The Movement Sanctuary

27/01/2026

Real bodies. Real moving. We can often get bogged down by the idea that moving is not for us because we've seen what it looks like on the socials and our brains instantly say 'I can't do that'.

Or we get into the pilates/yoga/crossfit/ *insert own choice here*studio/gym and we wonder where we should be feeling this?? because often it hurts and it doesn't feel great but we 'do what we're told' and hope for the best. Or we push through the pain, or worse, we get injured. Then the whole endeavour becomes a hell no.

Right?

I'm pretty sure its happened to all of you at some point. its happened to me.

So, where should you be feeling this taps into my expertise in KNOWING where you should be feeling something, and if you're not, help you to understand HOW to feel what you should be feeling so that the move becomes EASY. It may require effort, but it becomes easy.

If any of those points have happened to you, keep your eyes peeled for a workshop coming soon to a zoom room near you.

Want all the deets when they're ready? Comment down below and I'll be in touch when I have times and dates.

23/04/2025

New Blog Post in case I havent actually told you Ive started a substack...
'

and it got me thinking about self care

03/03/2025

https://movementsanctuaryct.substack.com/p/let-the-countdown-begin
Think Like a Monk Readalong Starts this Friday:-)

5 days to Think Like A Monk Readalong

14/02/2025

It's happening!

1st March 2025.

Meet Robyn.

Robyn was my mentor when I was studying Pilates and has been an online client for about 4 years. She is always up for a new challenge and despite only training with kettlebells for the past year she has built some amazing strength which has translated well under the barbell.

Iron Maiden Liberation will be her platform debut and I am so excited to see her perform.

Robyn is exactly the kind of woman powerlifting is about - strong, supportive of other women, filled with a “f**k it let’s try it” attitude”!

Let’s liberate that iron maiden Robs 🤘🏻

07/01/2025

Happy New Year, peeps! The studio will re-open on Wed 15th January, and I am so looking forward to moving you all.

I have a 6 week Mindset Practise Program starting on the 5th February {ONLINE} via Zoom. Wednesday evenings at 6.30pm South African time.
We will cover mindful practises that you can take with you into the rest of the year to help you thrive in 2025.
- all tips and tools are practical elements which we will utilise over the 6 week program.
- you then get to see which practises most make a difference in your life, and then choose what to carry forward in your own life.
- thus creating autonomy of self which means that you have the ability to help yourself.
- and begin to notice what happens when you attend to your needs.
Give yourself the tools you need to commit to living to the very best of your ability with the least amount of resistance.
If this sounds like something you'd be keen to explore, send me a DM or comment on this post and I'll add you to my email list when I send out all the details of the weekly breakdown next week.

11/08/2024

The Peri & Menopause Masterclass with Plaxy from Functional Vitality. Bookings are open. R250 secures your spot. Online via Zoom on the 21st August at 7pm. A recording will be available. Highly recommended for all o***y bearers aged 40 and above. Come learn what you need to know to help support your body through the transition mid life brings. Email movementsanctuaryct@gmail.com to book. Please share with friends and family you think may be interested. Lets keep the conversation going. You shouldn't have to go through this alone.

26/07/2024

Movement doesn't discriminate.
Any age. Any gender. Any body.
Our bodies are inherently designed to move.
Do you?
If you'd like to try an online class for free, hit me up.
If you'd like to try a 30 min introductory online private session - it's R250 until the 31 July. The usual rate is R380.
Sore back? Sore shoulders? Tight spine? Stress and anxiety? I can help with pretty much anything, and if I can't, I'll let you know and refer you elsewhere.
There's really no reason not to.
(the age range in my studio is 15 - 80, so if it's age that's putting you off, don't let it....;-))

18/06/2024

Over the years I have come to recognise that sometimes, for difficult (to me) things, it helps if I have someone I feel accountable to in order to start, finish or continue a process..

I recently found myself an accountability buddy in regards to helping me finish an (online) course I am currently working on (and trying to make headway with) And while it is coming along in a roundabout way, I have managed to complete more steps towards it than when it was just an idea in my notebook. Thanks to being held accountable to someone who wants to see me succeed.

This brings me to my latest offering, which I am very excited to share with you because I am pretty sure that some of you feel the same way I do in getting (some ) things done. So, without further ado:

Welcome to : The Winter Accountability Packages.

An easy to afford non coaching weekly check in package with 3 time frame options. Starting July 1st and running until the 30th September.

- 1 month : 1 x initial Zoom call to set up goals, and weekly check ins via whatsapp
R550
- 2 months : 1 x initial Zoom call to set up goals, weekly whatsapp check ins and 1 extra Zoom call to update goals if nec.
R990
- 3 months : As above but 3 Zooms
R1450
These are perfect if you are working towards a set time framed goal, that requires the least amount of outside intervention, but does require accountability to YOURSELF in order to GET IT DONE.

Id love to assist you in reaching your achievable goals.

Contact me in the usual ways:-) I look forward to being your cheerleader.

14/06/2024

One year ago today I participated in a fitness bo***ir photo shoot with Nadia from Cocobelle Bo***ir Photography. It is still one of my favourite experiences.

10/06/2024

10 Years Ago, but the sentiments stay the same at any age. Happy Monday!

29/05/2024

Over 40? If there's one thing your body needs when we hit 40 and all the years after is strength/weight/resistance training. Mat pilates is fabulous because we can use our own body weight, BUTour bodies need more than that.( Reformer and Springs training is wonderful because it uses resistance - aka weight aka strength training)
Our muscles are designed to be used. They WANT to be used and the MORE we use them, the BETTER we feel, the LESS aches and pains we experience as our bodies begin the inevitable decline. BUT just because ageing is inevitable, that doesn't mean we need to let it all go and become couch potatoes. If we do that there will be MORE aches and pains and a QUICKER decline.

You can read the stats anywhere as to how strength training can benefit us as we age but in my experience its not until we ACTIVELY do it, see and FEEL the changes that we actually BELIEVE it to be true.

I have a wonky hip and lazy left bum which over all the years of doing silks, I ignored and favoured my other side (as one does) but over the last two years of consistently training with Amy from Bohemian Barbell Club working on my strength and form, it has mostly gone away. When it returns, its because I have not consistently trained (or been off because of illness). Luckily, it doesnt take long to remedy. Unlike two years ago, when it was sore ALL THE TIME.
Sometimes you have to go through a period of discomfort and muscle pain in order to get better. Our bodies DONT WORK IN ISOLATION. To strengthen my lazy side, I needed to strengthen my WHOLE body.
So, if you're over 40, and you are experiencing 'ageing pains' asks yourself, Are you participating in a full body strengthening program?
Our bodies are amazing, we mend we heal, but its often our mindsets that hold us back. I don't want to, I dont like weight training, I dont want to bulk up (do i look bulky?? Maybe around my middle when I end up snacking too much, but the weights help me to even keel, to carry my shopping, to feel well, and able, and not old.)
Wouldn't you like to feel the same?

(and yes, I am aiming this at women as I am one, but this is for men too. We all lose muscle tone if we dont use our muscles).
Hit me up if you have any questions.

28/05/2024

Everything is connected. Your mind and body. your body and your environment. Your mind and your environment. Your mind and body and spirit.
When we experience pain in our body, we tend to isolate it to one area eg my shoulder hurts, but what happens if instead you say 'I hurt' and begin to recognise that your shoulder is you.
What do you keep doing to help heal your pain, but nothing helps? You've gone the usual route, but nothing changes. What do you do then? Do you continue on the same trajectory and hope that one day, one the same things you've done but hasn't helped will eventually help? Or do you try something else?
Eg If you have a sore shoulder, do you try it mend it in isolation, or do you recognise that you are your shoulder. You are your body.
What if, instead of trying to 'fix' your shoulder, you make friends with your pain. It's your body trying to tell you something after all, you just need to figure out what. What if, instead of focusing on trying to make the pain go away, you focus on strengthening your whole body. Everything is connected. Your shoulder is connected to your neck, to your arm to your torso. Where does your shoulder begin, or end?
Too often, we like to separate ourselves into parts, yet we are not parts of a whole. We are a whole. And we don't work in isolation.
I have so many thoughts and experiences with the different types of pain and how we respond to it, but I will iterate 2 things:
- We do not work in isolation
- your muscles need to be strong in order to lessen pain. All your muscles help all of your other muscles because they are all connected within the body. You cannot isolate your shoulder muscles from your arm muscles or your neck muscles or your back muscles because they intersect and work together.

So, if you have acute areas of singular pain ask yourself two things:
-Why as I hurting (where in your life do you not feel in control)
-How can I strengthen my WHOLE body? ( look at all areas of your life, exercise, diet, stress, sleep)

If you are working with body specialists, ask them to help integrate the isolated exercises with the rest of the body.
Questions? Hit me up in the comments.