It’s Mental Health Awareness Week this week. The theme for 2023 is anxiety, one of the most common mental health problems people face.
When you suffer with anxiety, it can feel as though your mind has become a battlefield—a place where rational thought is overwhelmed by worry and fear.
Exercise or movement of any kind can be life-changing – and indeed has been for many of our clients.
It improves mobility and muscle conditioning, which can mean the difference between needing support getting out of a chair or doing it independently. It can also help develop the muscle strength to be able to cook for oneself. Or build the stamina to walk to the shops.
Moreover, classes like ours represent new friendships, newfound confidence, increased self-esteem, and a sense of purpose.
Yet we know that some of our clients have overcome huge barriers to make it to a class, whether travelling to an onsite class or switching on their laptop, iPad or mobile to take part in an online class over Zoom. Anxiety can turn a person into their own worst enemy, fighting a battle with every niggling doubt.
- What if they can’t do it?
- What if they injure themselves?
- What if they make a fool of themselves?
- What if nobody likes them?
- What if they hate it?
- What if they book and then can’t come, or their computer doesn’t work?
- What if they book a Zoom class and the link doesn’t work?
- What if their computer fails halfway through a Zoom class?
Let us put your mind at rest
Working through each niggling doubt in turn, we will help you every step of the way to overcome your fears or worries:
What if I can’t do it?
In our classes, there is no pressure whatsoever to perform to a pre-set standard. Instead, we actively encourage everyone to work at their own pace and ability and only do what feels comfortable. In fact, one of our lovely regular participants sometimes just sits and watches. They simply enjoy being in the company of others, often commenting after the class how much more positive they are feeling by just being there.
You do as much or as little as you can. No one will judge you.
What if I injure myself?
In all the time we have been running classes, we have never had a client sustain an injury. We go to great lengths to make the exercises easy to do and safe, giving very clear instructions and showing a range of options to suit all. Our classes often have two instructors present, ensuring we can keep a close eye on all participants. We ask clients joining Zoom classes not to exercise alone at home if at all possible or to keep a phone within easy reach.
What if I make a fool of myself?
The only people making fools of themselves are our instructors – we aim to entertain and lighten the mood, strongly believing our classes should be fun for all who attend.
Our classes are friendly, welcoming and non-judgemental. We are all ordinary people who, for whatever reason, feel more comfortable exercising in a class like MOVEability’s’ rather than standard exercise classes. Anything goes (well, almost anything…)
What if nobody likes you?
It is highly unlikely. We are an open-minded bunch and very welcoming. At the very least, the instructors will take time to welcome you and get to know you. But we are sure others will too.
What if I hate it?
Our classes are on a pay-as-you-go basis, with absolutely no pressure to attend – your first class is free, so you have nothing to lose by giving it a go. What’s more, you won’t get judged.
You’ll be treated to a warm welcome and actively encouraged to stay for a welcome cuppa and biscuit afterwards. If you really don’t like it, you are under no pressure to come again, and at least you have the satisfaction of knowing you’ve given it a go.
What if I book and can’t come, or my computer doesn’t work?
Unlike mainstream exercise classes, if you don’t attend, you don’t pay, even if you have registered for an online class or have said you will attend an onsite one. Whilst we know how important and beneficial exercise is, we also know that many of our clients don’t know how they will feel from day to day, be it for physical or mental health reasons.
We also understand that, from time to time, clients may experience a hiccup with technology and not make it to an online class.
As a social enterprise, it is important to us that we achieve our social impact goal of making classes accessible and affordable. Therefore understanding the varying needs of our clients is our top priority.
What if I book a Zoom class and the link doesn’t work?
For the same reason as above, we won’t take a payment, and if you’ve already purchased a ticket for an online class, it will be retained in your account for use against a future class.
What if their computer fails halfway through a Zoom class?
We won’t charge you for the class, and your ticket will be retained in your account for use against a future class.
Helping you beat anxiety
We don’t want anxiety to win and stop you from doing something that can enhance your life. We hope our responses to what we know are commonly known barriers to joining classes such as ours will help you take that step and join, whether it’s a MOVEability class or similar.
If you are interested but a fear or worry is still holding you back, we are always only a phone call or email away, and we are always happy to chat with you and answer any questions you have.
Local to Newbury?
Why not try’ Let’s Get Active’, a class we run with Eight Bells Mental Health? Join us for free on Thursday, 18th May, at 10.30 am at The Friends Meeting House, 1 Highfield Avenue, Newbury RG14 5DS. Please note, this class has now moved to Monday mornings at 10.30.
Not local to Newbury? No problem. This class is, in fact, a hybrid class with an onsite and online element. If you can’t come in person, you can join via Zoom. Just book onto our online seated Total Body Strengthening/Movement Class
Or, join one of our online or onsite seated chair exercise classes. Your first class is free.
Help us to keep doing what we do – visit our crowdfunding page.