What is Mindful Movement?

"How do you describe your classes?"

A student of mine told me that she was telling someone about my classes - that she loves them because they help her feel stronger and better; she experiences less pain and tension and she's more able to do the things that matter to her in her life. But when asked to describe the classes, she found it difficult to do so briefly and concisely. So she asked me how I describe my classes.

Here's the short answer:

I help people cultivate and nurture mind-body connection, and then teach movements that can be used to relieve pain, create ease, improve coordination, build strength, and increase mobility. 

I've been grateful for that question and the opportunity to reflect. The fact that it's difficult to describe my classes isn't a bad thing - it speaks to the complexity of our experience as human beings and the complexity of the work that is needed to honour our wholeness.

I am really proud of the ways I've brought together the learning that I've done through over the past 20 years. I am a lifelong learner, and that learning is continually incorporated into classes. I've been a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, writer and embodiment coach. Through it all, I am a human being who thinks deeply about the mind-body connection and the ways we can work with our bodies (including our nervous systems) instead of viewing them as the enemy.

That being said, here's the long answer:

A rigid approach to exercise can often lead to more tension and pain, not to mention the self-doubt and criticism when we can't get a specific movement "right". No system in our body works alone, and I love connecting these dots and sharing what I’m learning in classes. My classes are informed by the principles that guide my work as a yoga therapist, writer and life coach.

Healing and growth come from learning about and working with our nervous systems. Nurturing the skill of listening to one’s body comes first; working in moderate ranges to increase stability and mobility follows. We isolate movements and then explore relationships in the body, feeling how core stability affects balance, or how hip function affects knee pain, for example.

We are unique individuals, and one size does not fit all. 

I believe that the most important part of my work is in empowering people to listen to their bodies and make the best choices for themselves depending on the situation. That means there’s never a right or wrong way of doing something, but an ongoing invitation to be curious about what we’re noticing, about the ways that movement travels through the body, and what that can teach us about the relationships within our bodies. 

My classes don’t look like traditional yoga classes.

30-minute Movement Breakfast classes have become a popular way for us to start our day together, and the 75-minute Fundamentals class offers an opportunity to explore more deeply.

All classes include work with stability and mobility. We work to find more ease of movement in hips and shoulders, then add load and complexity to increase stability in different ranges. We build strength, adaptability and resilience. Sometimes we work with dumbbells or resistance bands; sometimes we work with the weight of our bodies and the floor or wall. We do a lot of work with feet, feeling how improving our connection to the ground affects balance, walking and posture.

I invite students to listen to their bodies, and to be curious about the choices they can make to fine-tune each movement according to what they’re hearing – making different choices about speed, intensity, and range of motion provides infinite options to address their individual needs. Many students comment that movements in classes are similar to those they have learned from their physiotherapist. They also tell me how surprised they are that subtle work can be so beneficial, even when it sometimes feels like there's little or nothing going on.

As you feel inward and move, you can expect to learn about your body - how everything is connected, and how you can work with those connections, and enjoy the experience of being in your body.

Who are MIndful Movement Classes for?

Most of my students are 50+. Some are still working, some are retired. They are hikers, cyclists, grandparents, teachers, travellers, artists… Some have had hip or knee replacements, others chronic back pain. Some students are younger and are recovering from an injury or accident. Most students have found traditional yoga or fitness classes too intense and are scared of re-injuring themselves or aggravating their current issues. What I hear most often from students is that my classes make the other activities in their lives easier and less painful – from raking leaves and shovelling snow, to hiking or playing with grandchildren, or just getting through the workday.

Zoom classes began as a temporary measure, to be able to keep working together and to stay connected through the pandemic. My students and I now agree that we love the convenience of Zoom classes. The commute can’t be beat, and we can practice in our pj’s. (although I rarely do!)

There is time before and after class to chat and address questions that may have arisen. I extend an ongoing invitation for students to let me know if there is an issue they need help with, or if they have suggestions for classes. I love planning my classes in response to those emails and conversations, and hearing from my students that the work has been helpful.  

All live classes are recorded and posted to an on-demand library that students have unlimited access to. Students can participate in all live classes each week, as well as have access to recorded classes 24/7. See here for the class schedule and details about registration.

Hopefully you now have a better sense of what I do, and who I work with.

The Winter Session begins on January 5, 2026. I'd love to have you join me.

If you have questions about specific issues you’re dealing with and if classes would be suitable for you, I’d be happy to have a no-pressure conversation with you about your needs and if I can help – let’s talk. Click the button to book your conversation: