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And so ever so slowly the seasons are beginning to change. I can see the autumnal colours emerging on the leaves of the trees and the flowers in the garden are giving me a final burst of colour.
After two weeks away from class, a belated summer break, we can concentrate on regaining and maintaining the remaining strength and balance that slipped away from us during Lockdown. I am ever so aware that when ‘walking indoors’ the stride is shortened and by the time you have taken 3 or 4 good paces you have reached your destination. I am also very aware that people are anxious about their balance and post Lockdown this is the one thing that class participants have spoken to me about is balance. In class we shift our position from one leg to another- transferring our weight from one foot to another. What about standing on one leg? When we do a knee swing or hip swing we are standing on one leg but we may not think about our balance as the working leg is a distraction. The supporting leg is working hard with the body to stop us from falling over. A recent report highlights the need to practice balance, as the more physically active we are the more likely we are to have good balance. So, as you walk up the stairs, turn to reach the kettle, go onto tippy toes to get a mug or reach deep into a cupboard- you are testing your balance- and don’t forget try to stand on one leg a few times each day - waiting for the kettle to boil is a good one- but please stand on both feet when pouring it out!
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New report shines a light on the social value of movement and dance to the UK. https://www.sportandrecreation.org.uk/news/industry/new-report-shines-a-light-on-the-social-value People attend a movement and dance class because they feel the benefits- not only moving the body but the laugher and smiles, feeling good and being with and making new friends and having time to be themselves. This report describes what teachers and class participants know to be true - an illustration of the celebration of dance. PS I didn’t write the acknowledgements! 
Saw this and thought it too good not to share.  Just a very quick post to say- Happy August and it is so good to be back at class!  For many today is the day when life returns to as near normal as possible. Restaurants can think about how they can recoup a year of loss and theatres can open to full capacity. Some will cast their facemarks to one side, others will remain more vigilant. For more information on how we will work in class please pop along to 'The New Normal'. It is up to each of us to play our part in helping keep the nation fit and well, and that means doing all we can to help others feel and stay safe while we are out and about, home, away and in class. This beings me very nicely to summer classes. There will be classes through the summer as below. If you want to attend please let me know via the usual methods! Stay safe- and remember to keep hydrated. Monday EXTEND at the Southgate Methodist Church: classes on 26th, July. 2nd August, 16th August and 23rd August. NO CLASS on Monday 9th August. Tuesday EXTEND at Grange Park: classes on 27th July, 3rd August, 17th August and 24th August. NO CLASS on Tuesday 10th August. Wednesday at Freston Gardens and Elm Court: Classes on 28th July, 4th August, 18th August and 25th August. NO CLASS on Wednesday 11th August. Please note: ELM COURT CLASSES on 28th July, 4th August, 18th August and 25th August will be 3.15-4.30. We are an hour later to accommodate a summer scheme at the centre. Saw this...and thought it would be useful. The one single thing people are anxious about is their balance and leg strength. These few exercises, repeated a couple of times a day, should be enough to get you back on the road to strong kegs and good balance, and it is never too late to start. Please be sure to make sure you adequate space, the chair is sturdy and pushed against the wall so it can't slip away. Try to do these exercises when and someone is nearly or pop your phone in your pocket just in case anything happens...and make sure the cat or dog will not run under your feet and make you to wobble! A very dear friend and colleague gave me a piece of advice: she told me to sit on the floor at least once a day. So, I do, which is good because, after a long day, I like to sit on the floor with my legs out in front of me. I have experimented with different ways of getting up - including crawling to the stairs. When we don’t need to crawl...we don’t. As a result, we lose the ability to be skilful and efficient in this natural movement, and the ground environment becomes challenging and unfamiliar. Only attempt crawling if you are 100% confident that you can get up from the floor and your knees, hands and wrists are strong enough and please take time to consider how (and where) you will get up and if your knees need any padding.
But if you decide you need to practice getting down and up from the floor, then Later Life Training has a really useful booklet, please read the disclaimer on the back page, and like standing on one leg, you do this at your own risk.  We all have May 17th in our diaries - the date indoor classes can resume and we can have up to 30 people in our gardens.
BUT, while I am thinking about music, apparatus and hand wipes and I am being a tiny bit cautious as the Government has said that the unlocking of the next stage is dependent upon certain conditions being met. In the meanwhile, we can all enjoy the sunshine (don't forget your sun screen) and as the flowers in our gardens are awakening after a long winter slumber- so we must re-awaken our bodies, minds and listen to our emotions as we get back to being face - to - face with friends again. If you need to see a friendly face then don't wait for invitations- be the one to make it happen and invite someone for a walk or tea (or wine) in your garden. How often, in the past have we wished for lazy mornings and time to sit and listen to the birds, to watch the flowers grow? Lockdown has taken so much away from us, but it has also given us time to appreciate the simple joys of a cup of tea in the garden, a walk by a stream or a long chat on the phone with friends. As May 17th draws ever nearer and we all celebrate having our hair cut (and coloured) , enjoy walking around 'non essential shops' looking for essentials and as more people have their vaccinations it really does seem as of 'normality' is on the horizon. Be safe, stay well and we will dance (and sing) together again - very soon! The lack of information is frustrating. It is our understanding that further guidance released the week commencing 22 March. However, this will focussed on activities that can resume from 29 March, e.g. organised outdoor sport and physical activity. Any information as to how we progress to Step 2 and then Step 3 of the road map - and the opening of indoor adult classes - may not be made nearer the time. So please pop May 17th, 18th and 19th in your diaries and keep your eyes on the news!  You have everything you need for the first the get together post Lockdown - tea, cakes, wine or something fizzy. But, how will you rejuvenate your own physical, emotional, social and cognitive wellbeing? This brilliant poster from the Association for Physical Education (afPE) stopped me in my tracks. I can see everyone here- yes everyone. We have the Governments Road Map- but what about your own map? Can you rely on someone else's Sat Nav- or do you need to plan your own route? What detours do you need to take? The direct or scenic route? What do you need- for yourself and others- how can you help- and ask for help?  |
Exercise With TracyEXTEND Exercise and Medau Movement teacher. Keeping the muscles working, the joints mobile and having fun! Archives
September 2021
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If you fancy trying a class then please get in touch. The first class is free!
EXTEND: Southgate Methodist Church, Monday 1.30-2.30
EXTEND: Grange Park Methodist Church Tuesday 10-11 Medau: Cockfosters, Wednesday 10-11 Medau: Potters Bar, Wednesday 2.15-3.45 |
Email: exercisewithtracy@gmail.comTELEPHONE 07949 055958
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