My name is Cassandra Angus and I am the Founder of Stellar Performance. I’d love to tell you a little about myself and what led me to start my business in kinesiology, health and fitness.

I joined a circus at a young age and fell in love with performance arts throughout my youth. During that time I learned a lot about human movement, my physical and psychological limitations and how my body responds to stress and pain. This is what first led me to study kinesiology.

Many years later, as I was starting my academic career, I was in three major car accidents, all within 11 months, as a passenger in all three of them. This stripped me of my ability to move freely and comfortably and prolonged my Kinesiology degree by 4 years.

Despite the obstacles I faced, I was able to rehabilitate my mind and body. It took 8 years, many practitioners, and lots of time and dedication. My rehabilitation is still being maintained to this day. Throughout this time, I was able to complete a Diploma of Sport Science, a Bachelors of Physical Education & Coaching, and a program specialization in kinesiology. I am now proud to say that I am a practicing member of the BC Kinesiology Association (BCAK). Furthermore, I am a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor, which allows me to reach more people within my community.

The fact that I have gone through the mental and physical challenges of being restricted in movement for many years is what sets me apart as a kinesiologist and trainer. I understand that injuries can be disruptive and can be isolating without a proper support system. My goal is to help people navigate their health and fitness journey to make it fun and long lasting.

Whether my clients are recovering from a car accident or a sports injury, I can understand the frustrating process of getting back to 100%, whatever that looks like for them. It is my goal to help make the rehabilitation process smooth and straightforward so that my clients can focus on getting back to their happy, healthy selves!

My name is Cassandra Angus and I am the Founder of Stellar Performance. I’d love to tell you a li... Read More

Born and raised in Switzerland to a family of Dutch/Palestinian origin, Sherine set out to travel the world, settling in Vancouver in 2009. She sought to develop her passion for well-being by acquiring an education in the health field. Committed to lifelong learning, Sherine keeps finding avenues for furthering well-being, as she believes there’s never an end to self-discovery.

To date, she is a Registered Massage Therapist, certified in personal training, fascial stretch therapy, functional range release/conditioning & assessment, as well as trained in Stuart McGill’s methods for pain free back and precise diagnosis. Sherine is also a certified Yoga and Kinstretch instructor.

As a result, her coaching, teaching and treatment style is a blend of the many techniques gathered from professionals around the world. She believes it is possible for everyone to improve mental and physical health and to be functional into their senior years.

Weaving training and life experiences together, Sherine presents a solid background for supporting and educating her students and clients to find that balance between effort and ease.

Born and raised in Switzerland to a family of Dutch/Palestinian origin, Sherine set out to travel... Read More

Rhonda Cooper graduated from the Masters of Physiotherapy program at UBC in 2006, with an undergrad in dance from Simon Fraser University. She has since completed her FCAMPT diploma through the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, studied the Integrated Systems Model with Dr. Linda Joy Lee and Diane Lee, and completed her acupuncture certification through the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute and in 2019, completed her Clinical Pilates Teacher Certification with Darcy McMurry at Full Circle Studio in Vancouver, BC.

Rhonda has instructed physiotherapists in advanced manual therapy techniques as a teaching assistant with the Orthopaedic Division of the CPA. She has also instructed contemporary dance technique class at Simon Fraser University, allowing her to integrate her scientific based knowledge of human biomechanics with the art form of dance. She has completed a qualitative research project investigating injury prevention and excellence in dance with funding through the Canada Council for the Arts. Currently, Rhonda continues to build her scientific knowledge base for working with dance artists and gives yearly injury prevention lectures for the Intensive Training Program at Harbour Dance.

Rhonda came into physiotherapy from a professional dance career and still loves to dance. You may see her at Harbour Dance smiling broadly in a ballet or contemporary class. She has developed a love of skiing since leaving her dance career and most recently, has taken up golf. She often commutes by bike, does yoga with her husband, and hits the gym for cardio and Swiss ball exercises. She most loves being a mom to her teenage son.

Rhonda sees her role as a physiotherapist is to facilitate the body’s natural healing process. Thorough assessment, client education, mindful exercises and modalities (such as manual therapy and acupuncture) are her approaches to treatment.

Rhonda Cooper graduated from the Masters of Physiotherapy program at UBC in 2006, with an undergr... Read More

Jennifer is a registered physiotherapist with a passion for pelvic health. She is a graduate of McGill University in Montreal. She leads her practice with positivity and empathy. She truly values patient-centred care and empowering pelvic health.

Trainings

Reformer Stott Pilates Training

Sarah Duvall PT CES: Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist Certification

Bia Formations: Gender affirming care for pelvic health physiotherapists

Bia Formations: Inclusive Care for Gender and Sexual Minorities

Herman & Wallace: Breathing and the Diaphragm

Herman & Wallace: Nutrition Perspectives for the Pelvic Rehab Therapist

Herman & Wallace: Yoga for Pelvic Pain

Pelvic Health Solutions: Menopause: An Integrative Approach for Physiotherapists

Pelvic Health Solutions: Cesarean Birth & Rehabilitation

Pelvic Health Solutions: Pediatric Incontinence & Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Uro-Sante: The Physical Therapy Approach for Dyspareunia

McGill University - Claudia Brown : Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation

Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys dancing, being creative, traveling, and connecting with nature.

Jennifer is a registered physiotherapist with a passion for pelvic health. She is a graduate of M... Read More

Anish graduated from SFU in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in Active Health and Rehabilitation. While at SFU, Anish earned a SportsAid Program certificate and a Fitness Theory Leadership Certificate. With his background in taekwondo, he took his passion and conducted a literature review on performance metrics of combative sport athletes with recommendations on mobility and flexibility training and their importance in the sport.

Anish grew up playing soccer for 3 years before transitioning into taekwondo and pursuing a 3rd degree black belt and instructor rank before completing his Bachelor’s. During his time training, he had the opportunity to help guide and lead a diverse population of individuals through exercise, whether it was kids as young as 3, or seniors who simply joined the program to begin moving again. This experience includes progressing students who excelled at current exercises to more challenging levels and regressing given exercises to facilitate appropriate movement for individuals who could not complete them.

He also completed an internship at a local gym working with trainers to prescribe, correct, and advance exercises through a structured program that allowed individuals to progress without injury. He has volunteered with VCH at George Pearson Centre in the aquatics program offering aqua therapy to residents of the long-term care home. Anish has been able to provide help to the residents in the home by utilizing gentle passive stretching with the assistance of the pool to alleviate pressure on the resident’s body and monitoring exercises done in the pool to reduce the load on the body.

While outside the clinic, you can find Anish hiking, lifting weights, or boxing. As a lifelong athlete, he has had his fair share of injuries and setbacks, but one thing that has kept him going through each injury is knowing that any step forward is progress, even if it comes after 5 steps back.

Anish graduated from SFU in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration i... Read More

In 1992 Sharon graduated from UBC with an undergraduate degree in Physical Education. This gave her the opportunity to work on field doing athletic therapy for Men’s Rugby, BC Women’s Field Hockey and for the BC Summer Games.

She then graduated from the Physiotherapy programme at McMaster University in 1997. Since then Sharon has worked in sports and orthopedic private practice in Toronto, Seattle, Whistler and finally in her hometown, Vancouver, where after 18 years of practicing for others, she opened her own clinic. Her experience includes treating a variety of patients with injuries related to back, neck pain as well as injuries related to athletics, work, repetitive strain or motor vehicle accidents.

She earned her Diploma in Advanced Manual and Manipulative Therapy from the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (FCAMT), is certified by the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute (AFCI), and is also certified in Gunn Intramuscular Stimulation (GunnIMS). Sharon is also involved in teaching as an adjuct professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at UBC.

Sharon enjoys being active and outside. Her athletic pursuits include road and mountain biking, sailing, swimming, hiking, yoga, snowboarding, downhill skiing and skate skiing. Sharon is also an avid gardener and bee keeper. She has run two marathons and trained for a half ironman. In the summer 2010 she completed a two-day road ride to Seattle and the inaugural Gran Fondo ride from Vancouver to Whistler. Since completing the RAMROD (Ride Around Mt Rainier One Day) in 2011, she continues to ride for fitness and fun! In her free time Sharon enjoys cooking, dining, entertaining and live music.

Approach to treatment:

“My own pursuits have not been without injury and I understand how challenging it can be both physically and psychologically.”

Every new patient session begins with a discussion of the problem followed by a detailed movement exam, looking at the muscles, joints, ligaments and nerve tissue systems.

Sharon combines her personal experiences and education to create a one-to-one treatment approach that will enable clients to return to their desired activities and hobbies quickly.

Contact Sharon at: sharon@balance-physio.com

In 1992 Sharon graduated from UBC with an undergraduate degree in Physical Education. This gave h... Read More

Throughout his youth in Coquitlam, Jeff was actively involved in a variety of sports. This did, however, lead to some injuries. It was his experience as a youth in the caring and effective hands of the physiotherapists he saw frequently that sparked his passion to pursue physiotherapy as a career.

Beginning at Douglas College, Jeff completed his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Coaching in 2015, combining a solid understanding of coaching and teaching with the sports he loves to play. It was here that his passion for working with people of all ages was born and nurtured. While studying at Douglas College, he was a student athletic trainer for the Men’s Volleyball team. Jeff had the opportunity to experience more of this beautiful country by continuing his education at the University of Saskatchewan, where he completed his Masters of Physical Therapy in 2018. Returning to B.C. after graduation, he has been a practicing physiotherapist with a loyal and growing clientele ever since.

An avid soccer player, Jeff enjoys working with both adults and kids alike. His experience in sports is diverse, ranging from volleyball, baseball, basketball, football to weight training and more. Whatever your physiotherapy goal, Jeff is committed to helping you attain meaningful results by combining his extensive background in sports with his knowledge of human anatomy, biomechanics, and adaptive teaching techniques with his passion for your rehabilitation.

Outside of work, Jeff strives to continue growing his knowledge with advanced training through the different Canadian Orthopaedic levels and Sport Therapy courses. When not working or studying, he enjoys exploring the wide variety of dining Vancouver has to offer, and relaxing with a good sci-fi or fantasy novel. Young at heart, Jeff is an avid video gamer who collects comic books.

Throughout his youth in Coquitlam, Jeff was actively involved in a variety of sports. This did, h... Read More

Movement and breath have been an integral part of Marla’s life since childhood competitive gymnastics. After high school, Marla dedicated the first years of her professional life to studying classical ballet at the professional ballet school of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, then performing and traveling around the world. In 1998 upon returning to Canada she began her yoga studies and discovered a passion for healing through movement and breath. Completing over 12 yoga certifications, teaching various styles from gentle restorative practice to more vigorous Ashtanga.

After realizing her passion for helping people feel free in their bodies through her yoga teaching, Marla then dove into Dynamic Anatomy and the science of imagery with Eric Franklin in 2009 and became a Level 1 Franklin Method Educator. She followed this with a year of Pilates training with Dianne Miller. To complement her extensive experience in Pilates, in 2017 Marla studied and added therapeutic breathing techniques to her offerings. She also achieved four levels of ELDOA™ Method Training, created by Guy Voyer, (she is currently one of only three ELDOA™ Method trainers in Canada) and most recently became a Buteyko breathing educator. Marla has developed a massive toolbox for movement and breath!

Marla has been a certified yoga instructor for 25 years, a certified pilates instructor for 10 years, a level 4 ELDOA™ instructor for 5 years, and most recently a certified Buteyko breathing educator. She is passionate about helping her clients move better and achieve big changes to their overall health with the goal of being “long, loose, strong and free”, by sharing these tools and promoting independent practice.

In her free time, Marla loves to cook for her family, and indulges in her latest culinary passion of creating variations on lemon sorbet (we’re a fan!). She also enjoys spending time in nature and getting away with her two kids.

Click here to learn more about Marla’s therapeutic offerings.

Movement and breath have been an integral part of Marla’s life since childhood competitive gymnas... Read More