Everyone for Action!

To what a fabulous Wolf Moon (click here to last year's equivalent newsletter for more on the subject of Wolf Moons), beautiful sunrises and sunsets we've been treated this week, as many readers' social media photos testify.

As the days begin to lengthen too, it really does feel as though the New Year is getting into its stride and allowing us to carry out our 'resolutions' - including that typical determination to take more exercise!

So with the Australian Tennis Open in full 'swing' let's have a shout out for tennis, and especially for Lymington's Tennis 21 with group tennis coaching for all ages (from 5 years) and abilities, based at the fabulously newly renovated Lymington Tennis Club. And ok yes it is summer in Australia, but as Tennis 21's Tom says, if you start now to put in the practice you'll be ready for ours!

The benefits are manifold. Tennis is great exercise, lots of fun and includes a lovely social side. Tom is a Level 5 Coach - the highest LTA qualification. Tennis 21 provides a tried and tested curriculum: each and every lesson has a purpose, and if you're so inclined you can also join one of the two competitive weekly sessions to get you competitive fit. Equally if you what you want is simply to reach your own fitness goals, tennis will help you to do it. Most helpfully, Tennis 21's 'play for 30 days for £1' introductory offer gives you an incredibly inexpensive opportunity to try it, after which there's a simple rolling 30 day contract which you can cancel anytime. Click here!

And tennis is cool! As endorsed by delightful Italian (and world number four) player Jasmine Paolini: 'Football has always been the number one sport in our country - people live for it. Now tennis is not far behind catching up with football in popularity.' 

The photo above was taken at a Ballard School Tennis Camp, so a shout out too for Ballard and its fantastic sports curriculum - and its Open Day coming up on 31 January!

Another brilliant way to be active is of course: to dance! Dancing helps to develop muscles, tone the body, improve circulation, posture, balance and coordination, and promotes greater flexibility too. We've probably all experienced the uplift in mood that dancing around in the kitchen can induce, and there is tons of research about how dancing improves mental health. Read this and how can we not be inspired?

So now a shout out for the inspirational and award-winning New Forest Academy of Dance, which runs classes throughout the year again for all ages (from 2.5 years!) at the Lymington Centre.

Cycling is naturally a popular form of exercise for the New Forest with its open roads and especially its myriad of forest tracks through stunning landscapes away from the traffic.  Clad appropriately, even in deep winter it can be a thoroughly rewarding experience. So here let's mention Boost Bike Hub and sister company Cyclexperience in Brockenhurst, where you can respectively buy or rent whatever type of bike you fancy including one with batteries. There's definitely no shame these days in going electric: your calorie-eating pedalling will take you further and faster which arguably leads to a greater sense of satisfaction, too.

Other local options for exercise abound of course, including the increasingly popular parkruns which take place locally in Lymington (Woodside) and Brockenhurst (Wilverley).

And finally of course, simply walking in our beautiful area is not only excellent exercise but also great for creating headspace and positivity! And here to mention The Oakhaven Walk on 17 May - it takes place along the stunning stretch of coastline between Sandbanks and Lymington, you can choose between 3 walk distances, you'll be raising money for the hospice whilst having a brilliant time, and if you sign up before 31 January you can benefit from special ‘Early Bird’ registration prices! Click here!

For the less sporty but equally keen to get/stay healthy, don't forget the fabulous and free Wellness Festival at Careys Manor on Sunday 26 January.

I mentioned last week how Lymington.com blows local business trumpets for them; please blow ours too, especially to businesses and organisations which host local events, and encourage them to become Members, so that people who don't yet know them can read about them here - and attend their events!

In other news, if you're a local retail business you might be encouraged that something is being done to stem the increase in shoplifting - people are being caught and prosecuted!

Have great weekends all!

Best wishes Jane
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