It’s hard to believe it’s been 18 years since the launch of the School of Movement Medicine. Time flies, and the depth of what has been created and nurtured over those years is inspiring. I’ve been fortunate to witness this journey from its very inception and I want to share a bit about those early days - moments that were full of passion, uncertainty, and profound change.
It was back in 2007 when Ya'Acov and Susannah decided to take the step of creating their own school and body of work - Movement Medicine. I had the privilege of being there with them during the launch party, a moment that, looking back, was both joyous and emotionally charged.
I had heard that the week leading up to that event had been intense. Ya'Acov and Susannah were facing the aftermath of a difficult and deeply emotional decision - their choice to part ways with their long-time teacher, Gabrielle Roth, founder of 5 Rhythms. For 18 years, they had been immersed in Gabrielle’s teachings, and that split, though ultimately freeing, was probably fraught with grief and uncertainty. The tension between honoring the past and stepping into the future was thick, and it was a time of both sorrow and hope.
So the time for the Launch Party had arrived and I was there to help set up the space etc. At some point Ya'Acov and Susannah arrived and I immediately could sense that they had a very emotionally draining week. I sensed that they might need some along sidedness. As the Party began, I noticed that Ya'Acov and Susannah were pouring champagne and cutting cakes, doing what they do, and serving others. I gently made my way towards them, leant in and said – “leave these jobs, go enjoy the party and those who have come to celebrate you and this new manifestation of yours. I'll pour some drinks and make sure everyone gets a taste of Cake.”
Despite the emotional turmoil, I saw something in Ya'Acov and Susannah that day that reminded me of who they are. I saw their commitment to a vision - Movement Medicine - and I saw their humanity and vulnerability. This is at the core of the Movement Medicine practice, trusting our vision for our life and being true to who we are, warts and all, as we travel through life. A practice that blends the wisdom of the body, the spirit, and the natural world in a way that felt and still feels both radical and deeply grounding.
At the launch party, I stood by them, knowing how much this moment meant, not just for them, but for the countless people who would eventually be touched by the work. It wasn’t just the opening of a new school; it was the birth of a new way of thinking about conscious movement as medicine, as a path of self-healing blended with personal and collective transformation.
I was one of the first apprentices of the School of Movement Medicine, and soon after, one of the first teachers to be trained and qualified. I was part of the Schools Faculty for 6 years. Looking back, those early days were a blur of learning, both about the practice and about myself. As a facilitator, I learned the power of holding space for others while also honoring my own process of growth and self-discovery.
Over the years, I’ve witnessed the growth of the Movement Medicine community. A sometimes rocky process with many ups and downs which is all the same unified by the simple and profound Maps of Movement Medicine.
As I reflect on those 18 years, I feel immense gratitude for the privilege of being part of this journey - from the initial emotional struggles of that launch week to seeing how the work has blossomed. Movement Medicine is now a place of belonging to so many, and I’m humbled to be one of the early voices of this work, still learning and evolving with it every step of the way.
So, to Ya'Acov, Susannah, and everyone who has been involved with the School of Movement Medicine over the years - Congratulations on getting thus far and a massive thank you for everyone’s contributions’ to the evolution of the school and the work over the years.
Here’s to another 18 years of healing, growth, and transformation.
With deep gratitude
Ben Yeger
