Spotlight on local resident – Anna Marie

How long have you been a resident of the King’s Park ward/In hackney?

Not a Kings Park resident but working in Hackney since 2017.

Do you consider yourself as an active person and how do you rate yourself?

Not really, maybe medium.

Have you always been an active person? If not what led you to physical activity?

I was gaining weight after having children and all that you think is them, so I decided to do some exercise to keep fit.

I wasn't sure which exercise was best for me or that I would even be interested in. I tried different types of exercise, then I joined a yoga class and I enjoyed it.

What did you enjoy about yoga?

The instructor was good in her approach and she makes you feel comfortable so it gives you confidence to join the class. The environment was welcoming so you would not feel embarrassed about your body or so ever.

I decided to take this yoga further by teaching others but I will focus on old people that is why I came about Chair Disco. In 2016 I started attending yoga session studio three times a week and I decided to volunteer to support the session and learn to teach others.

Yoga is fine in the sense that you move all parts of your body and is good for mental wellbeing. In Yoga, even small moves make a big difference because there are different types of exercise. I decided to teach older people with low mobility and in the chair, they can move their body without standing on their feet.

What do you like to do to keep active and healthy?

I like yoga not because I am an instructor but because it keeps your body and mind healthy. The lockdown affected me badly to the point I was having body aches. I set myself to walk 3k- 5k a day once a week.

I always want to move my body, not to lose weight but to be healthy. Without Yoga and walking a few steps before the Covid-19, I was feeling my joints and body were getting stiff and painful without stretching my body.

How else do you keep active, apart from yoga?

I enjoy walking, even more so after lockdown, I host online sessions from home, but I do make sure I get out of the house for some fresh air.

Why is being physically active important to you?

It’s good for my mental well being, it makes me feel good within myself, happy and free from joint pain. I feel sick if I don’t move my body.

What do you enjoy about living in this area?

I enjoy the green space, Hackney has some great places to explore - the pavilion on the marshes is great… in fact, beautiful. The pavilion is an example of a large green space that’s accessible (to most), free and literally on my doorstep.

Can you share any top tips with other residents?

Yoga always seems to portray this perception that only slim and beautiful people do it - it just makes me feel better, I don’t do it to lose weight - but I do it to stay healthy. I try not to make weight loss be my message for physical activity.

I encourage people not to be embarrassed about their body or disability but understand it’s okay, if that’s the situation then start to exercise.

Find out more information about King’s Park Moving Together.