Begin Again: The Power of Moving Forward, One Step at a Time

Six or so years ago, I stopped running.

It wasn’t a dramatic decision, just one of those quiet moments when life and health drew new boundaries. At the time, I was navigating a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis, a condition that deeply affects the joints and energy levels and it shook my confidence in how I could move my body.

Running had been something I loved. A space to clear my mind, feel strong, and connect with the outdoors. But like many of us, I learned to adapt, to protect, to pause. And while yoga became my sanctuary and profession, running stayed quietly in the past, a chapter I closed with a mix of sadness and acceptance.

But recently this summer, something has began to shift.

I downloaded the NHS Couch to 5K app, laced up my trainers (after looking at them for a few months), and took a deep breath. Six years later, I’ve begun again. Not because I want to chase times or distances, but because I want to celebrate what my body can do, even if it looks and feels different than before.

And do you know what? It’s hard. But also really quite joyful.

There’s something powerful about being a beginner again. About meeting yourself right where you are not where you used to be, or where you think you should be, but here, now, with compassion and curiosity. Every time I head out, I remind myself: this is medicine. Movement is medicine.

Why movement makes us feel better: when we move our bodies, whether through walking, running, yoga, or dancing in the kitchen our brain responds with a powerful cocktail of feel-good chemicals:

• Endorphins: These natural painkillers help reduce discomfort and create that classic “runner’s high” or post-yoga bliss.

• Dopamine: Often linked to motivation and reward, dopamine gives us that sense of achievement and encourages us to keep going.

• Serotonin: Vital for mood regulation, serotonin can help ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improve sleep.

• Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): This lesser-known chemical supports brain health by encouraging the growth of new neurons and enhancing memory, learning, and resilience.

All of these contribute to the sense of uplift, clarity, and balance we feel after moving. And the magic? You don’t need to go far or fast, just a little consistent movement can create real, lasting change in both body and mind.

This September, as the new term begins, I’m inviting you to embrace a beginner’s mind too.

Whether you’ve had a break from classes, felt unsure about coming back, or are new to yoga or movement altogether, know that you’re not alone. We all start somewhere. Sometimes, we start again and again. And that’s not a failure , it’s a kind of quiet resilience.

You don’t need to be ‘fit enough’, ‘flexible enough’, or ‘sorted enough’ to join in. You just need to be curious. Open. Willing to meet yourself gently, just as you are. My classes are here to support that, with kindness, laughter, breath, and movement that meets you at your own pace.

So let’s begin again. Together.

Naomi Hurst

References:

Get running with Couch to 5K - Better Health - NHS