Our Mission

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

We make moving easy...

Our classes

Focus on gentle, adaptable movement, shifting from sedentary to traveling exercises
Are physician-endorsed programs with a positive track record of zero injuries
Feature music that offsets depression, helps mental alertness, and lifts spirits
Foster friendships, joy, and healthy community

In addition, we offer …

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

Moving For Life is committed to

Providing opportunities for Exercise to anyone that needs them
Providing culturally sensitive spaces
Compassionate interactions and best practices from movement science and body-mind awareness
Multilingual programs in English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, French, and German

History

Moving For Life - DanceExercise for Health® (MFL) is a science-based therapeutic movement program dedicated to enhancing the overall health and well-being of older adults and individuals affected by cancer and chronic illnesses. Established in 1999 and incorporated as a tax-exempt nonprofit in 2014, Moving for Life aims to provide greater access to safe and intelligent fitness to people from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on meeting the needs of people living in under-resourced neighborhoods.

Our exercise protocols and dance sequences, crafted by Dr. Martha Eddy, a movement therapist and author of Mindful Movement, are meticulously designed to deepen the connection between mind and body, empower participants with essential information to avoid injury, promote faster recovery, and support sustained wellness through the development of somatic (BodyMind) awareness.

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.

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 Vision

Inclusive, programming for under-resourced communities, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to improve their physical and mental well-being.

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.