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Newsletter - June 2024

A fair while has passed since I last wrote to you - I'm keeping my promise of not inundating your inbox!  We were then approaching the shortest day of the year, and here we are heading towards the longest. Loving the longer daylight hours, and ever hopeful for a little more sun and warmth.  It's a time for renewed energy and vitality, for revitalised spirit and for fresh starts.

On a personal note the start of 2024 saw me dedicating most of my time to the ongoing restoration of our beautiful period home - it has truly been a labour of love, and one that has taken me away from my business (and friends) the last few months!  I've just about managed to keep my training ticking along and I will find out how that has gone when I head to Portugal to compete for the GB Age Group Team at the European Middle Distance Triathlon Championships.  I will be away from 19 - 30 June.

As I get my time back here is what is going on:

  • Pilates & Movement sessions
  • *NEW!! - 2:1 Pilates Matwork - share a session with a friend or family member* - from my Stanmore Studio 
  • Individual sessions from my Stanmore Studio - Pilates apparatus, matwork and small equipment. I offer Pilates, injury/postural diagnosis, rehabilitation through movement, and mindful movement for wellbeing and anxiety.  
  • Weight training tuition - Learn safe technique and gain confidence before heading into the gym,  or have me check your technique if you are experiencing niggling injuries or discomfort.
  • Group Pilates - at Vision Hall, Radlett. 
  • Online group and individual sessions - I tailor the session to your needs
     
  • Fascial Release and Deep Tissue massage – from my Stanmore Studio, a holistic approach to unwind and release patterns that can make us stuck and cause injury, discomfort or dysfunction.

 

  • Coaching & guidance to understand and unpick limiting beliefs and patterns that can be presenting in our physical bodies as pain, dysfunction or health issues, and affecting us emotionally and energetically. 
  • Energetic readings to discover what your body is always trying to tell you - followed by supported guidance and tools to help with what comes up.

I have restructured and repriced these sessions to make them more accessible - they are now 60 mins long and you will received an audio recording an email summary.  I also offer 30 min taster sessions - please get in touch if you would like more information about this or any of my other offerings
 

Some of you will know that I regularly write short articles on my social media.  The Pilates world has recently become a bit of a minefield, so I am sharing a post I wrote a week ago. I hope it offers a balanced opinion on how Pilates is being mis-sold and monetarised at the moment.  If you know anyone keen to get into Pilates I am always here, as are other wonderful teachers who have really substantial training and experience behind them.:

'The Pilates world is in chaos right now.  And having been unwell this weekend and on my phone a little too much, social media is playing it out like a battlefield.  Express an opinion that in any way voices a concern over the recent surge in studios opening up with tenuous links to Pilates, or the wealth of short training courses being set up to support them, and you better be ready to fight or run for cover!

It seems that anyone in the Classical or Contemporary Pilates world who has undertaken any training of substance is presented as being precious and out of touch. Whilst I’ve been called ‘precious’ before – I like to think I’m still on the ball!

I promise we aren’t just bitter and twisted! We just really care about people discovering what makes Pilates REALLY special and different, so they have an authentic experience.  How it has the ability to create amazing change and understanding of our bodies, whilst creating strength with ease of movement.

We remember the challenges of our own training clearly, so when we see courses that are a few days long (or less) we can’t comprehend how students can even begin to understand the method.  And as with most things that have a surge in popularity, it comes down to just one things – money.

Businesses see an opportunity – demand is there, and people don’t want to spend months/years at great cost training in a something when there’s a shortcut and the demand is here now.  I get it.

I LOVE seeing people having fun working out, and forming good relationships with exercise –I’ve made a joyful career from it. But what is mostly out there at the moment is a body conditioning session, or a HIIT class, or whatever else - using a Reformer.  And I’ll say it again just to be sure – it’s great to see so many people enjoying exercise.

But it’s not Pilates'

 You can read more from me (should you want to!) over on Instagram
Gift Vouchers
If you are looking to treat someone but perhaps you don’t want to buy more physical things, then my gift vouchers are completely bespoke against any of my offerings.  Massage, Pilates, classes, or anything else! 

Any offering any amount - just contact me, or visit the Gift Voucher page on my website and we can put something lovely together 🧡
Request for Testimonials!
Thank you for your ongoing support - small businesses like mine really value you.  I would be so grateful If you could spare the time to send me a few lines sharing your experience of working with me.  Referrals and genuine words help no end with marketing and growing businesses like mine.  You can email me: thea@thea.co.uk

I will enter the names of everyone who sends me a testimonial into a draw where one person will win a complimentary session with me (of your choice) - I will do this on Wednesday 12th June. 

With love

Thea 

Facebook: @thea.co.uk 
Instagram: @the_real_thea.co.uk 
Email: thea@thea.co.uk

Newsletter - December 2023

This is my last newsletter of 2023.  We head into the final days of December and the shortest day of the year, celebrating different festivals, and reflecting on the year that has gone.  

Although it's party season, winter is a time to be reflective, to go inwards and to be still and quiet.  It might be that you don't feel like being busy and hectic at this time of year.  You might want to do less and that is completely ok. If you can, embrace it without any guilt as it's completely as nature would have us be.

Winter Solstice Blessing
May you find peace in the promise of the solstice night,
That each day forward is blessed with more light.
That the cycle of nature, unbroken and true,
Brings faith to your soul and well-being to you.
Rejoice in the darkness, in the silence find rest.
And may the days that follow be abundantly blessed.

As January approaches my offerings will be:

  • Pilates & Movement sessions
  • Individual sessions from my Stanmore Studio, using Pilates apparatus and small equipment I combine my Classical Pilates training with many other movement tools I’ve amassed over the years.  I work in different ways from conventional Pilates, injury/postural diagnosis and rehabilitation through movement, and also mindful movement for grounding, wellbeing and help with anxiety.
  • Weights I will be offering weight/resistance training coaching aimed at women wanting to add this to their training as they head into perimenopause. A space to learn safe technique and gain confidence if you want to head into the gym
  • Group Pilates - from Vision Hall, Radlett.
  • Online group and individual sessions - tailored to your needs from anywhere in the world.
     
  • Fascial Release and Deep Tissue massage – from my Stanmore Studio, a holistic approach using different tools to help unwind and release patterns that can make us stuck and cause injury, discomfort or dysfunction.

 

  • Coaching & guidance to understand limiting beliefs and patterns that can be presenting in our physical bodies as pain, dysfunction or health issues – this can within a movement or treatment session, or as a specific coaching session via zoom.
  • Energetic readings to discover what your body is trying to tell you - followed by supported guidance and tools to help with what comes up.

 

  • Soul Sessions I will be creating a warm space from my studio for small group sessions.  Breathwork, meditations, sound healing, gentle movement, and sharing discussions on various subjects.  These will be limited to 5 people and initially I plan to offer them on a monthly basis

 
If you are interested in any of these things, or you’d like to know a little bit more I love a chat – send me a message and we can take it from there! 

You may have also received an email from me this week - mercury in retrograde has brought me another change of bank account - if you need my new details please let me know!
 

 *THE SOUL SESSIONS* 

IN PERSON GATHERINGS FROM MY STUDIO 

An important part of my wellbeing over the last few years has come from various practices and tools that keep me grounded. I am very lucky to be in a couple of wonderful groups that meet every month or so to share where we are at, listen and empathise in our shared experiences. We also use meditations or visualisations, movement, breathwork and sound. We are all committed to running our businesses and living from a heart centred place that aligns with who we are and our values. 

These sessions have become a really important part of my life - often we can feel the challenges we are facing are just happening to us. We only see the best bits of people's lives on social media! There can be a real value in knowing that we are rarely alone in the feelings we have, and often what we are experiencing is the same for others. We just don't talk about it! 

I feel that conversation, shared experience and connection is something we've lost from our lives as they've become more fast paced. And I want to share the benefits that I've experienced. My experience and coaching qualifications allow me to support and guide these sessions, and also offer practical tools and advice if needed. I'll be writing more about this and starting to put sessions up for booking in the next few weeks. 

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! 
This is a part of myself I'm putting out there more and more, and it's a bit different to what many of you know me for - but it's a big part of me and if it resonates with you that's amazing! 

But I'm DEFINITELY NOT stopping all the other things you know me for. I'm still teaching, doing massage, doing Pilates - and I have a huge interest in those areas too. Just incase you were unsure! 
Gift Vouchers

 If you are looking to treat someone but perhaps you don’t want to buy more things, then my gift vouchers are completely bespoke against any of my offerings. Massage, Pilates, classes, or anything else! 

Any offering any amount - just contact me, or visit the Gift Voucher page on my website and we can put something lovely together 🧡
I would like to take this time to thank all of you for your support. It means the world. I hope to keep the connection with you through 2024. 

Small businesses like mine need you. If you are able to send a few lines sharing your experience working with me that would help me no end with my marketing, and I would be so grateful. 

I wish you a peaceful end to 2023, and a hopeful 2024 

With love 
Thea 

Facebook: @thea.co.uk 
Instagram: @the_real_thea.co.uk 
Email: thea@thea.co.uk

Newsletter - October 2023

We are midway through October – the temperature suddenly dropped this weekend and we have had wonderful Autumn sunshine.  The unexpected 30+ degree heat of our beautiful September wedding day felt like a bit of a distant memory as I gave in and put the fire on last night! 
 
It feels like I was away a long time, but I know that life continued to move fast whilst I slowed down. I am very grateful for our amazing wedding day, and the honeymoon time I was able to spend with my husband.  My dog Alfie has just about forgiven me for leaving him!

However it wasn't without the odd thought that I 'should' be doing something 'useful' towards my business while I was away, a bit of guilt about whether I 'deserved' to take more time off than usual, and would clients still be there when I got back.  And I took the time to work through those thoughts and where they come from. I think many will resonate with this and it reminds us of the social conditioning we have around our work and responsibility and the value we can put on them over other areas of our lives.  I am mindful of this balance in my own life and help support clients who struggle with this in theirs.
 
My diary reopened last week, and you can work with me in the following ways:

 

  • Pilates & Movement sessions
  • Individual sessions from my Stanmore Studio, using Pilates apparatus and small equipment I combine my Classical Pilates training with many other movement tools I’ve amassed over the years.  I work in different ways from conventional Pilates, injury/postural diagnosis and rehabilitation through movement, and also mindful movement for grounding, wellbeing and help with anxiety.
  • Group sessions - from Vision Hall, Radlett.  I am also currently looking for a Stanmore based location for group sessions.  If you are interested in joining either please let me know.
  • Online group and individual sessions - tailored to your needs from anywhere in the world.


 

  • Fascial Release and Deep Tissue massage – also from my Stanmore Studio, a holistic approach using different tools to help unwind and release patterns that can make us stuck and cause injury, discomfort or dysfunction.

 

  • Coaching & guidance to understand limiting beliefs and patterns that can be presenting in our physical bodies as pain, dysfunction or health issues – this can within a movement or treatment session, or as a specific coaching session via zoom.
  • Energetic readings to discover what your body is trying to tell you - followed by supported guidance and tools to help with what comes up.

In my experience the most effective healing can be achieved when we combine conventional treatment (medicine, manual therapy, movement, nutrition) with the understanding of our emotional patterns and how we process (or don't process) our feelings and experiences.  
 
If you are interested in any of these things, or you’d like to know a little bit more I’m always happy to have chat – send me a message and we can take it from there!  
 

*THE SOUL SESSIONS* 

**BREATHWORK & SHARING CIRCLE - THURSDAY 2nd NOVEMBER - 7pm**

I'm excited to offer my first session under the Soul Sessions banner - a breathwork session with an optional sharing circle to follow. 

A few days ago I wrote about the overwhelm and anxiety that so many people are experiencing at the moment. You can read the article on my Facebook and Instagram pages which are linked at the bottom of this newsletter. 

The world has become a worrying and less safe place, and so many of us are struggling to learn how to exist within this new uncertain environment. And I see it playing out in our health and our wellbeing. For my first Soul Session I would like to offer an online breathwork set to beautiful music, followed by a free sharing circle for those of you who would like to participate. You don't have to stay for the circle if you don't want to. 

The breathwork is really accessible, and you can do it in the comfort of your home where you will be able to relax at the end of the day without the need to travel. 

If sharing circles are new to you, they are a safe space (it will not be recorded) where you will have the opportunity to talk about something that may be coming up for you. We do not offer opinions or advise each other - we simply listen, witness and support each other knowing we all have our own strength and resilience. We respect the confidence of the circle, and whatever is said stays within it, and all I ask is that we come with compassion for each other. 

My experience of these has always been really heartwarming and helpful. As this is the first time I have run one of these sessions I am going to ask for a donation based on what you would like to pay. You can book your place using the link below. You can register as a Gymcatch user and 'follow' my business 'Thea Gudgeon': 

https://gymcatch.com/app/provider/3065/events/4320493 

I really hope to see some of you there, and hope it is a helpful experience that I will repeat - probably on a monthly basis. 

If you have any questions before signing up please feel free to drop me a message. I've chosen a Thursday evening, but if this time doesn't work I'd welcome your feedback on when you would like to do this type of session.
TESTIMONIAL REQUEST

As I build connections and increase my social media presence (not something that comes naturally!) I'm asking for your help. 

If you've worked with me and are happy to write a few sentences about your experience, and how I may have helped you so I can share it I would be so grateful. I will not display your identify unless you are happy for me to do so. 

That's all from me this time, wishing you all a peaceful week ahead 
With love 
Thea 

Facebook: @thea.co.uk 
Instagram: @the_real_thea.co.uk 
Email: thea@thea.co.uk

Newsletter - August 2023

Here we are with August in full swing – despite my almost putting the fire on a few evenings ago!  I hope you are having a peaceful summer despite the shortage of sun.
 
This is a short Newsletter, which finds me focusing on my upcoming wedding, before which there's a quick trip to Finland to compete in the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon World Championships!

I’m also starting to think about October and the changing colours of Autumn. Of new offerings, and what feels like the beginning of a new chapter.  It’s a time of year I love – which was obviously in my subconscious when I chose my website colours!
 
I will be taking a few weeks off from mid-September into early October, but until then you can work with me in the following ways:
 

  • Pilates & Movement sessions – from my Stanmore Studio, using Pilates apparatus and small equipment I combine my Classical Pilates training with many other movement tools I’ve amassed over the years.

 

  • Fascial Release and Deep Tissue massage – also from my Stanmore Studio, a holistic approach using different tools to help unwind and release patterns that can make us stuck and cause injury, discomfort or dysfunction.

 

  • Guidance to understand the limiting beliefs and patterns that can be presenting in our physical bodies as pain, dysfunction or health issues – this can within a movement or treatment session, or as a specific coaching session via zoom.

 

I truly believe (and have experienced) that we should still treat symptoms using conventional methods of movement, manual therapy and rehabilitation - but if we want really understand the cause and why these things keep happening we also need to explore deeper into how our patterns and beliefs are playing out in our bodies.

My diary is open until 15th September (with a few days where I'm away) - then I'm booking appointments from Monday 9th October.
 
If you are interested in any of these things, or you’d like to know a little bit more I’m always happy to have chat – send me a message and we can take it from there! 
 

*THE SOUL SESSIONS* 

In the last newsletter I unveiled this new strand of my business - and an upcoming webinar. Both are definitely still happening once we've all enjoyed the more relaxed pace of summer, and more information will be coming soon.

Newsletter - June 2023

As I drop this newsletter into your inbox just before we reach the end of June, I reflect that we are almost halfway through 2023 - where did that time go?

I said that I wouldn't be inundating you with content - and I think it's fair to say I've kept that promise!  I do have a few things to share with you, so well done if you make it to the end of this.

'Change' seems to have become my word this year.  I'm not surprised - I felt it, and I've had it pointed out to me by every person I've connected with.  It's what I encourage others to do - through movement, touch and thought.  And I've always believed that if you're working with people to help them achieve change, you have to try to  walk your talk too.

Some of you will know that a few weeks ago, bar a couple of Pilates sessions, I stopped teaching most of my classes health clubs - it was a decision I'd been holding back on as I love the people I'd got to know over the years.  The industry has changed a lot over the last two and a bit decades and is now a very different working environment.  It was time for me to move on, and it's taking a bit of getting used to!

I also wanted to free some time to develop ideas I hope to offer, and it also means I have a bit more availability and time flexibility for sessions at my studio, or online - so get in touch if you, or someone you know might be interested. I am available through July and August.

Then, on a personal note, September brings some really happy change my way as I will be getting married - and on honeymoon till early October.  
(I might work a few days in-between...)

So what else is happening?

REFORMER PILATES! 

it's THE big thing at the moment! 

I've been using the reformer and other machines to teach Pilates for over a decade, and currently at my studio in Stanmore. I'm passionate about teaching people to move with awareness - to help them feel differently in and about their bodies, or perform better in their activities or sports. If you want a more bespoke and individualised experience, or if big Reformer classes feel a little too fast paced and overwhelming, coming along for one to one tuition can be a really good introduction to using the machines, and/or to enhance your experience of Pilates. 

I also teach a small Mat Pilates class to at lovely group of people in Radlett on Friday mornings at The Vision Hall in Radlett (10am). There will some drop in classes running over the summer - with the possibility of adding an additional class in October. If you'd be interested in either 1:1s or classes let me know. And you can always drop into a zoom class at 6.30pm on a Tuesday from literally anywhere! 
Introducing ... 

"The Soul Sessions' 

Thea.co.uk is the umbrella for several strands of my business. For some they are separate, and for others they intertwine. Pilates on the Hill is my Stanmore based studio. My treatment room is also based there. 

'The Soul Sessions' is the place for exploring a bit deeper. These are just a few of what is on offer: 

Webinars 
Group discussions/sharing circles 
Meditations 
Breath work sessions 
Somatic movement sessions 
Coaching - group and 1:1 
Energetic readings and therapy 

There will be more information to come, but I'd love to hear from you if this sounds interesting, or if you have ideas of things you would like to experience. With our massive living costs at the moment I am keen to bring more group sessions into the mix.
*UPCOMING WEBINAR* 

In the last newsletter I talked about some of the question I regularly get asked. The list of 'why's 

Probably the biggest 'why' is about making change, but not being able to sustain it - whatever the change might be. 

I observe topics that keep coming up again and again around me - if lots of people are talking about something then it's out there needing to be explored right? 

Making good choices about what we eat, and moving regularly isn't anything new. Yet still it's an area where so many of us have tried multiple times to change our habits, but find it hard to sustain. What is holding us back? Why do we self-sabotage? 

When we begin to understand all the reasons we get stuck - and there are loads - we move ourselves into a place of awareness, understanding and compassion. We can begin to identify triggers and start to intercept them when they appear. 

Focusing on food, body image and exercise, my webinar - 'Finding the Kindness for Change' - compassionately explores the behaviours, learned beliefs, and societal pressures that can hold us back. It suggests tools to help break some of the limiting cycles that are keeping us stuck and aren't our fault. 

I will initially deliver this online and I would love it to be as interactive as possible. Let me know if you are interested in attending, or perhaps you know someone you think it might resonate with - and keep an eye out on Facebook and Instagram for more information - dates, times, cost etc. 

Facebook: @thea.co.uk 
Instagram: @the_real_thea.co.uk 
Email: thea@thea.co.uk

Newsletter March 2023

Why do I get injured?

Why do I keep getting the same injury over and over again?

Why do I go from one injury to another to another?

Why does something always go wrong that stops me achieving a goal or getting to my event?

Why am I always getting ill?

Why do I struggle with sleeping?

Why is my weight changing?

Why do I eat or drink things I know aren’t the best for my health?

Why am I living with pain?

I could go on and on.

I am asked these questions every day. I’ve asked loads of them myself and for years never got the answers I needed!  

I try everyday to help my clients explore all of the ‘whys’ so that we can look at the ‘what can I dos’ to find a plan of action.

It’s a little bit like detective work - we piece together all the different strands of evidence and try to build a picture of what’s going on. 

Over the years I’ve done this by asking lots of questions, studying movement, by looking at held patterns, and feeling for them in my massage therapy. A combination of knowledge, experience, intuition with scientific backing.

Many times over the years I instinctively knew that for some people the massage therapy, or movement coaching I was offering may give some relief, but was never going to give a lasting resolution. Because I knew that root cause of pain in the person in front of me wasn’t from their physical body.  

Over the years I’ve trained in lots of different styles of movement. Pilates especially looks at the body as a whole. As does Fascial therapy.  The principles of both can be applied to any movement or sport and is part of why I love working with these methods. They don’t just look at the part that hurts, they ask us to go deep, to look at the whole story, to address what we are holding onto. But we don’t necessarily talk about what has led us to not live comfortably in our bodies.

The problem for me was that clients hadn’t come to me to discuss their emotional health or past traumas. They likely had no idea the physical pain they were experiencing could be manifested from learned behaviours, beliefs, experiences and traumas, grief. They hadn’t come to me prepared for me to bring that up - and I wasn’t at that time qualified to go there and to be able to support them.

I can think of many people over the years with whom I wish I’d been able to bridge that gap.   Which is why I am now going there.

I still look at physical injuries and held movement patterns and can practically treat them. I still teaching Pilates sessions, classes and do massage treatments. And if that’s all you want from me that is absolutely fine. But I am also fully qualified to be able to support my clients in looking deeper into the reasons for their pain or health issues. So sessions with me can be about movement, or hands on therapy. They can be energetic readings, they can be talk based therapy. Or a combination of all of these.  I will always give tools to help my clients to move forwards. 

It’s about looking at the whole picture - which can take courage - but I am there to support my clients and everyone works at a level and speed that they are comfortable with.

Does this resonate? If you want more information please get in touch. If you are already working with me and want to go deeper just ask.

Metaphysical meanings

Did you know that Achilles issues can be linked to unexpressed anger (inflammation) and getting stuck and unable to move forwards? The tendinitis literally stops you from moving. 

Did you know that digestive issues such as IBS, leaky gut and colitis are firmly routed in boundary issues? 

That ear ache can be about having to listen to something you don’t want to hear - perhaps it doesn’t align with your beliefs or it’s unwanted external noise?

Having this knowledge and being able to make changes in what’s going on for us - alongside traditional treatment and medical advice can help us address the whole picture and move us towards better health.

Yes…Peri & Menopause… 

I know - it’s the current hot topic! And I kind of feel the world is now trying to cash in on its media attention by trying to sell women every product under the sun. 

A couple of years ago I completed a wonderful training with Dinah Siman - otherwise known as @menopausepilates on Instagram. I was interested as I wanted to help the women I was working with, and I wanted to get myself fully armed and prepared for when my turn came! 

So I keep fully up to date with knowledge and advice in terms of how movement can help, symptoms etc from ethical and well informed sources. I’m now also living the peri dream myself! 

Despite my knowledge it’s been quite a rollercoaster to say the least - and particularly challenging as I tried to navigate my race season last summer not quite knowing the body I suddenly found myself living in. So if you need help please shout - I’m making it my job as someone who has a small platform, and works with a lot of women, to be open and make the conversation absolutely normal. 

Similarly if you are living with someone going through this and you want knowledge and advice on how best to support them I’m happy to help. 

And if you’re in a class or session with me and I’m mixing all my words up you now know why….

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