The history of my church

I started what I call Exercise Church over 6 years ago as a way to move online with like minded friends who were in various locations on the globe. The name Exercise Church came up during one of my own healing sessions when a teacher asked me what ‘church’ was to me?

I grew up in a Christian home and my parents volunteered much of their time and energy to support the health and growth of the church. Though I can appreciate what they modeled to me, I felt most connected to my own spirituality when I was moving my body outside and in community with others. It was from this place of movement in creation that I felt a deep connection to a mystery beyond myself and the place of unconditional love from what I perceive as the Creator.

I’ve always been passionate about movement. I never thought much of all the dynamic ways I naturally moved my body as a child in nature; building forts, playing with the neighbor kids, hiking around in the woods from a place of curiosity and exploration.

I started in more formal movement with gymnastics, dance and competitive riding in my youth. I excelled in track and enjoyed pushing my body in the gym. After childbirth, I found a love of long distance running and enjoyed that runners high you hear so many crazy people referencing.

I became fascinated with breathwork, yoga, pilates and spherical movement later in life. I started to see the benefits of moving with awareness of my internal experience as I began my own healing journey. It soon became clear that I felt I deep desire to share my knowledge with others.

When I started Exercise Church, it was just to share my love of therapeutic movement and allow people a place for deepening their connection to their bodies. It wasn’t long before I was teaching 5 days a week at 5 am PST online. I moved through many iterations of this manifestation, but it became clear that I was called to create a space for people to show up for themselves wherever they are at and move in a way that feels both good and challenging to the body, mind and spirit.

It is from this place I felt I can be who am I, embody gratitude for the gift of life and connect with an energy beyond myself in a very personal way.

There are so many various movement classes out there with a variety of teachers who are awesome at what they do. I encourage you to find a place that holds you accountable to being in your body, moving in a way that feels rewarding and brings you more health and wholeness.

Don’t wait! You have ONE body and it’s made to MOVE!!

And if you are anything like me, it can be a great avenue to heal trauma, move towards self acceptance and connect to something deeper beyond yourself.