PowerUP Movement Co., the HAES®️ Principles, and Framework of Care - In Perfect Alignment

By Angel Austin

PowerUP Movement Co. is all about intentional movement and helping you set goals that align with your values so that you can make informed choices that support your overall health and well-being. This is your right, no matter what size your body is.

This approach is closely aligned with the newly revised principles of Health at Every Size®️ (HAES®️), which advocate for inclusive health practices that honor diversity and resist a weight-centric approach to health. It's important to note that principles focused on joyful, life-enhancing movement and eating for wellbeing have been removed with the most recent revision. 

How does our work align with each individual principle? 

Healthcare as a Human Right

If you've followed us for some time, you will know that we subscribe to this principle whole-heartedly. Health care (including medical care AND self care) should be available to you regardless of your health status and health goals. By showcasing movement that can be adapted for various body types and sizes, we promote the idea that movement really is for every body and doesn't have to be done with the intention of losing weight. 

Wellbeing, Care, and Healing

We advocate for your wellbeing through intentional movement, recognizing that using it as a tool is a personal choice and a resource for personal and community health. Movement can be joyful (though, very often it's not) and self-affirming, echoing the HAES®️ view that health exists on a continuum and is deeply personal.

Care Without Anti-Fat Bias

Our programming is designed to be free from anti-fat bias, promoting an inclusive environment that respects all body types. This commitment is crucial in dismantling the systemic oppression often encountered by individuals at the higher end of the fatness spectrum.

Health as a Sociopolitical Construct

We acknowledge that current societal definitions of health often exclude significant segments of the population. By advocating for a broad and inclusive definition of health, we support the HAES®️ principle that health is a sociopolitical construct influenced by various biases that need to be critically examined.

PowerUp Movement Co.is also aligned with applicable aspects of the new HAES®️ Framework of Care. They include concepts like:

Grounding in Liberatory Frameworks

Our philosophy is grounded in liberatory practice and we seek to empower individuals by providing supportive and inclusive movement options. This approach aligns with HAES®️ efforts to integrate insights from various liberation movements, ensuring that health practices enhance overall liberation without oppression.

Informed Consent and Autonomy

In all of our programming, we try to make sure that you're aware of potential impacts of our work together, promoting informed consent and respecting bodily autonomy. This supports the HAES®️ directive that your autonomy and consent are always prioritized.

Skills for Inclusive Care (Training)

We invest in training methods that accommodate bodies of all sizes, demonstrating a commitment to comprehensive and compassionate training. This includes varied program offerings that ensure accessibility and effectiveness for everyone. 

Addressing Anti-Fat Bias

We are always working to combat anti-fat bias. This internal and external advocacy is in line with the HAES®️ requirement to challenge and eliminate weight bias in all forms.

Tools for Wellbeing

We provide tools that encourage a healthy relationship with movement, emphasizing the importance tailoring it to individual needs and preferences without focusing on weight loss. This approach is a practical application of the HAES®️ principle that tools for health should not perpetuate oppression.

At PowerUP Movement Co., we want to exemplify how movement can align with Health at Every Size®️ principles and Framework of Care. By promoting intentional movement that is accessible and free from weight-centric narratives, PowerUP supports the physical and emotional health of individuals across the size spectrum.

This alignment with HAES®️ not only enhances individual wellbeing, but also furthers our collective journey towards a more inclusive and equitable health and wellness landscape. Through continuous education and adaptation, PowerUP helps lead the way in approaching movement that truly celebrates and supports diversity.