We were lucky to catch up with Kaita Mrazek recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kaita thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

I was working as a Pilates instructor, dancing with local companies, and teaching Yoga. While I often felt deeply inspired in other classes, I longed to bring that same richness and depth to my own teaching. Then, a pivotal opportunity came along: a Pilates client asked me to consult for a startup she was creating—an activewear brand inspired by Chinese medicine. This marked the beginning of a multi-year journey that transformed my career and opened my mind to new possibilities.

Not only did this experience teach me to think bigger, but it also immersed me in the practice and philosophy of Chinese medicine. I eventually became a co-founder of the brand, collaborating with incredible people and embracing a holistic perspective that reshaped my work. As we realized the need to educate our audience about Chinese medicine, a new movement practice began to take form. I found myself drawing connections between the development of our bodies, the role of fascia, our energy systems, and the natural world. This led me to pursue further education to synthesize and express this evolving vision.

Although the activewear brand has since closed, it was key in bringing me to where I am today: in residence at the beautiful acupuncture clinic, The Road / Desert Canary. Here, I have the privilege of collaborating with experts I admire and using my knowledge to complement their practices. The journey is still unfolding, but it has been deeply fulfilling and continues to shape my work in meaningful ways.

Kaita, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

The Listening Movement is a collection of movement tools designed to help you unlock your own healing power. For those local to Austin, TX, I offer hands-on fascial re-tuning at my studio. This potent, customized active stretch technique works to re-organize stuck fascia, relieve chronic pain, improve alignment, and heighten movement awareness. My approach integrates key fascial pathways aligned with the meridian map of the body—energy channels as understood in Chinese medicine.

In addition to this one-on-one work, I lead Authentic Movement sessions and group classes in Austin. Authentic Movement is a deeply powerful (and somewhat esoteric) practice that helps participants uncover and move through psychological restrictions. It’s a space for the subconscious to explore and express, often leading to greater freedom in life and inspiring deeper exploration during Fascial Re-Tuning sessions.

For those who can’t join in person, I also provide virtual resources. These include a members area with on-demand class replays, short fascial re-tuning flows, and a movement library with quick-reference GIFs for self-stretch routines.

My journey here has been guided by a continuous pursuit of integrity and alignment—seeking ease, seeking honesty. These practices have allowed me to be more present with myself and those around me. I strive to offer something different from the many practices out there that often tie our worth to external measures like appearance, performance, or constant self-improvement. Instead, I want my students to return to themselves, to cultivate a sense of worth and a happy home within their own bodies. I believe that a deep connection and self-love is the most powerful foundation for healing and growth.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the hardest lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that my self-worth was tied to how I looked and performed. For years, I never felt pretty enough, thin enough, or flexible enough. These messages likely came from a mix of personal and societal influences, and they led me down a path of constant anguish and insecurity—restricting my eating, struggling with body dysmorphia, and often feeling disconnected from myself and others. While I wasn’t entirely unhappy, looking back, I can see the weight of those layers on my life.

The turning point came when I discovered new movement practices that brought me joy and reconnected me to the experience of moving for pleasure rather than performance. Giving birth to my daughter was another catalyst. The realization that I was raising a girl in the same society that had shaped my views about my body made me want something different for her. Also, in a surprising twist, during my pregnancy, I struggled to keep food down, but after she was born, food became a source of immense pleasure—a joy I hadn’t allowed myself to feel for a long time.

These experiences fundamentally shifted how I approach my teaching and my business. I emphasize messages of acceptance and self-compassion, inviting people to examine the beliefs they hold about their bodies and how those beliefs shape their experiences. My goal isn’t to prescribe one “right” way of moving or thinking but to help us unearth our conditioning and create space for more informed, empowered choices. After all, the ability to choose is what truly gives us power.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Collaboration. I thrive when I’m able to trade ideas and share knowledge with other practitioners. Some of my best work happens when I’m also prioritizing my own well-being. While there’s a lot I can do on my own, I often feel most inspired after hearing cues from another teacher, consulting with an acupuncturist, or having a session with a personal trainer.

I don’t believe in a competitive mindset. There’s plenty of space for all of us, and when we lift up those we believe in, we all rise together. I also recognize that my knowledge has limits. Connecting with other experts I admire and trust allows me to confidently recommend additional support to my clients. Our bodies are complex systems that thrive when everything works in harmony—and our communities are no different.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thelisteningmovement.com
• Instagram: @kaitamrazek @thelisteningmovement
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kaitamrazek

Image Credits

Arna Behar
The Road Acupuncture
Yoga Soup