Urban Movements: A New Way to Move
By MR OWL.

Sydney based Molly Abigail does yoga in urban environments. She calls it Urban Movements, and it stopped me in my tracks one day as I was walking through St Peters to grab a coffee. Note to self, yoga looks bizarre when taken out of the context of a yoga studio, an aspect which Molly says adds to the fun - and given her background in the circus, I daresay Molly has a penchant for the unusual. Anyhow, I couldn’t let the opportunity pass by so I approached her for a chat and followed up with an interview. Check it out and learn how you can get involved.

Molly, what exactly is Urban Movements?

UrbanMovements is a platform for creative movement in urban environments. My ambition is to help people get inspired by the environment that they are in and see that true movement doesn't necessarily start in a fitness environment, it starts from within, wherever you are.

How long have you been practicing yoga for?

I started practising yoga regularly in september 2013 but have been working with other types of movement since an early age.

Do you have someone taking these photos, or do you do it yourself?

I take all of the pictures myself with a timer on my phone!

Do you have a favourite spot in Sydney to practice Urban Yoga?

As much as I love to explore new places for urban movement I tend to return to specific spots around the inner west of Sydney.

I imagine you’ve met some interesting people along the way. Have you had any funny encounters whilst posing?

I do a lot of pictures where I try to blend in with the environment around me. I had a lady once who got a shock and jumped to the side when I started moving out of a pose, she must've though I was a statue.

I applaud your ability to do something that could be perceived as totally bizarre in such public spaces, I think it’s great. Do you find it difficult to centre yourself when you’re in such an open location, with people walking by?

 I dare say that is half the fun of it! I have a background in circus and other stage performances so having an audience makes the challenge more worthwhile and it forces me to focus more on correct alignment and safe transitions.

Finally, if someone wants to get involved, what should they do?

Get on to my Instagram page Urbanmovements and directly contact me through there. I have just started up a Facebook page as well since I am half way through my yoga teacher training and will start doing public and private classes soon.

See more of Molly on Instagram or on Facebook and learn how you can get involved!