Three Goodgymmers came together for an afternoon blitz, fig-guratively speaking, to help tidy up a much-loved garden.

We quickly got down to bush-ness. Together, we rearranged pots, bricks and a table to help make the space easier to navigate. Kubilay and George set to pruning the fig tree, and then took af-fern-ative action on the shrubs around the back garden, clearing the old growth to make way for spring. Kubilay then gave the witch hazel a trim, while Daniel used his height advantage with the loppers to reach the high branches of a tree out front, creating more light for the house.

Mrs J said it was genuinely life-changing to be able to sit and enjoy the garden without worrying about all the jobs she couldn't do any more. It was great to see the fruits of our labour have such an immediate impact!

A few GoodGym members came together to do online yoga

Yoga talk

Check out this study that highlights the connection between mind and body.

https://thehealthsciencesacademy.org/health-tips/strengthen-your-muscles-by-thought-alone/

The connection between mental training and yoga can be seen in how yoga emphasizes mindfulness and intentional muscle engagement. In yoga, visualizing movements and focusing on muscle activation, even in static poses, may lead to physical benefits similar to the mental training studies. The mental focus in yoga helps create a "mind-muscle connection," potentially enhancing strength, flexibility, and muscle control, as seen in research where mental exercises alone improved muscle strength. Yoga’s meditative aspect reinforces this connection, blending physical and mental conditioning.

GoodGym Barnet Report: Helping at the Night Shelter in Mill Hill

Last night, Penny and Franky joined forces with other volunteers at the Barnet Night Shelter in Mill Hill, rolling up their sleeves to prepare food and support those in need.

With 8 volunteers and 12 guests, the evening was a fantastic opportunity to connect, give back, and make a tangible difference in the community. Penny summed it up perfectly:

“We prepared the hall, served the food, cleaned up, and washed the dishes. It was great fun and lovely to connect with others!”

The shelter provides warm meals, a safe space, and a friendly atmosphere for those facing homelessness, and there will be more opportunities to get involved!

If you’d like to be part of this rewarding experience, keep an eye on upcoming sessions—we’d love to see more GoodGymers getting involved!

a few people came online to do yoga.

Yoga talk

One of the less obvious benefits of yoga is its impact on proprioception—our ability to sense where our body is in space. Many people don’t realize how much this improves balance, coordination, and even reaction times in daily life. Regular practice also strengthens the vagus nerve, which helps regulate stress, digestion, and heart rate, promoting a deep sense of calm. Another surprising benefit is how yoga can retrain habitual movement patterns, preventing injuries by encouraging more efficient and mindful movement. Over time, these subtle changes make a big difference, not just on the mat but in everything from walking to lifting and even sitting more comfortably.

A fantastic turn out for our group run to Martin Primary School - 9 Goodgymmers and some new faces!

Joining us for the first time was Ahmad, who - amazingly! - has already done his Taskforce training. Also great to welcome Rosie and Gabrielle (Gabonnet), both on their first group session with us in Barnet, but not their first sessions. And so, our mighty pack warmed up outside the Phoenix, then set off for Martin Primary School, some walking with Rachel leading on the way there and Theodore on the way back, and the rest of us running.

There, met by John the groundskeeper, we took up shovels, rakes and barrows to help mulch the paths from the gate into the forest school. In highly organised teams, we set to refreshing the paths for learners old and young to be able to access the kitchen, orchard and parachute-canopied living classroom in the middle of the forest patch. With so many of us, the work was done in record time, so we jogged back to the Phoenix for a warm down and stretch, with some extra squats thrown in while we waited for the walkers to catch us up.

All round, a solid session, and mulch fun was had by all!

This was the follow up mission to finish off the group run! well done for the extra effort!