When was the last time you rolled on the floor? Crawled on your hands and knees? Spiraled your body in new directions just for fun?
It might sound like playtime, but these patterns—rolling, crawling, spiraling—are actually the foundation of how we first learned to move. They’re called developmental movement patterns, and they’re not just for babies. These simple but powerful movements are some of the best tools for adults who want to:
- Improve core strength
- Increase mobility and flexibility
- Build better balance and stability
- Recover from (or prevent) injuries
- Feel more connected to their body in daily life
Why Developmental Movement Works
Before fitness became about machines, weights, or fancy gadgets, our bodies relied on these primal patterns. Rolling teaches us how to initiate movement from our center. Crawling builds coordination, strength, and cross-body awareness. Spiraling connects joints and muscles in ways that mimic real-life movement.
When we revisit these patterns as adults, they wake up the nervous system, strengthen the core, and unlock freedom in the spine and hips—all while being surprisingly fun.
The Benefits at a Glance
✔ Mobility – Keep joints and spine supple without endless stretching.
✔ Power – Build strength through pushing, pulling, and spiraling.
✔ Connectivity – Train the body to move as one integrated system.
✔ Recovery – Develop tools to bounce back faster from tweaks or strains.
In other words: this is the original cross-training for every body.
Upcoming Workshop: Developmental Movement for Every Body
Want to experience this firsthand? Join me for a special virtual workshop where we’ll roll, crawl, spiral, and play our way into more strength, mobility, and resilience.
📅 Friday 10/24 @ 10:00am-10:45am PST
📍 Live on Zoom
✨ This workshop is a special perk for R&L Studio members.
But good news—you don’t have to miss out!
Here’s the best part: if you’re a Root & Limb Online Studio member, you’ll not only get FREE access to the live workshop—you’ll also have forever access to the recording inside your membership library. That means you can return to these patterns anytime you need a reset, a recovery day, or just a reminder of how good your body can feel.
Pilates Meets Developmental Movement
This workshop blends two powerful approaches I love and trust: Pilates and developmental movement. You’ll get the precision, strength, and core stability Pilates is known for, paired with playful, natural patterns your body already remembers. The result? More energy, fewer aches, and a body that feels strong, capable, and resilient.
Want in?! Join the R&L Online Studio
In addition to this month’s workshop, inside the Root & Limb Online Studio, you’ll find:
- On-demand Pilates and strength classes designed for real bodies with real schedules.
- Special workshops (like this one) included in your membership.
- Forever access to recordings so you can replay classes anytime, anywhere.
👉 Start your free 7-day trial today and save your spot for the workshop.
Because sometimes the smartest way forward is to roll back to where it all began.
See you on the Mat! (Rolling around, of course 😉)
xx,
Joss