Menopause is officially when you have not a period for over 12 months. It’s a milestone in every woman’s life that marks the end of one stage of life and the beginning of another.  You need as many tools as possible to live well during this transition towards menopause and everything afterwards! Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is definitely worth considering. While not suitable for everyone, it has many well-documented benefits and is now much more widely available than before. Previous generations of women suffered in silence in a patriarchal medical system, but no longer! Be awar ..read more

I have often turned to writing to help me process the things that happen in life. I record events happening in my family, with my friends, my work, my reactions to what is going on … anything at all that I feel like.  Writing is undoubtedly therapeutic; there’s something liberating about offloading your thoughts, reflecting on your fears or your hopes  …. especially if you write to yourself as a friend, not as a critic. That last line is key. It’s taken me years and years to start being my own supportive friend when I write in my diary. It may sound obvious but keep reminding yoursel ..read more

During my time as a Pilates instructor, I have twice had clients who had an attack of vertigo during class. It’s a most unpleasant experience for the sufferer – sudden onset of extreme dizziness, often accompanied by nausea. The first time it happened in one of my classes, I was fortunate that another client from a medical background recognised what was happening and we took the right steps to make the person more comfortable. The second time, unfortunately, I only discovered afterwards what had happened. Apparently, about one in 10 of us will get vertigo in any given year, and I am now in th ..read more

I am not one for New Year’s resolutions that involve deprivation – it only makes me crave what is forbidden! But I do believe in adding in good stuff and one easy step is consciously upping your intake of plain old water this January. Did you know that adult humans are approximately 60 percent water and our blood is 90 percent water?  No wonder things don’t work so well when hydration levels drop! In the colder days around Christmas and New Year when we tend to be indoors in our centrally heated homes enjoying the surplus of rich foods and alcoholic beverages, it’s all too easy to let you ..read more

There can be no ‘return to normal’ The worldwide pandemic of Covid19 is a strange and uncertain time. Entering SEVENTH week now in lockdown! It’s a serious and deadly virus for some. I sincerely hope no-one reading this has lost a loved one. My dear brother-in-law was on the critical list, but now appears thankfully to be on long road to recovery. One thing is certain – there can be no ‘return to normal’; my hope is this virus will result in a new value system where humans – led by enlightened government – recognise environmental issues are more important than economic growth.  Did you kn ..read more

You may have noticed the #100daysofwalking campaign– it started on 1st January and motivates people to walk every day for 100 days and thus improve their mental and physical well-being. While a fantastic initiative, especially as it helps people get through the dark month of January, I aim for #365daysofwalking myself! Even on bad days, I almost always force myself outside for even a brief walk. No such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. Too dark, go walk in your nearest town. I average about 3 miles a day, but on those darkest, coldest, wettest days, it might be only 0.5 miles ..read more

Having trained with Rebekah Rotstein in London recently, I am now a ‘Buff Bones’ instructor and from September will be offering Buff Bones classes along with my regular Pilates mat classes.  I am also running taster classes in Cashel on Wednesday 19th June at 9.45am and 6.30pm. What is Buff Bones? Buff Bones is a medically-endorsed, full-body exercise system of movement for joint and bone health. It integrates Pilates with functional movement, strength training and therapeutic exercise for bone strengthening and balance techniques. It is safe for those with osteoporosis or anyone who must avoi ..read more