My Approach
I am fascinated by the human body and its potential for movement, but I am concerned with how our bodies and minds are adapting to the high levels of inactivity, stress, and repetitive positioning associated with modern life
The human body is designed to move, and the many systems of the body-mind depend upon it and yet our environment and culture no longer demand much movement from us. Once, our survival depended on varied and frequent whole-body movement. Now, we can sustain our existence with our fingertips alone. While recent technological advancements have made life easier and more efficient than ever, this very shift is taking a toll on our bodies. We are being quite literally shaped by the comforts and conveniences of modern life.
Moving beyond exercise
While exercise is often seen as the solution to inactivity, it’s simply not enough. Our bodies don’t work on a “credit and debit” system—movement can’t be stored for later use. We adapt to the positions we spend the most time in, and an hour at the gym can’t undo the effects of eight hours of sitting. The cellular changes that occur in our tissues happen in the moment—either through movement or non-movement.
As our tissues adapt to sedentary habits and repetitive motions, many parts of the body become stiff and immobile. Where movement is limited in one area, another will compensate. The body continues to function as a whole, but these compensations come everywhere with us—to the gym, the yoga class, on a walk, or a run.
From an evolutionary perspective, these adaptations are ingenious—they allow us to keep going. But they are subtle, operating beneath our awareness, shaping how we move without us even realising it. And because we rarely address them directly, we often exercise on top of them, inadvertently reinforcing the very patterns that limit us.
Feet: The Missing Piece
Feet are often overlooked when it comes to exercise, yet they are the foundation of everything we do. With 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments, they are built to be mobile, strong, stable, and adaptive. But years of wearing conventional shoes and moving on flat, uniform surfaces can limit their function—affecting not just our feet, but our entire body.
When working with people, I always consider the feet. Strengthening and restoring their natural function can have a profound effect on the whole body. Transitioning to barefoot shoes is often part of the process, but it’s not just about footwear—it’s about relearning how to use our feet the way they were designed.
Finding the why
Awareness is key to meaningful change. It’s not just about adding more movement but understanding how and why we move the way we do.
As a teacher, I’ve come to realise that simply instructing people to move in a certain way isn’t always enough. For real, lasting change to occur, we need to understand the motivations behind our movements. My role is to help people make sense of cues and instructions so they can develop a deeper connection to their bodies.
When we understand why we are being asked to move in a specific way or hold a particular position, we gain a greater sense of autonomy and empowerment. By combining knowledge with felt experience, we create a stronger connection between the mind, body, and nervous system—leading to more sustainable movement patterns.