The Power of Mindful Movement
Hello,
By now you will already know how much I believe in enjoying movement for the sake of movement itself not for the before-and-after-photos.
For as long as I can remember, however, the fitness industry has remained obsessed with results and attaining a ‘perfect’ zero-body-fat look.
The problem with this is that it reduces good health to a matter of aesthetics and weight loss when in reality it is so much more. Health is way more than a number on a scale. The key to healthy bio-mechanics, and an injury-free and energetic life, is to learn to move in the right way and to build strength from the inside.
For me, the intention behind Beyond Move was to create a genuinely inclusive space, offering nourishing low-impact full-body workouts, where the emphasis is placed on the mental benefits of regular movement.
Moreover, I had discovered in my work with people living with neurological conditions like Parkinson's’ Disease or Multiple Sclerosis that combining the disciplines of Peto’s method with Pilates had brought about really positive change in the lives of my clients.
And so, Peto Pilates was born!
What is Peto Pilates?
In the 1940’s Professor Andras Peto, the Hungarian physician founded what is known as ‘conductive education’, which recognises motor disorders as learning disabilities rather than a condition that needs to be treated solely medically. The remedy, he concluded, is task oriented and ought to take into account the learning needs those with movement conditions have. Peto Pilates combines the wisdom of Peto’s conductive education with the skill and precision of Pilates, and I provide group and individual sessions throughout the week at the studio.
Of course, it should be obvious that people with movement conditions ought to ...well, move! But what is happening is that mainstream gyms and facilities are essentially failing to cater at all to this group of people.
That’s why we are so proud to genuinely be able to say at Beyond Move that we have beginner all the way to experienced movers, in our small and intimate sessions. Participants come from all walks and stages of life, and we all come to move in the same space. Where people need special attention, maybe for those who are pre- or postnatal, teens, post-operative or suffering from neurological conditions we have the ability to support your needs.
What sets our classes apart from the rest?
While my area of expertise is in Pilates and Peto Pilates, the studio also offers Yoga and Barre. I make sure that the teachers I work with understand the importance of not just cardiovascular health but also spinal health. We are interested in functional movement, which uses body-weight resistance and provides workouts that give clients the feeling of being stretched as well as worked.
The emphasis is on balanced low-impact, full-body workouts. When done right, this style of exercise is very effective at protecting students from injury, and in the meantime, strengthens the core, mobilises the spine and builds the foundations.
There’s a particular focus on being present. We care not a jot, as the Brits would say, about your leotards and crop tops; we just want you to get into your own world and enjoy the movements. When movement is carried out in this way, with joy and mindfulness, the evidence suggests it has the power to heal.
Celebrating Small Wins
Here is a reminder to focus on ‘the real’. True positive transformation is made up of small wins that consistently rack up and lead to big change over the course of many months and even years. Worrying, negative self-talk and stressing probably has never improved any situation, on or off the mat. However, when I feel balanced and centred everything is manageable. I think it comes down making time to acknowledge and celebrate our small wins, because if you don’t, you’ll feel like you’re never making any progress. If we celebrate the journey it makes the destination all the more sweeter.
by Noemi Nagy-Bhavsar
I don't know about you, but every year around Halloween and the season of fireworks (or perhaps because it’s also the time of my birthday), the anticipation of the year's end starts sinking in, and I feel like I am running out of time. I am sure I am not alone in these thoughts.
As we get ready for another exciting winter holiday season filled with friends and family, travel and present shopping, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Personally, I am beginning to feel like I am a juggling clown! What makes it all the worse is that most of the time, I don't even realise I'm stressed and living in my future plans.
We are programmed to be in a constant state of constructing the past or the future in the mind, and tend to leave present awareness for emergencies. But if we take time to notice the present we realise that the contentedness we seek is right here! When I move during my self- practice and when I teach (and I hope you feel the same when you take part in classes) I find myself enjoying the moment I’m in.
One of the most wonderful benefits of regular mindful exercise is that the observations we make on the mat, apply to our lives off the mat. How many of us can honestly say they have never felt frustrated with their progress? Most likely all people at some time wonder if they will ever be able to attain a goal/ posture/perform a particular exercise comfortably.
But with persistence and humility we do improve. Here is a reminder to focus on ‘the real’. True positive transformation is made up of small wins that consistently rack up and lead to big change over the course of many months and even years. Worrying, negative self-talk and stressing probably has never improved any situation, on or off the mat. However, when I feel balanced and centred everything is manageable. I think it comes down making time to acknowledge and celebrate our small wins, because if you don’t, you’ll feel like you’re never making any progress. If we celebrate the journey it makes the destination all the more sweeter. Which brings us neatly to the Beyond Move Xmas Party on November 25. Come along and celebrate how far you’ve come!
Do you have any great suggestions of any fun adult party games you’d like to play? Click here and let us know!
Release, Rest & Recharge
Focus on the benefit of release
When an emotion is not fully processed, or we are not entirely ready to release some fear or anxiety, it can become stored in the body.
During Pilates and Yoga, our movements become more profound, allowing us to release unnecessary tension and, therefore also, trapped emotions. This release can come in many forms, often crying or the opposite, laughing.
Release, Rest & Recharge
There is always a lot to explain in class. Personally, I mainly focus on the technicality and allow the participants to experience what is happening within them for themselves, rather than suggesting what ‘should’ be happening. While precision is crucial, if we bring awareness to the internal processes as well, it can bring a wonderful sense of well-being and also really speed up our progress.
So let’s focus on the benefit of release.
When an emotion is not fully processed, or we are not entirely ready to release some fear or anxiety, it can become stored in the body.
Modern life puts us under a lot of stress. We clench our jaws and even our buttocks! We stoop, slouching the shoulders, chin jutting forward. Without even being conscious of it we tighten our hips and pelvic floors to suppress emotions.
What is happening to us during Pilates & Yoga?
In class, we invite you to stop gripping, clenching and tightening but rather to connect to your muscles, nerve endings, breath and ultimately to yourself.
Physiologically, all exercise releases endorphins, which interact with serotonin and dopamine, the chemicals that impact mood. More specifically during the practices of both Pilates and Yoga, we connect our breathing to the activation of our deeper core muscles. This triggers the ‘relaxation response’ in the body.
As our emotions are calmed we feel more grounded and more aware of how we are moving. The quality of our movements becomes more profound, allowing us to release unnecessary tension and therefore also trapped emotions. This release can come in many forms, often crying or the opposite, laughing.
Knowing that this is happening, is half the battle. So how can we support ourselves to truly experience these subtle processes?
Listen to your breath. Be curious about how your breath can soften and release muscle tension. Take deep breaths and slow exhalations, to allow the parasympathetic nervous system, and therefore the muscles, to respond.
Be gentle and slow down. I always say this in class during stretching. Rapid, sharp movements can make things worse.
Pay attention to yourself. Try not to look at what others are doing on their mat. Comparing yourself to others is not helpful. Where are you are holding unnecessary tension? Observation is the first step to becoming more fluid in your movements. And with fluid movements comes an abundance of benefits!
Love, Noemi x
NEW Weekly Schedule January 2021
New Timetable changes - 2021 Lockdown 3.0
Hello,
We hope you are all well and safe. After 4th January’s news, we had a bit of a blah & not again… However, sometimes things have to get worse to get better. Also, the vaccines are on the way!
Here is our quick update
Some of you already contacted us saying our current morning class time isn’t going to work; homeschooling and taking care of children take priority. We listen and truly we are in the same boat.
We are trialling from this week a new morning schedule. On Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday we start at 8 am and make it shorter, a 30min session.
Please let us know how we are doing. Any feedback is important for us. The classes are for you and we want you to enjoy it, take the benefits of it and keep yourselves healthy.
We also added Two NEW Lunchtime Classes.
Monday 12.30 pm Yoga
Tuesday 12.30 pm Pilates
*Please note we may change the schedule with short notice, dependent on feedback and availability.
*Please note if only one person is booked for the class, it will be rescheduled.
Beyond Move & Lockdown 2.0
UPDATE ON LOCKDOWN 2.0
Sadly from Thursday 5th November, UK is under a month of lockdown.
Please feel reassured that we will be following government guidelines and our default position, of course, is to continue all our classes/courses online with Zoom.
We are waiting for some clarity on our one to one rehab classes and Peto Pilates. I will be in touch with a separate email or call you to confirm your sessions.
Hello Beyonders!
So this newsletter has been mostly written before this gloomy news... so I had to rewrite a few bits. And to be honest, I didn't want to do it, however, it is my responsibility to keep you informed and give you positive energy.
We are all set! One of the amazing things to come out of this global pandemic is that we offer all of our classes online! So we all know what to do now.
There is one thing we want to improve this time is that we want to hear you more. Please stop, unmute and ask if something is not clear or you need further clarification. Especially, Pilates does require cueing - we are lacking tactile feedback online so we want to hear you.
During the lockdown, I will record a few classes if you need to rewatch or want to repeat the class again. I will share it with you, please just let me know.
MUSIC & SOUNDS
Some classes are going ahead from our home 'studio and some from BM studio. I would like to apologise ahead if our background noise is sometimes filled with kids/family noise - especially our evening classes. Please let me know if you have any issues and/or any technical suggestions.
We have Spotify playlists, however, feel free to tune in for your favourite songs to create a great vibe to move. We are also happy to share it at the beginning of the class, we can send this in the Zoom chat. You can also find some of our playlists in your booking confirmation email.
PLEASE ONLY BOOK ONLINE CLASSES
Please until further notice, classes are only running online. When booking, be careful to choose the online option.
WHAT YOU NEED FOR THE CLASS
softball
spiky balls - 1 pair or tennis/squash balls
pilates band or old pair of tights
weights - 1 pair of 0.5kg or 1kg. You can use tins instead
cushion / pillows / blocks / books
blanket and more pillows for Restorative yoga;
yoga belt or use bathrobe belt
pilates ring and foam roller for Tuesday 9.30am class
chair or windowsill for Barre class
BOOKINGS
Please carry on scheduling your class on our online booking system.
Our booking system - ACUITY SCHEDULING has a new app, you can make future bookings from your phone as well as cancelling bookings.
Simply download the ACUITY SCHEDULING CLIENT App and add our studio by using this link below.
https://beyondmove.as.me/
CLASSES
NEW! Dynamic Pilates with Rachel & Vinyasa Flow with Emily
If you like some challenge definitely try Monday at 8pm and/or Wednesday at 7pm. Both of these lovely teachers will keep you moving with a beautiful and energising class. Book a class »
If you need to recharge and relax join our Sunday at 7.30pm Restorative Yin Yoga class with Madeleine. Her calm and relaxing voice will guide you to your Zen.
Tuesday at 12.30pm 30-minute 'Express' Pilates for shoulders and back.
NEW! Barre class, it is an amazing low impact exercise; however, this 45min will make you shake and wobble.
FEEDBACK
There might be some slight changes on the timetable. Please keep on checking the website and booking system.
We would love to hear your feedback. Please let us know what works and what doesn't for you. Especially class time and days during this lockdown. I know our routine during lockdown can change.
We aim for a well-balanced timetable during the lockdown so please share your thoughts.
We have some great news!!!
We have some great news!!!!!
It is with joy that I announce that Marianne; our gorgeous Pre- & Postnatal Yoga teacher is expecting her second baby. Please join me in my excitement and well wishes for her pregnancy.
She will be moving to Bristol from the middle of November... and until we are online we are hoping to carry on with her lovely chilled classes
AND FINALLY
We have such a wonderful community and we are SO SO HAPPY to see how we are growing. We have amazing teachers and you make us special.
Take care and sending my warm wishes to you all,
Noemi x
July Newsletter
July's Newsletter
Hello Beyonders,
I do hope you don’t mind me calling you this, but I think it is such a perfect positive name for all of you; how special you are and what a big part of my community you represent.
What a month we have just had. As lockdown progressed our virtual world, here at the studio, seemed to get busier and our online community continues to grow through Instagram and Facebook. If you have not joined us there yet please do! We post news, free exercise videos, live chats about movement and we have a small but perfect little webshop on there too.
Because we are a small- independent-female-founded-business (wow, what a mouthful) your support means the world. We are a studio that prides itself on how different we are compared with the bigger gym chains. I love what we do and am really proud of our specialised classes for pre- and post-natal mums and those with neurological disorders. If you know anyone who might benefit from these please pass our information on. Your help in making our community brighter, bigger and more inclusive is so much appreciated.
Studio Opening News
We are looking to open our physical doors again on 3rd August 2020. I have worked flatout to make the space work better and I got us some wonderful colourful reminders from another small business to ensure safe distance in class.
We will, for the time being, focus on even smaller classes than usual which will really benefit you in several ways as the teachers have more time to focus on supporting you individually as well as correcting your posture during class, to enable you to have greater awareness and learning.
We will also continue with some of our online classes too.
Summer Holiday & Timetable
I cannot wait to open the studio doors though it must be said that I’m ready for a holiday. I don’t know about you, but I need to get some essential rest and family time soon and have booked to go and visit my family in Hungary between 20th July and 31st July.
I have organised cover with our other much-loved teachers for a lot of my classes but there will be a reduced timetable during this time.
Any other last-minute changes will be published on the website, so do consult this too not avoid disappointment.
New Membership
As I alluded to in May’s newsletter the membership structure is changing. As of the 1st of September 2020, new memberships will be available. There will be 2 types:
A 6-week block of classes / 6-week course of specialised classes (pre/post-natal, Peto Pilates)
BM Tribe membership
I really hope that you will continue to be part of the Beyond Move story going forward and appreciate your support. I am utterly grateful for you all sticking by me during this difficult time and its been a pleasure to continue the studio during what is a stressful time for many.
In other news…
The studio has been accepted onto the This Girl Can Campaign. I am literally so excited about this and hope that we too will be part of the national campaign in promoting girls to take up physical activity.
I am hopeful to put one of our beautiful patrons with cerebral palsy onto our poster as so often we forget that people with disabilities probably need exercise even more. I am however open to all your suggestions and feel free to share how we can make the best use of our voice….
