Hi lovely human,

I got a message this week that genuinely made me smile… and think. (It’s always dangerous when that happens.)

A regular client came to a different class this week. Later I got this message:

After reading it I just kept thinking, YES. This is it.

We need to train the nervous system as well as the body.

Health isn’t just about steps, calories and classes attended. It’s about how your body is coping underneath all of that.

When we’re stressed. Work, life, hormones, poor sleep, constant notifications ...the body sits slightly on edge.

Heart beating a little quicker.

Breathing a bit shallower.

Shoulders creeping up.

Jaw tight without realising.

Sleep not quite as deep.

It’s sometimes subtle… until we’ve been stressed for so long the body starts shouting, “Oi, for F’s sake, I could do with some help here.”

If we then layer intense movement on top of a body that already feels “on”, it doesn’t always build resilience.

That can look like:

• struggling to switch off at night

• feeling sore and tense for longer than usual • being tired but wired

• crashing mid-afternoon

• losing motivation even though you “should” feel strong

Being strong is important. We need it. Strong muscles, strong bones, strong minds. Especially as we get older.

But our ability to listen matters.

The body feels at its best when effort is balanced with recovery.

It was Still Yin she came to, if you’re interested.

Why did that help?

Because slow breathing signals safety.

Long supported stretches allow muscles to let go of background tension.

Stillness gives the body space to settle.

Mindfulness breaks the cycle of a million thoughts about everything and mainly nothing.

When we listen, sometimes the smartest training decision isn’t to push harder, but to pause for a while.

I also listened to a podcast this week that described two aisles in a bookshop.

One aisle is full of high-discipline, no-excuses, push-through types. Big goals. Hard edges. Go, go, go.

The other aisle is full of softness. Meditation. Compassion. Slow living. Rest more. Push less.

Most of us lean heavily into one or the other.

But maybe health isn’t about choosing one isle ... it’s about picking one book from each.

If we only push, we burn out.

If we only soften, our body atrophies and becomes weak.

So how can I/we/us build a body that is both soft and strong?

So I guess my lesson this week is this (and it’s always a lesson for me too):

To build a body that is going to see us through, we need to be both strong and soft.

And by learning the language of the body and the nervous system, we can honour both.

In doing this, we can choose a wellness routine that is disciplined enough to stick to our goals, but also has enough space for practices we turn to when the nervous system is asking for care.

This is what I am so passionate about, could talk about for hours...

A space where Functional movement and proper recovery - meet.

Because feeling strong means nothing if you feel constantly on edge.

This practice and lifestyle helps us - Move better. Feel better. Live calmer.

I won't keep you much longer but if this resonates next week is the launch of my Podcast called the Recovery Rooms. It's an eyes closed, chilled on the sofa or in bed kinda affair. I will natter to you while you get settled and then lead you through a practice. I will always link it in this email,

If you would like to join me at Flow Calm Still then I have:

​WEEKLY CLASSES​

​LONGER MONTHLY RESET SESSIONS - called the Mind-Body Reset and Stretch and Sleep

I have a 4 week coaching course starting on Tuesday March 3rd - I will need a couple more people to book on for it to run and the launch is discounted.

Let me leave you in peace now.

Have a great week and lets hope the rain does-one,

Lynz 🤍