About the MOVEMENT
the MOVEMENT is a movement studio rooted in somatic, trauma-informed practice and guided by the belief that the body holds innate wisdom.
This is a space where movement is used to build strength, stability, and awareness — and where slowing down is valued just as much as effort. Classes are designed to support nervous system regulation, embodied choice, and a more sustainable relationship with movement, rather than pushing the body past its limits.
The work here honors the whole person and meets you where you are, offering multiple pathways into movement depending on what your body needs at any given time.
The approach
All offerings at the MOVEMENT are informed by somatic principles and an understanding of how the nervous system shapes our experience of movement, stress, and healing. Rather than emphasizing intensity or performance, the approach centers:
cultivating body awareness and body intelligence
using movement to build strength and stability with intention
listening to internal cues and moving with choice
supporting nervous system regulation through mindful, responsive movement
The space
The studio is intentionally designed to feel calm, supportive, and welcoming.
Classes are kept small to allow for presence, attention to detail, and individual pacing. The environment is quiet and respectful — a place where you can arrive as you are and move in a way that feels supportive rather than performative.
The founder
the MOVEMENT was founded by Liz Gilliland, a movement educator who has been teaching dance and somatic-based practices in Long Beach since 1994.
Her work is informed by decades of experience in dance, barre, yoga, Pilates, and somatic movement, as well as lived experience of unlearning perfectionism and cultivating a more compassionate connection to the body.
You’re invited
Whether you’re seeking strength, grounding or a deeper reconnection with your body, you’re welcome here.