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.