The Zebrastrong Blog

Estimated reading time: 3 minutesMother’s Day. Last minute cards and chocolates bought, shops repeatedly and urgently stage-whispering ‘Don’t forget!’. Despite all the commercialism, I’m still a supporter of anything which makes us pause and appreciate the people and actions we so often take for granted.

Estimated reading time: 2 minutesEncouraging someone who lives with chronic pain to ‘get moving’ could sound like a misguided, insensitive piece of advice. However, throughout my years as a professional Pilates and movement coach (not to mention during my years of ill health) I’ve seen time and again the impact that the right movement can have when it comes alleviating the symptoms of chronic pain.

Estimated reading time: 2 minutesIn my time as a professional Pilates instructor and wellness coach, I’ve come across countless people who have lived for years with undiagnosed joint pain and movement issues. Helping them understand what hypermobility is and how it might be causing their varying levels of discomfort, as well as introducing them to exercises that can make a life-changing difference, is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.

Estimated reading time: 2 minutesWhat pops into your head when you think of meditation? I think for a lot of people (me included) it was the image of sitting legs crossed desperately trying to keep my mind quiet, allowing thoughts to come and go but without being drawn to them.

Estimated reading time: 2 minutesI wrote that simple sentence last week on a Pilates forum I belong to. Someone had asked a question as to “how important is it to teach breathing in a class?”. I do not normally comment in these forums, but was moved to last week as there seems to have been a proliferation of questions and concerns about breathing during Pilates.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutesI love to move – I take every opportunity to move my body on a daily basis. I try to attend classes whenever I can; so when I was on holiday in May, I took a Pilates class in the resort I was staying at. I never say I’m a movement therapist – I just like to go and enjoy moving as an anonymous client.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutesThat is the question! And it is a question I get asked a great deal by clients.

Estimated reading time: 2 minutesI found this photo of me in an old album dated circa 1978. Yes, we actually had albums where we had photos printed in a shop and then stuck them in a book! Luckily, no major seventies fashion or hair mishaps but I was immediately drawn to my hyperextended left knee.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutesI spent 5 days with Ken* in June 2015. He was one of the most influential teachers in my understanding of movement, anatomy, awareness of self and the art of being grateful.