Choose Movement

24/02/2026

It a daily reminder from me to you … shake off that tension, shake off the stiffness, shake out the stress.

So many of us hold unconscious tension in our body.

All the years of sitting
All the years of conforming
All the years of holding it all inside
All the frustration, annoyance, stress, anger, fear …

Is sitting in your body… possibly your shoulders.

As a movement teacher and massage therapist I see this EVERYDAY!!

Stretching helps, movement helps but shaking it off works best, especially when the muscles are stuck.

Stand up, put on a TUNE and shake your arms, shoulders, neck and head to feel more loose, free and relaxed.

Give it a try and let me know how it feels in the comments.

16/02/2026

Seated exercise is a great alternative and can be especially beneficial during flare ups of back pain.

When we are standing the spine is in a super supportive role. Add weight and gravity and your back is fully loaded. This is great until:
✨Your back hurts
✨Your back is strained
✨Your posture is not optimal
✨You have disc issues

🌟Or you have limited movement or find standing difficult.

The great thing is we can always adapt, adjust and work around. There is always something you can do.

If you want to maintain strength and flexibility think about how you can adapt your movement in a seated and lying position so you can still work your muscles without causing more harm or pain.

Comment below if this helps.

16/02/2026

Come join us Friday 27th Feb 2-3pm
Warwick Space, Coten End
Free Mindfulness session

Grab a tea,
Take a moment of stillness
Lean into mindfulness wisdom

This is a women’s only event, no experience necessary just a willingness to be present and connect with community,

book here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/kelly-mercede-121001709095

14/02/2026

Movement is not only physically healing by increasing joint mobility, muscle strength, flexibility and all the great stuff we know.

Movement calms the mind and helps us live in our body and not our mind.

I encourage you to move and feel your body.

Do it in different ways, slow and controlled and loose and free.

Dance around the kitchen to your favourite song (I’m loving Olivia Dean at the moment).

Go for a jog, a walk, pick up your resistance band.

12/02/2026

Struggling with being a human?!!

Today’s newsletter is for you …

Phew we made it through a long, dull January and while February has started with as much dullness and drizzle, I have seen the first daffodils, seen the snowdrops and see the tulip sprouts.

10/02/2026

When we bring the same energy of our day to day to Pilates it is not always helpful.

Some exercise forms encourage pushing through, pushing harder, pushing faster. Go, go, go, more, more, more.

With Pilates often less is more.

It is a practice of slowing down and turning in. When we move slowly and with control we become more aware of our body, we feel into the movements as an embodiment practice.

We then take this awareness into our daily activities and movements. This is how we change our movement habits that cause pain and tension.

So notice the energy you bring to your movement practice- is it hard, fast and forced, or aware, controlled and gentle.

10/02/2026

https://www.choosemovement.co.uk/so/37Pn7Lq2V?languageTag=en
Struggling with doubt?

Mindfulness helps me cope with the old conditioned doubt that arises most days. If you’ve ever felt a wave of hesitation over something you know you’re perfectly capable of — making a decision, speaking up, choosing a direction — you’re not alone. That’s not present‑moment wisdom talking... click the blog to read more.

Struggling with doubt?

10/02/2026

✨Breathe in for 4
✨Exhale for 6
✨Repeat 5 times

Let your shoulders drop, notice the old stories behind the doubt.

Old doubt may still knock, but you don’t have to let it lead.

If you’d like support around difficult decisions or doubt get in touch for a 121 session.

09/02/2026

✨Group guided meditation in Warwick✨

We come together as a small group in a small hall, we sit on chairs, or lay down if you prefer.

There is herbal tea.

Then relaxing in full presence, aware of the breath and body. I will guide you in 2 meditations.

An hour later, hopefully feeling more connected, grounded and relaxed it’s time to go home!

I offer these classes on a pay what you can basis.

Community and online Pilates and mindfulness classes. Choose Movement.

05/02/2026

“Oh you teach Pilates, Pilates is so hard”

Yes it can be but it also isn’t!

My classes are supportive for people of all ages and abilities. You are encouraged to listen to your own body and work at a comfortable level for you.

We still get great strengthening work, we stretch the whole body and mobilise he major joints. But there is no pressure to look a certain way, push yourself or be better than anyone.

Exercise is not just for the ‘fit’ people, it’s for all people, all ages, all shapes, all bodies, all sizes.

05/02/2026

RAIN is an acronym for a self compassion meditation practice that you can do:

✨Alone
✨Following a guided meditation
✨With a partner or guide

When we allow ourselves to sit fully in a difficulty, allowing all of the emotions, body sensations and feelings, we dig deeply into our pain.

Then through investigation of our beliefs, sensations and thoughts we can understand our difficulty on a different level.

We are then encouraged to bring kindness and compassion and an understanding that the suffering part is just a part.

We can find our own inner deep wisdom and be guided by that.

Reactivity, confusion and overwhelm comes from being mind oriented, overthinking and bypassing the body. By turning inward and cultivating our own inner awareness, an embodied awareness, we tap into our deep wisdom that only we possess.

04/02/2026

While there are great benefits with concentration practices ie breath focused meditation.

There is also a great benefit in being guided through enquiry meditation.

When you can meet your suffering from a place of groundedness, with the support of a guide you can reconnect with your inner wisdom.

So many of us meet our shadow sides with feelings of shame and rejection, when we can hold our suffering parts with kindness and love we get more power.

The power comes from accepting all of yourself, knowing all of you and feeling it all. Bringing kindness to every part so that you can be integrated.

It’s honest work, bring it all into the light to find a deeper freedom.