Week 3. 2026.
In like a lamb, out like a lion....
Due to the algorithms, or whatever secret force is at work... when I go into my social media accounts (which I do more often than I like to admit), I am absolutely bombarded with posts on health, fitness, nutrition, high energy exercise, low energy exercise and goals, goals, goals.
Setting goals or big commitments for the upcoming year can be very overwhelming, never more so than when Winter feels never ending. Why is our tax return due in January? Why do I have my house, car and public liability insurances all due in the same month as my post Christmas credit card bills? Why hasn't it stopped raining?
So I am borrowing March's statement and turning it on it's head. March claims "In like a lion, out like a lamb" while my current mood for January is set at "in like a lamb, out like a lion."
This year I am choosing to embrace hibernation for a bit longer and while I have any amount of ideas and plans for our upcoming year, I am choosing to park some things up and to accept that if I don't put on my full set of amour and set out into 2026 to conquer the world, no one will really mind. I hardly know myself... but I have noticed that while I have done the unthinkable of occasionally leaving things for later, and sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea, that the sun still rises, the world still turns and me? well I feel a lot better!
I hope I am carrying that over into our classes too. While I always want to leave you feeling motivated and challenged, I have also enjoyed some "back to basics" work and some recaps.
I like to have a purpose to my classes and talk endlessly about learning, but sometimes I think it is ok to choose rather than to learn something new, to instead practise something already known and enjoy the comfort zone of familiarity, confident in the ability to complete the task.
I gave myself an afternoon off yesterday and went with Lisa to see "Dear England" at our local and truly amazing theatre, The Mayflower. We had the full West End cast and it was spectacular. I felt moved, emotional, inspired, uplifted. At the end, there was a full house standing ovation, as we sang along to Sweet Caroline, which isn't bad on a rainy mid week afternoon.
If you get the chance, go and see it. Brilliantly presented and just a joy.
Talking joy... The New Forest and Pilates both got a mention in this week's The Arches. Honestly? my cup runneth over.
What is coming up?
I look forward to seeing as many of you as can make it at The Haven for a coffee and catch up on Wed 21st around 10am and due to the feedback will definitely look to make this a monthly, informal gathering. I will of course, email venues and dates.
I am going to be dropping some extra, 30 min classes into the library from time to time. Keep an eye on your calendar. Typically around 7pm on a Tuesday evening and 9am on a Saturday. The 30 mins classes have proved to be really popular. These will always be recorded and will have a variety of themes. To kick this off, please put Sat Jan 31 in your diary, This will be an all levels class with a gentle focus on movement and breath to help with cranky hips, grumpy lower backs and sleepy pelvic floors. Link in calendar.
New in the library
Quite a lot!
Monday's workshop on side planks/side bend, .
Tuesdays' all levels functional strength with a nod to taking it back to basics
Thursday's 8am new Reformer on the mat and 9am's shoulders and upper backs strength and mobility.
Finally, I leave you with the image below that I personally feel is quite heartening for a powerful year ahead.
Have a great weekend,
Jx
