Went to a really interesting talk last week between Daniel Levitin and Camilla Cavendish (who wrote the brilliant book “Extra Time”) all about ageing and how to live longer, better. They called it “80 Is The New 30”. A guide […]
I have had many years experience of trying to work out how to cope with back pain, both as a sufferer myself and as a Pilates instructor and so thought I’d share some of what I’ve learnt with you below. […]
So how was your Mother’s Day? Mine was SPLENDID. I had my mother staying and two out of three children at home on Sunday morning and then just before midday in walked my daughter who had driven all the way […]
Exercise after fifty – what works best? I am feeling my age and I can’t quite find an exercise that I am happy with. Just that short step over the fifty mark and suddenly bits of me are falling apart..and […]
The World Cancer Research Fund has a new national campaign which I am definitely going to get involved in with my children. My youngest child is on a massive health kick pre the next football season because he’s changing teams […]
Owing to the fact that I'm now working three days a week in town, my exercise classes have had to go on the back burner....I'm only managing to fit one group class in to my week - a pilates class for my friends basically - which is just as well because I don't think they'd let me teach in a formal capacity anymore - I can no longer do the plank or any sit-ups and am beginning to look more and more unappealing at the front of the class as I attempt to speak and do a sit-up at the same time without shaking. I have had to change tactics. Instead of demonstrating the moves at the front, I wander round and readjust more - it's just too hard and I'm too old and unfit but I still love seeing everyone and it is good to get some exercise even if it's an awful class because I'm the one teaching it once a week.
It just goes to show how far removed from the world of proper exercise I have travelled, when this week in the middle of my class the resident cat wandered into the room with us and joined in with us.
Cat on the mat:- 
Somebody who liked my elephant header sent me this - I don't think she realises that I am a Pilates teacher who shakes whilst doing the plank and definitely looks more like the second photo than the first.
If only I looked like her......although hasn't anybody told her she's not supposed to turn her head whilst doing that? 
I was at this marvellous olympic party as mentioned in my blog post yesterday – fraternising with gorgeous fit young things and feeling wrinkly, out of shape and old. There were lots of extreme shapes and sizes there obviously – […]
I am teaching a Pilates class this morning and am really going to have to try and sort myself out. It is entirely possible that I will soon be voted "worst fitness instructor ever". Since the Pink Power Walk a couple of weeks ago I have turned into an 89 year old. My back hurts. I have got sciatic pain in my arse. My hips feel a little bit stiff.
I had some treatment for everything on Wednesday - a combination of massage, manipulation and acupuncture which really helped. Brilliant. It appears that I am a little unstable (in the spine you understand, not in the mind...at least I don't think she meant that). Have you ever had acupuncture? It's very strange. Works very well for many complaints and you can hardly feel the needles going in. I did make a big mistake by trying to take a photo of needles stuck in my arse for future reference. It made me nearly faint. Thankfully my trusty practitioner who must have thought I was mad took the photo for me so here you are....I am feeling the need to share:- 
Then yesterday morning I twisted my ankle in the road and fell over. SO PAINFUL. Now, I am hobbling. I've done the whole RICE thing but it really hurts and the last thing I want to do is jump up and down on the spot - although thankfully you don't have to do too much of that in Pilates.
Oh dear. I'm a mess. I seem to forget that I'm quite old now and increasing the number of classes I am teaching takes a toll on my body. Must remember to try harder to keep fit.
Ps - oh and in the unlikely event that you think you know a worse Pilates teacher I forgot to mention that I have pink tape running up my back (some sort of kinaesthetic muscle support I think she said) so I've got to tuck clothes in massively in the class so top doesn't reveal strips and bottoms don't reveal ankle support AND it's suddenly BOILING hot and I haven't sorted armpits out. Oh. Dear.
I’ve just finished doing a really interesting course – learning about how to modify Pilates exercises specifically for ante natal and post natal pregnancy. Different exercises and considerations are required for each separate trimester and in the first few months […]
WOOHOO. How exciting. Not only have I been asked to appear at the BritMums Live Conference this year in the Blogger’s Studio event on Friday at 16:15 to discuss Can You Have It All? with a group of bloggers and […]
I have just spent all day learning how to teach Pilates. This is to add to my qualification and will be an ongoing training until April next year. I am exhausted. We were taught by one of the other instructors […]
