October 9th, 2020

Am I Doing This Exercise Right? Progress Not Perfection Wins Every Time.

Estimated reading time: 2 minutesWe’ve probably all ventured into the previously unknown world of online exercise during these unusual times. When our regular gym or Pilates classes closed (or still remain closed), if you wanted to stay healthy and exercise safely you probably turned to YouTube for inspiration. Or maybe you became a regular on Zoom with your regular teacher.

September 14th, 2020

The Neglected Stress Impact of a Chronic Illness

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes“Psychological factors can trigger a breathing pattern that might be appropriate to an emergency situation, when no such emergency exists”. This is an extract from a book on breathing pattern disorders. I became so interested in breathing patterns the more I worked with our hypermobile community. Breathing comes first. Movement second.

April 16th, 2020

Home exercise has never been easier

Estimated reading time: < 1 minuteI hope you are safe and well during these unusual, challenging times.

I have been thinking of ways I could help to keep you active and enjoying movement safely at home. I am sure your regular exercise activities and classes are closed. Where do we turn for reliable, safe and effective information for chronic pain or hypermobility issues?

March 21st, 2020

My gift to you in these unprecedented times

Estimated reading time: < 1 minuteKeep Moving with me for free – in your own home. These are unprecedented times. Who would have thought we would be living in almost total isolation. Our gyms, Pilates classes and physiotherapy clinics are closing until further notice. And yet, we know that we need to keep moving.

December 19th, 2019

The Boom and Bust of EDS Exercise

Estimated reading time: 4 minutesBoom and Bust: I imagine we’ve all been there at some point. But what do we do about it? This topic has been coming up a lot recently in conversations with hypermobile and EDS clients. How do we progress without the boom and bust? I wanted to give my thoughts on this important subject because without understanding it, how do we get stronger without getting knocked back every time we think we are getting somewhere?

October 28th, 2019

This film is going to close the gap on EDS education

Estimated reading time: 2 minutesWe Are Visible – a film by Karina Sturm. This film is going to close the gap on EDS education. When Karina got in touch recently to ask me to review her exciting new project, I was delighted. Karina has spent the last 14 months working on her first film – We Are Visible. You may have heard of it as it has already won some awards. I felt privileged to have an early preview. Here are my thoughts.

September 25th, 2019

Subluxation is a Real Pain in the Joint

Estimated reading time: 5 minutesAnd other surrounding tissues! If you’ve ever had a joint sublux or dislocate, you will know how painful this can be.

July 21st, 2019

What Does Zebrastrong Mean To You?

Estimated reading time: 2 minutesWhat does zebrastrong mean to you? I remember a time when the thought of moving and living pain-free was just a thought. I was in pain, fearful of movement and frustrated at trying many options without success.

April 30th, 2019

Hypermobility Without Tears Book Launch!

Estimated reading time: 6 minutesApologies that I have been absent from my blog for a few months. I have been working on a project very special to my heart. For the past months, I have been busy writing my second book – Hypermobility Without Tears, which is a step-by-step guide to help people with hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome move with less pain.

October 5th, 2018

How do you explain your pain to others?

Estimated reading time: 2 minutesSeptember was Pain Awareness Month. It’s taken me a while to put pen to paper because this is such a huge subject. I wasn’t sure where to start.

June 11th, 2018

EDS and exercise: not the opposites you think

Estimated reading time: 3 minutesFor someone dealing with chronic pain, exercise feels like that last thing that should be on the agenda. With a body that’s easily exhausted, aches, and often acts frustratingly beyond your control, it might seem crazy to choose to physically exert yourself more.  But I’ve found exercise to be a fundamental part of managing chronic pain conditions and for those living with forms of hypermobility.

May 3rd, 2018

Empowerment: finding your strength

Estimated reading time: 2 minutesFor EDS Awareness Month, I’ve been thinking a lot about empowerment, inspired by the strength of communities who society often disregards as weak. Whether it’s hearing the stories of creative and resilient people, the positivity of #fragilebutunbreakable social media campaign, or watching the phenomenal achievements of the EDS community.  I am awed by this strength in the face of adversity.