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.

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!

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.

GoodGym Barnet: Running Beyond Waste!

A slightly drizzly Tuesday evening didn’t dampen our spirits as GoodGym Barnet gathered for what turned out to be a novel group run experience—one that showcased our flexibility, community spirit, commitment to sustainability and a social drink!

Our original plan to visit Northway Gardens didn’t quite come together, but fate had other ideas! We received an urgent call to action to support local businesses in East Finchley by distributing leaflets for an important Business Beyond Waste webinar, hosted by Barnet Council. This session aims to help small and medium-sized businesses reduce waste, improve sustainability, and even boost profitability—a perfect match for GoodGym’s mission of doing good while getting active.

A Call to Action – Right Up Our Street!

With 200 leaflets printed and ready to go, our base for the evening was the iconic Phoenix Cinema, where we gathered, welcomed new members—including Gabriel, who’s already diving into missions requiring a DBS check—and shared some of our most memorable GoodGym experiences. These included painting the Phoenix Cinema graffiti mural and an epic tale from York GoodGym, where a group rescued a drowning man from a canal!

After a quick warm-up, we split into two teams and hit East Finchley High Street—one group tackling one side, the other covering the opposite. Armed with leaflets and our usual enthusiasm, we introduced the initiative to local business owners, many of whom were genuinely interested in the project and in GoodGym itself. Some were even intrigued by how GoodGym could help their own community initiatives—proof that what we do opens doors (sometimes literally, sometimes via letterboxes!).

We also discovered a key update from Barnet Council—they’re changing the way commercial waste collections operate. For businesses, this makes workshops like Business Beyond Waste even more crucial in navigating new sustainability regulations.

Rebels with a Cause… and a Pint

Once we’d covered the High Street, the teams reunited and made their way toward another local hub—near the Windsor Castle pub. Given the evening’s theme of supporting local businesses, it seemed only right to pause for a well-earned drink, discussing the evening’s work, future sustainability projects, and, as always, swapping GoodGym stories.

As the night wound down, we jogged back to the Phoenix for a proper cool-down and headed off in our separate directions—feeling energised, accomplished, and happy to have supported a positive, sustainable initiative that benefits both the environment and our local businesses.

Can GoodGym Help More Sustainability Initiatives?

This was a great example of how GoodGym can be a powerful partner for local organisations looking to create lasting impact—whether it’s helping businesses go greener, supporting community clean-ups, or promoting active transport.

Got ideas on how we can support sustainability in Barnet? Let us know! Because whether it’s running, cycling, or walking, GoodGym is always ready to go the extra mile for our community.

A few GoodGym people came online to do yoga.

Yoga talk

Don’t take your health for granted. Don’t take your body for granted. Do something today that communicates to your body that you desire to care for it. Tomorrow is not promised.” — Jada Pinkett Smith