A big thank you to everyone who joined our monthly “anywhere, any time” litter pick. Whether it was a lunchtime plog, a riverside tidy-up, or a quick local wander with a picker and bag, every bit helped.

We had members out and about clearing rubbish from local paths, waterways and green spaces — including a great River Quaggy effort where three bags for life were filled. It’s a simple idea: spot some litter, pick it up, send a photo, and help keep our communities cleaner.

Sally and I celebrated Earth Day with a litterpick i • Then it was off to the theatre. The litterpicker wasn't allowed in, but the staff took good care of it. Maybe they used it for a quick bit of litter picking whilst we were in there 16:36

Why litter pick? A very short sea shanty:

There once were some runners who cared for the land, With litter pickers firmly in hand. They cleared up the street, Made the neighbourhood neat, And sailed into May with a plan!

Thanks again to everyone who took part. Let’s go again in May — same idea, anytime, anywhere, solo or with a friend.

A few yoga people came on line to do yoga.

yoga talk

Science increasingly backs what yoga has known for centuries: regular, focused time for ourselves enhances mental clarity, reduces stress, and even strengthens our immune response. Studies show that practicing mindfulness through breathwork and poses can lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and increase the brain’s grey matter, which supports memory, emotional regulation, and resilience against stress.

A few GoodGym members did yoga online.

yoga talk

There are many different types of meditation yet the goal of all of them is to calm and focus the mind to the point where the meditator experiences themselves in nothing but the present moment, the Now, with nothing but one single thought in mind.

A few GoodGym members came online to do yoga.

yoga talk 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.

We had a Goodgym Yoga special at a local Barnet House. In the ground of Avenue House Park. The house very generously gave us one of their big upstairs rooms to do yoga for the benefit of GoodGym and local people who support Stephens House and Gardens . The session was also broadcast on Zoom for those that could not attend the session. We all went for a coffee in the café after.