Joanna Meakin • September 12, 2025

Struggling with sleep?

Struggling with Sleep? How Health and Fitness Can Help You Rest Better

At Deanslade Fitness, we know how many of our members struggle with getting a good night’s sleep. In today’s busy world, it’s all too common to go to bed feeling wired, restless, or unable to switch off. Sleep isn’t just about feeling rested – it’s essential for energy, focus, mood, and overall health. The good news? Improving your fitness and creating healthy habits can make a world of difference to your sleep quality.


Why Sleep and Fitness Go Hand in Hand

When you exercise regularly, you’re not just strengthening muscles or burning calories – you’re also helping your body prepare for deeper, more restorative sleep. Movement reduces stress, regulates hormones, and encourages your natural sleep–wake cycle to fall into rhythm. In fact, people who stay active often find they not only fall asleep faster but also wake up feeling more refreshed.

At Deanslade Fitness, we encourage our members to see sleep and exercise as partners: the more consistent your workouts, the better your body rests. And the better your sleep, the more energy and motivation you have for the next day’s training.


Yoga: The Natural Sleep Aid

While any exercise can improve sleep, some forms are particularly powerful. Yoga is one of them. By combining gentle movement, stretching, and mindful breathing, yoga helps release tension and calm the nervous system – both of which are key to preparing your body for rest.


That’s why we’re proud to offer yoga classes on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings here at Deanslade Fitness. Practising yoga in the evening gives you a chance to reset after a busy day, ease aches and stiffness, and quiet the mind before bed. Many of our members tell us that after yoga, they sleep more soundly and wake feeling lighter.

And if you’re really looking to deepen your relaxation, don’t miss our Yoga Nidra session on the first Thursday of every month. Known as “yogic sleep,” Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation that takes you to the edge of sleep, allowing your body to completely unwind. It’s a simple but powerful way to reduce stress, release tension, and give your mind the pause it craves.


Small Habits That Make a Big Difference

Alongside movement and yoga, a few other healthy habits can help you sleep better:

Stick to a regular bedtime and wake-up time, even on weekends.

Avoid screens in the hour before bed to give your mind a break from blue light.

Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and comfortable.

Wind down with calming rituals – a book, a warm shower, or a few minutes of breathing practice.


Final Thoughts

If you’re struggling with sleep, don’t overlook the role your health and fitness play. By staying active, eating well, and making time for practices like yoga, you give your body the best chance to rest deeply and recharge.

At Deanslade Fitness, we’re here to support you – not just in building strength and fitness, but in creating healthier routines that help you feel your best. Why not join us for an evening yoga class this week and experience how movement and mindfulness can transform your sleep.

The Power of Pilates

By Joanna Meakin • September 5, 2025
T he Power of Pilates By Jo Meakin What Is Pilates? Pilates is more than just an exercise routine—it’s a whole-body practice that strengthens, lengthens, and balances your body while also calming your mind. At its core, Pilates focuses on developing deep abdominal strength, which provides stability and support for the spine and allows the rest of the body to move with grace and ease. The method was created by Joseph Pilates, who believed movement should be efficient, balanced, and controlled. His approach trains the body to move in harmony, developing strength without bulk, improving flexibility, and encouraging proper alignment. This is why Pilates has become so popular for both athletes and people recovering from injuries—it builds a foundation that supports you in everything you do. The Principles of Pilates Every Pilates session incorporates six core principles: Centring : Power begins in the core—the area between the ribs and pelvis. Concentration : Focused attention ensures you get the most from each move. Control : Every movement is deliberate and mindful. Precision : Proper alignment and placement enhance results. Breath : Full, deep breathing energises the body and calms the mind. Flow : Movements are fluid, connecting strength with grace. Unlike other workouts that rely on endless repetitions, Pilates values quality over quantity. One precise, controlled movement can be more effective than 20 rushed ones. Benefits of Pilates The benefits of Pilates go far beyond stronger abs. With consistent practice, you’ll notice: Improved posture and spinal alignment Increased flexibility and mobility Balanced muscular development More energy and better circulation Reduced back pain and joint stiffness Stronger, leaner muscles without bulk Pilates is also proven to build muscular endurance. Many exercises involve eccentric contractions , where muscles lengthen under tension—think of slowly lowering from a push-up or controlling the release of a Pilates ring. This type of strength training not only tones but also protects your joints. Pilates for Everyone One of the most powerful aspects of Pilates is its adaptability. Whether you’re new to exercise, recovering from an injury, or an elite athlete, Pilates can be tailored to your needs. Exercises can be performed on a mat with little equipment, or on specialised machines such as the reformer. Modifications and progressions mean the method truly is for every body. For older adults, Pilates helps maintain strength, balance, and independence. For athletes, it enhances performance by improving stability, mobility, and core control. For those managing stress, it offers a mind–body connection that leaves you feeling calmer and more energised. A Mind–Body Practice Joseph Pilates believed in the coordination of body, mind, and spirit. By combining breath, focus, and movement, Pilates doesn’t just train the body—it develops awareness, mindfulness, and confidence. In short, Pilates isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about moving smarter. With regular practice, you’ll not only look and feel stronger, but also move through life with greater ease, energy, and flow. .
Boost energy, ease stress & stay strong—move a little each day for a better holiday feeling!

Why should you exercise on Holiday?

By Joanna Meakin • July 22, 2025
Discover why staying active on holiday boosts mood, prevents muscle loss, and makes your break more enjoyable and energising—with simple, feel-good movement.
stretching

Run a Retreat They Said

July 22, 2025
Run a Retreat They Said… “Run a retreat,” they said. “It’ll be easy,” they said… Well, it wasn’t easy — but it was absolutely wonderful ! On 1st May , a group of 20 of us flew into Alicante, Spain, and headed north to the stunning setting of Oodles Retreat in Benissa. With one brilliant chef, three dedicated instructors, a reflexologist, and a skincare expert in tow, we were ready for a week of wellness, movement, laughter, and connection. Oodles was the perfect home base — each room came with an ensuite (some with private terraces), and there were three comfy lounges to choose from. Most of us, however, gravitated to the poolside and the long tables perfect for group meals — both indoor and al fresco, including an unforgettable BBQ evening. The incredible Wendy from Hillstart Nutrition kept us nourished and satisfied with three delicious meals a day , fuelling a packed itinerary of activity and relaxation. Guests dipped into yoga and mindfulness with the calming Tina Morgan from Tina Morgan Yoga, pushed their endurance with running and cycling led by Harry Yates of Storm Performance, and brought the energy with Studio, Pool and Beach Fit sessions with myself, Jo from Deanslade Fitness. It was magic to watch the group gradually unwind, open up, and really settle into the experience over the days. We kicked off with a shared dinner on Friday night and an overview of the days ahead. Each evening finished with a slumber ritual led by Katrina from TempleSpa , helping everyone rest and reset for the next day. And yes — by Monday, the calm had turned to happy chaos ! Throughout the retreat, guests could book in for treatments with Linda from Holistic Feet Time — her reflexology and ear candling were much appreciated! And as the week went on, new ideas bloomed: Monday saw a group take on the incredible Coll de Rates cycle (what a feat!), and by evening I had introduced a whiteboard so everyone could design their perfect final day. That final day started with Beach Fit at 7am , followed by a joyful mix of cycling, yoga, shared meals, and the brilliant Partner Yoga session — which resulted in an incredible amount of laughter. We closed our activities with a calming Yoga Nidra , but the fun didn’t stop there. The lovely Laura organised an evening meal out for the whole group, and we were joined by Denise , who played a big role behind the scenes helping me pull the retreat together. Huge thanks to her! I’ve always said wellness is everything , but for me, it starts with happiness — and this retreat was bursting with it. It wasn’t a “dry” retreat, but everyone stayed sensible… and joyful! I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much, so often. Angie even presented me with a handmade “thank you” plaque by the pool (crafted from a ripped box!) — and miraculously, I wasn’t thrown in! So, would I do it again? I said “maybe in two years”... But the truth is — July 2026 is already calling .