Sportina Pilates, Yoga, Retreats

25/11/2025

✨ Public Service Announcement!

Your Block Isn’t Judging You (But Your Spine Might Be) ✨

Left side: “I’m fine, honestly.”
Also left side: spine quietly weeping.

Right side: pop a block under the bum → instant glow-up.
Suddenly you’re taller, longer, and looking like you actually enjoy Pilates.

If sitting tall feels like climbing Everest, the block is your secret weapon.
It tilts the pelvis just enough so your spine can chill out and your neck can stop pretending it’s a turtle.

Using a block doesn’t mean you’re weak.
It means you’re wise.
And wise people move better… and complain less.

Be the person on the right.
Your body will gossip about how good it feels later.

24/11/2025

✨ Why Your Block Is Your Neck’s New Best Mate ✨

If your head pops back like a startled meerkat when you lie down, that’s your cue: use. the. block.

It’s not weakness — it’s smart alignment.
A block helps you:
✔ Bring the head into a happy, neutral position
✔ Ease tension if your upper back is a bit kyphotic
✔ Create space so movement feels smoother (and less “crunchy”)

Think of it as a tiny throne for your neck.
More space = better breathing, better movement, better Pilates.

So when I offer you a block, it’s not a punishment.
It’s a backstage pass to feeling good.

Tomorrow: the spine! ✨

24/11/2025

✨ Why Your Block Is Basically Your Neck’s Best Friend ✨
(And yes… you do need it, Brian.)

Ever notice how some people lie down and suddenly their chin is halfway to the ceiling? That’s a classic sign the neck needs a little support. And that’s where the humble block steps in—quiet, dependable, and not remotely offended that you keep ignoring it.

Using a block under the head isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of intelligence.
It helps you:
🟩 Bring the head back into happy alignment
🟩 Ease the strain that happens when the upper back is a bit kyphotic
🟩 Create space so the spine can lengthen instead of compress
🟩 Breathe better (your body LOVES this one)

Think of it this way:
A well-placed block gives your neck the lift it wishes it had naturally—like a tiny, ergonomic throne. Without it, your head tips back, your neck grumbles, and suddenly you’re wondering why Pilates feels like hard work.

Pop in the block and suddenly…
✨ Freedom.
✨ Ease.
✨ That “ohhhh THAT’s what it’s meant to feel like” moment.

The block isn’t a downgrade.
It’s not a crutch.
It’s a boost.
A cheat code.
A backstage pass to safer, smoother movement.

And honestly? The people who use their blocks early are usually the ones who move better, feel better, and don’t need to complain to their physio later. Win-win.

So if I suggest a block, it’s because I want your body to have more space, more comfort, and more chance of doing Pilates at its best—not because I think you’re delicate.
(You know I don’t do delicate.)

Now… tomorrow we tackle the spine….

15/11/2025

Ladies, this one matters more than you think.

So many women never check their bone density, and it’s something I’m seeing again and again: quiet bone loss creeping in without a single symptom. You don’t feel it… until you fracture. And by then, it’s already late in the game.

A DEXA scan is quick, accessible, and gives you a solid baseline.
If everything looks great—fantastic. Keep doing what you’re doing, stay strong, stay active, and carry on.

But if there is early bone loss, you’ve caught it at a stage where you can actually turn things around. That’s the whole point. It’s protective, proactive, and genuinely empowering.

There’s such a relaxed attitude around this, especially among women in midlife, and it worries me. The cost of a scan is tiny compared to the cost—physically, financially, emotionally—of a preventable fracture.

If you haven’t had a DEXA before, get one.
If it’s been years since your last one, update it.

Your bones carry you through everything you love. Give them the attention they deserve. 🦴✨

12/11/2025

Reformer Taster
1 SPACE LEFT!
Nov 23rd
11.30am - £15

09/11/2025

Would you like to try a taster class in Reformer Pilates?

I currently have 3 dates:

Nov 23rd - 11.30am - 3 SPACES

Nov 29th - 2.00pm - 1 SPACE

Nov 30th - 11.30am - FULL

£15 PER PERSON

DM for details on how to book.

This is with a view to running my own independent class at The Cotswold Pilates Club in 2026. 🤗🤗🤗

09/11/2025

✨ Pilates is for Everyone ✨

One of the things I love most about Pilates is that it truly is for every body — all ages, shapes, sizes, and fitness levels.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been moving for years, Pilates meets you exactly where you are. It builds strength from the inside out, improves balance and posture, eases those everyday aches, and helps you move through life with more ease and confidence.

It’s gentle when you need it to be and challenging when you’re ready for more — that’s the magic of it!

No matter your age or ability, there’s a place for you on the mat. 💪🧘‍♀️

09/11/2025

Politel Reminder -
Abbeyfields Gentle Pilates is at 10.30 tomorrow !

06/11/2025

23/10/2025

You don’t need more time!
Just a better exchange rate for your energy!

🕒 “Useless” Pastimes (that somehow we always find time for!)
1. Scrolling aimlessly through Instagram or TikTok
2. Watching “just one more” episode on Netflix
3. Falling into a YouTube rabbit hole
4. Online shopping for things you don’t need
5. Checking emails or messages again (and again)
6. Playing Candy Crush or Wordle (and telling yourself it’s “brain training”)
7. Reading comments on social media arguments
8. Reorganising your kitchen drawer for the third time this month
9. Sitting in the car scrolling before going into the house
10. Watching home renovation or cooking shows but never actually doing them
11. Complaining to friends about not having time to exercise 😄
12. Googling health hacks instead of doing one
13. Watching reels of other people working out
14. Refreshing the news feed just to feel “caught up”
15. Online window shopping for holidays you won’t book.

19/10/2025

My Happy Place 🧖‍♀️🔥
There’s something about stepping into a sauna — the warmth, the stillness, the slow melting away of tension — that feels like coming home to myself. It’s my happy place.

Regular sauna sessions are more than just a treat — they’re a tonic for body and mind.
💧 They support detoxification through gentle sweating.
💓 Improve circulation and heart health.
💆‍♀️ Ease muscle tension and joint pain.
🧘‍♀️ Boost mood and help calm the nervous system.
💤 Encourage deeper, more restful sleep.

We all need a happy place — somewhere we can exhale, unwind, and refill our energy tank.
For me, it’s the sauna. For you, it might be the sea, your garden, the yoga mat, or simply a quiet cup of tea.

👉 Where’s your happy place, and why does it fill you up?