Six sturdy Goodgymmers met at the Phoenix for our regular group session. We welcomed Lucy for the first time, a keen and capable runner, as well as our regular crew, Beattie and Rachel, Anthony and our excellent photographer, Theodore.

Following a quick warm up down the side of the cinema (with thanks to Rachel for the evenings conversational topic: things you thought were bad at the time, but turned out to be good - lots of COVID stories), we crossed the nearby junction then scooted our way through the quieter roads and back alleys to Long Lane Pasture for our evening deeds. There, met by our inimical host Donald, we were handed ploggers, rakes, a pitchfork and barrows and split into two teams.

Team one jogged around the site litter-picking and tidying, while team two began clearing dead brambles to pile into a dead hedge. The second task is making way for a silver birch to be planted near the gates in memory of Wayne, a key figure in the Pasture's founding, who helped the community secure the original lease from Barnet Council. The brambles were piled into a dead hedge that will also stop visitors to the site from crossing through a key 'bee lane', from the apiaries to the nearby flower meadow.

With a solid four barrows of brambles and a sack of rubbish out of the way, we then jogged back to the Cinema, satisfied we'd made our impact on ourselves and for the community.

A few people came online to do Goodgym Yoga.

Yoga talk Get rid of the Fuzz Dr Gil Hedley explains brilliantly in his online talk that in order for the body to be optimally healthy and feel physically good, it’s important to move at the beginning of the day. Overnight, our muscles rest and while they’re not moving, layers of connective tissue and bodily fluid – fondly known as ‘fuzz’ – builds up between them. That urge to stretch we get upon waking is essentially an act of releasing the fuzzy build up found between muscles. If we don’t move and stretch however, this layer continues to thicken and build up, causing stiffness, chronically ‘tight’ muscles and common aches and pains. 

GoodGym Run Report – Phoenix Cinema to Stephens House & Gardens

Tuesday’s GoodGym run was not just about getting our steps in, but about supporting the incredible volunteers who dedicate their time to making our local spaces better. While we might selfishly enjoy the exercise and social time, we also hope that our efforts show how much we appreciate those who welcome us and give us tasks to do.

Most of the group set off from the Phoenix Cinema, taking a scenic but hilly route through the back streets of East Finchley, while a few met us directly at Stephens House & Gardens. Excitingly, Stephens House is set to host the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow in June! So, if you’ve got a dusty heirloom lying around, check out their website for details and enjoy a visit to the Stables Café while you’re there.

Getting Stuck In at Stephens House & Gardens

On arrival, we were ushered to the back area where we met Helen, Warwick and Alison, who had already set up tools and made a start on the evening’s tasks. With limited time and plenty to do, we threw ourselves into: ✅ Weeding ✅ Brushing & sweeping ✅ Pulling up moss from the terrace ✅ Improving the grass verge

It was great to see Scarlett again, who braved the cool evening to join us for a run. Her enthusiasm, along with the efforts of all the volunteers, helps to boost the morale of those who work tirelessly to keep these community spaces thriving.

Ending with Energy & Gratitude

Before heading home, we finished the session with a Hakra breathing exercise—a way to re-energize before we wrapped up for the night. A huge thank you to all the volunteers who make spaces like Stephens House & Gardens a true jewel in the crown of Finchley.

Most of the group then ran back to the Phoenix Cinema, completing a solid 5K run. And, in a rare stroke of luck, the rain held off just long enough for us to finish.

Thanks to everyone who joined in—see you next time for more running, volunteering, and GoodGym camaraderie!

As all great revolutions begin, this one started outside a cinema. We gathered at the Phoenix Cinema, our traditional launch pad for an evening of good deeds, exercise, and—on this occasion—mildly reckless drinking proposals. Theo, ever the connoisseur of fermented apples, introduced us to his latest home-brewed cider. He assured us it was excellent. We assured him we’d try it after the run, wisely deciding to get going! And so, with Beattie back-marking, we set off. The run itself was delightful—clear skies, crisp air, and a pleasantly quiet route through the streets and the darkened paths of the park. There is something wonderful about running at night: the world feels different, like you’ve stepped into a parallel universe where you can run freely without small dogs, prams, or people staring at you like you’ve lost your way from an athletics meet. Our mission for the evening took us to Northway Gardens, where we met Brian—local park custodian, environmental defender, and the kind of man who could probably hold his own in a debate with a government minister armed only with a clipboard and a well-reasoned argument.

Brian had originally wanted us to tame a hedge, but unfortunately, nature (and the fading daylight) had other plans. Instead, we helped him shift a selection of heavy objects, including a rather large and cumbersome bin—the symbolic weight of which would soon become apparent.

With a little extra time on our hands, Brian took us on an impromptu walking tour of local bureaucracy gone mad. He pointed out a newly installed gate, which—he informed us—cost an alleged £25,000. We all nodded politely, trying to conceal our mild horror. Then came the benches. threeof them. Plus 8 bins. All paid for by the local biodiversity budget, which, in theory, should be spent on things that actively improve biodiversity, rather than—say—providing additional seating for philosophical musings on where all the biodiversity went. To put things in perspective, the total biodiversity budget for the area was £56,000. This meant that nearly half had been spent on one gate. A gate. If this was a biodiversity initiative, then presumably it was designed to allow only the most well-financed badgers through. Brian, ever the committed investigator, was not impressed. And, to be honest, neither were we.

A Movement is Born!

It was at this point that the seeds of revolution were sown. Inspired by Brian’s passionate objections and the rather eye-watering price tag of municipal gates, we began discussing a Party for Parks—a grassroots movement dedicated to ensuring money meant for green spaces is actually spent on green spaces.

Of course, all good political movements need a defining moment, and ours came in the form of the bin relocation. Nothing signals intent quite like a group of people strategically moving a public bin. It was a bold statement—if slightly lacking in the drama of, say, the Boston Tea Party. But still, small steps.

With the revolution officially underway, we jogged back to the Phoenix, where we finished the evening in true revolutionary style—by toasting our efforts with a small, highly alcoholic sample of Theo’s cider.

As all great revolutions should.

A few GoodGym members came together to do online yoga.

Yoga talk - why can you feel so relaxed at the end of the yoga session? Here is the science

The profound relaxation you feel after an hour of yoga, particularly while lying on your back in Savasana (dead Pose), comes down to a combination of nervous system regulation, muscular release, and mental state shifts. Here’s the science behind it:

1. Nervous System Shift: Activation of the Parasympathetic Response

Yoga, especially when combined with breath control (pranayama) and mindful movement, actively stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)—the “rest and digest” mode of your autonomic nervous system. • During yoga, slow, controlled breathing (e.g., deep diaphragmatic breathing) signals to the vagus nerve, which in turn lowers heart rate and blood pressure, reducing overall stress. • The sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight) is gradually downregulated, leaving you in a calm, deeply relaxed state. • By the time you reach Savasana, your body has already been primed for a full restorative response.

1. Muscular and Fascial Relaxation: Letting Go of Tension • During yoga, tense muscles are stretched and contracted, allowing them to release stored tension. This results in a rebound effect where, by the end of the session, your muscles are more relaxed than they would be in passive rest alone. • The slow, deliberate movements increase blood flow and lymphatic circulation, helping remove metabolic waste and reduce soreness. • Fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles) is also hydrated and loosened, further enhancing your feeling of ease.

2. Brainwave Changes: Entering a Meditative State • Research has shown that meditative movement practices like yoga can increase alpha and theta brainwave activity, which are associated with deep relaxation and a dreamlike, creative state. • By the end of a yoga session, your brain may be in a state similar to light sleep or deep meditation, explaining why lying in Savasana feels more relaxing than simply lying in bed.

3. Sensory Deprivation and Grounding Effect • Unlike a bed, which is soft and may contour to your body, a firm mat on the floor provides deep proprioceptive feedback, making your nervous system feel safe and supported. • Lying flat allows for even distribution of body weight, reducing pressure points and further promoting relaxation. • The lack of distractions (e.g., no pillows, no electronic devices) encourages a deeper connection to the body and breath.

4. Breath and CO₂ Regulation • Yoga breathing techniques help optimize oxygen and CO₂ balance, preventing over-breathing (which can contribute to anxiety). • This efficient gas exchange leads to a greater sense of calm and presence, making Savasana feel profoundly restful.

Why It Feels Even Better Than Your Bed • Unlike in bed, where you might associate the space with sleep, thoughts, or distractions, Savasana is a conscious, intentional relaxation practice. • The contrast effect—going from effort (yoga postures) to complete stillness—amplifies the sense of relief and relaxation. • Body awareness and mindfulness cultivated during yoga allow you to fully appreciate the present moment, reducing mental chatter and creating a state of profound ease.

Conclusion

Yoga’s ability to downregulate stress, relax muscles, shift brainwave activity, and optimize breathing makes post-yoga relaxation feel uniquely deep and satisfying. The experience of Savasana on a firm mat can feel even better than a bed because it offers grounding, sensory simplicity, and a state of complete mental and physical release—a truly “reset” for both body and mind.