"When I came to Dr. Shiller's program Movement Towards Health I was stuck. I couldn't use my leg because of weakness and stiffness. I was overwhelmed with fatigue and feeling hopeless. I didn't think there was a point of doing anything, because every time I tried to exercise, after a few minutes I couldn't continue. So I was getting weaker and weaker and feeling useless. In the MTH program, I found that the exercises were easy to do. He does them at different intensities so that I could find my own rhythm. His explanations are really good too. I really liked the joint lubrication warm-ups and the back and neck opening exercises. They helped me open up my back, get my joints moving, and gave me flexibility and confidence that I had lost. He taught me to focus my mind to energize my legs and it has helped build the strength.

It was really helpful to see other people in the program who like me were
suffering and getting help. I didn't feel so alone.

His overall approach as a medical doctor who knows all this natural healing stuff
has been a big boost for me and gives me confidence.

When I get up in the morning, I make sure to do the exercises and I feel like a different person the whole rest of the day. My mindset is changed - I know that I can move and do stuff and it really helps my outlook.
I feel like it has been life-changing for me."

"My major symptoms before were lack of energy, anxiety, and being out of shape in my left hip and arms, thighs, IBS, lack of sleep, etc. I was not able to do any core exercises to stabilize my spine. Like a lot of people, Covid just hit and we were all isolated. I live alone with little support other than a friend or two in other states. My family just did not get what I am going through. When Dr. Shiller mentioned the MTH I really had doubts I could do anything. I do walk everyday, however, it was just straight walking. But with his encouragement and after watching one of his videos, I thought, why not give it a try. My mood was pretty low, as I have had depression for a long time due to early and ongoing circumstances. Obviously I had low confidence in myself, and like a lot of people with chronic pain, I blamed myself, have for a long long time.

We started out very slowly, with lubrication of the joints, something I still use several times a day to help with my joints. It has been a lifesaver in the sense that since I can only stand up most of the time, I can keep going by gently rotating my hips and legs, and thoracic spine to free up stuck joints. I have learned to accept the restrictions of muscles and accept them, but it does not mean I like them, but acceptance is key and dropping judgment for trying to be perfect, which is an illusion itself. For me, perfectionism comes from toxic shame, of being told I was never good enough intentionally or situationally, probably both. I have learned that the blaming and shaming just feed into the pain. I am becoming more aware when I engage in this harmful activity.

Every lesson starts out with a meditation and check in before we start to move. This allows Dr. Shiller to tailor that day’s program to our individual needs. For example, I have trouble with my shoulders, so when he is showing us how to free the shoulders,neck, and spine and head, he might say, “those with shoulder issues might want to move your arms lower like this.” I have a weak left hip, and I have made it stronger, but I also realize I just have limits, so I know better to tax it everyday. Learning to recognize one’s limits, at least for that day is key in this program. I went through the whole program so far. It is not only a progressive program, but also relooping program, involving different parts of the body,to get the body fascia moving and free as that is where the energy of the body resides.

In the group, we have also learned different ways of walking to strengthen the hip flexors. Other exercises also incorporate this idea. It is a movement that is sorely missed in other PT modalities, and I have been through 6 years of regular repetitive PT. This has helped me to stabilize my hips and legs in a way to prevent future falls. I got to the point I could get back in the pool and do some walking also. That time was so freeing. I was out in the world again, meeting new people. Their rates have going ups so for now I will incorporate the other moves to stay as strong as possible. I feel more secure on my feet also. The meditations have been a lifesaver also as when I get into my high anxiety over the world or just my pain, I can drop down into a meditation and which allows me to just let go, and be free of worry, anxiety, and pain. Also I have become aware when I have anticipatory pain, fear, anxiety, name it and address that feeling with compassion and love. We have had a great loyal group of really nice people. There are times we can engage and share ideas, and I have learned to accept myself more since I see others in the group struggling with the same or similar problems. I am so very thankful they have stayed in so long. The lessons are all recorded so that we can go back and either do movement or breathing meditation to calm down the vagus nerve. Meditation on my own is rather difficult, and dropping into his calm, relaxing, quiet voice does the trick."
T.S. Oklahoma