The Healing Power of Movement: How It Transforms Body, Mind, and Soul

It was just another day at the office gym —you know, the usual gig: I was working at a physio practice in  injury rehab, help fixing people up doing some straight talkin. 

My boss, bless his heart, loved sending me the hard cases. You know, the ones who needed a little more than a Band-Aid and a pat on the back. He’d be all, “Larissa’s got this,” and bam! Next thing I know, I’ve got someone with a look on their face like life’s handed them a dead fish.

So, in walks this guy, late 50s, kind eyes but seriously withdrawn. I hit him with the usual, “Alright, mate, what’s going on?”

He sighs and drops the bomb. “My doctor told me I have osteoporosis. Apparently, I’ve got the bones of an 80-year-old man. I need to be 'careful' and avoid too much activity.”

Now, I’ll admit, I’m not one for subtlety. I gave him the kind of look that says, “You can’t BS me, buddy.” I’m thinking, You’re full of it. But instead of blurting that out (because hey, tact), I look him square in the eye and say, “Seriously? That’s what we’re doing? Giving up already?”

The guy just crumbles. Like, tears on the verge. “I have so much more life to live. I don’t understand why this is happening to me.”

Cue my boss girl voice: Time for a reality check. So, I channeled my inner drill sergeant and laid it out there for him, no sugar coating.

“Look, man, you can go home, wrap yourself up in cotton wool, cry on the couch, let this diagnosis turn your life into a sad movie… or, you can say ‘F*** that’ and defy it.”

“Bones can rebuild,” I told him.

“But first, let’s figure out how we got here.” And surprise, surprise—it turned out he owned a fish and chip shop, worked crazy hours, was stressed to the gills, and fueled his days with coffee. All day. Every day.

“Ah-ha!” I thought. Too much caffeine can leach calcium from your bones. Not to mention the stress! So, I marched in the next day with an article to back me up.

Showed him the science, connected the dots. And you know what? A lightbulb flickered on in his brain. He finally got it. He wasn’t doomed—he just needed to change the story and luckily my straight talking didn't make him march straight out the front door.

With a game plan in hand, we started building strength, one workout at a time. Six months later, the guy was stronger than ever. Like, hello, Popeye arms.

I’m sitting here tearing up just thinking about it because honestly, he was one of the sweetest humans ever. SOOO, Grateful, motivated, and ready to take back control of his life. 

Moral of the story: The right movement heals. And if life’s throwing you lemons, don’t just make lemonade—build some damn muscle while you’re at it. Ha! Kidding! Maybe. 

The Magic of Movement:

In a world that’s spinning faster than a hamster on a caffeine kick, stress and sitting on our butts all day have somehow become the norm. But here’s the thing: movement? It's not just some feel-good fitness thing—it’s straight-up magic for your body, mind, and soul.

Whether you're flowing through yoga or just getting your steps in with a power walk, moving your body isn't optional. It’s a non-negotiable life upgrade.

We're talking about fueling your body, resetting your brain, and getting your emotional sh*t together. Movement is the unsung hero that unlocks vitality, balance, and everything you’ve been missing out on while you’ve been glued to that office chair.

Now let’s break it down and dive into all the ways movement heals—physically, mentally, emotionally—because this right here? It’s the key to feeling alive again.

1. Boosting Blood Circulation: The Lifeblood of Healing

Let’s get one thing straight: movement isn’t just about looking good in jeans. It’s your body’s built-in power boost, revving up your blood circulation like a Ferrari hitting the open road.

Every time you move, your heart gets to work, pumping oxygenated blood straight to your muscles, tissues, and organs, delivering those must-have nutrients like the VIP service you didn’t know you needed.

And it’s not just about feeling more energised (though, heck yes, that’s a perk)—it’s about clearing out the junk, reducing inflammation, and speeding up your body’s natural healing superpowers.

Plus, more blood flow to your brain? Oh yeah, that means mental clarity, focus, and straight-up genius mode. So whether it’s your skin glowing or your brain firing on all cylinders, moving your body is like hitting the refresh button on every single system.

2. Supporting the Lymphatic System: Your Body’s Detox Powerhouse

Spoiler alert: your lymphatic system? It’s not running on autopilot like your blood. It needs you to move—literally.

Unlike your heart, it doesn’t have a built-in pump, so it depends on you getting off your butt and using your muscles to keep things flowing. The lymphatic system is your body's detox squad, flushing out waste, toxins, and all the crap that slows you down.

Want to keep your immune system on point? Start moving—whether it’s yoga, a stretch session, or even a walk around the block.

Move regularly, and your body does what it was made to do: cleanse itself like a pro. We’re talking fewer toxins, less bloating, and a seriously stronger immune system. That’s the kind of holistic healing you can feel.

3. Balancing Hormones: The Key to Emotional and Mental Wellness

Let’s talk hormones, baby. Your endocrine system? It’s basically the puppet master behind your moods, and guess what? Movement is the ultimate hormone whisperer.

When you move, your body kicks into gear and starts dishing out endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine like Oprah handing out free cars. Boom—suddenly you’re in a better mood, stress is taking a back seat, and life feels a little less like a hot mess.

But here’s the real kicker: regular movement also tells that stress hormone cortisol to chill the hell out. High cortisol levels are the root cause of all things awful—anxiety, depression, inflammation, you name it.

So, when you keep it in check with yoga or a good ol’ sweat sesh, you’re not just improving your mood, you’re keeping your emotional state in balance. Movement literally helps you manage life like the badass you are.

4. Mindful Movement and Mental Clarity

You know what’s even better than just moving your body? Moving it mindfully. Think yoga, somatic exercises, or any movement where you actually tune into what’s going on inside that brilliant body of yours. When you connect the dots between what you’re feeling physically, emotionally, and mentally, you start unlocking next-level mental clarity. Overthinking? Anxious spirals? That noise fades into the background.

Toss in some breathwork or meditation with your movement, and now you’re talking.

Syncing your breath with your body’s movements doesn’t just look cool—it flips the switch on your nervous system, taking you from high-alert “fight or flight” mode into that sweet, sweet “rest and digest” zone. AKA: the healing zone where your body can do its best work.

5. Unlocking Emotional Healing

Here’s the deal: emotions aren’t meant to sit around collecting dust in your body. They’re energy in motion. And when you move, you finally give them the green light to hit the road.

Ever feel that tension in your shoulders or that knot in your gut? That’s not just physical—it’s your body’s way of holding onto all the crap you’ve been through. But the second you start moving—whether it’s dancing like no one’s watching, flowing through yoga, or even doing a little somatic shaking—you begin to release all that pent-up emotional baggage.

As those emotions rise up, you don’t shove them down; you let them pass through you like a breeze, and suddenly—freedom. You’re lighter, you’re healing, and you’ve got the emotional space for joy, gratitude, and resilience to waltz right in.

6. Vitality and the Joy of Movement

Here’s the thing: moving your body = more vitality. It’s like plugging into the ultimate life charger. Movement is saying "I AM LIVING LIFE AND I LOVE IT"!

Suddenly, you’ve got more energy than your morning coffee could ever dream of giving you, and that energy seeps into every other part of your life.

Physically? You’re stronger, more flexible, and basically a powerhouse. Mentally? You’re sharp, focused, and capable of tackling anything that comes your way. Emotionally? You’ve tapped into joy and flow like never before.

And it doesn’t even have to be a gym-worthy workout. Dance like a goof in your living room, stroll through nature, or stretch before you even get out of bed. Movement doesn’t need rules to work its magic—the key is to move in a way that feels good. Nourish your body, and it’ll thank you with vitality you never saw coming.

7. Movement as a Path to Wholeness

In the end, movement isn’t just about getting fit—it’s about piecing together every layer of who you are: body, mind, and soul. 

It’s that thing that ties your physical energy to mental clarity and emotional strength. Whether you’re hitting the yoga mat, going for a run, or spontaneously busting out some moves, movement reminds you that you’re whole. It taps into the healing potential that’s been sitting there all along, just waiting for you to wake it up.

When My Back Threw a Diva Tantrum Last Year

So, if you caught last week’s blog, How 9 Days Turned My Life Around, you’ll remember my back injury from 12 years ago decided to have a dramatic comeback last year. I ended up in the hospital twice. Yep, my back was throwing a full-blown diva tantrum, and let me tell you, it was not having a good day.

But here’s where the lesson from my injury rehab days came in handy: Don’t move it, you lose it. Even while I was practically writhing in pain, I committed to moving every single day. Sounds crazy, right? But slow and steady won the race. I started small and gradually worked my way back to full range of motion.

And guess what? When I finally saw my back specialist six weeks later, his jaw nearly hit the floor.

The verdict? The power of movement is real. It’s like my back did a full 180, and I was back to feeling strong and capable. Who knew a little movement could be such a game-changer?

The story about HOPE MOLECULES

Alright, let’s talk about something seriously cool—Hope molecules. 

Myokines, also known as “Hope Molecules,” are powerful mental stress-busters and strongly influence brain structure and function. Myokines are produced by the muscles throughout the body. They promote overall health by decreasing inflammation, increasing fat oxidation, stabilising glucose levels, and preventing cognitive decline.

Myokines are cytokines and other proteins produced by the muscles. They move into the bloodstream through muscle contractions and exert auto-para-and/or endocrine effects. Myokines are released during consistent movements like swimming, walking, biking, or other physical exercises. They possess a unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and impact brain function. So

Picture this: every time you move your muscles, they’re like tiny factories churning out these miraculous little things (the hope molecules myokines). But here’s where it gets wild: these myokines, or Hope molecules as we’re calling them, are basically your body’s own cheerleaders for health and happiness.

These molecules don’t just chill out in your muscles; they’re on a mission. They zip through your body, giving high-fives to your immune system and brain, and telling them to up their game.

Think of them as your personal squad of wellness warriors. When you’re active, these Hope molecules are working overtime to boost your mood, lower stress, and even tackle anxiety and depression. It’s like your body’s way of saying, “You move, we groove—and we’re bringing all the good vibes.”

So next time you break a sweat or bust a move, remember: you’re not just burning calories; you’re unleashing a flood of these feel-good molecules. They’re enhancing your mental clarity, uplifting your spirit, and basically making you feel like the superhero you are.

This discovery is like a big, bright neon sign pointing out why regular movement is such a game-changer. It’s not just about staying fit; it’s about tapping into your body’s natural ability to boost your mood and overall well-being. So get moving and let those Hope molecules work their magic—your mind, body, and soul will thank you.

 Let's get Movin

So, if you’re looking to get your mojo back, boost your vitality, and feel like the badass you are, start moving. No need to go all out—take it slow, be kind to yourself, and let movement guide you to that balance and well-being you deserve.

Because the beauty of movement? It’s not just about how it makes you look—it’s about how it transforms you from the inside out.

Ready to Move? Whether it’s yoga, a walk around the block, or something totally your own, remember: movement is your body’s natural way of healing. Feel those benefits ripple through you—physically, mentally, emotionally—and step into the vibrant health and vitality you’ve always deserved.

Don't have much time, or  don't live close to my studio then jump on a Live online class with me - Check out our class timetable here

Also a big heads up! I'm in the process of  revamping my most popular online program: The Mind Body Soul Reset. I want to include more eating program options, somatic healing practices as well as all the great mind body practices I already have included. 

Keep your eyes peeled.

Much love and Bodily Wisdom, I've been sitting too long, so I'm going to jump on the tramp with my 3 years old. See you next week

Larissa xx