The Zebrastrong Blog

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes2020 was an incredibly challenging year for everyone on so many levels. With a history of pneumonia and bronchiectasis I was naturally worried about catching the virus. When things became serious in the UK, my family practised strict isolation. We limited our visits to the supermarket, we washed our hands constantly and carried hand sanitiser when we did go out. We even left our post for 2 days before opening it to limit any exposure.

Estimated reading time: 2 minutesWant to take control of your hypermobility in 2021?

This Christmas, The Zebra Club is offering a special Christmas deal. We are offering a Zebrastrong Christmas from the 15th to 26th December and warmly invite you to take advantage of 20% off the retail price on an annual subscription to The Zebra Club.

Estimated reading time: < 1 minuteI never imagined I would be speaking openly on social media and interviews about my pelvic floor history or recurrent UTIs due to mast cell activation. My upbringing was such that certain things are private and definitely not a topic of conversation. And yet here I am. The reality is this is what life can be like with a condition like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.