Movement for Every Body : An Inclusive Fitness Guide for Better Movement--Build Mind-body Awareness, Overcome Exercise Barriers, and Improve Mobility

With humor, empathy, and expertise, a Black, femme, disabled, and neurodivergent physical therapist retraces their journey through a weaponized fitness culture, sharing an alternative path to honor all bodies and needs. An inclusive, full-color guide to improving mobility, building strength, and increasing flexibility for every body and any size, shape, and ability Here’s an idea: exercise should be enjoyable—not punishing, elitist, or overly competitive. Nor should gym work cause us harm or bring us shame. Part exercise manual and part workbook, Movement for Every Body celebrates this approach and champions an inclusive movement practice for anyone who doesn’t fit the "typical" fitness mold and doesn’t wish to— who refuses burdensome narratives that tell them they're broken and need to be fixed, cured, or mended to be whole. With journaling and reflective prompts and activities; helpful tips covering accommodations, mobility aids, and self-advocacy strategies; and highly adaptable exercise demonstrations reflecting a broad range of body types, physical abilities, and mobility aids, Movement for Every Body provides the instruction and validation needed to redefine our approaches, goals, and pleasures around exercise and ability. CONTENTS Title Page Praise for Movement for Every Body Copyright Dedication Preface Introduction 1: Appraise What Do We Need to Appraise? Toxic Fitness Culture and Standards Ableism and Disability Identity Journaling Activity: Appraise and Reframe Movement Activity: Connect to the Breath 2: Assess What Do We Need to Assess? What Moves Us? Does Mental Health Matter? What Else Matters? Journaling Activity: Creating More Space Movement Activity: Mobility Self-Assessment 3: Explore What Do We Need to Explore? Setting Smart Goals Journaling Activity: Make SMART Goals Movement Activity: Movement Exploration 4: Enjoy Why Does Joyful Movement Matter? What Makes Our Bodies Happy? What Happens When It Hurts? Navigating Pain with Exercise How Can Options Foster Joy? How Much Joyful Movement Do I Need? Journaling Activity: What Makes Me Happy Movement Activity: Enjoy the Options Resources Online Educational Resources Recommended Reading Databases Listing Fitness Professionals Bibliography Index Acknowledgments About the Author About North Atlantic Books