The advert appeared on Facebook - Decorate a Gingerbread House!!! Yes yes yes.....  My inner child did cartwheels, my outer child did the same!!  How fun! I sent my message to Carry On cafe and booked my slot!!

As the time drew near, I was a bit tired, contemplated not going - but in the end Sunday 26th 2pm there I was.

I walked into the cafe - and there was the table all laid out.  I looked like Gulliver in Lilliput.... It was all for little people!  There was a couple of moms there already with their kids and then more came along and then there was me..

The only adult without a child!!

Did I care?  Not really - actually not at all!!

I sat in my chair, my knees near my armpits and looked into all the tubs in front of me.  Smarties, M&M, marshmallows, liquorice, fruit pastilles. Jelly beans, wafers, hundreds and thousands, Hersey kisses, kits kits!!!  A child’s sugar heaven, a parent’s sugar hell...

I haven’t had sugar like that in a loooooong time, chocolate yes, but not pure jelly sweets and it was a great feeling to not care for it either.

Let decorating commence.

Artist’s block!!!

What to do - where to start?  So many choices..  I picked up my icing bag and off I went - roof, gummies, this that and the other and my house took shape.

The back was fun as I decided to make a sort of face!  Then Oooooooo Santa - sleigh - NAH - car!!! Bring it on....
A crooked door, a snow splattered path, Santa in his car - my house rocked.  As I neared the end it was like being at a buffet - you know when you keep snacking?  I kept adding a bit, eventually the roof was totally covered and I had to STOP!!!!

I looked at the others- the kids were fab. They didn’t give two sh*ts about what went where, whether it was symmetrical or looked ‘right’. They put what they wanted where - awesome.

One other lady decorated too - her house was so pristine and tidy and together - I wondered what her real house inside was like!!  She even made a bench out of kits kits and pretzels (oh yeah there was pretzels too....) - that was good, really creative!

I did no more, had eaten a few sweets, then the biscuit itself came out to try. 2 blocks and that was enough for me, yum but too much - man my taste buds had changed..

Our houses were carefully boxed, and I wandered home.  Then the sugar hit me!!  WOAH I had not had a sugar hit for ages and felt quite drunk but I’d rather have it from alcohol, this sugar rush wasn’t good.  Took me by surprise in a good way!.

I calmed (I wonder what the kids were like though) - assisted by a glass of wine and there sat my house, so pretty!!  What to do with it though..?

In the end it has a lovely spot in the studio I work at in East Coast- The Moving Body, the poor lady who works the front desk  and loves sugar has a sugar house in front of her all day!!.

It was GREAT fun, loved seeing the kids creativity and such a shame more adults don’t remain in touch with this side of their inner child! 

I urge you to be a BIG kid and enjoy the silly season!!!....

​The Reformer is one of my favourite pieces of Pilates equipment, but then I say that about the others too...

I love its simplicity and the ability to be adapt a move, add something on to it, create new feelings in the body and challenge balance and co-ordination.

This is a simple example of how I play with standing slides - change of foot position and/or angle, add in arm movements, spine movements or all the above.  

The more random we move, the stronger we become.  Sticking to one way only gets us strong only in that way - play, make shapes, have fun!!!....

What’s come up for me this week....


I briefly mentioned on Sunday about the reading I had done with a psychic/healer Gail Warwick on Friday and I’d like to go into that more.


I know many people don’t believe in it and also many that do - obviously I do else I wouldn’t have had a session.  I have had a fair few alternative sessions in the past - EFT, Reiki, hypnosis, the ‘journey’, quantum touch, tarot reading, palm reading.... and each one has its merits and one will work for you or you’ll be open to the message it brings!!


I went for the session as at my Friend’s wedding last month one of her friends and I were talking about this sort of thing and she mentioned her lady.  Done deal and session booked.


As far as I know she knew nothing about me (unless she checked me on Facebook but I doubt it...)  and we said hello and then off she went, telling me about me.  It was accurate and the thing that hit the most was when she said about frustration...  Frustration is my enemy and it does’t belong to me - it is genetic, from family in the past.  I cleared an amount of emotional baggage with Judy King while she coached me (thanks babe), this frustration piece feels like the last piece in my emotional puzzle.  Okay okay so someone else could have said it to me I know I know, but there is something about the who and the how that has shifted something in me.  I can’t explain it much more than that, but since then if I feel a twinge of frustration, I go “it doesn’t belong to me” and tada it’s gone! How cool is that…


To be told by a stranger that what I do is the perfect career for me, that online education (the direction I am heading) is my way forward and that I need to embrace technology (sigh), it was a weird validation I needed.  I needed to hear that I am on the right path as I often feel I’m not and doubt it.  A tarot card reader also said that on-line was my way too - I kept it in the back of my mind but got lost along the way (those doubts….).  Now though, I’m ready -  and I’m sure I’ll still have doubts, and I’ll probably procrastinate too and wonder what my life is about - and I’m okay with that.  Each time I have those doubts it actually grounds me and the doubt reinforces my why.   


Next step is figuring out how to put together all this information I have!!   I have no idea how to do it, I really don’t but I do know it’s my way forward. (PS that is a little cry out for help if anyone has any ideas!…..)


There were other things she said too that I won’t go into, but all she said totally resonated and I believe a huge part of that is the work I’ve done on myself, with other coaches and also with some very good friends - a joint effort for sure.  I am in a place where I am open to hear what she said, take it on board and go forth into the big unknown with a belief that the universe is with me.


I’ve not always found it easy to take on board things I’m told, especially when they are positive! They are sinking in now, and I believe in myself more than I have for quite a few years. The whys and wherefores aren’t the important part, the now is - who I was years ago was then - now I’m  this me and get to chose who I am being and becoming…  


I love this learning about self stuff!!  If you want to know more about Gail, then check her link (she doesn’t know I’m writing this) - or please do be in touch with me!.


Thanks

​

A HUGE Reminder

I’ve been in the Pilates world since 2003 which when I think about it often surprises me - that I’ve stayed with it for so long when many other things in my life come and go.  I’ve taught some moves I don’t even want to think how many times and the words slip off my tongue like melting ice cream…. 

I go through phases of love hate with my profession (possibly more my feelings towards myself!), wondering why I do it, is there something else out there - is it what I’m meant to do in my time on Earth…

It has been the most remarkable 2 days.  I had a psychic lady (www.gailwarwick.com ) “read me” Friday morning (yes I am a believer) and her accuracy was phenomenal, she truly read my thoughts, knew how I felt at times and she made so much sense.  I’m not going into all she said, but one thing was that I am in the right profession and on-line education is my way forward - something I’ve been told before, refused to listen to and yet the universe keeps prodding me so yes yes yes it is time.

The other event that brought it to me was teaching Apparatus over the weekend - a Pilates course on all the equipment for trainers on their journey.   One lady blew us all away.  She had a stroke last year and lost the use of her right side.  

The video that is attached is her, doing a move (walkover) that she had never done, was scared to do - fear that her arm wouldn’t support her.  She did it with our help, then made 4 attempts on her own - not giving up. This move is tiring - mentality and physically. You’re upside down hanging, disoriented in space and having to trust your strength.

On her 5 th (and 6th!!!) attempt she made it and oh my god what a moment.

That’s why I teach, coach and educate - those moments where the person gets it, realises their potential, believes in themselves and I am allowed to be part of their journey.

Excuse my french but it’s f*cking awesome.

Dedicated to Gamze who touched our hearts, inspired us and has the most beautiful smile and to all those who have been through whatever or going through and coming out the other side. 

And to all in the healing profession, thank you.

​

How many readers often get wrist issues when they do planks - or anything on their hands and knees?...

My aim with this blog is for that not to happen by using an arm spiral..

If I say so myself, I did a pretty good job explaining it on the video, but if you have any questions then please email me and I'm happy to help...
​

There are a few animals/creatures on this planet that I have wondered why they are here - e.g mosquitoes, and then why they are ‘designed’ the way they are e.g cockroaches

I do wonder about human beings but that’s a totally different blog…

Cockroaches came up as there was one in my kitchen as I walked through into the bathroom, on its back surrounded by ants.  I assumed it was dead and then I pushed it and OMG it moved.  They freak me out a bit, not my most favourite creature - it’s their unpredictability….

Anyone - what to do with it..  I took the horrible and easy option and got the bug spray from under the sink and sprayed and sprayed in the hope that the more I sprayed the quicker its death.  It convulsed and I walked away, it was dead when I went back a few minutes later and scooped it into the bin.

I could have scooped it into a dust pan - but I chose the spray….

2 days later, there’s a cockroach on its back, quite still.  Now is it dead or alive?  I prodded it and ah alive.  I got the dust pan, scooped it up and took it outside - apologising that I had killed one of its kind the other day. (might sound odd but I really dislike purposefully killing creatures)…

I put it on the wall near the bushes hoping it would land on its feet.  Nope on its back!!!  I tried to turn it - nope.  So I gently blew it into the bushes and hoped it turned as it fell…

Now you might be wondering what the point is….

Well my question is - how daft a creature that as soon as it gets on its back its doomed!??  What’s that about?

Is it to give its legs a rest?  Get a core workout?  See the world from a different view?  Or an evolution cock up (cock roach - get it?).  Nature creating something that becomes helpless as soon as it is the wrong way up…  And how do they get on their back anyway?  Or do they go on their back because they are dying?

Nature is AMAZING - I love it and the wacky creatures that are on this phenomenal planet, and many that we don’t know about.

Hopefully we keep all that are here going, human beings seem so good at destroying other species for no gain.

In future I’ll do my utmost to be nice to cockroaches - unless it’s in my bedroom and then no no no….

Now as for mosquitoes…..


I googled and here's some facts for you, guess they are pretty good creatures after all....

Geeky Cockroach Facts
    •    Cockroaches are insects of the order Blattaria.
    •    There are about 4,000 to 5,000 species of cockroaches, 30 of which are considered pests by humans.
    •    Cockroaches can run up to 3km/hr or 0.8 m/s.
    •    They recognise their family and relatives by their distinctive odours.
    •    They are nocturnal and omnivorous.
    •    They don't easily drown and may even last for 30 minutes (or more) underwater, they can hold their breath for up to 40 minutes!
    •    Most species live in the tropics (like the Philippines).
    •    They love glue. It might be their favourite food - HOW COME IT DOESN’T STICK THEM TOGETHER??
    •    Most American cockroaches are immigrants - LOL
    •    They can survive decapitation. Even after separation, both the body and the head will still respond to stimulus and both the antenna and the legs might wiggle. However, the head's movement will only last for a few hours while a body may last up to several weeks.
    •    Cockroaches can survive without food for a month but will only last 1-2 weeks without water.
    •    Cockroaches have six hairy legs, and the hairs provide them a sense of touch.
    •    Some female cockroaches mate only once and become pregnant for the rest of their lives - WTF!!!
    •    Cockroaches can basically eat everything due to the presence of various bacteria and protozoa in their digestive system.

Why Do Cockroaches Die on Their Backs?

Their bulky bodies are composed of three heavy body segments which are only supported by six long, thin legs. As they die they lose muscle control, causing the leg muscles to contract. As a result, the legs are pulled beneath the body, causing them to lose their balance and topple over onto their backs. This also explains why cockroaches on the wall fall off when they get sprayed with insecticides.
Do they always flip over?
No. A cockroach might die without toppling over, but it happens most of the time.

​The Ecological Importance of Cockroaches

Cockroaches play a vital role in the process of decomposition which is an essential part of the ecosystem. Through them water, nutrients, and energy is able to be recycled back into the ecosystem from decaying plants, animals, and organic matter. Through this process, cockroaches tend to fortify the soil with nutrients that plants need (Paige, 1998). Without them, the cycle might be impaired and their eradication could end up damaging the entire ecosystem we live in.

They play an important part in the food chain and might also participate in pollination.

The Medical Contributions of Cockroaches

Cockroaches were historically ground up, boiled, and used as medicines used to treat asthma, strokes, bronchitis, and problems with urinary retention. Some even made and drank boiled cockroach tea (can you imagine that?) to treat various ailments. There is no evidence that cockroaches can successfully treat these complaints, but there is no proof that they don't, either. No significant studies have been performed, although one study discovered that cockroach brains might have antibiotic properties, which might lead to new treatments for bacterial infections, and even some recent books wonder if cockroaches might someday play a part in the field of dermatology (and possibly other fields, as well).

Although their use as medicine has yet to be fully explored, they are used for medical experiments and provide benefits in the field of medical research especially in identifying the effects of chemical and various radiation on nerves.

From : https://dengarden.com/pest-control/Why-Do-Cockroaches-Topple-Over-When-They-Die

This was a blog I'd written 2 1/2 years ago!!  Yup that is how long I've been blogging, link to where I was before..... execcentric.wordpress.com

Anyhow:

I've jigged it a bit, added the 3 things and now getting over my fear of videoing myself you can watch me!

It’s all well and good saying what to and not to do in a plank – but then I realised there might be folks reading this who don’t know how to do a plank!!

My artistic talents are infinite as my stick man plank highlights,,

3 things to focus on:

1 Where's your head....?
A big issue is head placement – I've seen 'chicken heads’ and lifted chins and double chins.... A good visual here is to imagine (or put!!) a mirror on the floor under your face – you need to be able to see ALL of your features as if you were looking into a mirror standing up  and at the same time keep your face away from the mirror (otherwise chicken head!!) – but not so far you get double chins!!….  Yes it is a fine balance - set up your camera so you can see yourself.  If your feel neck tension the likelihood is your head is in the wrong place...


2. Elbows and arms
Are the next tricky thing, the weight on the wrist thing.  For now, ensure wrists stay under shoulder joint and bra strap area is lifted up so the shoulders (scap) hug the body.  I will in time do an arm spiral blog.

3. Core
Why did I put this last of the 3 - no idea, just happened.  As Mr Plank above says - draw the belly in to the spine, without changing the shape of your spine.  Video is way easier to see what I mean by this... A plank isn't all about the core, the upper and lower body are part of it too. If you go long -  i.e reach the top of your head away from your feet your core will respond...

Carola Trier one of the Pilates elders apparently said  "From your head to your heels, you are like steel..."

One last thing - I'm not a proponent of "how long can you hold a plank for" media challenge thing.  If you want to challenge your plank, lift one leg without disturbing the rest of you, then an arm and so on - play with it as opposed to hold it...!! Another blog post to be done....

Hope this helps, feel free to get in touch - send me a video of your plank, or come and see me (or any of us) at www.themovingbodygroup.com not an advertisement, but it's where I work!!!!

Oh and you can follow me now for movement stuff on instagram :   "lisasjonesmove"....