The Moving Body Project

Why I created The Moving Body Project

The last few years of my PhD were an enormous challenge, I had never experienced stress quite like it and various health challenges arising simultaneously created quite a pressure chamber.

I’ve had joint and inflammation issues for many years, so I’ve spent a good deal of time with my mind inside my body, trying to understand what is going on. Now, as a woman in my 40’s I can also tell that my body is starting a process of ageing and change which adds a whole new layer of fascination (and unrealistic expectations!) to navigate.

To balance the brainwork and stress I began going regularly to my local gym; first with a friend so it wasn’t too scary; taking advantage of the brilliant variety of classes there. A mixture of lifting heavy things and kicking and punching the air enabled me to express the stress and strengthen my body, which was not very used to sitting in chairs for hours on end. Mixed in with dancing and hiking which have always been my preference and (once I was fitter) jogging, I now feel better in my body than I have in my whole adult life.

Noticing and observing the changes that were occurring through movement put me into a very creative headspace and connected closely to aspects of my PhD research where participants in my study took photographs of embodied events and experiences that they encountered and in doing so generated a lot of exciting insights.

After physical activity I would write little poems trying to communicate some of the internal shifts and took photos of the world around me that resonated with how my body felt. The image below was an attempt to find an image for the way that my muscles felt after a strength class.

I’d ask friends to photograph me in motion, searching for images that capture some of what I felt inside. I found that the sensations, impulses, and subtle transformations that occur through movement are a great starting point for creativity.

The result of this learning is a year-long, creative, online course, synthesizing all of my personal and professional experience thus far. The themed sessions in this course consist of writing, drawing, photography prompts and group discussion, finding playful, creative ways to deepen an understanding of your moving body whatever sport, movement or fitness practice you have going on. The group size is kept small and there will be 1 email a month with optional extra activities and reading to support the process.

My aim is that engaging in this creative process supports you to connect with your body in new ways, making moving it more enjoyable. I also know from experience that the process of reflecting alongside others brings support and encouragement from a new community.

For those that don’t resonate much with goal-oriented, performance-focused or fitness culture, my hope is that this enables you to find your own form of motivation to move through creative activities. For those with a disability or a condition that affects your capacity for movement this course is designed for all bodies and any form and amount of movement practice. The only requirement is the ability to participate in an online meeting once a month.

Before a fully tested launch I am offering a reduced-rate pilot where in exchange for a 50% discount I will be asking for feedback and input along the way.

The pilot price is £180 for the full year and if you’d like to be part of this inaugural run and have a few questions, do get in touch via email. If you’re ready to join in I’d love to see you there, the payment link is below. We will begin on June 15th at 7pm GMT 8pm and follow up dates will be announced soon. Each session will last 90 minutes with time for a 30 minute informal discussion at the end for those who want to stay a bit longer. 

Who This Is For

The Moving Body Project is for people who already have some kind of relationship with movement—whether that’s through sport, exercise, walking, dance, or simply paying attention to the moving body in daily life.

You might join if you’re curious about:

• how to reconnect with your moving body

• how your body feels while you move

• how creativity can inspire more movement in your life

• how to express the moving body through words, images, or conversation

You don’t need to be “fit,” experienced, or creative, just willing to be attentive, curious, and open.

Who This Is Not For

This isn’t a workout program! I am not a personal trainer ; )

There is no performance coaching, and no focus on improving your physical appearance.

If you’re looking for:

• structured fitness sessions

• technique correction or instruction

• measurable outcomes or physical goals

there are a zillion offers out there that do just this - get in touch if you want a recommendation.

In this course, I’m inviting you to consider your existing activity and explore it in a different way.

What You’ll Be Doing

Each month, we gather to:

• reflect on your personal experiences with movement

• engage with creative prompts (writing, photography, imagery, simple drawing exercises)

• explore gentle, accessible ways of noticing the body

• sharing and listening in a small group

There’s no pressure to perform, share perfectly, or get anything “right.”

This is a practice of: reflecting on, expressing, and relating to your body with more imagination and depth.

A Different Kind of Practice

The Moving Body Project isn’t about becoming better at movement.

It’s about building a different relationship with it.

Over time, this can shift how you:

• approach effort and rest

• understand your habits and patterns

• experience your body from the inside