Why Love to Move?
- Suzanne
- Jan 3
- 7 min read
Love to Move at Mobilates is led and adapted by Suzanne to support brain health, confidence, and functional movement in a way that feels joyful, social, and achievable.
While the original Love to Move programme was created to support people living with dementia, Suzanne uses the same evidence-based principles proactively — helping members build and strengthen new neural pathways, improve proprioception (the body’s awareness of where it is in space), and manage brain fog, coordination challenges, and reduced confidence with movement.
Music and rhythm are carefully integrated to support brain–body connection, coordination, and enjoyment throughout the session.
These sessions don’t just support the brain — they also improve functional movement for everyday activities, particularly those involving the hands and feet. From gripping, reaching, and buttoning, to stepping, balancing, and changing direction, Love to Move focuses on movements that truly matter in daily life.
This class is about far more than exercise. It’s about moving with purpose, laughing while being challenged, and feeling part of something supportive — whether you’re moving fully, taking plenty of rest, or simply enjoying the music and connection.
Love to Move is especially suitable for:
People wanting to support brain health and reduce brain fog
Those with long-term health conditions, neurological conditions, or reduced mobility
Anyone looking to improve coordination, balance, proprioception, and confidence
People who enjoy exercising to music
Those who prefer or need to exercise in a seated position
People who enjoy a fun, social, and inclusive class where everyone belongs
Although the class is seated, it is highly effective at supporting mobility, balance, coordination, and confidence in everyday movement.
A Bit of Love to Move History
Love to Move was developed by the British Gymnastics Foundation as an evidence-based seated movement programme, originally designed to support people living with dementia. It uses simple, rhythmic movements, coordination, and bilateral activity to stimulate both the brain and body.
One of the key principles of the programme is encouraging both sides of the body - and the brain - to work together through symmetrical and asymmetrical movements. This approach supports coordination, balance, and cognitive function, while remaining accessible and inclusive.
Suzanne recognised that these same principles are just as valuable before cognitive decline occurs. At Mobilates, Love to Move has been adapted to support prevention, brain health, proprioception, and functional movement for people with a wide range of health conditions and abilities.
By keeping the core elements of the original programme and combining them with creativity, music, and a flexible, member-led approach, Love to Move at Mobilates has become a joyful, confidence-building class that supports both physical and cognitive wellbeing.
Adapting Love to Move for Mobilates Members
While Love to Move was originally created to support people living with dementia, at Mobilates Suzanne has adapted the programme to make it fresh, fun, and effective for a wide range of members.
Each class includes the core elements of Love to Move that are crucial for brain and body health: coordination warm-ups, fine motor skills to support daily tasks, and bilateral symmetry and asymmetry exercises to challenge both sides of the brain.
Over a six-week cycle, all sections of the programme are rotated to ensure members experience everything it has to offer.
Suzanne has also introduced new sections and playful elements, including pulse raisers, clapping rhythms, Pilates ball sequences for flow and coordination, and gentle strength exercises. Props such as balls, bands, and cushions provide support and comfort, while movements can be adapted to seated, standing, or lying positions to suit each member’s needs.
Music plays a central role in every session. Carefully curated playlists, often drawn from musicals and films, match the speed and length of each section and support rhythm, coordination, and enjoyment. The sessions are as much about connection as movement - some members come to move, some to enjoy the music, and many do both, often laughing and sharing in the fun.
Members are encouraged to bring their own creativity, adding movements or rhythms, making every class adaptable and responsive to the people attending. The result is a session that is not only effective for improving mobility, balance, coordination, and confidence, but also joyful, inclusive, and motivating for everyone involved.
The Benefits of Love to Move
Love to Move at Mobilates is far more than a seated exercise class - it supports both brain and body, helping members feel stronger, more coordinated, and more confident in their daily lives.
Participants can expect to:
Build and strengthen neural pathways, supporting cognitive health and memory
Improve coordination, balance, and proprioception, both seated and standing
Enhance mobility and functional movement for everyday tasks, especially hand and foot activities like gripping, reaching, stepping, and balancing
Strengthen fine motor skills and dexterity
Boost confidence and independence through achievable movement patterns
Experience joy, laughter, and social connection in a supportive, inclusive environment
Participant Impact (Age UK statistics)
93% said they felt happier and more settled after Love to Move
86% reported socialising more with others
71% noticed physical improvements, from posture to mobility
100% were described as easier to connect with after sessions
Whether moving fully, taking breaks, or simply enjoying the music, members leave each session feeling engaged, motivated, and part of a welcoming community.
How to Prepare for Love to Move
To get the most out of your Love to Move session, a little preparation goes a long way:
Choose a comfortable, stable chair with space around you so your arms and legs can move freely
Wear soft, stretchy clothing that allows easy movement
Have props nearby if you’d like extra support, such as a soft ball, Pilates ball, band, or cushion
Keep water close to stay hydrated during the session
Clear your space of obstacles to ensure a safe environment for movement
Bring an open mind and sense of playfulness! Love to Move is as much about enjoyment, laughter, and connection as it is about exercise
Whether you’re ready to move fully, take gentle breaks, or simply enjoy the music, you’ll find a session that suits your pace and needs.
Love to Move - Exercises to get you started
Fine Motor Skill Sequence
This exercise focuses on dexterity, hand coordination, and functional movement — perfect for everyday tasks like gripping, buttoning, or writing.
Sit comfortably with your elbows tucked into your sides and fingers pointing forward.
Bend at the wrists so your fingers point toward the ceiling, palms facing forward.
Gently curl your fingers down, one joint at a time, until your hands form a light fist.
Slowly unroll your fingers so your palms face forward again.
Curl your fingers and turn your hands so your thumbs point upwards, knuckles facing inwards.
Turn your hands so the thumbs point downwards. Alternate one thumb up and one down, then switch.
Open your hands and form small circles with your thumb and each finger in turn:
Thumb and first finger
Thumb and index finger
Thumb and ring finger
Thumb and little finger
Then work back to the thumb and first finger
Release your fingers and gently circle your wrists.
Finish with a finger wriggle to loosen up and enjoy the movement.
This sequence improves hand strength, coordination, and fine motor control, while engaging the brain through bilateral movement and rhythm. It’s suitable for seated practice and can be adapted to your pace.
If you prefer a visual here is a video of the same sequence:
Bilateral Symmetry & Asymmetry – The Six-Point Triangle
This sequence builds coordination, sequencing, and brain–body connection by asking each hand to move in a different direction while still working together.
Sit tall with your feet flat on the floor and bring both hands in front of you, arms relaxed and elbows soft.
Step 1: Establish the Pattern
Both hands draw a straight line from top to bottom together
Keep the movement slow and controlled
Step 2: Introduce Asymmetry
Left hand continues to draw a straight line upwards
At the same time, right hand draws a straight line outwards to form the base of the triangle
Next, left hand draws down, while right hand draws a diagonal line to complete the triangle shape
Step 3: Reverse the Direction
Both hands draw straight lines again, but in opposite directions:
Left hand moves up
Right hand moves down
Then:
Left hand draws down
Right hand draws outwards for the base of the triangle
To finish:
Left hand draws upwards in a straight line
Right hand draws a diagonal line to complete the triangle
This creates the six-point triangle pattern through sequencing and directional changes rather than drawing a single shape.
Once the pattern feels familiar, swap hands and repeat on the other side.
Take breaks whenever needed - it’s normal to pause, reset, or laugh and start again. This is one of the most challenging (and enjoyable) parts of the class!
If you prefer a visual here is a video of the same sequence:
Final Thought
Love to Move is more than exercise - it’s a programme that nurtures both the body and the mind. By combining seated movement with brain training, rhythm, creativity, and fun, it offers a safe, supportive, and joyful way to stay active, improve functional movement, and connect with others.
At Mobilates, Suzanne’s adapted Love to Move classes give members the chance to explore this innovative programme in a way that suits their individual needs and abilities.
Whether you want to improve your confidence, coordination, fine motor skills, or simply enjoy music, laughter, and a sense of connection, Love to Move is for you.
Ready to Try a Class?
Love to Move is now part of our regular Mobilates timetable, alongside our popular Seated Pilates, Seated Yoga, Bed Pilates, and Qigong sessions.
Already a member?
New to Mobilates?
Then you can book your free online Mobilates trial here.
Learn MoreFor more information about the benefits of seated exercise and brain health, you might find these resources helpful:
Mobilates CIC provides inclusive, adapted exercise for people living with long term health conditions, chronic pain, fatigue and disability.
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