Hello, In my job you never stop learning and I love that about it. At the moment I am doing a specialist course in Exercise for Long Term Neurological Conditions. It involves a lot of study but it means I feel more confident with conditions like Parkinson’s, MS and Stroke which class members have had over the years I have been teaching fitness. This is why I am taking 4 days off from classes in April to do my exams and practical assessments. ![]() Healthy Spine Joseph Pilates said: ‘A man is as young as his spine’ (and of course he meant women too.) For those of you who attend Pilates you are already doing a great job to keep your spine healthy, flexible and youthful. Here are some reminders: 9 tips for a healthy spine – Rest Less ![]() Pilates on Zoom starts Tuesdays 7pm 11 April Trying to fit exercise into our day can be challenging especially if you are working full time. I know for some people a Zoom Pilates class might be a lot more convenient. Every Tuesday except first Tuesday of the Month. Easter Teddies and Bunnies Gifts A wonderful class member has been busy again knitting Easter bunnies and teddies to raise funds for our local MS Society. They are wonderful gifts and cost only £5. Thank you Judith for all your hard work. ![]() Easter holiday dates and days off for training in April No classes Good Friday 7 April or Easter Monday 10 April No daytime classes from Tuesday 18 April to Friday 21 April (4 days) due to training course. Chair Exercise classes for Progress Housing residents If you know anyone who lives in a Progress Housing home please tell them about a class available for them. It is Chairfit Mondays 3pm Lower House Community Centre Welsby Road Leyland. For more information they can ring me on 07818444841. Chairfit and Seated Pilates If you or a friend have arthritis or mobility issues a good place to start with exercise is a chair based class. Mondays Seated Pilates 12.30am Prospect House Wednesdays Chairfit 11.30am Prospect House Thursdays Chairfit 11.15am St. Mary’s Community Centre on Broadfield Drive. Class member news – Art group A new short course for a small group to practise drawing and painting skills using industrial landscape as a subject for inspiration. Run by qualified tutor, artist Rebecca Freear. Contact Rebecca for more information, email rfreear@gmail.com or chat on the ‘phone 07947 162881. ![]() Private Facebook group for Do Fitness class members If you are Facebook user please join our private group so we can keep in touch with each other www.facebook.com/groups/1113432258991949 Do Fitness videos This is the link to all the videos you can use any time Do Fitness Videos – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden and you can make your own playlist of your favourites. Stamps Christine T. is still collecting used stamps for RNIB to help raise funds for people who are affected by sight loss. If you bring them into class I will forward them to her. RNIB – See differently Thank you Christine for doing this and thank you for everyone who has brought stamps into class! Timetable All classes can be booked through Gymcatch onBook a class – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden Monday 20 March 9.30am Move It Mondays Prospect House Sandy Lane 10.30am Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane 11.30am Zumba Gold Prospect House Sandy Lane 12.30pm Seated Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane 6.30pm Nordic Walking Meet Buckshaw Village Tescos Extra Tuesday 21 March 11.30am Nordic Walking Meet Leyland Tesco’s Extra carpark 1.30pm Zumba Gold Primrose Gardens Fleet Street Chorley Wednesday 22 March 9.30am Zumba Prospect House Sandy Lane 10.30am Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane 11.30am Chairfit Prospect House Sandy Lane Thursday 23 March 11.15am Chairfit St. Mary’s Community Centre 3.30pm Nordic Walking Wellbeing Worden Park 6.30pm Zumba Prospect House Sandy Lane 7.30pm Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane Friday 24 March 9.30am Zumba Prospect House Sandy Lane 10.30am Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane 11.30am Zumba Gold Prospect House Sandy Lane 12.25pm Barre/Standing Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane 1.15pm Starter Circuits Prospect House Sandy LaneSaturday 25 March 10.30am Nordic walking meet Worden Park ![]() . |
Category: Uncategorized
Week beginning 13 March, Tuesdays Zoom Pilates, Easter holidays and knees
Hello,
Well done last week for all your hard work in class everyone! It is great to have people join us who are visiting you like our guest from Australia who came to Zumba.
Healthy Knees
The knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in the body. As the knees are vulnerable to injury or osteoarthritis here are some ways to keep your knees healthy:
8 ways to keep your knees healthy – Rest Less
Quite a few of my class members either have had a knee replacement or are waiting for a knee replacement. While waiting for a knee replacement people have been coming to chair based classes for what is known as Prehab and starting with chair based (part of their Rehab) after the operation until they are ready to attend something else like Starter Circuits or Pilates.
Pilates on Zoom starts Tuesdays 7pm 11 April
Trying to fit exercise into our day can be challenging especially if you are working full time. I know for some people a Zoom Pilates class might be a lot more convenient. Every Tuesday except first Tuesday of the Month.
Easter Teddies and Bunnies Gifts
A wonderful class member has been busy again knitting Easter bunnies and teddies to raise funds for our local MS Society. They are wonderful gifts and cost only £5. Thank you Judith for all your hard work.
Easter holiday dates and days off for training in April
No classes Good Friday 7 April or Easter Monday 10 April
No daytime classes from Tuesday 18 April to Friday 21 April (4 days) due to training course.
Chair Exercise classes for Progress Housing residents
If you know anyone who lives in a Progress Housing home please tell them about a class available for them. It is Chairfit Mondays 3pm Lower House Community Centre Welsby Road Leyland. For more information they can ring me on 07818444841.
Chairfit and Seated Pilates
If you or a friend have arthritis or mobility issues a good place to start with exercise is a chair based class.
Mondays Seated Pilates 12.30am Prospect House
Wednesdays Chairfit 11.30am Prospect House
Thursdays Chairfit 11.15am St. Mary’s Community Centre on Broadfield Drive.
Class member news – Art group
A new short course for a small group to practise drawing and painting skills using industrial landscape as a subject for inspiration. Run by qualified tutor, artist Rebecca Freear.
Contact Rebecca for more information, email rfreear@gmail.com or chat on the ‘phone 07947 162881.
Private Facebook group for Do Fitness class members
If you are Facebook user please join our private group so we can keep in touch with each other www.facebook.com/groups/1113432258991949
Do Fitness videos
This is the link to all the videos you can use any time Do Fitness Videos – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden and you can make your own playlist of your favourites.
Stamps
Christine T. is still collecting used stamps for RNIB to help raise funds for people who are affected by sight loss. If you bring them into class I will forward them to her. RNIB – See differently Thank you Christine for doing this and thank you for everyone who has brought stamps into class!
Timetable
All classes can be booked through Gymcatch onBook a class – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden
Monday 13 March
9.30am Move It Mondays Prospect House Sandy Lane
10.30am Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
11.30am Zumba Gold Prospect House Sandy Lane
12.30pm Seated Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
6.30pm Nordic Walking Meet Buckshaw Village Tescos Extra
Tuesday 14 March
11.30am Nordic Walking Meet Leyland Tesco’s Extra carpark
1.30pm Zumba Gold Primrose Gardens Fleet Street Chorley
Wednesday 15 March
9.30am Zumba Prospect House Sandy Lane
10.30am Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
11.30am Chairfit Prospect House Sandy Lane
Thursday 16 March
11.15am Chairfit St. Mary’s Community Centre
3.30pm Nordic Walking Wellbeing Worden Park
6.30pm Zumba Prospect House Sandy Lane
7.30pm Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
Friday 17 March
9.30am Zumba Prospect House Sandy Lane
10.30am Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
11.30am Zumba Gold Prospect House Sandy Lane
12.25pm Barre/Standing Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
1.15pm Starter Circuits Prospect House Sandy Lane
Saturday 18 March
10.30am Nordic walking meet Worden Park
Love from Diane xxx
Our new Nordic Walkers

.
Week beginning 6 March and how is your balance?
Hello,
How is your balance? Balance is something we look at in every Do Fitness class as it is so important and can be practised and improved. It is wonderful to get emails from class members like this:
Hi Diane,
Thank you for another enjoyable session today. Just wanted to tell you that my balance has improved from taking your classes and I can now balance on one leg which I couldn’t do before the classes. Very conscious that poor balance contributes to falls as we get older and am very keen to avoid falling, having had a fall about 18 months ago.
Thanks for making the classes challenging and fun.
Carol xx
Here’s some balance work you can do at home:
(64) Improve your Balance in 5 minutes! – YouTube
Next Nordic Walking Technique course Saturday 11 March 1.30pm
tobook: Book a class – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden
Pilates on Zoom?
Trying to fit exercise into our day can be challenging especially if you are working full time. I know for some people a Zoom Pilates class might be a lot more convenient. Please let me know if you would like a Tuesday evening 7.30pm Zoom Pilates.
Chair Exercise classes for Progress Housing residents
If you know anyone who lives in a Progress Housing home please tell them about a class available for them. It is Chairfit Mondays 3pm Lower House Community Centre Welsby Road Leyland. For more information they can ring me on 07818444841.
Chairfit and Seated Pilates
If you or a friend have arthritis or mobility issues a good place to start with exercise is a chair based class.
Mondays Seated Pilates 12.30am Prospect House
Wednesdays Chairfit 11.30am Prospect House
Thursdays Chairfit 11.15am St. Mary’s Community Centre on Broadfield Drive.
Class member news – Art group
A new short course for a small group to practise drawing and painting skills using industrial landscape as a subject for inspiration. Run by qualified tutor, artist Rebecca Freear.
Contact Rebecca for more information, email rfreear@gmail.com or chat on the ‘phone 07947 162881.
Private Facebook group for Do Fitness class members
If you are Facebook user please join our private group so we can keep in touch with each other www.facebook.com/groups/1113432258991949
Do Fitness videos
This is the link to all the videos you can use any time Do Fitness Videos – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden and you can make your own playlist of your favourites.
Stamps
Christine T. is still collecting used stamps for RNIB to help raise funds for people who are affected by sight loss. If you bring them into class I will forward them to her. RNIB – See differently Thank you Christine for doing this and thank you for everyone who has brought stamps into class!
Timetable
All classes can be booked through Gymcatch onBook a class – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden
Monday 6 March
9.30am Move It Mondays Prospect House Sandy Lane
10.30am Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
11.30am Zumba Gold Prospect House Sandy Lane
12.30pm Seated Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
6.30pm Nordic Walking Meet Buckshaw Village Tescos Extra
Tuesday 7 March
11.30am Nordic Walking Meet Leyland Tesco’s Extra carpark
1.30pm Zumba Gold Primrose Gardens Fleet Street Chorley
Wednesday 8 March
9.30am Zumba Prospect House Sandy Lane
10.30am Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
11.30am Chairfit Prospect House Sandy Lane
Thursday 9 March
11.15am Chairfit St. Mary’s Community Centre
3.30pm Nordic Walking Wellbeing Worden Park
6.30pm Zumba Prospect House Sandy Lane
7.30pm Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
Friday 10 March
9.30am Zumba Prospect House Sandy Lane
10.30am Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
11.30am Zumba Gold Prospect House Sandy Lane
12.25pm Barre/Standing Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
1.15pm Starter Circuits Prospect House Sandy Lane
Saturday 11 March
10.30am Nordic walking meet Worden Park
1.30pm Nordic Walking Technique course meet Worden Park
Love from Diane xxx

Week beginning 27 February, next Nordic Walking technique course, Cholesterol explained and Pilates on Zoom?
Hello,
The evenings are getting lighter and spring flowers are popping up all over the place. Hurray!
Cholesterol explained
Keeping an eye on your cholesterol levels has become a important part of modern health care. Heart attack and stroke may cause 60% fewer deaths in the UK than they did a few decades ago, but they’re still a major health hazard. Effective medicines to lower cholesterol and blood pressure have played a big part, but you can also stack the odds in your favour with lifestyle changes. Keeping your weight within the healthy range can significantly reduce levels of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and boost ‘good’ HDL cholesterol, which protects your heart. Exercise can help you lose weight, in combination with changes to your diet. As an added bonus, it can improve your cholesterol independent of weight loss as well. Regular exercise (ideally combining aerobic exercise – the kind that makes you mildly out of breath, with resistance exercises) can cut harmful LDL and raise HDL cholesterol. The best form of exercise for you is the kind you enjoy – that’s partly because you are more likely to stick to it if it isn’t a chore.
5 tips to help lower cholesterol – Rest Less
Next Nordic Walking Technique course Saturday 11 March 1.30pm tobookBook a class – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden
Here is more information on the benefits:
Nordic Walking: Benefits, Affects on Arthritis Pain, and How-To (healthline.com)
Pilates on Zoom?
Trying to fit exercise into our day can be challenging especially if you are working full time. I know for some people a Zoom Pilates class might be a lot more convenient. Please let me know if you would like a Tuesday evening 7.30pm Zoom Pilates
Chair Exercise classes for Progress Housing residents
If you know anyone who lives in a Progress Housing home please tell them about a class available for them. It is Chairfit Mondays 3pm Lower House Community Centre Welsby Road Leyland. For more information they can ring me on 07818444841.
Chairfit and Seated Pilates
If you or a friend have arthritis or mobility issues a good place to start with exercise is a chair based class.
Mondays Seated Pilates 12.30am Prospect House
Wednesdays Chairfit 11.30am Prospect House
Thursdays Chairfit 11.15am St. Mary’s Community Centre on Broadfield Drive.
Private Facebook group for Do Fitness class members
If you are Facebook user please join our private group so we can keep in touch with each other www.facebook.com/groups/1113432258991949
Do Fitness videos
This is the link to all the videos you can use any time Do Fitness Videos – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden and you can make your own playlist of your favourites.
Stamps
Christine T. is still collecting used stamps for RNIB to help raise funds for people who are affected by sight loss. If you bring them into class I will forward them to her. RNIB – See differently Thank you Christine for doing this and thank you for everyone who has brought stamps into class!
Timetable
All classes can be booked through Gymcatch onBook a class – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden
Monday 27 February
9.30am Move It Mondays Prospect House Sandy Lane
10.30am Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
11.30am Zumba Gold Prospect House Sandy Lane
12.30pm Seated Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
6.30pm Nordic Walking Meet Buckshaw Village Tescos Extra
Tuesday 28 February
11.30am Nordic Walking Meet Leyland Tesco’s Extra carpark
1.30pm Zumba Gold Primrose Gardens Fleet Street Chorley
Wednesday 1 March
9.30am Zumba Prospect House Sandy Lane
10.30am Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
11.30am Chairfit Prospect House Sandy Lane
3.00 pm Nordic Walking Cuerden Valley – Berkeley Drive Start
Thursday 2 March
11.15am Chairfit St. Mary’s Community Centre
6.30pm Zumba Prospect House Sandy Lane
7.30pm Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
Friday 3 March
9.30am Zumba Prospect House Sandy Lane
10.30am Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
11.30am Zumba Gold Prospect House Sandy Lane
12.25pm Barre/Standing Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
1.15pm Starter Circuits Prospect House Sandy Lane
Saturday 4 March
Nordic walking meet Worden Park
Love from Diane xxx

Week beginning 20 February, next Nordic Walking Technique course and no classes Thursday 23 February apart from Chairfit
Hello,
Welcome to our new class members who joined us recently. My aim is to have something for everyone and for everyone to feel welcome. There are just so many benefits both physically, mentally and socially when you join fitness classes – it is just about finding the right activity for you.
The joys of Nordic Walking and our next Nordic Walking Technique course
The great thing about Nordic Walking is you really get to notice and observe seasonal changes in our lovely outdoor environment. At the moment, it is all about signs of spring. I learn something every time we go out walking from my well-informed group members. Here is a little quiz Early Spring Flowers: 13 Plants and Shrubs – Woodland Trust and more about the bird life. Nature’s calendar: February (rspb.org.uk)
Next Nordic Walking Technique course Saturday 11 March 1.30pm to book Book a class – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden
No classes Thursdays 23 February – apart from St Mary’s Chairfit
I am at the Liverpool Walton Centre for an appointment with my MS consultant. A teacher will cover the St Mary’s Community Centre Chairfit class at 11.15am but all other classes are cancelled that day including the evening classes.
Last Wednesday 3pm Cuerden Valley Nordic Walk on 22 February
The Wednesday afternoon Nordic Walk is going to stop temporarily until I have completed my course in Exercise for Long-Term Neurological Conditions. I need to free some study time up on Wednesday afternoon.
Chair Exercise classes for Progress Housing residents
If you know anyone who lives in a Progress Housing home please tell them about a class available for them. It is Chairfit Mondays 3pm Lower House Community Centre Welsby Road Leyland. For more information they can ring me on 07818444841.
Chairfit and Seated Pilates
If you or a friend have arthritis or mobility issues a good place to start with exercise is a chair based class.
Mondays Seated Pilates 12.30am Prospect House
Wednesdays Chairfit 11.30am Prospect House
Thursdays Chairfit 11.15am St. Mary’s Community Centre on Broadfield Drive.
Private Facebook group for Do Fitness class members
If you are Facebook user please join our private group so we can keep in touch with each other www.facebook.com/groups/1113432258991949
Do Fitness videos
This is the link to all the videos you can use any time Do Fitness Videos – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden and you can make your own playlist of your favourites.
Stamps
Christine T. is still collecting used stamps for RNIB to help raise funds for people who are affected by sight loss. If you bring them into class I will forward them to her. RNIB – See differently Thank you Christine for doing this and thank you for everyone who has brought stamps into class!Timetable
All classes can be booked through Gymcatch onBook a class – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden
Monday 20 February
9.30am Move It Mondays Prospect House Sandy Lane
10.30am Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
11.30am Zumba Gold Prospect House Sandy Lane
12.30pm Seated Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
6.30pm Nordic Walking Meet Buckshaw Village Tescos Extra
Tuesday 21 February
11.30am Nordic Walking Meet Leyland Tesco’s Extra carpark
1.30pm Zumba Gold Primrose Gardens Fleet Street Chorley
Wednesday 22 February
9.30am Zumba Prospect House Sandy Lane
10.30am Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
11.30am Chairfit Prospect House Sandy Lane
3.00 pm Nordic Walking Cuerden Valley – Berkeley Drive Start
Thursday 23 February
11.15am Chairfit St. Mary’s Community Centre
Friday 24 February
9.30am Zumba Prospect House Sandy Lane
10.30am Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
11.30am Zumba Gold Prospect House Sandy Lane
12.25pm Barre/Standing Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
1.15pm Starter Circuits Prospect House Sandy Lane
Saturday 25 February
Nordic walking meet Worden Park
Love from Diane xxx
Week beginning 13 February
Hello,
Attending the Zumba Instructors event yesterday in Manchester was fabulous! There were over 700 instructors from all over the UK and Europe and Beto (the founder of Zumba) and his team from the USA. An amazing atmosphere see video clip : (5) Facebook. There are so many benefits of Zumba and dancing together like we do.Turkey and Syria Earthquake
Tragically one of our Zumba instructors from Turkey died in the earthquake and another Turkish Zumba friend of mine Omur lost his father and brother. People were discussing this in class and the best way to help is through the Disasters and Emergency Committee.
Home | Disasters Emergency Committee (dec.org.uk)
No classes Thursdays 23 February – apart from St Mary’s Chairfit
I am at the Liverpool Walton Centre for an appointment with my MS consultant. A teacher will cover the St Mary’s Community Centre class but all other classes are cancelled that day.Chair Exercise classes for Progress Housing residents
If you know anyone who lives in a Progress Housing home please tell them about a class available for them. It is Chairfit Mondays 3pm Lower House Community Centre Welsby Road Leyland. For more information they can ring me on 07818444841.
Chairfit and Seated Pilates
If you or a friend have arthritis or mobility issues a good place to start with exercise is a chair based class.
Mondays Seated Pilates 12.30am Prospect House
Wednesdays Chairfit 11.30am Prospect House
Thursdays Chairfit 11.15am St. Mary’s Community Centre on Broadfield Drive.
Private Facebook group for Do Fitness class members
If you are Facebook user please join our private group so we can keep in touch with each other www.facebook.com/groups/1113432258991949
Do Fitness videos
This is the link to all the videos you can use any time Do Fitness Videos – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden and you can make your own playlist of your favourites.
Stamps
Christine T. is still collecting used stamps for RNIB to help raise funds for people who are affected by sight loss. If you bring them into class I will forward them to her. RNIB – See differently Thank you Christine for doing this and thank you for everyone who has brought stamps into class!
Timetable
All classes can be booked through Gymcatch onBook a class – Do Fitness with Diane Oakden
Monday 13 February
9.30am Move It Mondays Prospect House Sandy Lane
10.30am Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
11.30am Zumba Gold Prospect House Sandy Lane
12.30pm Seated Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
6.30pm Nordic Walking Meet Buckshaw Village Tescos Extra
Tuesday 14 February
11.30am Nordic Walking Meet Leyland Tesco’s Extra carpark
1.30pm Zumba Gold Primrose Gardens Fleet Street Chorley
Wednesday 15 February
9.30am Zumba Prospect House Sandy Lane
10.30am Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
11.30am Chairfit Prospect House Sandy Lane
3.00 pm Nordic Walking Cuerden Valley – Berkeley Drive Start
Thursday 16 February
11.15am Chairfit St. Mary’s Community Centre
3.30pm Nordic Walking Well being meet Worden Park
6.30pm Zumba Prospect House Sandy Lane
7.30pm Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
Friday 17 February
9.30am Zumba Prospect House Sandy Lan
10.30am Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
11.30am Zumba Gold Prospect House Sandy Lane
12.25pm Barre/Standing Pilates Prospect House Sandy Lane
1.15pm Starter Circuits Prospect House Sandy Lane
Saturday 18 February
Nordic walking meet Worden Park
Love from Diane xxx