The menstrual cycle is an important part of a womxn's overall wellbeing. Exercise during this time can be beneficial, though it is important to understand the body's needs. Approximately 80% of people experience some form of physical or emotional discomfort during their menstrual cycle - it is well known that exercising can help reduce these symptoms by reducing menstrual cramps and managing mood swings. However the cycle extends much further than the few days that bleeding o

Anxiety is a mental heath illness and should be treated seriously and with care as there are many causes and symptoms. Below we talk about some of the common physical effects and ways to treat them, the techniques are designed to be practiced alongside mental and emotional work, preferably guided by a trained professional who can help with personal experiences and triggers. Most people actually experience anxiety as a physical problem Anxiety triggers our nervous system into

Let’s look at how we contract a muscle and why that might cause it to ache. When a muscle is contracted it uses something called ATP (adenosine triphosphate) a small amount of this is stored in the muscle itself and can give us about 3 seconds of strong movement, once this is depleted and if we decide to keep moving then the the body needs to make more and quickly. For high-intensity, short duration activities, such as an explosive jump, or opening a heavy door, ATP re synthe

When we’re in pain we try to relieve it, often by stretching, massage, heat therapy or rest. These might offer some short term relief but we’ll probably be back feeling stiff and sore fairly quickly. Why don’t these approaches work? Because they don’t address the messages that your brain is sending to your muscles to stay tight. First I want to talk a little about how muscles and the nervous system function, because when we understand something we can practise it so much bett

Now let’s talk about movement patterns. When the brain learns a new movement you have to think really hard to get it right, remember learning to ride a bike? Or performing delicate movements like knitting or tying your shoes? The first few times you tried the focus needed was extreme, the prefrontal cortex of your brain works really hard to best achieve this new goal. Then as time passes and you practise, it becomes smother, easier and requires less thought. This is because w

Let’s get them back together. We consider ourselves made up two parts The mind, which is our feelings, personality and thoughts and The Body: a vessel with which we do, make and move. This concept extends so far that we don’t have a word in the English langue that describes them as one, the closest we come too is Self as in myself, yourself, ourselves. But it doesn’t quite convey the truth of a connected body and mind. It’s meaning is usually defined as the identity, charact

And how it can give you your body back. Hello I’m Jazmin, founder of MEIAM. I set up this organisation (previously called The Studio Indigo) in 2017 with the goal of reminding people that movement is a privilege not a punishment, I’d even go so far as to say it should be a pleasure. I wanted to create a safe, inspiring environment where anybody of any age could come and work to achieve personal health goals, learn new skills, build confidence or just have fun whilst getting