London Creatives: Lottie Murphy with Doddle
With this day and age becoming more and more hectic how does one relieve stress levels and connect with their whole being? We caught up with Pilates instructor and health and wellness blogger Lottie Murphy, where she shares her healthy and active lifestyle tips
1. What made you take the leap from being a professional dancer to a Pilates instructor?
I did Pilates throughout my training as a dancer and absolutely fell in love with it. I became so passionate about its benefits and really enjoyed the teaching side of it too so it felt like an easy transition. I love my career and feel like I can have a life too – with dancing that just wasn’t possible.
2. Where do you mainly get your inspirations to create such great meals on your website?
My fiancé always laughs at the fact I can create a meal out of anything in the kitchen. It sometimes look like we have nothing left but that’s when I create my best meals. You are forced to be creative and put ingredients together that you wouldn’t normally. That’s how recipes like my chewy tahini peanut cookies were created and they are my most popular by far: http://www.lottiemurphy.com/chewy-tahini-peanut-cacao-nib-cookies/
3. If you could describe your sessions in five word what would they be?
Peaceful, Challenging, Mindful, Balanced and Invigorating
4. Do you incorporate any type of meditation in your daily life? If so, what positive effects have you noticed?
I aim to meditate every day as I notice such amazing benefits when I do it. I am in better mood, have a clearer mind and am better at decision making. It can be difficult to find the time for it though, I have to make it a priority. I focus on my breathing at least once every day, it might be during a pilates or yoga session or simply taking a few deep breaths on the train. I always end my day with five deep mindful breaths before I go to sleep too, but I usually don’t get to five as I’ll be asleep already!
5. What’s your favourite spot in London and why?
I love Covent Garden. It has lots of happy memories for me as I grew up going to dance classes there, had my first job in retail there and regularly went shopping with my mum and to see shows. My Pilates training was in Covent Garden too.
There’s a place called Timber Yard which is on Monmouth Street and it does a Matcha and White Chocolate loaf, I mean talk about balance! It’s where I sit with my MacBook and write which is one of my favourite things to do.
6. Any advice on how to produce a successful blog for up and coming fitness / pilates instructors?
Just start! I have so many friends who say they’re not ready to write or they’re worried about what people will think so they put it off. Before they know it a year or two has gone by. I’m pretty sure it was only my mum that read my blog for about year! But if you are passionate about something then it doesn’t matter how many people are reading it. Stay true to yourself and don’t be influenced by other people in the industry, as you can lose sight of why you wanted to start a blog in the first place.
7. How did your collaboration with parcel company Doddle come about?
This Christmas Doddle is running a campaign called #DoddleSaysRelax and that’s the reason I got involved. They wanted to help people to relax by reminding them it’s easier to stay home, shop online and avoid the stress of a missed delivery by having all your shopping sent to a Doddle store. They’re also open early until late so you don’t have to rush around to get to a Doddle store before closing time. I love Christmas but I also tend to worry about small things, so anything that makes life less stressful at Christmas is amazing. Doddle does just that!
As a Pilates instructor and holistic health coach, I’m honoured to be part of a campaign that is encouraging people to relax and take more me time. Stress affects all of us in different ways, and it’s so important to find ways to reduce the stress in your life. I love that Doddle can make people’s lives easier. The time saved with Doddle means you can get some me-time back to concentrate on well-being in the busy lead up to Christmas.
Written by Claudia. S. Sowaha
Portrait photography by Nyla Sammons
Lifestyle photography by Gary Morrisroe
