News and Blog
Wednesday 2nd September 2020 - and so it begins
So finally it's the news I have been waiting for after almost 6 long months out of work, I can start to teach Pilates again. I am sure you have all had very different experiences of what lockdown has meant to you and I really hope that no one has suffered too badly through these uncertain and challenging times. For me it has been a mix of ups and downs. I am not one who deals well with change and uncertainty, I thrive on routine and order so this has brought some challenges in itself, having to let go and live more for the moment rather than planning everything to the nth degree.
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I have really enjoyed spending so much time with my children. At 11 and 14 it's not always something that is automatic now as their friends play an increasingly important role in their lives. There were challenges with the home schooling causing arguments and tantrums but on the whole we did okay and they have come out the other side with some positive memories of the time and even some work under their belts. They learned how to clean a house, make beds, jet wash a patio, make lunches and even do a British sign language course. We laughed, we ran a marathon, we walked (a lot!), we chatted, we did PE with Joe (thank goodness for routine!) and they introduced me to the world of YouTube!
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On the not so positive side, I missed my family terribly as they were too far away to visit and I felt helpless not being able to deliver them food and just check in on them. I did also sadly lose my job with coronavirus taking hold of small businesses but instead of getting down and moping in a corner (it's not a good look) I picked myself back up and started planning. And this is where we are now. Bodyworks with Julie has arrived.
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Now is where the fun can really begin and I am my own boss making my own rules. There are new challenges (embedding websites - who knew I could do that!) but also a lot of excitement. I am nervous as I sit here now and type this hoping that people will come and that it will be a success but even if its not, at least I will will know that I tried and I can never say, what if.......
Wednesday 30th September 2020 - finding a routine
I have been back teaching for almost three weeks now and it is really lovely to see clients again. Parts are challenging with the added pressures of extra paperwork, cleaning protocols, remembering to re-charge the hands free hand sanitiser (oops) and making sure everything is as safe as it can be for both myself and clients. Having said that, it is definitely worth it. I am having such lovely feedback from people saying how wonderful it is to have a bit of normality, how good it is to get back out and moving and how safe they feel in class. It is good to hear that my efforts are all worth it.
I have been busy sewing making individual soft fleecy head cushion covers for clients so each one can have their own for the class with no danger of transmission between clients. I think my sewing machine is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I have ordered some dye as well to make sure they are all purple and orange. Would you expect anything less from me!
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It is very challenging for me trying to teach without being able to physically correct and assist people. I am beginning to think I might have to glue my feet to the floor, either that or buy a 2 metre long pole to poke them with!! It is making me really think about my cuing though to try and describe what I want them to do without physically moving them. There have been a few entertaining moments.
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The response from people has been great and I am pleased with my numbers for the first few weeks and very happy with the numbers who have joined my introductory courses. I hope they stay with me for further fun and adventures in Pilates. As word of mouth spreads I hope classes with grow although I know a lot of people are still very wary about coming out and joining classes. I do completely understand this as these are very scary times for many people.
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Anyway, enough rambling for today. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that the local lockdown does not last too long and that the children can stay in school. Hang in there people......
Thursday 5th November 2020 - Half Term and Another Lockdown
Well here we are at the end of my first half term of teaching and it's been a blast! It's so good to have real people around me again. Classes have maintained good numbers and as word is getting round numbers are growing. As I type we are heading towards the end of the second two week national lockdown, having already been in local lockdown for 3 weeks.
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Two weeks off work wasn't the plan (well one of them was as it was half term) but it has been good to recharge the batteries and has given me time to really focus on trying to progress with my Fitness for Children course. A week of health and safety, risk assessments and safeguarding is enough to have anyone desperate to go back to work!!
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I managed to put some videos on my website for clients to use during the lockdown and that was another skill to add to my repertoire, I now have a YouTube channel. I am so "down with the kids!" I am considering adding some short tips and techniques videos in the coming months so I shall see how that progresses.
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Not much else to say really, times are strange and in many ways hard. Hardest part not being able to see my family. With England now going into lockdown for four weeks it's days like this that I wish I hadn't moved away from home. Then again I guess I wouldn't be here doing what I'm doing now. These days won't last forever and hopefully, in the not too distant future, we will all be together again. Hang in there people, it will end one day!
Friday 8th January 2021 - Happy New Year!!
It's been a while since I've been here to do my blog. I didn't realise how long to be honest but then time has been a particularly peculiar thing this past year. The second half of my first term was wonderful. I had regular classes happening with wonderful people and some of the classes are now full which is an amazing thing in only a couple of months. I couldn't wish for more brilliant clients. To be able to go out and teach, have a laugh and really feel like you are, in some small way, making someone's life just a little bit better is amazing.
Just before Christmas we had some themed classes which were so much fun. On Monday and Thursday all the clients came to Reindeer Finishing School and even my daughter Chloe dropped in for a session! On Tuesday we all "went to the beach" which was a riot with so many clients making an effort to bring in a beach towel and dress up. It was just a shame that the cocktails couldn't be real!
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As I sit here now though, after a small but wonderful Christmas with my parents (we had all self isolated for two weeks to be safe), we are deep in the throws of another strict lockdown. The news today was not good. With hospital admissions and those in intensive care at higher rates than at any time through the whole pandemic, it came as no surprise that Mark Drakeford confirmed that it would be another three weeks before there was any chance of easing any restrictions at all.
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Even the schools are shut again. I guess the bright side with not being able to work is that at least I am here to assist with home schooling and keep them on the straight and narrow! We shall sit and await the next review on 29th January but I am not sure I hold out much hope of restarting before March at the earliest but we shall keep our fingers crossed and maybe I will be surprised.
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Tuesday 20th April 2021 - There's light at the end of the tunnel
Once again it has been a surprisingly long time since I updated this page. In all honesty, this lockdown has been hard and I think many people have felt the same way. The first time round the weather was glorious, we had no idea what was coming and in many ways it was almost a novelty. This time round, we know what this is all about and have some more of a realisation that this could be a long haul.
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But let's not dwell on the negatives, that is not what I am about. Most exciting for me in my personal life is that this pandemic has shifted my parents life plans forward and they are moving down to Wales to be near us. To say I am excited is an understatement. They have been the one big part missing from my wonderful life down here. All is going well with their move and they should be settled in within the next few weeks. I even get a new client int he shape of my Mum! I can't wait.
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I've also had my first vaccination which can only be a good thing. Felt a bit rough for a day or two but I'm sure it will all be worth it in the long run. I hope everyone is as fortunate as me and has either had theirs or is able to have theirs soon.
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Restrictions are slowly being lifted as infection rates reduce and in two weeks time I will be launching my new outdoor class called Fresh Air and Fitness which I'm really looking forward to. There is nothing better that getting outside for your mental health and if you can have a laugh and do a little exercise at the same time then what is not to love. I do hope everyone else enjoys it as much as me!!
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Finally then two weeks after that on the 17th May indoor classes are eventually allowed to resume. It will have been five long months but hopefully this break will be for the last time. Restrictions will still be in place with the use of face masks, hand sanitiser and social distancing but I fear it may be a long time before we see these disappear.
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I can't wait to get back to teaching. I do miss my friendly happy clients. They give me such a boost and I always finish work with a smile on my face. Come on May, show us what you've got for us!!
Monday 12th July 2021 - A whole school year has passed!
Wow! Well we finally made it back to classes at the beginning of May and have survived till the end of term with no more lockdowns. It has been a brilliant term and we are now in the last week. I absolutely love seeing everyone every week in class and it is wonderful to have some new faces now join my loyal and gorgeous regulars. We laugh and we work hard, is there really any better way to earn a living.
Slowly life may be returning to normal. Myself and I think pretty much all of my clients are now double jabbed with the vaccination and in England all restrictions are being lifted next week. We are waiting here to see what Mark Drakeford has to say about lifting restrictions in Wales. I fear it may not be that positive but I guess we will all get there eventually. I will be very glad when we do not have to wear masks any more.
I have plans already for September with a new style cardio Pilates fusion class starting at the beginning of term. That will be exciting and also hard work as trying to do the class and talk through it is a bit of a challenge! This is my mission for the summer holidays while I have a break from teaching. No total break though as I am working for half of the school holidays and then spending the rest of the time with the family. Life is a careful balancing act.
Onwards and upwards with classes to teach this week!​
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Tuesday 14th September 2021 - One year old today!!!
Happy birthday to Bodyworks with Julie!!!!! Officially one year old today!!!! I cannot believe a whole year has passed since I taught my first class with a bundle of nerves wondering if people would come. Well you have and a big thank you to everyone who has supported me this far. I couldn't have done it without you. You all make me smile every day and enjoy going to work.
I have taken this opportunity to revamp my website with my new logo on. I have also added a shortcut button on the home page to book classes more easily, taking you straight to the booking page. (only those that read my blog may notice this!!) I have also removed any information pertaining to working with children. As time has gone on over this year I have realised that Pilates is what I enjoy teaching and this is going to be my focus. For now at least! If the last 18 months has taught us anything, it is that you never know what the future holds!
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Last week was the first week with FitCore on the timetable. This is my new cardio and Pilates fusion class which I have brought over from America. I was able to study and do all my exams online, something which may not have been able to happen if it hadn't have been for Covid so there could be a positive in there somewhere! It is fast, fun and exciting and unlike anything else available. It seemed to go down well and there was positive feedback at the end. Everyone rebooked so that can't be any bad thing! I think as the weeks progress and people get used to the tempo and exercises it will just get better and better. I was sweating buckets by the end!
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I am hoping that this year will be less disruptive for classes than the last but I thank every one of my clients for sticking with me and coming back after all the breaks. It has not always been easy to pick yourself up and go out and face the world. Hopefully my classes add a little fun and respite away from the realities of life, as well as keeping people fit and healthy.
Thursday 24th February 2022 - sorry for my blog absence!
Well it appears it has been a while since I posted on my blog. I do apologise to any of you who actually take the time to read it! I guess it is because I have been busy which can only be seen as a positive thing. So what has changed since my last post.... Well, we all survived Christmas and this year got to spend it with our nearest and dearest. There were threats of further lockdowns but fortunately they did not happen and now Covid restrictions are finally easing. Life could maybe, just maybe be returning to normal in the not too distant future.
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I have started a new class on a Wednesday at 11.30 as the Relaxed and Refined class on a Tuesday was oversubscribed. I have had a new clients for this class as well as some moving from the Tuesday. So far everyone seems to be enjoying it and keeps coming back!!
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I have also changed venue. The scout hall in Cowbridge was unfortunately incredibly cold throughout November and December and it was impossible to have the heating on and also be heard while teaching. It hadn't become apparent last year as Covid had shut us down between December and May! I went on the hunt and Emporium (formally Barefoot Studio) was available. It has been slightly strange going back to where my Pilates teaching journey started as it is a different vibe with a different owner but still the same old studio. However we are now as warm or as cold as we want to be with heating and air conditioning and I have had positive feedback about the move. For now, at least, it will become our home alongside CF61 centre in Llantwit.
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It is half term this week and I am having a well deserved break. Well, I say it is a break but it is my opportunity to plan lots of new exciting lessons for the forthcoming weeks. I wonder what I will have in store for you all.........
Monday 5th September 2022 - Two years old!!
Wow I can hardly believe that it was two years ago that I set up Bodyworks with Julie in the midst of a global pandemic. Whilst it is safe to say Covid has not completely gone away it is not the same disruption in our lives.
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After a stint at Emporium, the Scout Hall in Cowbridge has had a new heating system put in and as of today we are moving back. It feels a bit like coming home and I just hope the new system is up to the job. Fingers crossed.
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I have new classes coming up and demand is growing. I think this is partly down to the introduction of the Golden Pass in the Vale of Glamorgan encouraging more people to get out and exercise.
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Once again I can only thank my lovely clients who keep coming back and making this business a success. I particularly appreciate it in the difficult times with everything becoming increasingly expensive. So far I have been able to keep the same pricing and I will do my best to continue to keep my classes at the same price as long as I can as I know how hard things are going to get for everybody.
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I do love seeing smiling faces every week while I teach although I know some of them are more grimaces sometimes! I was in the gym this morning and decided a really good class would be called Laugh, Cry and Grimace. I may consider that for the future. For now though I am going to go and organise all the wonderful lessons for the next few weeks. Take care all xx