Midlife on the Mat with Donna

12/11/2025

Thinking about coming to my Pilates classes? Here’s a few reasons why you should! (Always best to hear it from my students!)

11/11/2025

Spaces available on Monday mornings and Tuesday evenings…
Would love to see you there! 😊

Pilates Classes at Haslingden Community Link Centre.
Please see below link to book your place.

https://midlifeonthemat.offeringtree.com

24/10/2025

What a way to end my working week with a trip to The Lakes scoping out this stunning venue for another Pilates,Yoga & Spa Retreat in Spring 2026!

My guests come thinking Retreats are about Pilates & Yoga but leave realising they are so much more.

They are about disconnecting from the noise of the world and connection with themselves and others.

That is the true gift of a Retreat and which is why I feel lucky to have so many repeat guests. ☺️

Our weekends are inclusive and safe spaces and I host guests that range from complete newbies to experienced yogis.

All bodies are very welcome on all of my Retreats.

We have a waitlist for our Retreats so please do get in touch if you would like to be added to this one for March 2026.

23/10/2025

✨ Big news for women’s health! ✨

When I started my perimenopausal journey (now nearly 10yrs ago) I had no idea what was happening to me. I was confused by the myriad of symptoms I felt and I wasn’t even aware that there was a peri menopausal stage.

Sure, I had heard about Menopause when your periods stop but had no clue about what came before! So I am passionate about raising awareness so that women are informed (and so they don’t feel like I did - like I was losing my mind!)

So the announcement today that from next year the NHS will include menopause checks as part of routine health checks for women aged 40–74 🙌 is brilliant!

Too often, women’s experiences of menopause have been minimised or misunderstood, with symptoms sometimes mistaken for other conditions or attributed to stress or lifestyle factors.

So this is such a huge step forward in recognising, supporting, and empowering women through one of life’s biggest transitions.

💬 More knowledge
🎗️ Earlier support and guidance
💪 Better quality of life for midlife women

Let’s celebrate this milestone — and keep the conversation going! 💜

Tag a friend who needs to know 👇

17/10/2025

Research is showing how incorporating lifestyle medicine can ease menopausal symptoms, reduce chronic-disease risk and support women’s long-term health.

It includes:

🍊healthy eating
🏃‍♀️physical activity
🧘‍♀️mental wellbeing
🍷 avoiding risky substances (sorry ladies that includes alcohol!)
😴restorative sleep and
👯‍♀️nurturing healthy relationships

Head to International Menopause Society for clear, evidence based guidance on all of the above.

Link in comments.

12/10/2025

Happy Sunday!

Sharing the Autumn schedule of what’s coming up and looking forward to seeing you on the mat 😊

Comment below if you want more information.

17/09/2025

Chatting with a lovely student today before class about issues going on with her body and she told me that she has an “everything issue” but quickly followed it up with how much coming to yoga helps!

Her description made us both smile but is a reminder of how much movement can help.

Is this you? Do you need help to fix an “everything issue”?

Whether it’s your hips, back, knees, shoulders, neck or your mind that are being cranky, yoga helps.

Not just because we move but because we come to our mat with compassion and gratitude for what our body CAN give us, and we learn grace for the things our body can’t, through breathwork, mindset and acceptance.

I would love for you to join me at any of my classes. 🙏

Please don’t hesitate to message me with any questions. Link to book any class in the comments 😊

09/09/2025

🙌Super well done to my newbie Pilates students who absolutely smashed it tonight!!!💥
Breathe and see you next week 😊

07/09/2025

In our classes we focus on what our bodies CAN do, creating an empowering environment where you can discover your strength and resilience during midlife.

With that focus, it enables you to find gratitude for your amazing and unique body.

We embrace the power of yoga and Pilates to help transform your mid-life journey.

We know first hand the physical and mental effects menopause and midlife can have on us as women and we are passionate about the transformative power that mindful movement can have for everyone, but especially midlife women ...

💥 **Strengthening Pelvic Floor**:

Pilates exercises help rebuild vital pelvic floor strength, counteracting muscle wasting and enhancing overall vitality.

💥**Improving Bone Density**:

Our weight-bearing yoga poses and Pilates movements support bone health, reducing the risk of osteopenia.

💥**Enhancing Posture, Balance and Coordination**:

Pilates and Yoga sequences improve balance and coordination, helping you feel confident, steady and secure.

💥**Increasing Joint Mobility**:

We focus on increasing joint fluidity and mobility, relieving tight hips, backs neck and shoulders, and promoting overall joint health.

💥**Boosting Digestion**:

Specific Pilates exercises and yoga poses can enhance digestion and promote gut health.

💥**Mental Wellness**:

Our mindful movement practices enhance the mind-body connection, helping you manage the mental symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause.

Join us and let’s navigate this journey together with strength and confidence💪

See you on the mat!

01/09/2025

Summer often provides a wonderful opportunity to unwind, break free from routines, and temporarily set aside our 'structure.' However, when this freedom extends too long, it can lead to feelings of disorientation, restlessness, a sense of aimlessness, and decreased motivation.

As we transition into September, it's a perfect moment to reset for yourself. Take the time to regain your sense of grounding as we enter the final four months of the year. For me, this always feels like a "new term" has arrived and it is an ideal time to cultivate new habits, (but remember to avoid placing undue pressure on yourself to achieve unrealistic goals!)

Instead, focus on taking small steps towards a happier and healthier version of you.

What a perfect time to return from my summer break and get back on the Mat with all of my students - both existing and new this month! I look forward to seeing you all! 🫶

27/08/2025

Holding space for my lovely students over the last couple of months has been a huge challenge for me as I have been teaching with an injury.

I’ve been pretty exhausted and fed up as I have been in quite a lot of constant pain! ☹️

Thanks to my physio and my own Pilates practice that I have been able to do daily since I have been on my break, I am almost back to normal (whatever that is! 😜)

So I am going to practice what I preach by switching off to enjoy my summer break, making time for me (and for me that includes getting on my mat) to fully rest and recover, so I can continue to bring my positive energy back with me to my students (who I absolutely love teaching😍) when I return.

I look forward to seeing you all in September! 🤩

Classes back on from Monday 8th September.

14/08/2025

I have been carrying an injury over the last few weeks and I saw , who took my history and asked me about recent changes.

It dawned on me that I have let my own Pilates practice slip by the wayside recently!

I have still been busy teaching but here’s the thing, when I teach Pilates, it isn’t my class.

It’s my students class.

My role is not to perform but to explain, observe and guide safely so that my students get the most out of their classes.

(I also throw in a bit of questionable humour and terrible counting!)

💥I walk around the room checking my students’ alignments
💥I adjust students where needed and
💥I cue them into their flow.

So these words are a great reminder the power of Pilates and having had a word with myself, I will be making sure I get MY sessions back in!!!

Every body NEEDS Pilates!!!

With a bit of manipulation, some advice on what I need to do (unsurprisingly Pilates!) I am feeling so much better. Thank you Jack!