For most of my life, my relationship with my body was anything but positive. Growing up overweight, bullied, and struggling with eating disorders, I never felt at home in my own skin. Movement wasn’t something I associated with joy or healing—it was either punishment or something I avoided entirely.
For years, I battled self-doubt, unhealthy habits, and a constant war with my own reflection. It wasn’t until I decided to change the game—not just physically, but mentally—that everything shifted.
I became a fitness trainer, Zumba instructor, and movement coach, but more importantly, I discovered the power of movement to heal—not just my body, but my mind and soul. Movement was no longer about weight loss; it became a way to release stored trauma, reconnect with myself, and step into my power.
Now, I teach others how to use movement as a tool to shift their energy, heal past wounds, and build a body they feel strong and empowered in.
Why Trauma Lives in the Body
Trauma isn’t just something we remember—it’s something we store in our bodies. Every moment of stress, fear, or emotional pain leaves an imprint, tightening our muscles, stiffening our posture, and keeping us stuck in survival mode.
Research shows that:
🧠 The nervous system holds onto trauma—keeping the body in a constant state of stress.
⚡ Emotions get trapped in the muscles—chronic tension, fatigue, and even illness.
💨 Movement helps process trauma—releasing built-up stress and resetting the nervous system.
For me, this explained so much. I wasn’t just fighting my body—I was carrying years of unprocessed pain within it. And the only way to truly release it was to move.
How Movement Helped Me Heal & Step Into My Power
When I first started dancing, training, and teaching fitness, something clicked. I wasn’t just working out—I was rewiring my brain, releasing emotions, and rebuilding confidence.
Here’s how movement changed everything for me:
💃 Releasing Stored Trauma → Dance helped me let go of years of self-hate, anxiety, and fear. Every step was a release, every beat was a new beginning.
🏋️ Shifting My State Instantly → When I felt stressed, unmotivated, or stuck, movement was my reset button. Even a few minutes could change my entire mood.
🔥 Building Strength Inside & Out → As my body grew stronger, so did my mind. I realized I was capable of more than I ever believed.
🌀 Regulating My Nervous System → Through breathwork and movement, I learned how to calm my stress response, so I didn’t stay stuck in anxiety and fear.
❤️ Learning to Love My Body → Instead of punishing my body, I started celebrating it. Movement became a form of self-love, not self-criticism.
Now, I move not to change how I look, but to change how I feel. And that shift has been everything.
Types of Trauma Healing Through Movement
Not all movement is about hitting the gym or running miles. Healing movement is about reconnecting with your body and releasing what’s no longer serving you.
Here are my go-to movement practices for healing:
💃 Dance Therapy – Freestyle movement helps shake off emotional heaviness and reconnect with joy. 🧘♀️ Yoga & Breathwork – Opens the body, releases tension, and activates the vagus nerve (your body's reset button). 🏋️ Strength Training – Builds resilience and helps channel energy into strength instead of stress. 🚶♀️ Walking & Grounding – Even a short walk can clear the mind, reset emotions, and break negative thought loops. 🌀 Somatic Exercises – Helps process trauma by moving in ways that feel natural and safe.
How You Can Use Movement to Heal
You don’t need to be a dancer, athlete, or fitness guru to start. Healing through movement is about intentionality, not intensity.
Here’s how to start:
✅ Start small – Move in a way that feels good, whether it’s stretching, walking, or dancing to your favorite song. ✅ Breathe with intention – Sync your breath with your movement to regulate your emotions. ✅ Let go of judgment – Movement is about feeling, not performing. There’s no “right” way to do it. ✅ Listen to your body – Move in ways that feel freeing, not forced. Let your body guide you.
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Final Thoughts: Move to Transform, Not Just to Train
Movement saved me—it transformed my body, but more importantly, it healed my mind and gave me back my power.
If you feel stuck, disconnected, or weighed down by stress and self-doubt, start moving. Let your body be the key to your breakthrough.
You are stronger than you think. And movement is the proof.
Ready to experience the power of movement for yourself? Join one of our dance, fitness, or breathwork sessions and start moving toward your most powerful self.
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