Welcome to this week’s Newsletter. I hope you have had a good week.

This week in Your Whole Self, I am talking about what was then and what is now in terms of how we speak and where our mindset can get stuck sometimes, not just from a physical perspective but how this can affect us emotionally. I am sure lots of you will recognise those feelings and the language we use sometimes when we are talking about ourselves. I think you will find it an interesting but familiar read.

Most Face-to-Face Classes are now on their summer break — the only class happening this week is Jenny’s Thursday evening class at Rempstone to make up for a previously cancelled session. We will be back week beginning 4 August. In the meantime you can all get access to Online Classes that will continue for a few weeks.

Online Classes are as normal this week.

‘I used to be able to do that easily … But now I am really struggling’ — recognise this?

This is part of a conversation I have been having with my friends recently, and it possibly speaks to all of us at different points in life, but what I have come to realise over the years is that we can still move forward without being stuck in what used to be. 

Everyone has their 'then' stories. The way we used to do things, what used to work for us, even dreams we had that don’t quite fit anymore. Sometimes those 'then' stories are cherished, sometimes they’re painful. But either way — they’re not now.

I remember very clearly when I had my first knee surgery over 20 years ago. I went from running marathons and teaching high impact exercise classes, to being told that this was not something that would be healthy for my joints moving forward. The realisation that my body just couldn’t do that anymore was tough, emotionally, not just physically. 

I had to grieve a little, and then I had to reimagine. I had to find a different way to feed my need to move, to feel strong. This was when I found Pilates, and through this I could start to celebrate what my body COULD do, instead of mourning what it couldn’t.  It took time, and I confess during this time I did try to keep running, because I found it difficult to let go, but in the end I knew that if I wanted to keep teaching fitness and enjoy my movement I had to move forwards and not get stuck in what used to work. I also realised I was starting to be kinder to my body and that is what it needed.  

But this idea goes beyond exercise. Maybe you used to stay up late working but now your energy demands rest. Maybe you used to say yes to everything and now you’re learning to say no. Maybe you used to hold onto worries that don’t belong to you anymore.

What was then isn’t always meant for now. And that’s not failure — it’s growth.

So this week I want to encourage you to look at your own 'then' and 'now' moments. Take five minutes this week to think about one ‘then’ that you may have already let go of, and one ‘now’ that you want to start to nurture. Think about:

• What’s something that served you once but no longer does
• Where can you make space for change without guilt or shame?
• How can you honour who you are today, not just who you were yesterday?

It’s not necessarily about throwing out the past. It’s about learning from it and letting yourself evolve and grow.

You deserve a life that fits now, and a mindset that is kind enough to allow it. So here’s to moving forward with full-hearted acceptance.

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

With love and support,

Jane xxx