Welcome to this week’s Newsletter — the first one for July.

There is a fantastic album by Stevie Wonder called Hotter than July, and the words ‘it’s hotter than July’ are from the song Master Blaster (Jammin’). It’s an album I love, and the song is really about recognising that even when there are problems in the world, we can still celebrate togetherness and joy, particularly through music … it's about optimism and escape. So if life is feeling tricky at the moment, stick some of your favourite music on and allow sometime to lose yourself in the joy it gives you. 

Taking the title literally, it really is feeling ‘hotter than July’ over the last week and there is more to come, so remember to keep sipping away at your fluids and keep your body hydrated, particularly if you are exercising and being active. 

JTP Book Club News

As it’s the first week in July, I am looking at books. What are you reading at the moment? I finished We Were Liars by E. Lockhart — and actually I ended up really loving this book. I was blowing a bit hot and cold with it in my June review, but I’m glad I continued to read it. So I can recommend it fully, and although it might feel like it’s going nowhere, stick with it, because it does, and it’s worth it. 

I have just started to ready Us Three by Ruth Jones. I think this is a brilliant summer holiday read. I have read others by Ruth Jones and always enjoyed them, so although I’m just at the beginning it’s already got me hooked. 

Let me know your current reads, and whether you have audible books, or hard copy, our have the books on your device. What do you prefer? Happy reading.

We are heading into the summer timetable for Face-to-Face Classes, but Mary, Jenny and myself are all teaching as normal for this coming week. Please check the online calendar for your regular class dates, and if you can’t attend, remember to book out and book in to another class so that you don’t have to miss out on your Pilates. 

If you attend Jenny’s classes at Rempstone on Thursday evenings, a replacement class has been arranged for the class missed on Thursday 17th July, and everyone connected was texted last week.

Online Classes continue this week following the regular live timetable — remember all classes are recorded so you can choose to do them so that it fits in with your own schedule. Plus it means you can take them away on your holidays with you, so you never need to miss out.

At the top of the Newsletter I open the conversation around music and how it can help us to find joy, optimism and an escape from whatever might be troubling us or filling our mind space. So I wanted to continue this in Your Whole Self.

I feel a bit ‘nerdy’ about why music is such a powerful tool in our life, and so I thought I would share a little of the science behind the way music can help us to move, and feel better, from a Pilates perspective.

You may well have heard of the Limbic System. Putting it simply, it is a group of interconnected brain structures that help regulate emotions and behaviour. The Limbic System components work together with other parts of the brain by processing emotions, memory, thoughts and motivations, then tell your body how to respond. It’s the same part of the brain that lights up when we feel love, fear, joy or nostalgia. So music doesn’t just play in the background, it can actually shape how we feel, by helping to calm the limbic system and therefore help with the connecting brain regions.

When we move with music, we aren’t simply working muscles and joints, we are also:

• regulating our emotions — calming anxiety, or lifting a low mood
• supporting motivation — even when we think we would rather be on the sofa
• creating positive memories that help us want to come back and repeat

Our brains are also wired to link rhythm with movement, and you may find yourself tapping your foot without consciously thinking — this is your motor system syncing with sound.

Choosing music for my classes has to be carefully done. Not every class needs music — for example I don’t play music in my online classes, but this doesn’t stop you having your own soundtrack in the background. A steady, calming piece of music can help with:

• slowing down and tuning into your breath
• finding a rhythm that feels safe and natural
• focus on smooth, controlled transitions
• reducing the frantic rush that the outside world can sometimes bring

If our body feels safe and anchored, movement becomes easier, more mindful and more joyful.

When I am choosing music for class, I want the sound to support the nervous system, helping to find calm, focus and connection, and support your whole self.

So this week, let me invite you to think about a piece of music that always changes your mood, and use it intentionally this week to support your well being.

So whether we’re moving in silence or to music, my aim is always to help you feel safe, seen, and supported both inside and out. And that’s why I choose my music carefully. 

Have a great week everyone — keep looking, moving and feeling good — and I will see you on the mat.

With love and support,

Jane xxx