Fantastic sunshine for the first Group Walk/Run since the clocks went forward for British Summer Time and we were making the most of it at Brunswick Cemetery whilst the ground (and gravel) were dry. All after the prunners (the prun being the pre-run run) arrived finishing off their ice creans after a harbour loop/photo shoot.

Many hands and a few trowels and forks made light work of the "finding the spiral path AGAIN" task, hoping that the new Council mowing system of not leaving all the clippings and seeds on the mown grass will make a difference this year. We can hope - at least the gravel had dried enough the grass and other weeds were easy to pull out!

Meanwhile, Harsheh and Darren werr putting the root puller to good use taking on the bramble roots between the tombs.

With lots of progress in the Cemetery, it was time for the runners and walkers to head back to Queen Square and on to Pho (now pronounced Fuh, not Fe) for much good food and company.

Spring is here!

It was still daylight, with a beautiful sunset to appreciate as the runners and walkers left the cobbles outside Workout to head for St Werburgh's Community Centre for Caroline's 500th good deed - mild congratulations, Caroline, who doesn't think it's worthy of a cheer as it's just turning up, but this week she'd not only turned up, she'd brought vegan chocolate brownies - hooray!

We were helping the centre prepare for their Green Feast event on Saturday - emergency counting of spoons and forks (the easy bit) and detangling two whole boxes of bunting - some cotton, some cardboard and LOADS of thin, fraying fabric ones that were knottier than a knotty thing. I can't think of a knotty thing - answers in the comments section, please.

With a time-lapse video showing how productive we were, it did take the whole time we were there and we left the bunting so tidy that each individual section was lovingly rolled up and tied with string and it all fitted into the Hamper of Bunting - maybe we'll be asked back to pack it away again instead of de-tangling it before the next event?!

Back to Workout, except there was speed dating on, so a diversion to the very warm Bar + Block upstairs seating area (who knew?) for aforementioned brownies, cups of tea and other tipples. Much happiness all round.

A few people came online to do yoga.

Yoga talk Practicing brief sessions of Hatha yoga and mindfulness meditation can significantly improve brain function and energy levels, according to a new study from the University of Waterloo. The study found that practicing just 25 minutes of Hatha yoga or mindfulness meditation per day can boost the brain’s executive functions, cognitive abilities linked to goal-directed behavior and the ability to control knee-jerk emotional responses, habitual thinking patterns and actions. “Hatha yoga and mindfulness meditation both focus the brain’s conscious processing power on a limited number of targets like breathing and posing, and also reduce processing of nonessential information,” said Peter Hall, associate professor in the School of Public Health & Health Systems. "These two functions might have some positive carryover effect in the near- term following the session, such that people are able to focusmore easily on what they choose to attend to in everyday life.” Thirty-one study participants completed 25 minutes of Hatha yoga, 25 minutes of mindfulness meditation, and 25 minutes of quiet reading (a control task) in randomized order. Following both the yoga and meditation activities, participants performed significantly better on executive function tasks compared to the reading task. “This finding suggests that there may be something special about meditation— as opposed to the physical posing— that carries a lot of the cognitive benefits of yoga,” said Kimberley Luu, lead author on the paper. The study also found that mindfulness meditation and Hatha yoga were both effective for improving energy levels, but Hatha yoga had significantly more powerful effects than meditation alone. “There are a number of theories about why physical exercises like yoga improve energy levels and cognitive test performance,” said Luu. “These include the release of endorphins, increased blood flow to the brain, and reduced focus on ruminative thoughts. Though ultimately, it is still an open question.” Hatha yoga is one of the most common styles of yoga practiced in Western countries. It involves physical postures and breathing exercises combined with meditation. Mindfulness mediation involves observing thoughts, emotions and body sensations with openness and acceptance. “Although the meditative aspect might be even more important than the physical posing for improving executive functions, there are additional benefits to Hatha yoga including improvements in flexibility and strength,” said Hall.  “These benefits may make Hatha yoga superior to meditation alone, in terms of overall health benefits.”  The study is published in the August 2017 issue Mindfulness.

I like to move it, move it, do you like to move it?

Well, that was one of the tasks this evening at the Library of Things as some units needed moving with great dexterity and poise.

The other task was to assemble some shelving units. One team decided to freestyle it building the larger shelving unit whilst the other studiously (not really) decided to follow the instruction to the letter to build some smaller units. Some judicious use of the mallet (not a hammer!) and not at all imprisoning some people in the units (ahem) meant that the job was done quickly and efficiently. Not convinced each shelf can take 250kg and we sensibly decided not to test this. Another job well done!

Until next time…

A few good gymers came together to do online yoga.

Yoga talk Understanding Ujjayi Breathing: The Oceanic Breath

Ujjayi breathing (sometimes misheard as “Ojai breathing”) is a fundamental yogic breath technique that enhances focus, relaxation, and energy flow. It is often called the “victorious breath” or “ocean breath” due to its distinctive sound.

How to Practice Ujjayi Breathing: 1. Breathe through the nose – Keep your mouth closed throughout. 2. Constrict the throat – Slightly engage the muscles at the back of your throat to create a soft, whispering sound (like ocean waves or gentle snoring). 3. Control with the diaphragm – Allow the breath to deepen and slow down naturally. 4. Balance the breath – Maintain equal-length inhalations and exhalations.

Benefits of Ujjayi Breathing: • Calms the Mind – Focused breathing helps override distractions, making meditation and mindfulness more effective. • Enhances Yoga Practice – The rhythmic sound aids in synchronizing movement with breath during asanas. • Improves Concentration – Increases mental clarity and present-moment awareness. • Releases Tension – Encourages relaxation by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. • Regulates Body Temperature – Generates internal warmth, supporting endurance in yoga practice. • Supports Health & Well-being – Some research suggests benefits for sleep, anxiety reduction, and lung function.

Tips for Mastery: • If Ujjayi feels restrictive at first, relax and ease into it—your lungs will adjust over time. • The sound should be audible but gentle, like waves rolling onto the shore, not forced or harsh. • Practice during yoga, meditation, or even daily activities to cultivate steadiness and inner balance.

With consistent practice, Ujjayi becomes a natural tool for enhancing breath awareness, mindfulness, and overall well-being.