Welcome to this week’s Newsletter, post Easter weekend, I hope you have had a good week on the back of a Bank Holiday (see below, in class news about Bank Holidays). I always feel a bit confused in a Bank Holiday week: Tuesday feels like Monday etc — anyway, back on track now as we head into a full new week. 

For those of you replying to last week’s question about what you would like to see as an additional online course — weights seems to have come out on top, so during June I will be running another short course using hand weights. I will be dropping the start date when finalised here in the Newsletter and across all my social media platforms so keep an eye out for more information as and when. 

Talking of social media platforms, can I suggest you join the JTP Supporters group in WhatsApp? — this isn’t a busy group, but it is useful to pass on quick messages (as a couple of the JTP family found out last week when there was a problem with the online link for a class). Anyway, I know these groups aren’t for everyone, and that’s fine, but if you are interested the link is here. 

Face-to-Face Classes are back up-and-running this week, except for those in Rempstone Village Hall (as it's Polling Day — so we don't have access to the Hall). Replacement classes for the Thursday 6pm and Friday 9.30am classes in Rempstone Village Hall will be the following week.

Incidentally, we are heading into Bank Holiday mayhem with our Face-to-Face Classes in May, so it’s best to check the Interactive Calendar of Face-to-Face Classes (link below) and just make sure you have the correct class dates in your diary. 

For Week 4 of April, I am doing a cross-over hip lift/side bend this week. 

This is a start position I often teach in class because it takes some pressure away from knees. It also provides a lovely stretch from the hip flexors, across the chest right up to the finger tips. 

Work appropriately for your body, and keep away from pain. If you have any questions just message me here.

This week I want us to take a dive into accepting negative emotions. It’s ok not to be ok and still want to be well.

Let’s take a moment to think about living a happy, healthy life and what we imagine this to look like … smoothies and sunshine, yoga and smiles, a calm mind and a perfectly balanced ‘to do list’. 

But the truth is, a happy, healthy life doesn’t mean you feel good all the time, it simply means that you’re safe to allow yourself to feel and accept whatever those feelings are. So when I start to talk about breath, movement, balance and being kind to your body, I want you to include those negative emotions when you are thinking about your whole wellbeing.

Firstly, it’s important to know that we can’t continue to breathe through something and continue pretending… But I’m sure, like me, you have done it. Put on a smile and powered through, rather than saying this is hard, I feel anxious/sad/fed up, but that’s ok. I would go as far as to say that it’s more than ok: it’s part of the whole human experience.

The Whole Self has ALL the feeling — it isn’t about perfect bodies or perfect moods, it’s about learning to listen to yourself, mind and body, with curiosity, not criticism:

• you can be committed to wellness and still have off days
• you can love movement and still need rest
• you can want to feel lighter and still honour the weight you’re carrying.

It’s not either/or, it’s both/and. It’s messy, real and beautiful.

So what if, instead of fixing, pushing down, or brushing past a tough emotion, we just sat with it for a moment?

• pause, put your hand on your heart or belly
• take a breath and name what you are feeling — without any judgement
• and ask yourself what do I need right now?

The answer could be a walk, a cry, a chat, a stretch, or a nap — but register that we are allowed to need something.

It’s really important to recognise and accept that wellness isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about building the tools, the awareness, and the support to navigate the ups and downs. 

We are in this together at JTP — it could be a shared mindful breath, a shared movement, a conversation. 

So this week, ask yourself — how are you really feeling? What will help you sit with the tougher days? Remember, you don’t have to feel ‘fine’ all the time in order to be brilliant.

Have a fabulous week, accepting all emotions. And keep looking, moving and feeling well.
 

With love

Jane xx