How I Discovered Movement and How It Changed My Life

From a small class in Puerto Escondido to a Movement Camp in Thailand… the story of how movement practice transformed my life.

In 2018, my life changed in a way I could never have imagined. I was in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, volunteering in a hostel in exchange for a room. It was a simple life: shared dorms, beach-town rhythms, and daily morning classes offered to guests. Most were yoga-based. I had tried them all.

One Saturday, curious and with nothing to lose, I joined a class labelled simply as: Movement. I thought it might be just another hippie thing. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The Class That Changed Everything

That one class cracked something open in me. Within minutes, I felt weak, uncoordinated, exposed and completely intrigued. It wasn’t about following choreography or getting a workout. It was about connecting to my body in a way I had never experienced before. I found myself struggling with simple tasks, discovering forgotten muscles, and unlocking a new sense of attention.

The class was led by Jonathan and Mariana Fletcher, founders of Movement Puerto Escondido, a place that would later become Movement Mexico. Their presence, their knowledge, and their way of moving lit something inside me. They made the path of movement feel not only possible, but worth pursuing.

So I dove in.

The Humbling Beginning

I asked to join their daily training. Soon I was practicing every morning for three hours. That first week was brutal—my body was wrecked. I couldn’t lift my arms without pain. Walking was hard. Everything hurt.

Then came the invitation: Early morning practice. Starting at 6 a.m. with 30 minutes of meditation, followed by two hours of movement before the main class. At first, sitting still felt impossible. But that small, daily silence helped me face the noise in my head. It taught me to listen. It laid a quiet foundation for everything that followed.

Before arriving in Puerto Escondido, I had spent six months practicing Capoeira in Brazil. It was beautiful, powerful, and intense. I learned to be persistent, to show up, to grind. But I wasn’t really sensing what I was doing… I was mostly just doing.

In Movement, I started to integrate. I began to feel. To pay attention. To explore, not just repeat. That’s when the real practice began. Resting in a squat hurt. Quadrupedal positions felt awkward. Bridging, arching, and especially handstands, brought up fears I didn’t know I had. My movements were clunky. Disconnected. My teachers moved with grace, rhythm, softness. It was humbling. But I kept showing up, every single day. With curiosity, and the quiet hope to change.

The Camp That Confirmed the Path

After four months of daily practice, I heard about Movement Camp in Thailand. A full week of intensive training led by Ido Portal, Odelia Goldschmidt, and a team of inspiring teachers. Ten hours of classes a day. 160 people from all over the world. I almost didn’t go because I was sure I’d be the worst one there. But I bought the ticket anyway. I spent every euro I had.

That week didn’t just challenge my body. It expanded my perspective. It confirmed that this was more than a phase. It was a path, something I could grow into, shape my life around, and keep exploring for years to come.

What Movement Taught Me

That time in Puerto Escondido and Thailand didn’t just change how I moved. It changed how I live. Movement became a way to meet myself: my limits, my habits, my fears. A practice of showing up, over and over, with honesty. No need to impress. No rush to arrive. Movement isn’t about being good. It’s about being Youself

If You’re Thinking of Starting

If you feel drawn to explore your body, your potential, your creativity… trust that! Start small! No need to start with 3 hours a day 😉. Stay curious. You don’t need to be strong, flexible, fearless or an athlete. You just need to begin, wherever you are. And, from there, grow at your own pace.

Because sometimes, a new life starts with one unexpected step. Like showing up to a class called: Movement.

And if you're wondering… no, my journey didn’t end with Movement Camp. That, perhaps, is a story for another time.

Do you want to discover how Movement can transform your life?
Join one of our weekly classes, take part in a workshop, or try our online coaching.

by Stefano Pacucci