We appreciate you

Published: Sun, 06/07/20

The Jane Thomas Pilates Newsletter

Hello

Appreciation

I want to start off by saying that last week has given me lots to think about. I attended an online retreat last weekend which really got me thinking about how I am feeling about so much that has been happening, what has happened in the past, and how I want my future to look.

One of the big things that came out of the weekend was how much I appreciate all of the ongoing support, love and kindness I have received from all of you. All the people who have been attending the online classes, or doing the recorded classes, or just subscribers to this newsletter. I am always amazed when I receive messages from you to say either you are enjoying the classes, or you ask questions about movement, or you just ask how we are doing...

The fact that you have taken the time to think about me and send the message is fantastic, and I am very grateful and appreciate this. So THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

Very quickly I just want to mention a few important things:

You can find the online class timetable for the up and coming week on the website jtp.zone — use your username and password to login. Remember that the jtp.zone website is always the central go-to place for all our online Pilates classes and associated information.
This week I am adding a live pop-up prop class on Wednesday 10th June at 10.30am — the prop for this class will be a Pilates Softball — so if you have one I look forward to seeing you in the Zoom room (the link is on the jtp.zone website). If you don’t have a Softball — of course feel free to join the class but make sure you have a pillow or large beach towel which can be folded and used as a potential alternative prop…
More Reformers At Home classes will be added to the jtp.zone website this week, for those of us with a home Reformer.
Finally — on Wednesday 17 June at 10.30am I will be doing a live online Pilates class for Absolute Beginners. This class is limited to a maximum of 12 people so you do need to book your space — just reply to this Newsletter for more details and to book (but PLEASE make sure you include your mobile phone number for confirmation of a space). This Absolute Beginners online Pilates class is a free taster class. Once your space is confirmed you will be sent the Zoom link to join the class.

Exercise Of The Week

In the current situation of self isolation and lockdown for many of us, I don’t know about you but my body is reacting and responding very differently to our everyday lives. My movement is being affected, my balance is affected and I have been experiencing a whole new set of aches and pains.

Stretching is one of the crucial things to do on a regular basis and we tend to forget about it. If you have been cleaning your bathroom, digging in the garden, painting and decorating, cleaning the top of the cupboard where you don’t normally look, you should still be doing some stretching after all of these activities.

So this week I am sharing a Mermaid Stretch — from a basic to a progression. This stretch will reach from the base of your hip and lower back right through to the crown of your head and your neck.

The video is here.

YOUR WHOLE SELF

In line with the above I thought it would be good to look at appreciation. I feel that the COVID-19 situation that is still ongoing has perhaps made many of us be more appreciative of all that we have in our lives.

Lots of things are being focused on that have previously been forgotten, everyone is suddenly more appreciative of the NHS and all that we have in this wonderful institution.

We are suddenly more aware of our shopkeepers, supermarkets staying open and staff potentially putting themselves at risk, our public services — bins still being collected and emptied for example, delivery men and women — goodness me, I don’t think I have ever seen as many delivery vans in our street as people are doing their shopping online.

Our neighbours, friends and family seem suddenly more important to us, particularly when we haven’t been able to see them and spend time with them. For Keith and me, our neighbours have been brilliant, doing shopping for us, checking we are ok. Family and friends checking whether we need anything from the shops — have been invaluable in self-isolation.

I think many of us are also more appreciative of our homes and where we live, particularly if we have gardens. I really appreciate being able to get outside and have a garden to simply sit in. Imagine if you didn’t have any space, living in a block of flats ... I certainly recognise how my garden has been invaluable to my emotional health.

So how does appreciation help us? Well I know that on those days when I feel frustrated about what is happening, and I am missing people, and I feel a little bit trapped in my own home, and I look outside and there are dark grey clouds above and the rain and wind start to move in ... I can flip it.

I can think about everything I have that I can appreciate — I am home, Keith is with me, I have a garden, I have open space around me, I have clothes to put on to keep me dry and warm, I have food, I have running, clean water, I have a bed to climb into at night and know that I am safe, I have friends and family who are staying safe and well, I see all the people who come to classes ... so much more I can be appreciative of ... and that helps me.

I hope that when the pandemic is over, that appreciation remains intact, and we can all feel it and feel the benefits of it.

Have a good week folks, keep moving, feeling and looking good
Jane xxxx

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