Weekly Wrap up. Week 49. The one where I got a mention on Coronation Street!

Corrie? yes, I did... twice actually.. read on...

This also has nothing to do with exercise, health or fitness but is another festive recollection and come on - it's quite a coup!

Many years ago, in far, far away land, way before Fairy Lights Fiasco, my daughters and I were huge Catherine Tate fans and were watching a lot of it in the run up to Christmas. We were at a New Year drinks party in Beaulieu and were bouncing different lines from sketches back and forth between us along with a couple of their friends when a man standing behind me joined in, word perfect. I was terribly impressed - " oh are you a fan? You know all the words" I exclaimed. "I should do love - I wrote it" he answered and so was my introduction to the genius multi award winning author, screen and playwright that is Jonathan Harvey.

Amongst his many accolades is being part of the writing team for Coronation Street and it always fascinated me just what power he has, sitting at his laptop choosing what might befall central characters and cause heartbreak and joy in equal measure across living rooms countrywide. He told me how he draws on everyday events and friends' lives to inspire him when he is writing - ( I do recall a conversation when we discussed how there was a TV drama waiting to happen about my family but he said that it was so bonkers and chaotic that no one would believe it!)...

Anyway imagine my delight when he texted me to say that I was going to feature, in a reference to my Pilates classes and hoped that was ok... hoped that was ok?? HOPED THAT WAS OK?

As you can imagine, I informed all my classes and on the allotted day, after much excited texting to confirm which episode it was, we were all sat at 7.30pm on our sofas, waiting for the most famous theme tune in the world.

Let me set the scene.

We are in The Kabin where Norris, Rita and Mavis are chatting and gently bickering over the mint imperials while re stocking Women's Weekly and American Tan pop sox.

Mavis "Well, I can't be 'anging about, I have to get t' community centre"

Norris "Why? What's appenin at community centre?"

Mavis "I make the teas and coffees for all ladies coming outta their Pilates class"

Norris "Ooo I can picture it now - all them snake 'ipped women"

Rita "snake 'ipped women? SNAKE 'IPPED WOMEN? Ive seen that lot - its like feeding time at t'elephant enclosure"

Does mortified have one r or two?

Jonathan reassured me that he was going to make it up to me in a future episode and this time, would reference my old life in showjumping. For some reason, I was mollified.

Cue the music. Cue the cobbles. Cue the eager anticipation, sat on the edge of my sofa.

Let me set the scene.

We are in the factory and a very angry Julie is pounding her way up and down hems on her sewing machine in a temper. Mild mannered Sean approaches and engages in some chat.

Sean "Wassup w'you? . Is it your fella again?

Julie "My EX fella. We are OVER"

Sean "No wayyyyy - why?"

Julie "He's been cheating again 'asn't he? with his rotten ex, Juliet the Showjumper"

Sean "Juliet the Showjumper?"

Julie "Yes. Juliet the Showjumper....everyone knows she's a right old slapper"

Shall we move on?

What's new in library and what's coming up

We have one week left of our 6 week strength challenge and I am delighted with all the feedback. I know many of you have managed to repeat the classes and have really felt the benefits but even if you haven't, well done to everyone for turning up and taking part every week and all the classes are there in the library for you to pick up and take part in whenever you like.

Maybe you might set yourself a January goal or similar.

I am really pleased with how the library has progressed and along with Clare's collection, I hope you feel that there is something for everyone. Why not try a class you haven't taken part in before - enjoy a deep stretch or some beginner Pilates for some revision and reflection. Perhaps try a small equipment class and if you are looking for gift ideas, then perhaps. you might ask for a foam roller or some heavier weights?! I am happy to give guidance on what you need.

I will be seeing you on Sunday for our 9am Sunday Stocking filler and this one will be mobility with body weight strength. These classes are recorded and stored in The Snack bar. Also going in the library this week are Tuesday and Friday strength classes and Clare's Barre inspired Pilates from this Wed.

Clare and I have put our festive thinking caps on and I hope our upcoming calendar of festive inspired classes will keep you entertained as we bring you as many cheesy titled classes of fun and shenanigans we can! We have a really busy calendar and will be running classes right up to and including our last festive class with me on Monday 23rd.

Please remember to look at the live calendar to check what is happening and when.

And finally....

"The need for instant gratification is keeping you out of shape and unhealthy....

We've become conditioned to want everything NOW and our bodies do not work that way.... Your phone works that way. Amazon Prime and Deliveroo. But your body? Not so much - your physiology doesn't care how quickly you want things. It works on it's own schedule."

This is something I have banged on about this year, not having worded it in quite such an eloquent way.

Whatever your goals are, slow and steady leads to success. Just keep turning up and slowly it becomes more than a fad or a quick fix but a lifestyle choice that will be habit and therefor sustainable.

What goals are you going to set for 2025? Maybe a check in each quarter or a monthly reflect on progress.. slow and steady wins the race.

Have a great weekend and see you Sunday - I have set 2 alarms already incase I forget x

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So, you ran the London Marathon.... what next?

By juliet • May 7, 2026

In the words of Holly Willoughby, "first of all, "how are YOU?".

The Zanzibar Yoga Festival

By juliet • April 28, 2026

Members news. Week upcoming : Bank Holiday Monday - class running as usual and this coming Wednesday, 2 x 30 min classes. Details in library. As I am away a few days here and there in May/June, I will continue to put in extra classes now and then to keep everyone topped up. It's all about give and take! Following on from requests this week, upcoming we have a Roll over/Control Balance workshop (Thursday 8am), Back care (Thursday 9am) and Body Conditioning, sculpt and tone style (Wed 8am). All updates will always be in your live calendar. We welcome 4 new members this week and can't wait to see you on the screen! We can now add Portugal to our community! That means that currently, we are beaming into the UK from Cornwall to Yorkshire, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, Germany and now Portugal! We are so much more than Pilates and our community continues to support in so many ways. While a couple of our treasured members are going through some hefty challenges, I am so pleased that you use our online connection as a form of support and to use the friendship of your fellow members. Don't forget you can log in 15 mins early for a natter before class and on Thursdays, I will leave the meeting open after we finish the 9.45am class for anyone to stay on and have a chat. Grab a coffee and log back in even if you weren't in the class. If you would like to join our "Friends of JP's" what's app group , let me know - we are slowly growing and it is a friendly place for a chat and check in, (and a grumble about how tough the class was!). Have a lovely weekend, Jx

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.