Movement Development Academy
Helping children build confidence through movement.
The Movement Development Academy was founded to help children develop strength, confidence, coordination and body awareness through enjoyable, evidence-informed movement.
Rather than focusing on competition or performance, every session is designed to help children understand how their bodies move, build physical confidence and discover that movement can be something they genuinely enjoy.
The Academy is led by Viki Thorbjorn, an experienced movement teacher with an MA in Creative Practice, professional qualifications in Yoga and Pilates, and a background in competitive sport. Every programme combines modern movement principles with an understanding of child development, learning and wellbeing.
Whether a child is naturally active, lacking confidence, loves sport or avoids it altogether, the aim is always the same.
To help them feel stronger, more capable and more confident in their own body.
What We Offer
Children's Yoga
Playful, engaging classes that develop balance, flexibility, coordination, concentration and emotional regulation in a supportive environment.
Perfect for children who want to move, improve confidence and develop body awareness without pressure or competition.
Children's Pilates
Movement-based classes that improve posture, core strength, coordination, balance and movement quality through fun, carefully structured activities.
Children learn how their bodies work while developing skills that support everyday life and participation in sport.
School Programmes
Movement and wellbeing sessions delivered within schools, including curriculum enrichment, wellbeing days, workshops and after-school clubs.
Programmes can be tailored to support physical literacy, resilience, emotional wellbeing and positive attitudes towards movement.
Our Philosophy
We believe every child deserves to feel successful when they move. Not every child enjoys competitive sport. Not every child wants to score goals, race against classmates or be the fastest in the room. Many simply need a different way to discover movement.
Our sessions remove the pressure to perform and instead encourage curiosity, confidence and enjoyment. Children learn what movement should feel like, how their bodies work and how small improvements build into lasting confidence.
When children enjoy moving, they’re far more likely to stay active for life.
Why Parents Choose the Movement Development Academy
Small, welcoming classes.
Qualified and experienced instruction.
Individual encouragement within every session.
A focus on confidence as well as physical development.
Clear, supportive teaching that helps children understand what they're doing and why.
Sessions suitable for complete beginners as well as active children.
Meet the Founder
The Movement Development Academy was founded by Viki Thorbjorn, an abstract artist, writer and movement educator based in Nottingham.
With qualifications in Yoga, Pilates and children’s movement, together with an MA in Creative Practice and a background in competitive sport, Viki combines biomechanics, education and creativity to create sessions that are practical, engaging and genuinely enjoyable.
Her teaching is known for clear explanations, thoughtful progression and helping people of all ages understand how movement should feel, rather than simply copying exercises.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re looking for weekly children’s classes or movement programmes for your school, we’d love to hear from you.
Explore our programmes:
Or get in touch to discuss how the Movement Development Academy can support your child or organisation.