Yoga With Michelle

10/06/2026

It's Diabetes Awareness Week, UK (8th - 14th June).

And this year's message is about something often overlooked: removing shame and blame from conversations around diabetes. Support, understanding and early awareness all matter.

Whilst there are many factors involved in the development and progression of diabetes, there is a wider conversation around how everyday lifestyle habits can support long term health and wellbeing.

There is a growing awareness that diet and lifestyle can play a role in supporting blood sugar regulation.

Most of us don't think about blood sugar until we've been told there's a problem, but the way we eat and live can affect mood, energy, cravings and concentration.

Do you find yourself:
・Reaching for something sweet mid-afternoon?
・Feeling hungry not long after a meal?
・Struggling with energy dips during the day?

These experiences are very common and can have a range of possible influences but the way we eat could be one factor worth exploring. Small changes to diet and lifestyle can sometimes make a noticeable difference.

This week is a great opportunity to think about how your eating habits are supporting you, now, and in the years to come.

If you or somebody you know are curious to explore whether your meals are working for you, feel free to send me a message and I'll be happy to chat.

More information on diabetes awareness week:

This Diabetes Week, let's change how we talk about diabetes. 8 out of 10 people living with diabetes say they’ve faced negative attitudes because of their diabetes - people passing judgement, making sweeping statements, or blaming and shaming people living with diabetes. This is diabetes stigma. A...

02/06/2026

Feeling stuck with food even though you know what you "should" be doing?

This is something I hear surprisingly often.

One of my clients came to me feeling stuck around her food habits. She knew what she wanted to change but found herself repeating the same patterns, then feeling frustrated that nothing seemed to stick.

What helped wasn't a strict plan or a long list of rules.

Many people think lasting change comes from trying harder or having more willpower. In reality food habits are often associated with routines, emotions, stress levels, timing and the demands of everyday life.

When working with clients, perfection is not expected. We're looking at patterns. Understanding triggers helps us make realistic choices and changes that fit into everyday life.

If you're feeling stuck here are three gentle things to try this week:

🌿 Pause before eating and ask yourself if you are hungry? If not, what else might you need right now (comfort, energy, simply a break).

🌿 Notice one situation where you tend to make food choices on autopilot - be curious (not judgemental) as to why.

🌿 Choose one small change that feels easy enough to repeat consistently rather than aiming for a complete overhaul.

Small shifts can create meaningful change over time 🙂.

If any of this sounds familiar I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to reply below, send me a DM, or book a call if you'd like to explore what's been keeping you stuck.

01/06/2026

I wanted to share a client win because it captures what so many people are quietly struggling with. Before we started working together my client was feeling a bit stuck around food habits. What shifted for her wasn't about rules or strict plans. It was about understanding patterns, and making small, realistic changes that fitted in with her lifestyle. She felt heard, and was able to start reframing some of the habits that were keeping her stuck. I feel really grateful to be part of this kind of shift. Change is possible, even if it hasn't felt that way for a long time. If this sounds familiar and you are experiencing something similar, you are very welcome to reach out or book a call with me. We can talk it through together.

28/05/2026

I'm loving the weather right now! Do you find that the sunshine motivates you to get healthy? It's good to remember that health isn't about punishing yourself before summer. Health can involve eating nourishing meals, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, movement, managing stress, and generally supporting yourself consistently. Simple things can make a big difference. Healthy habits don't need to be extra work! Enjoy the sunshine and look after yourself in sustainable ways - maybe have a glass of water before reaching for another coffee. What's your favourite healthy habit in warm weather?

20/05/2026

We're now over half way through dementia action week, and it brings me back to the thought that brain health matters long before symptoms appear. There is often a belief that dementia is purely genetic and unavoidable. Whilst genetics and age can play a role, research suggests that lifestyle factors may also have a big impact on brain health long term. Nearly half (45%) of dementia cases are potentially delayed or preventable by addressing modifiable risk factors.

https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/news/nearly-half-of-global-dementia-cases-could-be-prevented-or-delayed-by-addressing-14-health-and-lifestyle-factors-says-new-report/

Of course, it's so important not to blame individuals or families, but it does remind us that the small things we do day to day matter.

Nourishing food, sleep, stress management, movement, nervous system support and social connection could all play a role in healthy ageing.

This dementia action week, why not check in with yourself and your own brain health. If you've been thinking about improving your overall wellbeing - remember it's never too late (or too early) to start looking after yourself.

New research reveals addressing 14 health and lifestyle factors throughout our lives could prevent or delay nearly half (45%) of dementia cases.

19/05/2026

A huge thank you to Louise Chappell-Maor and BeanTastic Hummus for spoiling me with these incredible tubs of hummus. I had some with my lunch today and it is absolutely delicious, packed with flavour and made with ingredients I felt happy about eating.

As a nutritional therapist and health coach, I encourage people to sustain themselves with foods that nourish both body and mind, and hummus ticks a lot of boxes. Beantastic hummus is high in fibre and protein (check it out on the yuka app), there are no artificial preservatives and it uses extra virgin olive oil as one of its ingredients 🙂.

I had my hummus with a salad, but equally good spread in wraps, with cruchy veg as a snack, and it pairs deliciously with sun-dried tomatoes.

BeanTastic hummus comes highly recommended.
www.beantastic.me

15/05/2026

So, this week also marks ME awareness week - a condition that goes beyond feeling really tired. Although I have never experienced ME or CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), I know how misunderstood these conditions can be. Nutritionally, there is no one size fits all approach, although many people with ME or CFS find that they may also have to deal with IBS, and working with the body becomes even more important. Nutritional therapy and yoga can help support both ME and CFS. Easy to digest foods, reducing inflammation, and gentle movement can be supportive - movement doesn't need to be intense in order to be powerful and meaningful.

Sending support to anyone living with ME/CFS and to the people supporting them too.

14/05/2026

This week is mental health awareness week. Mental health awareness week is, for me, a reminder of how closely the body and mind are connected. Good nutrition, breath work, movement, and taking time to slow down each day can all have a positive impact on how we feel.

I find that yoga helps me to create space and reconnect with myself, helping me to become more aware of what I most need in that moment (whether that's a cup of tea, a brisk walk, or a chat with a good friend). Good nutrition helps support energy, focus and calm from the inside-out.

Let's be a little kinder to ourselves, take away the pressure to be perfect, and instead build small, supportive habits along the way.

So, time to make that tea (or herbal tea), and check in with yourself and those around you 💚.

05/05/2026

May is coeliac awareness month.

Coeliac is an autoimmune condition where the body reacts to a protein called gluten (commonly found in wheat, barley and rye). In simple terms when someone with coeliac eats gluten their immune system attacks primarily the lining of the small intestine which can lead to nutrient deficiencies, bloating, fatigue, digestive issues and skin issues.

Coeliac disease can go undiagnosed for a long while, sometimes years, as symptoms can vary from person to person. Diagnosis involves blood tests and sometimes a biopsy.
If you've recently been diagnosed or suspect that gluten might be affecting you, it can feel overwhelming even knowing how to start eliminating gluten.

Through a combination of nutrition guidance and gentle yoga I can help you navigate a gluten free diet without feeling overwhelmed, support your gut health, reduce inflammation and nourish your digestive system, and support overall wellbeing.
You don't have to figure it out alone.

28/04/2026

I had a great time at the NNA conference on Saturday. It was an inspiring day of learning, connection, and practical insight especially around GLP-1. What made it special was the holistic approach to wellbeing. Alongside the keynote sessions, we experienced breathwork, yoga and acupressure sessions - practices that can support overall wellbeing and may play a role in a sustainable weight management journey.
A truly enriching day.