025

Out n about this morning on a absolute stunner of a morning 🐴 ☀️ 🏔️

📸 on West Coast Rd at a stop/ slow 🛑

08/06/2025

🌧️ On this rainy, cold morning, I decided it was the perfect time to reach out, as I’ve been a bit quiet on social media this year. I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have referred me to your friends, family, and colleagues for bodywork services for both people and horses. Your trust and confidence in my work means the world to me, and I am truly thankful for your support 🤩 Please know that your efforts have not gone unnoticed; I appreciate each and every one of you. You are the reason I am able to do what I love and help both people and horses along the way. 🙏🫶

16/05/2025

Jump onto VDS Equestrian post to go into the draw.

🥳🦄 Birthday Giveaway 🥳🦄

Wow I can't believe it's been 5 years since I started VDS Equestrian and then Poles Plus followed on from there.

Thank you for your on going support🙏
To say thank I have put together this giveaway 😍

Entering is simple ⤵️

➡️ Tag your friends, each comment/tag is an entry!!
➕ Share this post ✅✅
➕ Follow my page and the pages of those who have contributed to this giveaway 🙏❤️🙏❤️

All entries go into the draw to win ⬇️

🎁 A Joint Poles Plus lesson for you and a friend 🦄
T&Cs Apply. A choice of locations in the Canterbury region.

🎁 A gift voucher from Cheryl Bristow Bodywork for People & Horses 🙏🐴
T&Cs Apply, Canterbury region.

🎁 A gift voucher from KWL Collection - Equestrian Jewellery 💎🩷

🎁 A copy of the winter issue of The Foundation Rider Magazine ❤️📖

🎁 VDS Equestrian/Poles Plus Merchandise 🧢👕

🎁 Hamper of some of my favourite goodies for horse and rider!!!

Open to NZ residents Only.
Entries close 11.59pm 31/05/2025
The winner will be chosen at random from all Facebook entries and announced on Facebook on 01/06/2025
This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by Facebook or Instagram in any way.

*** Please DON'T click on any links.......as they will be SPAM🤦‍♀️***

14/05/2025

Yesterday I was in class to brush up on First Aid 🩹 ⛑️
Interesting side story - the tutor asked who had used CPR. Myself and one other put a hand up 🙋‍♀️ he said 15 people in class and two used CPR was a high ratio. Wow. Here’s hoping I don’t have to use again.
Good skills to have for sure !

27/04/2025

Contact Sarah VDS Equestrian to nab a space!

🌟 Next Week's Availability 🌟
📷 Kristal Merry Photography 💕
& BOOMedia. - graphic & web design 👌

10/04/2025

Yesterday marked a wee milestone. . . Ten years ago yesterday I ventured out of my comfort zone and onto a skinny branch, and attended my first bodywork course in Zero Balancing. I was fortunate enough to attend the first course taught in Christchurch with my Zero Balancing practitioner /teacher from the North Island, the late Anne Kershaw.
Little did I know ten years ago, that the learning never stops for me!
Photos from classes in 2016 & 2018
in NZ and USA.

07/04/2025

🐴🐴 VDS Equestrian Social Club. Contact Sarah and grab a spot.

** All spaces have now been filled, keep an eye out for next month's Social Club ** 🤗 April Poles Plus Social Club 🤗

I am so excited to bring you the first Social Club date and thrilled to be collaborating with Horse And Rider Physio-Sophie Hargreaves this month at Dunstan Horsefeeds NEC - Christchurch 😍

This will be a monthly social club open to all levels, abilities and disciplines with the aim of getting riders socialising in and out of the saddle in a fun supportive environment 😊

🌟 Details on flyer plus additional information below ⤵️

Cost for polework and fitness workshop combined
NEC Members $43
Non members $65

This includes ⤵️

➡️ 30min group polework session
➡️ 3 max per group.
Group times
9.00
9.30
10.00 * Taken
10.30
12.45 * Taken
1.15
Grouped by ability or friends!

Please let me know when booking what group level you would like to join or if you have a group of friends wanting a time slot ⤵️

** Starting Out - Mainly walk and trot poles. Great for first timers to Poles Plus and young / green horses.

** Progressive - Walk, trot and canter poles. For those who are confident trotting in a group environment.

** Inhand only - Suitable for everyone including young / green horses.

➡️ Group fitness/balance workshop with Sophie Hargreaves starts at 11.15 at the club rooms.
Bring a Swiss ball and a mat or rug!
Some Swiss balls can be provided with prior notice.

➡️ Lunch break after fitness with
Tea/Coffee and Cake provided ☕🍰

➡️ 📷 Kristal Merry Photography will be attending 😍

🌟 For anyone wanting to attend without a horse and take part in the fitness workshop with Sophie Hargreaves the cost will be $20.
Coffee and cake included 😊

🌟 Sophie Hargreaves will also be available for private sessions on the day,
On or off horse.
Bookings for these private sessions need to be made directly with Sophie by DM or call 0211437632.

😊 Please let me know if you have any questions about the day or if you would like to book any of these options please DM or call 021848166
Sarah

04/04/2025

How good was that timing . . . Never before have I been working on horses and “the coffee lady” turns up!
Thank you ashs.coffee for a smashingly good tasting coffee this morning ☕️
Super charged for the day! ⚡️