And so this week, ten of us met for another task at James Wolfe Primary School!

There were 5 steps to this task and our merry group proved our mettle by getting it all done with lots of detective work.

Step one: Treasure hunt to find the pictures of items that needed to be moved to different locations in the playground Step two: Roll all the tyres across the playground and up some steps Step two: Move all the crates Step three: Locate and move all of the piping and giant cable wheels Step four: Move a very heavy metal bench Step 5: Do a litter pick and general tidy up

The result? All the items were moved to the correct place (we hope) and the playground was a little tidier and cleaner.

Well done team and thanks for mucking in as always.

Next week we're back at Glyndon with a Woolwich start. Don't forget our green chain walk on the 6th April!

Until next time.

And this was one of our last dark tasks because guess what folks, by mid April we will be finishing our task when the sun is up 😎☀️ Happy days!

But what a job we did tonight with our headtorches. After a run from the Naval College, the running group joined forces with the group meeting at St Richard's and after catching up on the ice breaker (what's our favourite thing about Easter -- unanimously chocolate), we got to work.

Some of those pesky weeds had come back so our task was to continue digging them out by the roots and laying down plenty of fresh cardboard and pinning it down with slabs to prevent the weeds growing back.

The time flew by as usual and half an hour later most of the alley was a sea of cardboard. Job done! Some of the team ran back to the naval college to top off the evening. Well done everyone and special welcome to Claire on your first session with us - hope to have you back very soon!

Next week we're meeting on Tuesday to help at James Wolfe Primary School .

Until next time!

*credit to Khai, pun-king

No-one missed the train, which was a good start. Most of us began at St Pancras, three Tower Hamlet-ers got on at Stratford International, then Geraldine and JC, having almost done a ParkRun, joined us at Ramsgate. We had to wait for Kat to arrive on a later train, which was a good thing as there was a long wait for the toilet.

The first five paragraphs of the walk instructions only took us as far as Ramsgate Old Harbour, but Lucinda had arrived early to do a recce, so we followed her along the attractive old High Street, down to the sea.

Because of the low tide, we were initially able to walk along the beach. We hadn’t done a warm-up routine, but instead performed repetitions: leaping away from a series of mountainous waves crashing over the promenade.

Eventually we came across some steps and continued along the cliff top, finding beautiful views of Kingsgate Bay, with its accompanying castle, and Botany Bay, at Broadstairs.

As we approached Margate, we thought we spotted a swimmer, actually a statue in the water, which we correctly speculated must be an Antony Gormley effort.

Amazingly, we hadn’t lost anyone, so there were too many of us to get in the first pub we tried in the old town, the situation not helped by rugby internationals on telly. However, we managed to squeeze into a second hostelry, which had plenty of room upstairs, for those who wanted a thai meal – others went off to the chippy. Which indeed is what you’re supposed to do, at the seaside.

Thanks everyone for coming, there wasn’t much persuasion needed this time! A special welcome to Vidur – it was his first GoodGym experience, so we hope to see him at an upcoming task. And let’s do another walk soon!

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.