Welcome to this week’s Newsletter — the penultimate one before Christmas!

I hope you have had a good week. My week has been a little up and down — I am starting to get back to teaching but recognising when I’ve done enough is yet another learning curve for me, but glad that Keith is here to support and to tell me!!!

It was great to be back in the room on Friday with my Old Woodhouse Hall groups, catching up and moving together in person. Everyone was very kind and supportive, so thank you for that. 

My teaching over the next few weeks will be more mindful with focus on precision and feeling the movement. I think at this time of year we spend so much time rushing around from A to B, making lists, shopping, visiting people, making sure everyone is ok, planning and preparing, posting cards and so on — the endless conveyor belt of ‘doing’ — so my classes are going to be about slowing things down. Indeed, it might be your only chance to take time for yourself, to breathe, move with purpose, stretch and tune into how your mind and body are feeling. so I hope you will feel the benefits.

Face-to-Face Classes had their last week of term, and Mary, Jenny and myself want to thank you all for such a great year of Pilates, moving together, and just being together. This is such an important part of our classes, and the community we have created within our groups. I know how much we have enjoyed teaching you all. 

Face-to-Face Classes will be back after the Christmas break — week beginning 5 January 2026. 

Online Classes will continue this week, and — all being well, or more correctly me being well —I am aiming to teach live from Tuesday, I have an appointment on Monday which cannot be rearranged, so Recorded classes will be set to get the week started. But I look forward to seeing you all Live from Tuesday, to set us up before Christmas.

3Cs Classes

Remember the 3Cs Programme of workouts available all through December — 6 new workouts to keep you strong and mobile throughout the festive season. These are free and inclusive for all JTP members (Face-to-Face, and/or Online). However, if you aren’t currently a JTP member these are available to buy as a standalone programme for just £30 … just reply to this email to ask for details.

One of the things I have learned this week is how important connection is to me. 

I’m guessing that in the back of my mind, I knew it, but not really recognising the significance of it.

Teaching my Face-to-Face Classes on Friday brought this right into the forefront of my mind — seeing everyone, teaching and moving together, getting hugs, laughing together, it felt pretty amazing, and gave me a feeling of calm, and we certainly need a time for ‘calm’ at this time of year. 

At this time of year it’s easy for our homes to become a storage space, a conveyor belt of wrapping paper even, and if you’ve been making Christmas cards and decorations with grandchildren … a glitter explosion! One minute you can be calmly writing a card, the next thing you find yourself knee-deep in gift tags wondering who has the good scissors and trying to find the end of the sellotape! However in the middle of all this merry mayhem, there are three things that can quietly keep us well — slowing down for a moment, connecting with our favourite people, and having a good laugh whenever possible.

So let’s start with the mindful bit, because even on the busiest days, taking a few slow breaths can start to reset the whole system. It is amazing what happens when you pause — shoulders drop, the brain remembers it’s attached to the body, and suddenly the to-do list feels slightly less like a bossy elf! Taking a pause to simply breathe, provides a moment of presence which allows the nervous system to settle, energy softens and the mood lifts.

Then there’s the magic of other humans. Spending time with people we genuinely enjoy gives our wellbeing a boost that no supplement can match. A cuppa with a friend, a chat with a neighbour, a family gathering where something in the oven is probably going to end up burnt and forgotten about (speaking from personal experience). But it’s these moments that help to lower stress, steady the nervous system and remind us we’re not doing December alone. These connections make everything feel lighter, even the wrapping! I even felt a connection with my Delivery chap today — he looked frazzled as he dropped another parcel off at our door, so we had a bit of a chat, we made each other laugh, and he went away with a smile on his face.

But finally, laughter. The good kind — the one that makes your belly wobble and your eyes water. It’s one of the most underrated health tools we have. A silly Christmas jumper, a dodgy cracker joke, or the friend or family member who always brings the chaos… all of it releases tension and gives your body a happy-hormone sparkle. Think of laughter as December’s natural medicine — side effects may include snorting, aching cheeks, shoulder shaking and temporary loss of dignity! 

So as you move through the festive season, sprinkle in these three little essentials — a pause, a person and a good giggle. They won’t wrap the presents for you, but they’ll absolutely help keep you feeling well, grounded and wonderfully human.

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

With love and support,

Jane xxx