Weekly wrap up. Week 24. 2025

The unlikely comparison between Battersea Power Station and Pilates!

When we went online way back in March 2020, we met daily for Pilates but also for companionship and support. 5 years later, our online community has grown and grown.

While I totally “get” wanting to be in person, in class, what us onliners have gained is a convenience, a new routine, a daily fix - while perhaps it used to be about trailing off to one class a week, now I see most of you several times a week with the ease and convenience of being able to log in anywhere.

However, while we roll up, roll over, stretch, mobilise and lift weights through the week, one thing we all acknowledge is the community we have.

So many have said that as much as you enjoy the classes (phew!) it’s having the access to friends and familiar faces every day that gives such a boost. Only recently, one person who was rehabbing an injury, messaged me to say she was going to log in just to be part of the class and have the company as she missed us all so much.

It’s not just once a week. Most of you log on, meet up, check in, work out and have a quick natter most weekdays before you go about the rest of your day.

What we also value is our get togethers, born from lockdown and being online.

15 of us had a superb day out on Wednesday. The sun was shining, the trains ran on time and we all behaved ourselves on the whole.

Catherine very kindly came up with the idea of visiting Battersea Power station and I think it is fair to say we were all really impressed with our private tour and all that we learned.

How can I tie this into Pilates tho? Read on....

The Unlikely Comparison: Battersea Power Station and Pilates

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At first glance, Battersea Power Station and Pilates may seem like an unlikely pair. One is a iconic London landmark, while the other is a popular exercise method. However, let's explore some surprising similarities:

Core Strength
Battersea Power Station: The power station's core structure has withstood the test of time, remaining a sturdy and iconic presence on the London skyline
Pilates: Core strength is a fundamental principle of Pilates, focusing on building a strong, stable center to support the entire body

Flow and Movement
Battersea Power Station: The power station's design incorporates a sense of flow and movement, with its sleek, Art Deco lines and imposing chimneys
Pilates: Pilates exercises emphasise smooth, flowing movements, engaging the body's natural flow and promoting efficient movement patterns

Control and Precision
Battersea Power Station. The power station's operations required precise control and monitoring to generate electricity efficiently.
Pilates. Pilates exercises demand control and precision, engaging the mind-body connection to execute movements with accuracy and intention.

Renewal and Transformation
Battersea Power Station: The power station has undergone significant transformations, from its industrial past to its current redevelopment as a residential and commercial hub.
Pilates: Pilates is a transformative practice, helping individuals develop greater body awareness, strength, and flexibility, helping them renew their connection with their physical selves.

While Battersea Power Station and Pilates may seem like vastly different entities, they share common themes and principles. Both emphasise core strength, flow, control, and transformation, reflecting the interconnectedness of structure, movement, and personal growth. So there you go!!

COMING UP.

The sun is coming!! Next week promises to be hot, hot, hot so that can only mean one thing.... TEACH ON THE BEACH!

I intend to run all our online classes from the beach so if you are local and can manage it, please come and join me. I hope those not too local and joining online will indulge me as we prepare for visiting rogue dogs, aggressive seagulls and whatever else presents itself.

I have really enjoyed having a break from recording and being more interactive. However I have a couple of requests and as soon as the weather changes and I am back in my home studio, I will be recording new content.

Please send positive vibes and good luck wishes to our very own Lisa who is spending the weekend climbing mountains in The 3 Peaks challenge. Lisa is raising money for Dementia awareness. For more info and to support her please visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/charlotte-dawson?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL&utm_campaign=015&fbclid=IwY2xjawKivudleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBmRm5RV3VzTm1ITTl2b3VZAR4dJ0yS6iD7LTJbU_ZKLnF23xvKsKkOjj_PjiUrTRwHQB38fx86WB65QPQ6dw_aem_nXFNmp5OlZxYDy_KpQqglw

I am going to have a few day's juicing. It is only fair to warn you for when my energy levels go through the roof and I take you with me!

I know lots of you dread my juicing weeks, so why not join me!! It is a fantastic way to reset, stop the food noise, ditch sugar and other junk, enjoy renewed energy, improved sleep, clearer skin and just give the digestive system a break while the rest of the body can enjoy some attention.

I am a jucing devotee with some 15 plus years of experience behind me, as well as having worked for Jason Vale on his juicing retreats in Portugal and Turkey so I would be delighted to support you and share advice and recipies.

The most important thing is to be prepared so you will need to get shopping and you will need a juicer!

And finally....

I really recommend the book "The Humans" by Matt Haigh. Maybe not for everyone but I thought it was breathtakingly good.... I could not put it down and want to go back and read it again. It is very funny, very thought provoking - if you read it, do let me know what you think.

I have pinched a few lines from the main, non human character that I share here.

"Don't worry about your abilities. You have the ability to love. That is enough.

Be nice to other people. At the universal level, they are you.

Tragedy is just comedy that hasn't come to fruition. One day we will laugh at this.

Don't aim for perfection. Evolution.... and life only happened through mistakes.

You (humans) are not the most intelligent creatures on the planet. The tonal language in the song of a humpback whale displays more complexity than the entire works of Shakespeare.

Don't be afraid to tell someone you love them. There are things wrong with your world but an excess of love is not one of them.

You are not the only species on earth with technology. Look at ants. Really look. What they do with twigs and leaves is really quite amazing.

Have a great weekend.

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Sitting in Southampton airport and other stuff

By juliet • April 9, 2026

I want to keep it as on point and brief as I can and here are some cold, hard facts. Doing SOMETHING is a lot better than doing NOTHING! Whatever equipment you use and program you follow is far less important than the fact that you show up. Regularly and consistently. Only 30% of adults meet the resistance training guidelines and this drops to as low 10% for older adults. What is required? Training all major muscle groups at least once a week Aiming for 2 - 3 sets per exercises Using a weight that is getting challenging by the end of the set Moving through full range of movement. Now, why this is good news is that this can be acheived in whatever form of exercise takes your fancy and over here on our Pilates mat, we tick a lot of those boxes. Going into the 100 and wishing for the end, sitting tall in your Spine Twist and pushing for JUST ONE MORE rep is meeting this! We go through full range of movement, we use bodyweight as well as small equipment, so even if you are not lifting weights, you are doing your bit. (N.b. provided this is min. 3 times a week and you are pushing yourself to max ability in each of those sessions in one way or another and bringing in bands, small weights etc for additional resistance) WHAT COUNTS BODYWEIGHT EXERCISES AT HOME BANDS, BALLS, BODY WEIGHT, LOOPS A QUICK EXPRESS SET WHEN YOU GET BACK FROM YOUR RUN/WALKING THE DOG 15 MINS IN THE KITCHEN - YOU DON'T NEED TO COMPLICATE IT IT DOESNT NEED TO BE FANCY, STRUCTURED OR ELABORATE. IT JUST NEEDS TO HAPPEN Generally ALL types of resistance training work, as long as they are performed with high efforts which means that you get to a point where you are almost at failure. In other words, choose what you enjoy as you are more likely to stick to it and work harder at ut. CONSISTENCY IS KEY and the BEST exercise programme to do is the one you enjoy and will be more likely to stick at! MEMBERS. We have multiple classes involving strength and resistance every week. NON MEMBERS - I am just putting dates together for another 4 week strength program. Please email me if you are interested. More details to follow (I am delighted to be starting a 4 week strength training session with my local running club so I really am doing my best to share the love! )

Why runners need to lift weights

By juliet • April 8, 2026

Let's start with Improves balance and coordination Improves bone density Boosts metabolism and weight management Enhances mental health Helps with daily activity A few more?! Improves posture by strengthening your core and back muscles Reduces risk of injury by strengthening joints, ligaments, and tendons Helps regulate blood sugar levels and lowers risk of type 2 diabetes Improves sleep quality and helps you fall asleep faster Enhances athletic performance (speed, power, endurance) Slows down age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) The ACSM (American college of Sports Science) is the bible of the fitness world with regards to fitness and exercise prescription and has recently done a huge survey, publishing it’s findings in a new report which has got the fitness world very excited as it is the first survey of it’s kind since 2009.