FEBRUARY 2023 NEWSLETTER – FITNESS PILATES
Dear Fitness Pilates Member
Welcome to the start of February 2023
Well, that’s one month gone of 2023 and here we find ourselves in February. It’s been a rather cold January. Class number have been so good face to face in the community and via ZOOM. I hope they will continue into our new month.
Class Timetable
Monday – Stisted Village Hall 0930-1015 & ZOOM – 1100-1145
Tuesday – 3rd Tuesday of the month – Fitness Pilates/Mindfulness for Carers Connect– Bradwell Village Hall 1100-1145
Wednesday – Wethersfield Village Hall 1100-1145
Thursday – Coggeshall Village Hall 1100-1145
Friday – 1st Friday of the month – Fitness Pilates/Mindfulness for Carers Connect – St Peters Village Hall, Braintree 1100-1145
Don’t forget…..if you can’t make the ZOOM times then I can send you a recording for just £5. Let me know and I can forward you a link from my YouTube Studio.
As from the 1st Feb I am going to be introducing hand weights into the lessons. They are not compulsory and if you choose not to use them then that’s not a problem. If you haven’t got any weights then why not use water bottles. If you would like any advice on purchasing hand weights then please ask me. I am more than happy to help.
Random Acts of Kindness day
17th February is known as Random Acts of Kindness Day. The celebration of this day can seem somewhat ironic in a world that seems so harsh and unkind most days.
I know that I personally get jaded by the unkindness I see around me each day. From rude and impatient drivers to cyberbullies – it seems as if finding a fellow kind soul among us is a lost cause.
I know that it isn’t, though. I know that the good still far outweighs the bad and that we just notice the bad because our brains are actually wired to do so as a survival tactic. This is known as negativity bias – it is our tendency not only to register negative stimuli more readily but also to dwell on these events.
It takes effort, but we can choose to be kind in an unkind world.
The most significant way I’ve found to do that is through courtesy. Extend courtesy to everyone around you in every situation. Allow others to be human. To make mistakes, step in it, and mess up.
Love them through it. Allow your compassion to shine through.
We never know when we might be the one needing that same courtesy and kindness from someone else.
Creating a kinder, more understanding world begins with ourselves. So maybe the best random act of kindness isn’t even what you do for someone else.
Perhaps, it needs to begin with you. Are you allowing yourself to make mistakes? Have you given yourself the grace to be human? Are you loving yourself through it?
It isn’t random acts of kindness that we need. It is daily acts of kindness.
Dealing with Arthritis
Arthritis is a medical condition that is characterised by aching, painful joints. The cold weather can heighten the pain and worsen stiffness and inflammation in the affected areas. The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis (wear and tear) and rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory autoimmune condition. Arthritis can affect any joint in the body but most commonly occurs in the hands, hips and knees.
Hands and Shoulders
Most cases of arthritis develops as we get older. Some causes of arthritis can be caused such as infection or trauma which can injure the joint surface and accelerate wear and tear changes with the affected joints. Simple hand/wrist exercises which I have covered in the Pilates classes can be of help.
With the shoulder it’s a case of keeping the joint moving without aggravating your symptoms.
Hips
Arthritis is a progressive degenerative disease and the main symptoms tend to be pain, stiffness and gradual loss of movement and function. Strangely, pain in the groin is actually the first sign of arthritis in the hip joint. In the early stages (especially if the person is younger than 50-60) can be mistaken for a groin strain or muscle injury. As it progresses, the pain can radiate into the buttocks and outer thigh, even reaching to the knee. Initially people may have difficulty in doing things that involve a lot of hips flexion i.e. putting on shoes and socks. This can progress to being unable to fully stretch or straighten their affected leg. They may also experience restricted movement such as when they are getting into and out of a car. In the early stages, regular movement is recommended. Its important to keep the surrounding muscles and ligaments as strong and flexible as possible so that can support the failing joint. There will be some forms of exercise that your hip will stop you from doing, but its always important to keep being active.
Knees
Osteoarthritis is usually age-related but it can also start because of previous injuries. It’s exacerbated when people are overweight or very inactive. Physiotherapy can initially help to strength the muscles around the knee. Strengthening the quadriceps are key to knee pain. Losing weight and reducing activities that cause pain are also recommended.
FEBRUARY’S MOTIVATION
It’s a brand-new month! If YOU want it badly enough YOU will move heaven and earth to make it happen.
Nothing will stand in your way. Anything can happen so roll with it.
Make a plan and go after what you DESIRE!
I hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter.
Look forward to seeing you soon
Marisa x
Fitness Pilates Health Coach
https://marisaswain-fitnesspilates.co.uk
www.facebook/PTSfitnesspilatesclassesBraintree
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