The Science Behind Hip Mobility: How One San Diego Fitness Founder Is Changing Women’s Wellness

In the heart of San Diego, movement is being redefined — not as a workout, but as a form of deep emotional and physical healing. At the center of this shift is Mia Laren, the founder of Curvora™, a fitness method rooted in science, rhythm, and the art of hip mobility.

“Your hips are more than just joints,” says Laren. “They’re a gateway to emotional release, balance, and self-confidence. When women learn to move freely through the hips, something profound happens — physically and mentally.”

The Science of the Hips and Emotions

While many fitness programs focus on strength or flexibility, Curvora™ draws from research showing that the psoas muscle — a deep muscle connecting the spine to the legs — plays a central role in how the body stores and releases stress.

According to a report by Harvard Health Publishing (2022), chronic stress causes tension in the hip flexors, often resulting in discomfort, stiffness, and emotional fatigue. This same region, researchers note, is linked to the autonomic nervous system, which governs the body’s stress response. When movement targets this area intentionally, it can promote emotional regulation and nervous system balance.

A 2018 study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies found that hip-focused somatic movement practices helped participants reduce anxiety and improve mood. Another study in Frontiers in Psychology (2019) supported these findings, revealing that mind-body exercises that integrate the hips can enhance both emotional processing and physical well-being.

“Science confirms what dancers and healers have known for centuries,” Laren adds. “When you release your hips, you release what’s been holding you back — physically and emotionally.”

A Method Born from Public

Health and Dance

Laren’s approach stems from a unique blend of her master’s degree in public health and her professional background in dance. Curvora’s sequences are designed not only to tone and sculpt the body but also to activate the parasympathetic nervous system — encouraging calmness, focus, and connection.

Each movement in Curvora is performed with the knees softly bent and the hips dynamically engaged, helping participants strengthen stabilizing muscles and increase mobility. Beyond fitness, many women describe the sessions as a form of emotional therapy, leaving them with a sense of clarity and empowerment.

Why Hip Mobility Matters for Women’s Wellness

Women often experience hip tightness from lifestyle factors — sitting for long hours, stress, or hormonal changes — which can affect posture, lower back health, and circulation. Regular hip-mobility training helps:

• Enhance posture and core strength

• Improve pelvic alignment and flexibility

• Boost circulation to the lower body

• Relieve tension in the lower back

• Support emotional regulation and stress release

  
  

Studies suggest that mobility training contributes to overall health in ways often overlooked. A 2021 review in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health highlighted that targeted mobility programs can reduce chronic pain and improve mental well-being when combined with mindful movement.

A New Movement in Wellness

What makes Curvora™ stand out is its community-driven energy. Each session is designed to be a safe, empowering space for women to reconnect with their bodies and rediscover their strength — both physically and emotionally.

“It’s not just about working out,” Laren explains. “It’s about remembering who you are beneath the tension. Every hip movement is a story, a release, and a reminder that your body holds incredible wisdom.”

About Curvora™

Curvora™ is a San Diego–based fitness method created by Mia Laren, a professional dancer and public health advocate. Combining movement science with dance-inspired sequences, Curvora helps release tension, build strength, and reconnect to their confidence.

To learn more or experience a class, visit www.mialaren.com or follow @CurvoraFitness.

References

1. Harvard Health Publishing. Why Your Hip Flexors Get Tight — and How to Loosen Them. (2022)

2. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. Somatic Movement and Emotional Regulation: A Pilot Study. (2018)

3. Frontiers in Psychology. Embodied Emotion Regulation Through Movement: A Review. (2019)

4. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Mobility Training and Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review. (2021)