World Mental Health Day

It is World Mental Health Day soon (10 October), so every Friday lunch time in October I will be teaching a Brainfit Pilates session exclusively for JTP members. Each session will be a more reflective Pilates class, focusing on stretching and mobilising, feeling the movement, and recognising how our mind and body connect given the space and time to do so. It will be just 30 minutes from 12.30pm, in Zoom and the private Facebook group. 

The link will be in the class timetable on the jtp.zone. Join me this Friday for the first session.

This week I am demonstrating a roll down sequence which includes mobility, strength and stretch. A perfect sequence to add into a daily exercise routine. 

Roll downs aren’t considered appropriate for anyone with osteoporosis in the spine. However, the pushup part of the sequence is brilliant for strength of the core and upper body, which in turn helps with posture and stability for the spine. 

Work at the appropriate level for your body, and keep away from pain, and if you want any further advice about exercise for osteoporosis or other exercise issues, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.

There has recently been an article in The Times talking about the benefits of staying active and participating in exercise as we age. 

It stated that NHS exercise guidelines urge adults aged 65 and over to aim for activities that improve strength, balance and flexibility on at least two days a week and if you participate in Pilates classes you are already working on all of those elements. 

In fact this week’s Exercise Of The Week includes each of these elements and is therefore a perfect example of what you can do. 

The NHS also recommend 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week. This could be walking, cycling, swimming, activities that will raise the heart rate and get us a bit sweaty. Working on core strength, mobility around the joints and keeping flexibility with our Pilates practise, assists with and complements these other activities. 

The other area of our physical health that the NHS advise is weightlifting. Now when we hear that, it brings to mind being in a gym, lifting bar bells and weights, but it doesn’t have to be like that. Using weights in a Pilates class will add to the benefits, and in the jtp.zone there are lots of workouts using Handweights that can be included in your weekly exercise routine. Weight lifting is associated with other physical improvements, including functional strength gains and improved musculoskeletal health. This is also achieved by working on the Pilates Reformer which is all about working with resistance.

So if you are looking to increase your activity levels and wondering what to do, you don’t have to go to the gym, check out the Pilates with Props section in the jtp.zone members' website, where there's a number of recorded classes with Handweights. Also the Evening Energiser Pilates programme there has 5 sessions all with weights. 

Happy exercising, investing in your health and wellbeing, and lets keep moving and feeling the benefits.