Did School Teach Us To Stop Moving?

Have you ever wondered why it feels strange to move at your desk - even when your body is begging for it?

I have a theory:

We learn our movement habits in school.

From early on, we’re trained to separate “movement time” from “still time.” In the classroom, sitting still is praised. Fidgeting is corrected. Standing up without permission? Not allowed. Movement is something that happens outside the classroom - on the playground, during P.E. or after school.

This teaches us a powerful, quiet message:

Movement and work don’t go together.

Fast forward to adulthood, and many of us are still stuck in that pattern. We sit for hours at our desks, feeling uncomfortable, tired, even in pain - but we don’t move. Not because we don’t want to, but because it simply doesn’t occur to us. We’ve been conditioned to believe that stillness equals focus, and movement is only for break time.

But here’s what I’ve learned through years of teaching workplace movement:

Movement isn’t a distraction. It’s a tool.

It helps us concentrate. It reduces pain and stress. It supports creativity and problem-solving. It recharges us.

The truth is, we don’t need to wait until we leave our desks to move. We can, and should, be moving at our desks.

My work is about helping you unlearn those old classroom habits. To remind you that your body isn’t a distraction from your work - it’s part of how you do it well.

So next time you notice yourself stiff, tired, or restless at your desk?

That’s your body nudging you to break the rule you learned in school.

And I say: break it.

Get in touch if I can help you and your teams embrace your inner movement rebel!