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.

With both run leaders tied up this week, our GoodGym Barnet crew took the initiative for a DIY litter-pick — proof that even a quick solo session (or a pair with a furry friend!) can make a difference.

It’s amazing how rewarding it feels to do something small and local — whether it’s tidying your own street or discovering a hidden corner that needs a little care.

If anyone fancies giving it a go, we can help source litter pickers and council bags — just ask! Every small effort adds up to a cleaner, greener Barnet

Not a Mexican festival in sight, but round 3 with the contents of Mrs A's shed was quite the party.

We brought some of the bulkier furniture items out on parade for appraisal: TV stands, shelving, kitchen equipment, chairs and so on. One by one, we stickered the items with labels for their destinations for collection.

Unfortunately, the recent storm had lifted the tarp and caused quite a bit of trouble. A couple of items had been affected by the damp, so I cleaned what I could, and tidied the shed to make space for storing things that can go to charity or for sale. We made great progress - we're getting much closer to clearing everything outside.

At the end, we pinned the tarp down well around the remaining items with lots of weights, and organised things carefully in the shed so they know what to keep and what can go for collection. They don't have much space out the front, but hopefully they can arrange a bulky waste collection by next time. Goodgym will be there once again, to help bring things out to be taken away!

A few people came online to do yoga to improve strength, flexibility and stamina.

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.

3 Goodgymmers gathered like musketeers for tonight's session in support of the Phoenix Cinema.

Although we arrived expecting to leaflet for them, they were in the midst of putting up Halloween decorations, so we improvised and helped a little, holding ladders, cutting sellotape and generally trying not to get in the way.

Then we ran a quick loop, delivering leaflets to local homes, before jogging back to the Phoenix to support them in a third way: buying a couple of rounds at the bar.

A few people came online to do yoga with GoodGym Barnet