Some important news

Published: Mon, 09/17/18

Hello

Keith here — I'm taking over the Newsletter this week to give you all some very important news. The long story is that Jane has been quite poorly over the last week. This culminated on Thursday last with a day in A&E, Jane being tested for everything from meningitis to stroke to brain tumour and all things inbetween — all tests proving negative, with nothing abnormal detected. An absolute relief, I might add.

Jane's week started last Monday with a headache. It seemed like a migraine, which she does suffer from, so she took all the usual migraine meds, but with no success. As the week progressed the headache got worse, and from Tuesday night she couldn't even lie down as the pain increased so couldn't even sleep. By Thursday morning she was at the point where we needed help, so with a quick emergency appointment at the GP's, we were directed straight to Leicester Royal Infirmary.

I have to say the care we received there was incredible. It's our experience over the last few years that — for all its faults — things swing into action in the NHS when serious problems are suspected. And thankfully this was our experience on Thursday. The staff was exceptional, the required test results over the day came back quickly, and all the while we were treated considerately with all explanations for what was happening very carefully discussed with us, and all questions we asked answered with perfect clarification.

The short story is that Jane has — apparently — an extremely severe migraine. It's on-going, so she still has it, though it's now under control with the required medications. This does however mean that in the short term some of Jane's classes might have to be covered by another of the JTP team — who of course have all been very supportive. We're taking it day-by-day, and we hope that she'll be back in the saddle shortly, but we can't yet say when that will be.

A Wonderful Email

Jane and I had a fabulous email from one of our newest class participants. Obviously I wouldn't want to name her, but she has just started one of our classes, and I thought it apt to let you see some of her words to us:

I crossed the threshold with a sense of dread, but was instantly met by a smiling instructor. Jane, I don't know how you did it, but she immediately made me so welcome and gave me a tiny glimmer of hope. And right now, that's all I need. Just a tiny glimmer of hope.

I loved the class, particularly as it was a small friendly group. There was no opportunity to languish and feel ashamed of myself at the back. And the pace of the instruction meant that everyone could find their own pace.

I never dreamed when I entered that I would complete an entire class. But I did it Jane. I actually did it! I will certainly be practising the exercises.

The feeling of peace, calm and a meek sense of euphoria lasted with me the entire day and I am literally counting down the hours until the next class.

Wow! I might add that Jane and I were blown away by this email. To blow our own trumpet — helping people, at whatever stage they're at in life and health is what we believe we're here for, and why we do what we do — but it's not too often that we hear such a positive result from those we do it for. As you'll realise, it has been a perfect fillip for Jane at the very time she is so under the weather.

We really do hope this week brings you joy and hope, keep your body moving and keep focusing on the good ... one step at a time.

Jane, Keith and the team xx

View this Newsletter (and, indeed every recent Newsletter) as a webpage

Exercise Of The Week

Here's a couple of videos concentrating on that most basic of Pilates moves — the Pelvic Tilt.

The Pelvic Tilt is such a basic move within our classes that it sometimes gets forgotten about in the melee of more complicated exercises we squeeze into our classes.

Without doing the Pelvic Tilt correctly however, the more complicated exercises don't give us the results they otherwise could, so it's important that we go back to basics and make sure we do the Pelvic Tilt absolutely correctly. It's a move we can do in any position — lying, upright, kneeling and so on — so here we look at it firstly in semi-supine (on your back with knees drawn up). The video is here for you to watch and practise.

In the second video, the Pelvic Tilt is shown in an upright position. The second video is here. Doing such a basic move upright is a great thing actually. It means that once you've mastered it — it's a little trickeir than doing it semi-supine — you can do it while you're standing anywhere — in the queue at a checkout, washing the dishes, waiting for a bus etc.

The Pelvic Tilt is a great move to start to open up the lower back — it's a very natural move too, and aids many other exercises you might do in your Pilates classes. Remember though to keep away from pain, and only move back into a neutral position.

Feel the difference, move differently, and look more balanced.

Your Whole Self

I'm going to sign off with a shout out to that most British of institutions, I would say the very epitome of what it is to be British — the NHS.

If you've read the above, you'll know how last week Jane and I relied on the NHS to help when we needed it. If you've known us for a little longer, you might be aware that the NHS saved my life three times 5 or 6 years ago when I had recurring severe pancreatitis.

I think it would be perfectly correct to say that everybody who is reading this Newsletter will have had their lives touched by the NHS in some positive way.

The NHS is 70 years old this year, and — as nearly always — in severe need of proper funding. Over the coming year we aim to do our bit to repay just a little of the debt Jane and I owe it personally. That's why — at our free events we'll be putting on over the coming year — we will be asking for donations for the NHS. We want to fight to keep it funded, and we hope that you'll all help us do that.

The Week's Classes

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Currently, all classes — matwork and Reformer — will be running as planned this week, all in their correct venues, at the correct days and times. However, bear in mind that some of Jane's classes may be taken by another Coach in the JTP team, and if we can't arrange cover some may even have to be cancelled. If we do need to cancel we hope you'll understand, and we will make sure that another class is put on at another time, so you don't lose out. Thank you for your understanding.

Book a Catchup/Missing Class

If you know you will have to miss a class in your course for any reason, want to let us know or would like to book a space in another class instead, just follow the link to register it. Our Glamourous Assistant Karen runs the Catchups system, and this link is the quickest, most direct means (it's even faster than emailing her!) of letting Karen and your class Coach know.

Simply tell us the class you will miss and — most important if you want to book a Catchup — please give us as many alternatives as possible. If you only give us one alternative, we cannot guarantee you will get a Catchup.

Please let us know if you will miss your class but don't want a Catchup — the whole Catchups system relies on knowing when spaces will occur.

Finally, please don't just tell your class class Coach you will be missing a class, as your Coach is not aware of Catchups spaces and has no means of registering your space. Karen needs to know, and the link here (it's also at the bottom of our website too) is the best and fastest way to let Karen know.

Book your Catchup by clicking here

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