Our Mission

Enhancing the lives of people affected by cancer and older adults through accessible movement and wellness programs.

Philosophy and Science

Results from a study with NYU Langone Medical Center affirmed the therapeutic science of Moving For Life’s offerings. The American Society of Clinical Oncology reported that participation in Moving For Life’s classes helped survivors lose 8 to 10 pounds and motivated them to engage in a healthy lifestyle.
Moving For Life is a leader in exercise and wellness education for prevention, recovery, post-treatment health, and maintenance of a healthy body & mind.
Our Founding Director

Moving For Life was developed and is directed by Dr. Martha Eddy, Certified Movement Analyst (CMA), and Registered Somatic Movement Therapist (RSMT).
Dr. Eddy is an eminent dance scholar, university professor (Princeton, Columbia, NYU, SUNY-Empire State Graduate Center), consultant to the NYC Department of Education, and somatic health expert who lectures internationally. Her doctorate is in Movement Science and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.
She developed Moving For Life in 1999 in honor of her mother, the Reverend Dr. Margaret Ruth Eddy, an East Harlem community organizer who loved to travel and dance and died at age 63 from colon cancer.

We make moving easy...

Our classes

Feature music that offsets depression, helps mental alertness, and lifts spirits
Foster friendships, joy, and healthy community
Focus on gentle, adaptable movement, shifting from sedentary to traveling exercises

In addition, we offer

Informative, participatory lectures that focus on specific health challenges
Annual events – including Hike-a-thon, Dance Parade, Dance-a-thons, and more
Outdoor programming to access the added benefits of moving in nature

Moving For Life is committed to

Culturally sensitive, age-specific music
Compassionate interactions and best practices from movement science and body-mind awareness
Physician-endorsed programs with a positive track record of zero injuries
Multilingual programs in English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, French, and German

History

Moving For Life began 20 years ago as a group of volunteers supporting women with breast cancer. In 2011, the Komen Foundation’s generous contribution allowed us to further develop our programs. On October 3, 2014, MOVING FOR LIFE, Inc. officially became a NYS incorporated non-profit educational 501(c) 3 organization.

Since then, we have expanded our offerings beyond New York City. We are now proud to work with a roster of 54 Certified Instructors, actively teaching in Cincinnati, the San Francisco Bay area, Tokyo, Amsterdam, and Vancouver.

Moving For Life continues to evolve in order to support the needs of our communities, including offering a variety of high-quality online classes and lectures.

Our Vision

Moving For Life provides dance exercise and wellness programs in hospitals, community agencies, and fitness centers concerned with health and recovery from illness.

We are committed to serving a wide range of people, prioritizing individuals without access to fitness clubs, trainers, and those who otherwise have inadequate health support.

Benefits

Moving For Life uses easy-to-follow exercises and familiar dance moves to boost mental and physical health, while carefully increasing:

energy (fighting fatigue)
balance (related to neuropathy, inner ear, or substance abuse)
lymphatic flow (strengthening the immune system)
joint ease (antidote to treatments and illnesses that cause stiffness)
range of motion (post-surgery)
mental acuity (helps with losses due to aging or chemotherapy)
calorie burning (working with small weights or resistance bands to build a better ratio of muscle-to-fat)

Dancing to samba, salsa, reggae, Motown, disco, and other forms of popular music, our classes encourage people to move into the target heart range needed for weight loss, cardio conditioning, and reducing blood pressure.

Participants also learn to pay attention “within,” known as “somatic movement education.” This improved body awareness increases safety while exercising, and encourages taking more responsibility for one’s recovery process.

Our classes are uplifting, yet relaxing community experiences.

Our Partners