My Journey with Scoliosis. By Sonia, who joined our (not) retreat in Morocco, in 2024

I’m sharing something deeply personal today, something I have n’t talked much about before. It’s the first time I’m opening up about it with people who might not know me well, or probably even at all. My story is about scoliosis, a condition that’s still part of my daily life, though it’s different now. Scoliosis is when your spine curves in an abnormal way, and in my case, I have two curves - an S-shape.

Sonia, at The Movement Camps in Morocco, Feb 2024

It all started when I was 15. During a routine check-up, my doctor noticed something wasn’t quite right with my spine.

He suggested I see an orthopedist, and it was the first time my mom and I realized something was off. Neither of us ever thought I’d have a spine problem - I was always active, 10 years of dancing, 6+ swimming, playing tennis, soft acrobatics, and on top of that doing aerobics with my mom and her friend. I thought I was in great health.

But it turned out, I wasn’t.

After several check-ups, one doctor was especially harsh, calling me "malnourished and starved" which really stuck with me. I decided to go to a retreat at a hospital, where I would focus on exercises to straighten my spine. I stayed longer than expected, convinced I could fix it. I wore a plastic brace for 22 hours a day, and the discomfort was intense - my skin burned, peeled, and I had rashes. Despite all that, my condition worsened. My curve went from 40 to 55 degrees. You can check that on a protractor - it's quite big.

It turned out that the doctors and nurses assigned me exercises for the opposite side of the body, which only worsened my curvatures instead of ‘straightening’ them.

We moved to a private clinic after that, hoping for a better experience. But even there, the focus was more on results than on care, and the stabilizing and correction exercises were exhausting for the mind that wanted to run those emotions away. At 17, I couldn’t understand why it wasn’t working. After several months, my mom, who had been doing everything she could for me, decided we should stop. neither the results nor the money were there. Looking back, I see her decision from a different perspective - she wanted what was best for me, even if I didn’t understand it at the time.

Sonia at The Movement Camps in Morocco, Feb 2024

For a while, I gave up. I stopped caring (and crying) about my spine, stopped moving, and got caught up in unhealthy habits. My life took a turn, and I became very disconnected from my body.

But as I got older, I realized that no one else was going to make things better for me.

I needed to take responsibility for my own life.

I was signed up for spinal (very drastic) surgery, which everyone agreed to.... except me, and that convinced me to leave.

partner yoga at The Movement Camps, Feb 2024

So, I moved to the Netherlands, hoping for a fresh start. Things weren’t easy, though. The physical challenges continued, and my spine only seemed to get worse. My first jobs were physical and my back hurt every day, so I got used to taking painkillers before bed. Once enough money has been raised, I eventually met a group of physiotherapists who gave me some exercises, but they didn’t inspire me.

It wasn’t until I worked at a small yoga studio and met Lola, that things really

began to change. Lola’s energy and passion for movement - and for life - inspired me in ways I can’t describe. She taught me that movement is not about fixing the body, but about connecting with it, listening to it, and honoring it.

When Lola introduced me to The Movement Camps, I knew this was something special. I decided to join in February 2024, and the timing felt right. I had never felt so aligned with my body before. The classes, from floorwork with Stas to strength pilates with Lola, acro yoga, and surfing, were new to me, but they all helped me feel more connected to my body.

I learned to move with intention and joy, rather than focusing on fixing or changing myself.

My scoliosis hasn’t disappeared, but it no longer hurts. The Movement Camps helped me realize that movement doesn’t just heal the body - it heals the mind and soul, too. It’s a reminder that when we listen to our bodies and move with care, we can feel whole again.

I truly believe The Movement Camps offers something for everyone, no matter your experience level. It’s not just about the physical exercises - it’s about being part of a community, nourishing your body with good food, and learning to move in a way that feels right for you.

So, if you’ve ever struggled with feeling disconnected from your body or just want to move in a way that brings you joy and peace, I encourage you to try it. The Movement Camps has made such a difference for me, and I’m so grateful for the chance to be part of this beautiful journey.

Thank you Lola for being you.

Sonia Samburska, participant of The Movement Camps in Morocco, February 2024

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