Forget treadmills and barbells — Breakfree Movement is helping Malaysians reclaim their natural movement to ease pain, build strength, and rediscover confidence through the MovNat philosophy.
WORDS LIM TECK CHOON
When was the last time you rolled on the floor or squatted effortlessly?
For most of us, those simple, instinctive movements we mastered as toddlers are long forgotten. That’s exactly the problem Breakfree Movement, Malaysia’s first MovNat® licensed facility, is here to solve.
MOVNAT, THE INSPIRATION BEHIND BREAKFREE
At its core, MovNat, short for “Movement Natural”, is about getting back to the way humans were designed to move.
- MovNat focuses on reclaiming our innate ability to move confidently and efficiently in everyday situations.
- Think less gym selfies and more crawling, rolling, climbing, and getting up and down from the ground.
 FEATURED EXPERTDR ELAINE HONG Certified MovNat® L3 Trainer Head Coach and Co-Founder Breakfree Movement Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube |
Empowerment and Transformation
The concept struck a deep chord with Breakfree co-founder Dr Elaine Hong.
“When I first experienced the fitness lifestyle, it empowered me and transformed my confidence in life,” recalls Elaine.
Trading in her career as a cancer research scientist, she pivoted towards coaching others to rebuild physical confidence through natural movement.
 FEATURED EXPERTIMELDA YONG Certified MovNat® L3 Trainer Programme Director and Co-Founder Breakfree Movement Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube |
Breaking Free of Back Pain and Corporate Grind
For Imelda Yong, Breakfree’s other co-founder, the journey was personal.
Years of corporate grind left her with chronic back pain that conventional fitness and therapies couldn’t fix… until a chance encounter with Dr Elaine Hong and MovNat’s mindful, ground-based movements changed everything.
“In just four weeks, my back pain disappeared—and it’s never returned,” says Imelda.
A Shared Vision
Their shared vision is to help people break free from pain and regain control over their bodies. Thus, in 2018, Breakfree Movement was born.
WHY BREAKFREE IS DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE
Unlike conventional gyms that focus on isolated exercises or intense routines, Breakfree Movement uses movements most natural to the human body.
Think crawling, rolling, jumping, balancing — the kinds of physical skills humans needed for survival, now reintroduced for modern life.
“We noticed that most injuries don’t happen in the gym; they happen in daily life,” says Imelda. “Yet most fitness programmes don’t train people to move like humans are meant to—naturally, efficiently, and confidently.”
- Their programmes rebuild strength and adaptability from the ground up.
- Beyond strength and mobility training, sessions also tackle movement fears, like getting up from the floor, especially important for older adults and those recovering from injuries.
- BreakFree also champions the value of play. “Many adults forget that play isn’t just for children—it’s crucial for physical, cognitive, and social health,” Elaine explains.
Programmes for Every Body
Breakfree Movement offers a variety of programmes to suit different needs and life stages.
- 1-on-1 personal coaching. Customized sessions for those with injuries, chronic pain, or specific movement fears.
- Private group classes. Tailored for friends, families, or special needs groups.
- Scheduled group classes. Open to the community, following a cycle of Mobility, Strength, Efficiency, and Play.
- Corporate team-building sessions and wellness workshops. Fun, physically engaging events aimed at building resilience, confidence, and camaraderie at the workplace.
- Other specialized programmes for targeted groups such as athletes, cancer patients and survivors, and individuals with specific medical conditions. These programmes offer a safe, progressive, and effective movement approach tailored to the unique needs of these groups.
“Our programmes are highly adaptable,” says Elaine. “We always start with a movement assessment to gauge a client’s current abilities and limitations before recommending a suitable programme.”
Who Can Benefit from Breakfree?
The answer is: just about everyone!
From office workers and retirees to those living with chronic illnesses, Breakfree’s clients come from all walks of life.
“We’ve helped people with rheumatoid arthritis, cancer survivors, Parkinson’s patients, and even individuals with cerebral palsy improve their daily movement quality,” shares Imelda.
Their success stories include a 77-year-old cancer survivor who regained the ability to squat pain-free after five sessions and an 85-year-old woman who reversed decades of chronic knee pain through simple foot mobility exercises.
Perhaps most meaningfully, Breakfree’s mindful, movement-based play sessions have made tangible improvements in the lives of children and adults with medical conditions like autism.
| Note that the programmes of Breakfree Movement are not designed to replace any treatment plan or medications that you’re currently on. You should always consult your doctor first before making any changes to your current treatment or medication plans. |
Which Programme Is Right for Me?
Dr Elaine points out that every Breakfree Movement programme is personalized and adaptable to each individual’s needs.
- “We begin with a movement assessment to evaluate their current capabilities and identify any limitations,” she says.
- Based on the results, they will recommend a suitable approach–either starting with personal coaching to address pain and build fundamental movement awareness or, if there are no significant pain issues, joining group classes from the outset.
- Their group classes are designed with scalable progressions and regressions, ensuring that each participant can train at an appropriate level while continuing to improve.
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More Than Fitness. It’s About Movement for Life
Ultimately, Breakfree isn’t selling six-pack abs or shredded arms. It’s offering something more lasting: the ability to move confidently and without pain for life.
Elaine sums it up best: “Our goal is to help people break through limitations by reconnecting with their body’s natural ability to move, adapt and thrive—no matter their age or background.”
In a world where most of us spend our days glued to screens and chairs, it’s a philosophy certainly worth standing up (or rolling down) for!
| Breakfree would like to extend a complimentary movement assessment to HealthToday readers (yes, you!). Just drop them a message on their hotline (+6011 5500 7908) and quote “HEALTHTODAY” to redeem. |
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| This article is part of our series on tips and advice for leading a healthy lifestyle. |
