Grief reshapes the body, why strength training became inaccessible, and what it looks like to begin again with breath, curiosity, and nervous‑system awareness. Drawing on trauma‑sensitive principles and inspired by Laura Khoudari’s Lifting Heavy Things, I offer simple, scoliosis‑aware steps for rebuilding strength without pressure. This blog invites readers into a compassionate, sustainable approach to movement that honours real life, real bodies, and the quiet courage of starting from where you are.

Grief is a terrible thing. It tears through your life in ways you could never anticipate. It brings love, rage, tenderness, anger, disbelief, numbness, and despair — sometimes all in a single day. It can make you feel unlike yourself. It can make you tired, scattered, furious, heartbroken, and utterly undone.

This year has been one of deep change. Losing both my mother-in-law and my husband has reshaped my world in ways I could never have imagined. Grief isn’t something you pass through quickly — it lingers, it shifts, and it changes the way you see almost everything. It has left me asking: what feels sustainable, meaningful, and true right now?

Strength training is an essential component of a well-rounded approach to health, particularly as we age. Beyond aesthetics, it plays a crucial role in preserving mobility, reducing the risk of disease, and enhancing overall quality of life. For those with spinal conditions, including scoliosis, resistance training becomes even more vital, offering functional benefits that improve posture, stability, and movement efficiency.

In today’s fast-paced world, finding the time and energy to prioritise fitness can feel like a challenge. But with the rise of online strength training and group classes, staying active has never been more accessible or flexible. Whether you’re a seasoned fitness enthusiast or just starting your journey, online classes offer a range of benefits that go beyond convenience.

Let’s explore why working out from the comfort of your home might just be the game-changer you need.

If you have scoliosis or any spinal condition, you likely know the confusion and uncertainty that come with navigating exercise recommendations. The term “bad back” covers a range of conditions, each with its own challenges—herniated or bulging discs, sciatica, disc degeneration, sacroiliitis, nerve impingement, facet joint syndrome, arthritis, and even osteopenia. And if you’ve been advised by your doctor or physio to “strengthen your core” through Pilates, you might feel hopeful but also skeptical. How does it really fit with your unique condition?

Pilates is often recommended to those with back issues, but is it truly right for you? And more importantly, how can you approach it safely if you’re new to it or unsure of its impact?

Living with scoliosis can feel like a constant battle between physical discomfort and mental stress. The spine's curvature often causes muscle imbalances, chronic pain, and a disconnection from the body. This is where somatics and somatic movement come in. Through mindful, slow movements, somatic practices help retrain the body's unconscious patterns, releasing tension and encouraging balanced movement. Combined with strength and resistance training, these techniques not only improve spinal stability and posture but also ease the emotional stress often linked to scoliosis. Together, they offer a holistic path to greater strength, confidence, and well-being.

I didn’t expect to go through my teenage years in a daze, worried and fearful but that is what happened and, thinking back learning you have a scoliosis is traumatic.

My scoliosis story began in the early 80s at the age of 12. My mum had noticed my school skirts hanging oddly on one side. The doctors eventually referred me to a clinic for spinal conditions in Warren Street, London.