Movement teacher Carrie Owerko joins us this week on The AGEIST Podcast to break down how curiosity and joy can transform the way we move, age, and live. Carrie describes herself as both a movement optimist and an “optionist,” someone who believes in varied, adaptable practices over rigid routines. She shares how play, autonomy, and experimentation fuel sustainable physical habits, regardless of age or ability. So if you’ve ever felt boxed in by fitness dogma or hesitant to try something new, this conversation will show you a better path forward.
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Key Moments
“I’m a movement optimist. I think movement is medicine.”
“Permission to play—that was my little tagline.”
“It’s not too late. What else can we do? Not do?”
Connect With Carrie Owerko
The Playground (online classes)
Connect With AGEIST
Reimagining Fitness as Exploration
Carrie Owerko doesn’t just teach movement—she teaches people how to think differently about their bodies. As a longtime yoga educator with roots in theater and dance, Carrie advocates for an exploratory, playful approach to movement that goes beyond the rigid boundaries of traditional fitness. Her belief? The body thrives on novelty, joy, and autonomy.
From Rules to Options
Carrie’s perspective challenges many prevailing norms in the wellness world. Rather than prescribing universal “correct” movements, she encourages individuals to ask their own questions: How does this feel? What happens if I try it differently? This fosters what she calls “physical autonomy”: the ability to listen to your body and adapt practices to suit our personal needs.
What Adults Can Learn from Children
One of her key messages is simple but powerful: Play isn’t just for kids. Adults, she argues, tend to shrink their movement vocabulary over time, reducing their physical potential. By reintroducing playful experimentation—whether through dance, crawling, or skipping—people can expand their movement capacity and, by extension, their resilience and confidence.
Why It’s Not Too Late
Perhaps the most empowering takeaway from Carrie’s appearance is this: It’s never too late. Whether you’re learning French at 60, taking a new dance class at 70, or simply trying to move differently at any age, the benefits are real. In her words, “It always starts with one thing.” Her approach isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress, curiosity, and, yes, a little fun.
Play Is Necessary
Carrie Owerko’s message is clear: playful, adaptive movement isn’t just possible—it’s necessary. You can connect with Carrie Owerko through her platform, The Playground, or join one of her live workshops globally or online.
Tune in to hear more from Carrie Owerko on this episode of The AGEIST Podcast or check out the full interview transcript.
The ideas expressed here are solely the opinions of the author and are not researched or verified by AGEIST LLC, or anyone associated with AGEIST LLC. This material should not be construed as medical advice or recommendation, it is for informational use only. We encourage all readers to discuss with your qualified practitioners the relevance of the application of any of these ideas to your life. The recommendations contained herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. You should always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before starting any new treatment or stopping any treatment that has been prescribed for you by your physician or other qualified health provider. Please call your doctor or 911 immediately if you think you may have a medical or psychiatric emergency.
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