The Birth of Shaja: A Mother's Journey to Movement Transformation

The Birth of Shaja: A Mother's Journey to Movement Transformation

When I became a mother in September 2013 at age 27, my entire perspective on movement and body awareness transformed. Pregnancy initiated a profound shift – away from aesthetic goals of looking "hot and toned" toward a deeper connection with my body's wisdom. This journey would eventually birth not just my son, but a whole new approach to movement that we now know as The Shaja Movement.

During pregnancy, I chose an unconventional path. While maintaining my yoga and movement practice, I focused on creating a nourishing environment within myself. Instead of overriding my body's signals as I had done in the past, I learned to listen deeply, to trust my body's innate wisdom, and to move in ways that felt nurturing.

After my son's birth, this connection deepened through attachment parenting – co-sleeping, breastfeeding, and maintaining close physical contact. Our daily rituals included what I called "baby massage," where I would sing softly while applying homemade lavender and tallow cream, using gentle touch techniques to comfort and soothe him to sleep.

Then came a moment that would shape my entire approach to movement and healing. At around 18 months old, just as he was learning to speak, my sleepy son looked up at me and requested "shaja" – his special word for the nurturing touch that helped him relax and find peace. Twelve years later, he still seeks this healing touch to help regulate and unwind from the day's stresses.

This simple, profound moment revealed a universal truth: in our stressed and overwhelmed world, we all need moments of nurturing touch and gentle awareness. The Shaja Movement evolved from this understanding – that everyone carries an inner child seeking sanctuary, love, and nurturing care.

Children naturally inhabit their bodies with playfulness, joy, and uninhibited expression. Watch how a child moves – without self-consciousness, full of natural grace and exuberance. At The Shaja Movement, we draw inspiration from this innate wisdom. By reconnecting with this childlike ability to move freely and joyfully, adults can rediscover a new way of experiencing their bodies, reclaiming that same sense of pleasure and spontaneity in movement.

Today, my mission is to bring Shaja to those seeking a deeper connection with their bodies. I guide people beyond mere exercise, toward a more sensual awareness of movement and being. By learning to listen to our body's cues, we can discover not just comfort, but joy in embodiment. Where we place our focus is where we place our energy – and I believe that focusing on nurturing movement can transform how we experience life itself.

Through The Shaja Movement, I invite you to rediscover the pleasure of inhabiting your body mindfully. Whether you're seeking relief from stress, wanting to move with more ease, or looking to deepen your body awareness, this practice offers a path to transformation that begins with gentle, nurturing attention to yourself.

After all, we all have an inner child that needs sanctuary, love, and nurturing. Shaja is here to help you find it.