New year, new you?

As a Pilates teacher, I'm very familiar with New Year's Resolutions. Around the second week of January, people often decide to "give Pilates a try". It's probably a consequence of having eaten too much and moved too little over the Christmas period, mixed with a sense that a new year should be accompanied by something else that's new.

Sometimes this effect is closer to home than anticipated, as evidenced by this letter I just received from my aunt...

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Dear Charles,

You're always encouraging me to try Pilates, so I thought I would make it my New Year's Resolution. The Village Hall here in Much-Binding-in-the-Marsh doesn't have any Pilates classes, so I signed up for yoga instead - they're more or less the same, I think, aren't they?

The teacher was a young lady in a rainbow-coloured kaftan. As I entered, she sprang forward, saying "Hi! I'm Vegan!"

"Hello Vegan, I'm Daphne," I said. She looked a little puzzled and there was an awkward silence for a moment, until she said I should sit down. There were no chairs and, as you know, I haven't sat on the floor since rationing ended, so I sort of half-crouched until some other people arrived and I could stand at the back without Vegan noticing.

Time passed and nobody seemed to know what was going on until, eventually, Vegan said "OK you guys! Awesome! Let's make a start!" She made a little speech about how yoga is all about precision, which was odd seeing as the class started 15 minutes late. After that, it's all a bit of a blur really. I remember waking up to see Vegan and some of the other ladies looking down at me with concerned expressions before helping me up. I felt a bit shaky until a cup of Darjeeling and a slice of Mrs Rumbelow's fruit loaf bucked me up while I watched the others carry on, doing the most extraordinary things.

I did rather enjoy it and I know you'll be pleased to hear that I am going back next week - although only for the tea and cake. I think I'll give the other part a miss.

I do hope you're well and that nasty rash has cleared up.

Auntie Daphne

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Sometimes we don't need to start something new. Often, it's just a matter of getting back to things that we enjoy and find beneficial, which have, for some reason, slipped from our routine.

If you've been thinking about getting back into a regular Pilates habit, you'll be pleased to hear that it's very straightforward. With a laptop or tablet and an internet connection, you have all you need to give Pilates another go.

With my online classes, there's no lengthy commitment, direct debit or pricey contract. Simply book a class, do it and - if you enjoy it - book another, whenever you like. I hope you will enjoy online Pilates and want to make it a new habit. Or renew an old habit. Or just get back to your pre-Christmas routine. It would be lovely to see you.

You can join me at any of my online classes (tea and cake not included). For more details and to book a class, click here to go to the online classes page of my website.

All my online classes can be recorded, so you can do them at a time that suits you. Just book as usual and let me know that you would like a recording. After the class you will receive a link to the recording, which you can watch for up to seven days.

Happy new year/you.

Charles

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