COLUMNIST: JEN WILSON
2022 was a write-off for me in terms of being out and about. I have a health condition called Crohn's disease which falls under the umbrella of inflammatory bowel disease (along with Colitis). I went into a flare in February, and honestly, I am still in recovery but much more able than I was. It was a struggle for me to get out of bed for many months.
During that time, I had to tune in and listen to my body. If you have been following my articles in Scotland Grows, you will know that I share my wisdom on the importance of movement. Not just to help you safely move around the garden injury and pain-free, but also for your overall health.
My regular exercise was wiggling my fingers and toes when I was bedbound. Gradually, it was sitting up for short periods, progressing to managing one flight of stairs in my home, teaching class from my bed, then from a chair, and now I can participate fully.
The best news is I can get across to the allotment, and although not doing any heavy lifting or digging, I have been harvesting some nettles and dandelions to make some herbal remedies.
When I take myself into my home studio to exercise, I find that I do a number of squats or lunges and think, 'That's enough for today’, but when I am not doing ‘structured exercise’, moving around the allotment for example, I tend to do far more.
There is a buzzword in the fitness industry, ' functional training’, where you go into a gym environment and replicate movements in twists and turns that you would do in real life. Sure, it's great to get your body moving in all ways in the gym, but what’s even better is doing it in real life.
I would always encourage you to get outside when you can and move your body more with natural movement. Being in the garden or on the allotment is perfect with lots of getting up and down, twisting and turning, lifting and moving, pushing and pulling.
Movement for our health is so important. Not only does it help keep our joints supple, bones strong, and heart healthy, it can help with weight management, benefits our mental health and immune system, keeps our brain healthy and can help improve sleep, and gardening is the perfect way to get our bodies moving!
I teach four live online classes a week (Pilates, Yoga & Mobility and Strength), I have a Pilates & Yoga at Home On Demand membership, work with clients 1:1 online and in person, and do regular courses and workshops with the MS Society via Zoom.
I have some short videos on my YouTube channel to help get your mobility back if you are struggling to get out to the garden or allotment (remember to subscribe so you can catch all new videos):
Move up and down with ease:
Basic hip mobility https://youtu.be/pS4FZVwmniA
Tight hips, lower back or pelvis out of alignment https://youtu.be/Ri_mhKc_cmA
Hip mobility & strength https://youtu.be/7jDHWRvyUvo
Squat tips https://youtu.be/-d5v2zGPcF8
Build strength getting up and down https://youtu.be/SBRzZOpIPak
Jen Wilson is a movement and health rebel, obsessed with helping people look after their bodies in ways that work for them. With a BSc in sport and exercise science, and qualifications in pilates, yoga, meditation, massage, personal training, functional movement, and nutrition, Jen is top heavy on qualifications.
Jen has an allotment where she nurtures plants, and drinks gallons of herbal tea from blends she grows and makes herself.
You can follow more of Jen’s pilates, movement and meditation classes on her Instagram or You Tube page and find out more about the services she offers both in person, and remotely, on her website.