PHOTOGRAPHY: PROPER JOB

PROPER JOB - PHOTOGRAPH BY GINGER NUT DESIGNS

What is it with quirky names for beers? Most of them are just absurd (or perhaps I am a humourless old git) and are barely amusing. Not sure how they came up with the name "Proper Job". Chances are that, if someone drinks a 5.5% proof beer on a regular basis, a proper job is the last thing they will have on their mind... There I go again... Just call me Judgy McJudgeface!

PHOTOGRAPHY: I NEED A HUSBAND

I NEED A HUSBAND  -  BRIGHTON STREET ART BY MINTY

This piece of street art by Minty seen in Brighton made me laugh. Skeletor was always a bit camp, but I was probably too young to know what that even meant when He Man was on TV. The caption is "I need a husband", but for some reason I think it should really end with "like a hole in the head".

ILLUSTRATION: CAPTAIN HADDOCK

CAPTAIN HADDOCK

Who has not questioned the odd relationship between Tintin and Captain Haddock? Teenager gallivanting around the world with a perpetually irate drunken sailor. But blistering barnacles, as odd as it may be, it was also huge fun reading those adventures as a child.

Above is an A4 drawing of Captain Haddock, created using fine liner pen and Promarkers.

ILLUSTRATION: TINTIN & SNOWY

TINTIN  & SNOWY - BY GINGER NUT DESIGNS

Ok, I am also a huge fan of Tintin and, according to some, I also look like Hergé's classic cartoon creation. I'm not so sure myself, but there is no smoke without fire, as they say. It is not the most politically correct cartoon series these days, and I cannot help but question the dubious relationship between Tintin and Captain Haddock. Oh to be an innocent child once again!

The A4 drawing above was created using fine liner pens and Promarkers.

ILLUSTRATION: OBELIX

OBELIX - DRAWING BY GINGER NUT DESIGNS

Carrying on with the Asterix and Friends theme, here is another A4 illustration inspired by the classic children's book series. Drawn with fine liner pens and coloured using Promarkers, this drawing shows Obelix's favourite things; his faithful companion Dogmatix, a menhir and a wild boar.

ILLUSTRATION: ASTERIX

ASTERIX - DRAWING BY GINGER NUT DESIGNS

The other day I was looking through old books and came across my old collection of Asterix comic books. I absolutely loved these books as a child (ok, I still do). The humour is very clever and translates well into other languages. So here's a little A4 illustration of Asterix and the ultra cute Dogmatix, made using fine liner pen and Promarkers.

APRIL FOAM ROLLER MASTER CLASS

FOAM ROLLER MASTER CLASS WITH CLAIRE CASON

THURSDAY 6 APRIL, 7 – 8:30PM

Are you looking to improve your stretch, balance and core muscle strength? Then why not try this Foam Roller Master Class with physiotherapist Claire Cason?

Foam rollers can be used in the gym, at home and in rehabilitation classes. In this class, you will learn how to make full use of foam roller, whether it is in the prevention of injuries, core stability training or even self-massage. Foam rolling is especially beneficial to athletes and cyclists involved in regular training and competition to enhance recovery and improve tissue condition.

COST AND BOOKING

This foam roller master class costs £25. To reserve your place, book online or by calling the Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy on 020 8789 3881.

APRIL YOGA FOR BIRTH PREPARATION COURSE

YOGA FOR BIRTH PREPARATION WITH DIANE KING

NEXT COURSE STARTS WEDNESDAY 5 APRIL, 4:30PM

Diane’s Yoga for Birth Preparation classes are tailored for the final stages of pregnancy (from 32 weeks). This is a time in which expectant mothers most need to quieten the mind, let go of time pressures and constant doing. During this stage of pregnancy, women should be in a consciously relaxed state. This will allow them to connect not only with themselves, but also with their babies. It also allows women to discover their inner birthing wisdom.

COURSE OUTLINE

Diane’s Yoga for Birth Preparation course runs over two weeks. It covering the following topics:

Week 1:

• The natural physiology of birth.
• What to expect at the different stages of the labour process.
• Using breath as your anchor in labour.
• Detailed breath techniques for the different stages of labour.

Week 2:

• Managing fear.
• Trusting your body and nurturing a sense of empowerment.
• Creating a positive intention and guided relaxation.
• Letting go of the intellect and connecting with intuition and instincts.

After the initial discussion, the session then becomes more focused on the body. We incorporate yoga postures that can help move the labour process along. We also aim to build an inner and outer strength, so as to support women along the course of labour. To finish, we end the class with a restorative relaxation. We fully support mums-to-be so they can let go and connect with their inner self and their babies.

Above all, the class aims to nurture a sense of community and sharing in the final stages of pregnancy. This support will benefit women as they approach childbirth and enter into motherhood.

COST AND BOOKING

This 2-week course costs £45. You can book online or call The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy on 020 8789 3881.

FREE TRIATHLON TRIATHLON SEMINAR: PREVENT INJURY AND IMPROVE PERFORMANCE

Are you looking to take up the triathlon or other endurance sports? Are you already a triathlete and would like to know how to prevent injury and improve performance?  Then, come along to our free triathlon seminar on Thursday 30th March (7-9pm). There will be talks by Dr Courtney Kipps, Dermot Burke, John Durkin and Luke Tyburski. At the end of the session, you will also have the opportunity to put your questions to the experts.

PREVENT INJURY AND IMPROVE PERFORMANCE

FREE TRIATHLON SEMINAR

Date: Thursday 30th March 2017
Time: 7 – 9pm (registration from 6:30pm)
Venue: The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy

SPEAKERS AND PRESENTATION TOPICS

• Avoiding Injury and Illness in Triathlon Training
  Dr Courtney Kipps
  (Sports Medicine Physician & Medical Director of the London Triathlon)

• Train Smarter, Not Harder
  Dermot Burke
  (Physiotherapist)

• Running Injury Prevention: The Role of the Podiatrist
  John Durkin
  (Podiatrist & Running coach)

• Ultimate Treadmill Challenge
  Luke Tyburski
  (Extreme Adventurer & Endurance Athlete)

HOW TO BOOK

This seminar is free and is open to those with an interest in triathlon and endurance sports. However, due to limited space, it is essential you book your place.  Call The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy on 020 8789 3881 to reserve your space. You can also book by email. Send an email to info@putneyclinic.co.uk. Please note that registration on the day of the seminar will begin at 6:30pm.

MARCH RESTORATIVE YOGA WORKSHOP WITH DIANE KING

RESTORATIVE YOGA WORKSHOP WITH DIANE KING

WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH, 8 - 9:15PM

Are you looking to ease stress and fatigue? Perhaps you are recovering from injury or other health conditions? Or maybe you are just looking for a gentle yoga practice? If so, this restorative yoga workshop is for you!

Why not come and relax in a candlelit studio? Breathe and let go! This restorative yoga workshop with Diane is suitable for all levels of experience and flexibility. For those carrying an injury or any health conditions, Diane will assist you with pose modifications.

COST AND BOOKING

This workshop costs £20. You can book your place online or by calling The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy on 020 8789 3881.

WHAT IS RESTORATIVE YOGA?

Restorative yoga is a form of yoga that seeks to achieve physical, mental and emotional relaxation with the aid of props. The use of props (such as eye bags, blankets, blocks and bolsters) helps you to maintain balance whilst stimulating and relaxing your body.

This type of yoga suitable for all. It is especially suitable for people returning to yoga practice after a spell away. It is also suitable for anyone working with injuries or health conditions. Restorative yoga allows individuals to switch off from the hectic pace of everyday life. Thus allowing them to tune into themselves.

MARCH STRETCH WORKSHOP WITH CHERIE LATHEY

STRETCH WORKSHOP WITH CHERIE LATHEY

SATURDAY 18 MARCH, 2 - 3:30PM

Are you looking to increase your flexibility? Then this is the workshop for you.

Many people, whether they are elite athletes or desk bound office workers, need to spend more time stretching to increase their range of motion. Lots of injuries and back problems can have their roots in tightness or in balance in the muscles or stiffness around the joints.

This workshop is loosely based on the Yin Yoga principle of holding stretches for 3- 5 minutes, thus also stretching the facia that surrounds the muscles. This workshop is open to anyone as we will use props to help facilitate this deep stretching. There is no jumping around and the workshop is mostly floor based. Be prepared to take yourself out of your “normal” stretch comfort zone.

COST AND BOOKING

This workshop costs £25. You can book your place online or by calling The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy on 020 8789 3881.

PHOTOGRAPHY: MR NIMBLE

MR NIMBLE - PHOTOGRAPH BY GINGER NUT DESIGNS

I know many people do not like squirrels, but I find them hilarious to watch. The way that they slink about is very amusing. The one's that live in Holland Park are quite bold, probably because they have learnt that they will be rewarded for doing tricks or adopting funny poses. The one in the photo above was certainly very nimble, yet still managed to pose for the camera.

PHOTOGRAPHY: GROOMING

GROOMING - PHOTOGRAPHY BY GINGER NUT DESIGNS

I often wonder how the peacocks in Holland Park manage to survive the cold of winter in London. I suppose one way of them keeping warm is to constantly preen themselves. I know a few humans like that too.

PHOTOGRAPHY: WEEKEND IN BRIGHTON

ROYAL PAVILION, BRIGHTON - PHOTOGRAPH BY GINGER NUT DESIGNS

I had not been out of London for more than a day for over a year, so I was really looking forward to this weekend in Brighton. However, the demon gin conspired against me and I have memory lagoons the size of the English Channel. It was good fun and a much needed break, but the Royal Pavilion (not my favourite building when sober) looks horrendous under the effects of far too much alcohol.

PHOTOGRAPHY: RED SKY AT NIGHT

RED SKY AT NIGHT - PHOTOGRAPH  BY GINGER NUT DESIGNS

The old saying goes: "red sky at night, shepherd's delight"... I am not so sure about that myself, but it certainly does make the London skyline look very pretty.

PHOTOGRAPHY: WINTER

WINTER - PHOTOGRAPH BY GINGER NUT DESIGNS

Winter is definitely not my favourite time of year. I am not good with the cold, and the lack of sunlight can get me down. However, it can be a good time to see Mother Nature in all her glory.

PHOTOGRAPHY: DRAMATIC SUNSET

DRAMATIC SUNSET - PHOTOGRAPH BY GINGER NUT DESIGNS

Dramatic sunset over west London this evening. Looks like something out of Mordor.

PHOTOGRAPHY: COLOURFUL LONDON

I saw these wonderful creations while out on a street art photography walk around Shoreditch recently. The colours are amazing. In the photo below there is a Calvin and Hobbes themed mural in the Nomadic Community Gardens. A small painting of a chihuahua in Brick Lane itself titled "Bruno" by Lolie Darko, A work titled "Female and Cat" by Fin Dac. And finally, a busty lovely by Saki and Bitches.

STREET ART IN SHOREDITCH. PHOTOS BY GINGER NUT DESIGNS.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHOREDITCH STREET ART

Some more examples of great works that caught my eye while out and about on a street art photography walk around Shoreditch recently. The Crucifixion Experience (by Meme) in Hanbury Street was particularly amusing. As was the image of  Hillary Clinton dressed as Wonder Woman (by Pegasus).

SHOREDITCH STREET ART. PHOTOS BY GINGER NUT DESIGNS.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUBLIMINAL MESSAGES

I love street art, from the beautiful and very intricate murals to very simple messages. I have found myself laughing out loud on many occasions at some of the messages sprayed on walls around London. Here are a selection of such messages seen on a recent street art photography walk around Brick Lane.

SUBLIMINAL MESSAGES. PHOTOS BY GINGER NUT DESIGNS

PHOTOGRAPHY: MISTRESS MAY

After a tumultuous past 6 months or so in British politics, it is pleasing to see there is still a glimmer of dissent towards the madmen who are running the United Kingdom. To say that I am not a fan of Theresa May (with or without expensive leather trousers) is a massive understatement. So these posters created by street artist SubDude, seen around the Brick Lane area of Shoreditch made me laugh; perhaps far too much than I should have.

MISTRESS MAY BY SUBDUDE.  PHOTOGRAPHS BY GINGER NUT DESIGNS

FREE STRESS MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP

The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy will be running a free stress management workshop on Thursday 23 February (7 - 8:30pm). The workshop will be led by clinical hypnotherapist and cognitive behavioural coach Fiona Worthington.

ABOUT THE TALK

WHAT IF YOU COULD SORT YOUR STRESS OUT?

Free stress management workshop with Fiona Worthington
Date: Thursday 23 February 2017
Time: 7 - 8:30pm
Venue: The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy

Do you feel like procrastination is setting in? Are you having trouble focusing on tasks? Are you easily angered or irritable? Do you blame others when things go wrong? Do you constantly feel overwhelmed? Do you find yourself doubting yourself? Are you eating the wrong foods? Are you drinking and/or smoking more?

If any of the above apply to you, changes are you are stressed! We all get like this. Challenging things happen to us all the time. That is life. That is being human. Wouldn't it be good to have some tools and tricks to help manage stress?

In the talk will cover the following:

• What is stress?
• When is stress good and when is it bad?
• Top 10 life events that cause us stress
• Take a free stress test
• Find out what your stress triggers are
• Options to handle stress
• Enjoy a relaxing group hypnosis session

BOOKING

This talk is open to the general public and is free. However, due to limited space booking is essential. To book your place, call The Putney Clinic on 020 8789 3881. Alternatively, you can reserve you place online here.

FREE HYPNOBIRTHING TALK

Yoga Mama is holding a free public talk on Hypnobirthing at  The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy on Saturday 11th February (1 - 2pm).

This talk will offer you the opportunity to meet resident hypnobirthing practitioner, Dr Stacy Gandolfi. Come along and discover what hypnobirthing is, and find out whether it is right for you. 

MORE ABOUT THE TALK

Introduction to Hypnobirthing: A birth without pain?
Speaker: Dr Stacy Gandolfi
Date: Saturday 11 February 2017
Time: 1 - 2pm
Venue: The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy

During the session Dr Gandolfi will provide an overview of:

• What hypnobirthing is
• How it is beneficial for you, your birthing partner and your baby
• The scientific evidence underpinning this approach
• A taster of the relaxation techniques. 

At the end, you will also have the chance to put your questions to Dr Gandolfi. She will offer information and advice so that you can decide if this course is suitable for you.

BOOKING

This talk is aimed primarily at pregnant women and couples, but is open to general public. It is a free talk. However, due to limited space, it is essential you book your place. To book, call us on 020 8789 3881 or book online.

FEBRUARY STRETCH WORKSHOP AT YOGA MAMA

STRETCH WORKSHOP WITH CHERIE LATHEY

SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY, 1 - 2:30PM

Are you looking to increase your flexibility? Then this is the workshop for you.

Many people, whether they are elite athletes or desk bound office workers, need to spend more time stretching to increase their range of motion. Lots of injuries and back problems can have their roots in tightness or in balance in the muscles or stiffness around the joints.

This workshop is loosely based on the Yin Yoga principle of holding stretches for 3- 5 minutes, thus also stretching the facia that surrounds the muscles. This workshop is open to anyone as we will use props to help facilitate this deep stretching. There is no jumping around and the workshop is mostly floor based. Be prepared to take yourself out of your “normal” stretch comfort zone.

COST AND BOOKING

This workshop costs £25. You can book your place online or by calling The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy on 020 8789 3881.

FEBRUARY 1-2-1 REFORMER PILATES SPECIAL OFFER AT YOGA MAMA

Yoga Mama is offering an exclusive offer on 1-2-1 Reformer Pilates classes during February 2017.

Get 50% off your first 1-2-1 Reformer Pilates with Linda Zurak. There are a limited number of sessions available, so book early to avoid disappointment. To take advantage of this promotion, call 020 8789 3881 quoting the promocode 121REFORMER.

What is Reformer Pilates?

Reformer Pilates is low impact (easy on the joints), yet challenging, form of exercise. Yoga Mama and The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy use the Allegro 2 reformer machine. This is a versatile piece of equipment that allows a wide range of exercises to be performed. The machine’s attachments increase the range of modifications that can be made to exercises, and allows for additional exercises beyond what can be done on in a mat-based Pilates class. This, in conjunction with the support given by the resistance the machine provides, allows people with a limited range of movement or injuries to safely perform modified exercises.