yoga
11th February 2025. .
Could your Pilates or Yoga classes be exacerbating pelvic health issues such as stress incontinence (SI), pelvic organ prolapse (POP), or other common postpartum and menopause-related symptoms?
How does intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) play a role, and how can breath, posture, and myofascial organisation help address these concerns?
It's not a pretty picture I'm afraid! Pelvic health issues like stress incontinence (SI), pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and diastasis recti affect a significant number
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15th January 2025. .
When I first took over Revitalise in 2003, the studio had just one Pilates class on the timetable. Over the first few years, this grew to around 30 classes. The yoga timetable was dominated by Vinyasa flow and Ashtanga, with Yin Yoga added some years later, though at the time these classes struggled to attract students. Fast forward some 20 years, and the timetable has transformed dramatically.
Trends and Shifts
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6th December 2024. .
As the year draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the lessons, challenges, and blessings that have shaped both Harmonise and me. It’s been a year of alignment, growth, and manifestation—one that has reinforced the importance of trusting in the flow of life and reminded me of the magic that happens when we stay true to ourselves and our passions.
Here are some of my reflections and insights, along
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6th November 2024. .
In Part 1 of this blog series, we discussed how inclusive language can make a significant impact in creating welcoming wellness spaces. Language, however, is only one piece of the puzzle. True inclusivity also involves making spaces accessible, representative, and community-focused.
In this next part, we’ll look at practical ways to ensure classes are accessible to all, reflect diverse backgrounds and abilities, and foster a connected, supportive community. These elements
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21st October 2024. .
In recent years, the conversation around inclusivity in Yoga and Pilates has gained significant momentum, and with good reason. During a Yoga class I attended recently, the teacher, who was friendly and knowledgeable, performed the full version of a pose from the front of the class. I noticed a gentleman in the class clearly struggling, he looked bewildered and lost, and I wondered how he felt. Feeling intimidated or uncomfortable
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17th September 2024. .
Osteoporosis has become a hot topic recently, and I've been receiving an influx of questions from Harmonise graduates and teacher trainees and also from colleagues seeking guidance about safe exercise options for their classes or 1:1 clients. I also have two current teacher trainees (1 yoga, 1 Pilates) living with an osteoporosis diagnosis and have been contacted by a couple of graduates who who have recently been diagnosed with Osteopenia
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5th August 2024. .
To hinge or not to hinge ... that is the question!
I was recently asked an excellent question by one of the students booked onto our upcoming Pilates teacher training in September. Here's the question (word for word):
“I did Iyengar yoga for a year, and during forward folds, we were always taught to have a straight back and bend from the hips, as opposed to rolling down, as Pilates advises.
I
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27th June 2024. .
In this continuation of our discussion on effective cuing, we'll delve into more advanced strategies to enhance your teaching skills. Building on the basics of language use covered in part 1, I will explore the art of observing and responding to your students, refining your cues, and fostering a deeper mind-body connection. Let's jump straight in ...
Observing and responding in real-time
This really is one of the key aspects of enhanced
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31st May 2024. .
Cuing seems to be a hot topic in the mindful (functional) movement world right now, and with good reason. The cues a teacher uses throughout a class significantly impact how a student experiences, feels, and embodies movement. It’s not just about the cues themselves, but also the tone of delivery and the teacher's expression during a class.
After all, a student’s nervous system responds to the teacher’s nervous system through
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19th April 2024. .
At the tender age of 24, I found myself grappling with Downward Facing Dog in a bustling yoga class at Gold’s Gym in London. At the time, I was working as a full-time gym instructor, personal trainer and studio co-ordinator. I was young, fit, healthy and body aware, so accessing downward facing dog during this class must have been a breeze, right?
WRONG!!! Despite my background in fitness and body awareness,
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