Description

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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.

About the Author

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Dr. Marcia Dernie (she/they) is the child of Haitian immigrants who lives in Florida on Seminole Tribeland. They are a gender fluid yoga teacher, physical therapist, disabled black creative, and strength-athlete with a chronic illness. She is the owner of @MovewithMarcia which provides both free and affordable resources to help people move better through mobility exercises and yoga. Marcia also co-hosts the @DisabledGirlsWhoLift podcast. You can connect with her on DoctorMarcia.com, and find her on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok by searching for @MovewithMarcia.

Praise For…

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"Movement for Every Body is the perfect book and guide for anyone with a body. It's accessible, insightful, and practical. This book breaks down all the barriers to movement, while giving readers the tools and skill to put what they're reading into practice in actionable and meaningful ways. I highly recommend this book to anyone who engages in movement as well as movement practitioners of all backgrounds."
—CHRISSY KING, author of The Body Liberation Project

"Somehow, Dr. Marcia has transmuted a career's worth of knowledge and wisdom into a practical, actionable guide for taking care of your human body in a complicated world. I want to have this book near me when I'm journaling, when I'm working out, when I'm in therapy, when I'm working with clients ... it should be required reading for anyone who is starting out on their journey to a happier relationship with fitness and movement!"
—LAURA GIRARD, CPT, founder of The Energy Academy

"In a world where fitness advice can feel very loud and extremely exclusive, Movement for Every Body provides a calm, welcoming presence. The book tackles complex topics with a kindness and confidence that genuinely considers a variety of experiences. Not only does the book tap into so many nuances when it comes to participating in exercise, but it also includes a plethora of options and examples to help folks explore as they go. Whether you have been working out for years or you are just getting started, if you are interested in cultivating a more accessible and joyful relationship with movement, you'll definitely want to read this book."
—LAUREN LEAVELL, NASM-certified personal trainer and barre teacher

"Through Movement for Every Body, Dr. Marcia creates a robust and inclusive invitation that allows one to explore why they believe what they do about movement in relation to their own bodies and others. Then she provides the necessary tools to help one rebuild their relationship with movement, all while keeping accessibility at the forefront. If your relationship to health and movement is strained, and you want to restore the joy in your health journey, this is a perfect place to begin."
—DR. JENNIFER D. HUTTON, physical therapist, and creator of The Get Movin' Activity Deck and the Beyond Allyship podcast