Movement Development Academy
Helping children build confidence, coordination and a lifelong enjoyment of movement.
Yoga, Pilates and movement programmes for children and young people, delivered through schools, after-school clubs and community classes across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Helping children become confident movers
Movement is a skill, and like any other skill, it develops through practice, encouragement and the opportunity to learn.
Not every child feels naturally confident in PE or traditional sport. Some love competition. Some don’t. Some throw themselves into everything, while others need more time to understand their bodies and discover what they can do.
Movement Development Academy gives children another way to develop those foundations.
Through yoga, Pilates and broader movement principles, children develop strength, balance, coordination, mobility, body awareness and physical confidence.
There is no need to be the fastest, strongest or most flexible child in the room.
The focus is on learning, progressing and becoming more confident in your own body.
What We Offer
Schools
Structured movement sessions for primary and secondary schools, supporting physical development alongside existing PE, enrichment and wellbeing provision.
Sessions can be delivered during the school day, as a progressive programme or as part of enrichment and wellbeing activities.
After-School Clubs
Yoga, Pilates and movement clubs that give children an alternative way to be active at the end of the school day.
Sessions develop movement skills progressively, helping children become stronger, more coordinated and more confident without the pressure of competition.
Children's & Teen Classes
Weekly yoga and Pilates classes outside school, beginning in West Bridgford, Nottingham.
Classes give children and young people the opportunity to learn movement progressively while developing strength, posture, coordination, balance, body awareness and focus.
Movement Programmes for Schools
Supporting children to move with confidence
Movement Development Academy works with schools to provide additional opportunities for children and young people to develop the physical foundations that support an active life.
Sessions can complement existing PE provision while giving pupils the opportunity to explore movement in a different environment.
Rather than focusing on winning, scoring or being better than somebody else, children work on understanding and controlling their own movement.
Programmes can support the development of:
- strength and postural control
- balance and coordination
- mobility and movement quality
- core control and stability
- body awareness
- breathing and focus
- movement confidence
- yoga and Pilates foundations
- broader physical literacy
Sessions are progressive, giving children time to practise skills, recognise improvement and build confidence rather than simply moving from one activity to another.
Flexible provision for schools
Movement Development Academy can provide:
Progressive movement programmes
A structured series of sessions delivered across several weeks, allowing pupils to develop skills and experience their own progression.
Curriculum and enrichment sessions
Yoga, Pilates and movement sessions that complement existing physical education and enrichment provision.
Wellbeing and activity days
Movement-based sessions for enrichment days, wellbeing programmes and special school events.
After-school clubs
Regular clubs delivered on the school site, giving pupils another opportunity to be active beyond the school day.
Provision can be discussed around the age of pupils, the needs of the group, available space and the school’s existing timetable.
After-School Movement Clubs
Another way for children to enjoy being active
Not every child wants another competitive sports club.
That doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy moving.
Movement Development Academy after-school clubs give children an opportunity to explore yoga, Pilates and movement skills in a supportive environment where progress isn’t measured against somebody else.
Sessions can include strength, balance, mobility, coordination, posture, movement challenges and simple breathing and focus practices.
Activities develop progressively so children can experience themselves becoming more capable over time.
The aim is not simply to keep children busy for 45 minutes.
It is to help them develop movement skills and confidence they can take into sport, physical activity and everyday life.
Children's Yoga & Pilates
Weekly classes in West Bridgford
Movement Development Academy also provides dedicated yoga and Pilates classes for children and young people outside school.
Children do not need previous yoga, Pilates or sporting experience to take part.
They learn progressively, with exercises and movements introduced in a way that allows them to understand what they are doing, practise it and build from there.
Children's Pilates
Pilates helps children develop strength, posture, coordination, stability and control.
Children learn how to organise and control their bodies through movement, developing foundations that can support them in sport, dance and everyday physical activity.
Children's Yoga
Yoga combines movement, balance, mobility, breathing and focus.
Children explore different ways of moving their bodies while developing physical confidence, concentration and greater body awareness.
No competition. No comparison. No pressure to perform.
Children are encouraged to notice their own progress rather than worry about what somebody else can do.
The weekly classes are based in West Bridgford, Nottingham.
First taster class: £5
Not every child needs another sport
Some children find their place on a football pitch, athletics track or gymnastics floor.
Others don’t.
That should never mean they grow up believing they aren’t “sporty” or that movement isn’t for them.
There are hundreds of ways to be physically active, and childhood should give children enough experiences to discover the ones that feel right for them.
Movement Development Academy exists to broaden that experience.
We help children develop the foundations they need to become capable, confident movers, whether they eventually choose competitive sport, dance, yoga, climbing, the gym, outdoor activity or simply an active everyday life.
The goal isn’t to create children who are good at exercise. It’s to help create adults who never stop moving.
Our Approach
Confidence before competition
Children are encouraged to recognise their own progress rather than measure themselves against somebody else.
About Movement Development Academy
Foundations before complexity
Strength, balance, coordination and control are developed progressively before movements become more challenging.
Founded by Viki Thorbjorn
Movement Development Academy was founded by Viki Thorbjorn, a qualified yoga and Pilates teacher, movement teacher and former competitive athlete.
Viki’s background spans competitive sport, strength training, yoga, Pilates and movement education, alongside years of teaching and coaching.
Her approach combines an understanding of biomechanics and physical development with something equally important: children are individuals.
They learn differently. They develop at different speeds. They enjoy different things.
A child who doesn’t thrive in one physical environment may flourish in another when given the opportunity.
Movement Development Academy was created to provide more of those opportunities and to help children build strong movement foundations without making physical activity another place where they feel they have to prove themselves.
Enhanced DBS checked
Professionally insured
Qualified Yoga & Pilates Teacher
Understanding, not simply copying
Children are encouraged to understand their bodies and what they are doing, helping them develop greater body awareness and movement independence.
Progress that children can feel
Movement skills are revisited and developed so children have the opportunity to notice that something which once felt difficult has become easier.
Movement for life
The purpose goes beyond a single class, term or activity. We want children to develop a positive relationship with movement that can continue long after childhood.
Bring Movement Development Academy to Your School
If you're a headteacher, PE lead, teacher or school administrator interested in providing movement sessions for your pupils, we'd love to hear from you.
Whether you're considering a progressive programme, an after-school club, enrichment provision or a one-off school activity, get in touch to discuss your school, pupils and what you're looking for.
Looking for Children's Classes?
Weekly children's yoga and Pilates classes are available in West Bridgford. Find current class times, locations and booking information on the children's classes page.
Movement Development Academy
Helping children build confidence, coordination and a lifelong enjoyment of movement.
Nottingham & Nottinghamshire
Schools | After-School Clubs | Children’s Classes