I do hope you have had a good first week of December, and if you have joined in with the 25 Years of Movement Celebration calendar. Have you stuck to it every day? How are you getting on?

Your Whole Self this week focuses on ‘growth mindset’ and how changing how we speak can change and empower our beliefs.

At the moment we are working towards our last classes before Christmas, and so please check in with the timetable to see when your last class is.

So this week, all Face-to-Face Classes are running as normal, plus after some discussions I believe we have resolved the heating issues at Rosebery Street — it will be more comfortable moving forward.

All Online Classes are also running as normal, with the additional Live classes on Sunday mornings which are part of the 25 Years of Movement Celebration to celebrate 25 years of JTP. The Sunday morning class is Live in Zoom, from 9.30am and will be with hand weights.

Even though it’s already begun, non-members and members of JTP can still join in with our 25 Years of Movement Celebration and its 25 free classes for December. It’s available for JTP members on the members’ jtp.zone website. Non-members just reply to this Newsletter asking for access and we will email the link to you.

It’s all available for you to catch up with, pick and mix your workouts, at a time that fits in with your schedule.

We are on Week 2 of December’s Exercise Of The Week — the Teaser. 

I move it up a gear this week, so remind yourself of where to start and then start to build on your practice. 

Remember to work appropriately for your body, keep away from pain, and if you have questions, just message me.
 

Let me set the scene, you’re in a Pilates class — I might be your teacher — and you are asked to stand on one leg and hold it… Or you are lying on one side and you are asked to lift your hips, what are your first thoughts? 

Does ‘I can’t do that’ sound familiar?

If, instead, we change it to ‘I can’t do that yet’; when this small shift in thinking happens it is known as a ‘growth mindset’, and it can transform not only your Pilates practice but how every challenge in every day life can be approached.

Such a small word but yet is quite powerful, I think it reminds us that progress is possible. It’s a reminder that where you are today is not where you will stay forever. Think about any of the Pilates exercises for example, when we first do them, they can sometimes feel impossible, wobbly, sticky, but over time and with practice and support, focusing on small adjustments, and building strength, it all begins to feel better — and this is growth.

Also when we use the word can’t, it’s like slamming the brakes on to our potential. Our body listens to our mind, so a mindset of can’t blocks progress before even trying.

Here are some reframes to start using:

• This feels tricky, but I’m building strength for it
• Today isn’t my day, but tomorrow might be
• Let me focus on what I can do

These shifts allow you to celebrate the process rather than fixating on the outcome. And definitely with Pilates, the process is everything.

It’s important to remember that Pilates, as with life, is about progress rather than perfection. And one of the things I love about Pilates is how it meets you where you are.  Even when, as a teacher we talk about precision of movement, it’s not about doing everything perfectly, but so much more.  

Firstly, it’s about showing up, listening to your body and being mindful about the movement and how it feels for you, and it’s also important to celebrate small victories along the way. Maybe you couldn’t balance today, no problem, maybe tomorrow, or next week, but with practice you’ll start to feel lighter, stronger, more flexible, move with more confidence — and this isn’t just about movement its about life.

Starting with Pilates and practicing a growth mindset here, it will then spill over into your everyday life. The same “not yet” approach can apply to learning a new skill, tackling a big project, or even managing relationships. It’s not about where you are today — instead it’s about the small, steady steps you’re taking toward where you want to be.

So in the best Strictly language, ‘Embrace the Journey’ next time you find yourself on the mat facing a movement that feels out of reach, take a breath in and say ‘not yet’. 

Celebrate what you ‘can’ do, celebrate the progress and remember that growth is always the journey. Your mind and body are capable of amazing things, and with patience and practice, the right mindset and support, there’s no telling how far you can go.

And I bet that when you read this you are already further along than you were yesterday.

Have a great week everyone, keep moving, looking and feeling good.

With love
Jane xxx