Rachel Lawrence

Note to Self - Will you be my Valentine? 💘

Note to Self - Will you be my Valentine? 💘

February, the month of love, is not just reserved for showering affection on others. This Valentine's season, let's redirect some of that love inward and embark on a journey of self-love. Let's explore how taking care of yourself can be the ultimate act of love.

• Love Begins with Self-Care - In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it's easy to neglect the most important person – yourself. Just as Pilates can strengthen and rejuvenate the body, a self-care practice will nourish the soul. Take time for activities that bring you joy, whether it's a relaxing bath, a walk in nature, or reading a good book. Treat yourself with the same kindness and attention you would give to a friend.

Happy Hazelnut Truffles

Happy Hazelnut Truffles

These cute little bundles of energy are a great snack to have in between meals when your batteries are running low. They’re tasty, sweet, taste of chocolate but have no added sugar so you can be sure you’re being healthy, whilst giving yourself a treat.

Christmas message from Rachel

It has been a momentous year at Rachel Lawrence Pilates and I wanted to thank you all for your continued support. Whether you read the blog, follow me on twitter or instagram, read my Facebook page or come to class you are all appreciated.

With more and more of you tuning into the benefits of Pilates and a healthy lifestyle the business has gone from strength to strength just as your wellbeing has. It's so rewarding to see and hear how you have created your own healthy lifestyle from what you've learned.

Well done!

There are exciting plans ahead for 2016; more health and wellbeing news, more classes and I will be adding Pilates films for you to view and take part in at home, so stay tuned for a bigger, better, healthier 2016!

Merry Christmas to you all,

Rachel x

Rachel Lawrence Pilates voted Best Pilates Class in West London

Turning my back on a successful career in television to become a Pilates instructor was definitely a leap of faith for me. But it looks like the change of lifestyle is starting to pay off as my Chiswick based Pilates classes have just been voted the Best Pilates Class in West London by the West London Mum Live.Love.Local Awards. I'm overwhelmed and thrilled all at the same time!

Got a cold? Try my cold busting smoothie

Broccoli and Apple Cold Busting Smoothie

 

I’ve just made this after tinkering around in my kitchen, and it’s not only absolutely delicious but packed full of the health giving green stuff.

Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse, it’s rich in Vitamin A, K, B-Complex, Iron and just 100g gives you 150% of your recommended daily Vitamin C intake so especially good if you are fighting off a cold. I've added apple for an extra cold busting kick as it also contains Vitamin C, along with minerals including Calcium and potassium. The coconut water is to keep your body naturally hydrated, the wheat germ gives you a fibre boost as well as a good source of vitamin E. And finally the flaxseed with almonds and walnuts adds a nutrient rich pick me up to keep you going until your next meal.

Ingredients

300 ml coconut water

4 Raw broccoli florets (I used straight from a freezer pack)

1 Apple (chopped)

2 Dessertspoon of Jordan’s natural wheatgerm

2 Dessertspoons of Linwood's milled flaxseed with almonds, brazil nuts and walnuts

Very easy this one, just pop the coconut water, broccoli and apple into your blender first and whizz up. Once mixed, add the wheatgerm and flaxseed and whizz until mixed in. If you like your smoothie a little bit more runny just add a little more coconut water to taste. You can have this as a meal replacement if you’re not feeling like eating a full meal, or you can share your healthy drink with a friend and treat them to a bit of green goodness too!

Enjoy! 

 

 

Thought for the New Year

Welcome to 2015 and what a wonderful year its going to be! May it be filled with happiness, health and goodwill for you all. Whilst we are all encouraged to set new goals for 2015, before we leap forward into the New year I think it's really important to take a moment to think about all the little things that when added up make life so much more meaningful.

Christmas Message

Well I have hung up my ballet shoes for 12 days, after the last ballet barre class of 2014!

I'll still be inhaling and exhaling for one more day doing my Pilates personal training with private clients keen to hone their bodies on Christmas Eve, as well as those who I have been working with remedially this year. 

Have you got 'Text Neck' ? How technology is damaging your spine

Oh yes there is actually a word for it now. And not only that, scientific studies have been carried out to test the stress on your neck when constantly looking down at your technology device. With an average head weighing 12 pounds, the poundage increases with each degree of curvature in your neck. At a 15-degree angle the weight is about 27 pounds, at 30 degrees it’s 40 pounds and at 60 degrees it’s a whopping 60 pounds.

What is Pilates? by Rachel Lawrence

What is Pilates? by Rachel Lawrence

 

  ‘If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, then you are old; if it is completely flexible at 60, you are young.’

    (Joseph. H. Pilates, ‘Return to Life Through Contrology’ 1945)

 

 Joseph Pilates designed his revolutionary system of exercises after years of study on his own body and that of his clients....