Running is bad for you!

Running is by far my favourite activity and therefore the comment is rather tongue-in-cheek. However, on Saturday during our run, my friend slipped on some mud and unfortunately has now broken her fibula - more commonly her ankle bone and so therefore is unable to run the Forest of Dean half marathon on 27th March. Now the question is do I still go? I have many obstacles, college that weekend (officially), the two and half hours drive and of course the accommodation and petrol money?! So if anyone feels the urge to join me for a slow half marathon (i.e. 2hours) then please feel free to contact me and join me as I really like to chat as I admire the scenery of the forest?!

One Step Nearer...

I've just received my results today for Semester 1 of Year 2 in BSc Osteopathy... I'm very pleased as they are suggesting that I am on for a first! Well at least it gives me a little lee-way if things get a little difficult huh!

Roll on Semester 2 - although we have officially started at the end of January... let's hope I can get just as good results.. only time will tell.

Tales as a Student Osteopath

Ok I'm off to clinic today for my 116th hour - only another 88 hours to go to get my yearly quota. Hopefully I will get to see an Sacro-iliac joint dysfunction (SIJ) today so that I can start my essay.... although after glancing at the research - there seems to be a very high number of people diagnosed with SIJ dysfunction in our clinic. Studies state that is is under 10% - well that is definately not the case in Borehamwood.... once I get started - I will list the symptoms (that appear to be similar to a facet joint issue) and lay down the facts - watch this space...

Mat Pilates Course Day 8

Well done for completing the mat pilates course today guys... here's some photos that were taken during your teaching practice!

Tomorrow is D-Day!

Ok it's about time that I really practice what I preach... Joseph Pilates said that you will notice the difference with 10 sessions and have a new body by 30 sessions - so from tomorrow I am going to do pilates every day for 1 month. I've been inspired by my client who after practising pilates both with me and outside of our sessions, has transformed her shape and looks fantastic - well done Tina x So watch this space ....

From Pilates to Flamenco!

Last night I experienced something of a multi-cultural night - started with a Japanese meal at Tenshi in Islington followed by the annual Flamenco Festival held at Saddlers Wells (until tonight!). Lots of passion in this dance... Aida Gomez taking the lead, following by two rather beautiful men with back extensions that would make many of us performing the swan dive weep in pain! Great show - great night - Thanks Tonvanne for taking me.

Canadian STOTT PILATES Presenters coming to the UK

Just in case you're not aware there are two major events for the fitness industry on in the next couple of weeks... Blackpool 25-27th March and Fitpro in Loughborough on 8-10th April.. unfortunately I cannot make it as running the Forest of Dean half marathon on Sunday 27th March and at college studying osteopathy on the following weekend. If you have a chance, go along, you'll have great fun in the STOTT PILATES sessions as well as many others to choose from. My friend Laura Thompson can't wait for Blackpool and is jumping up and down as we speak ready to do Denise Page's step class... only for the brave or the co-ordinated!! Enjoy x

It's time to go live!

Its time to go live!

Breast Stroke Prep using resistance band

My first posting is the Exercise of the month for February: Breast Stroke Prep using resistance band.
The main benefit of this exercise is to increase strength in the upper back muscles (trapezius and rhomboids) and stretch the chest muscles (pectorals).

Breast Stroke Prep (Prone)


Start Position:

Lying prone on the floor, legs long and placed either together or slightly apart.
Take the arms overhead with the resistance band between thumb and first finger. Keep resistance band slightly lose at this stage.
Pull the abdominals a little way from the floor and draw the pelvic floor muscles to support the pelvis from below. This should feel like you are drawing your sit bones, tail bone and pubic bone together with a gentle lift into the pelvic cavity.

Pull the arms gently out to the side (no lower than shoulder level) to tighten the band. Feel like your breast bone is lifting gentle up and over the band.

Be careful to keep the lower ribs on the floor and feel the shoulder blades draw slightly together with the shoulders relaxed away from your ears.
Keep your eye line towards the floor approximately 6” above the band rather than straight down or the front. This will keep the back of your neck nice and long.

If you prefer, bend your arms as you pull the arms out to the side.

This exercise targets the upper back muscles and you should feel the work within the shoulder blade area.
By keeping the abdominals drawn in a little, you may also feel some tension through the front of the abdominal area.
Warning: If you feel this in your lower back, either part the legs slightly or place a rolled up towel or a pillow underneath your navel and repeat the exercise keeping the lower ribs in contact with the ground.

Breast Stroke Prep (Sitting)
If you would prefer you can do the same exercise either sitting cross-legged or on a chair and pull the band out to the side whilst lifting the chest up and forward. The eye line also needs to come up a 4-5” to follow the line of the upper back.


Start the exercise sitting tall and then pull the band gently out to the side as you lift the chest up and forward, gently allowing the eye line to lift.


If the straight arm version is too difficult, bend the elbows back keeping the band tight to maintain the same extended shape.

Warning: This should be felt in the upper back and not the lower back. If this is felt in the lower back, try pulling in the abdominal muscles a little more and lifting the pelvic floor muscles away from the floor into the pelvic cavity.