Hello lovely,

I was sitting with my coffee this morning, thinking about all the faces I’ve met on the mat over the years. Some of you have been with me since the vineyard days. Some of you only found me this year. Most of you probably don’t know how I got here, and I’d love to tell you.

I haven’t always been a yoga teacher. I’ve always loved to move, but there was a long stretch where I didn’t move for me at all.

In 2013, at 40, I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. It’s an autoimmune disease that inflames and wears away the tendons, and it was already in my Achilles, my feet and my hands. I remember thinking I was far too young for this.

Looking back, my body had been trying to tell me for years. I was working long, pressured hours, eating badly, not exercising, and drinking more than I should to ease the stress. I was earning a living at the cost of my health.

My rheumatologist was very plain with me. If I didn’t make serious changes, I’d be in a wheelchair by 50.

I was taking anti-inflammatories every day just to walk and use my hands. There wasn’t much joy in it. Some dear friends said maybe my body was waking up and asking me to listen. So I did.

Medication was part of it, and I’m grateful it was there. The rest was mine to do. I changed jobs, to one with less money and far less stress. I kept good people close. I changed the way I ate for good, with a lot of help from friends and family. And I started moving again.

It was barre that got me moving. I walked into a class and felt that light spark up in me! Then I studied yoga, and then came Pilates and all the rest of it. In 2016 I rolled out mats in a vineyard here in the Hills, and Roaming Zen began. The studio came after that, and that’s where I met so many of you.

Movement has been the one constant thread that’s kept me here. That, my family and you!

You can never underestimate the power of family & community. When the people you love look at you and say, we want you here for a long time, not just a good time, those words stay with you. They’re in my DNA now.

I’m past 50. I’m not in a wheelchair. I’m dancing.

That’s my why. Every class, every event, every ZenFlix recording comes from the same place. I want to help as many people as I can come back to themselves, through dance, through yoga, or simply through breathing and being here.

December can be such a stressful time. The calendar fills, everyone wants a piece of you, and the year ends in a rush. That’s exactly why I think it’s so important to have a moment to look forward to, where you can honestly stop and pause.

This afternoon gives you that. Long, supported Yin shapes to let your body settle. Then Chris Toms of Harmonic Essence brings in the bowls, gongs and chimes while you’re already resting, and you just stay there and let it carry you. Afterwards we’ll share a seasonal supper and tea while the long December light holds.

There are only 10 places left, so if this is calling you, don’t leave it too long.

All my usual classes are running right through November and into December.

The next few weeks have a way of speeding up on us, so be gentle with your energy. Pace yourself. Keep doing the things that bring you joy, and rest before your body has to ask.

I spent years not listening to mine, and it took a diagnosis to make me stop. I hope my story gives you a little perspective, or simply a nudge to check in with yourself this month. You deserve to be here for a long time too.

I’d love to see you on the mat, at Montacute or online really soon.

Love and hugs, Jen x

Yoga and Sound at Golding Wines

Chris and I are both so excited about this one. On a good day (and it should be a sunny one) we’ll start outside with a Yang practice and a little qigong, flowing into Yin. Then we’ll wander indoors to the Golding barn for Chris’s beautiful sound healing, followed by lunch.