I found Allan purely by chance, and it turns out he was just what I was looking for! Over many years that were topped off by COVID lockdowns, my active lifestyle had become more and more sedentary and my body became stiff and sore. Movement became painful - even getting out of bed was an effort. If I drove in the car for more than 15 minutes, I would have to wait once I got out of the car before I could actually walk. I had tried returning to the gym but my body would hurt for days after a session. My knees hurt going up and down stairs and I would pull muscles in my legs for no reason and ended up with bursitis in my hip - out of nowhere, which caused me to limp for months. Except for advice & exercises to strengthen my legs muscles, phsyio didn't help. This had a terrible effect on my life, physically and mentally. I had been reading about mobility training but was worried about hurting myself if I just copied people doing it online. And then I found Allan. His approach is unique. He is obviously dedicated and passionate about the power of movement. He has a wealth of knowledge about body mechanics and teaches integrated movement that aligns with and supports your body instead of isolated exercises that may thwart it as it relies on old bad habits. I have been going to classes for about six months now, and Allan actually has me running!! I've never been a runner and certainly haven't attempted to run for years. I can almost do a deep squat which I haven't been able to do for years either because of my knees. And while I still feel some sensitivity in my knees, going up and down stairs is not painful for me now and my legs are stronger. I've also re-discovered muscles I forgot I had and have brought them back to life with the focused and tailored movement and exercises that we do in class. Apart from all this, Allan is a patient teacher and has a great sense of humour which makes going to classes all the more fun! I highly recommend Effortless Movement and investing in sessions with Allan.

I’ve been training with Alan for over 18 months, and his movement training has made a huge improvement in my everyday life. When we started, I was dealing with ongoing lower back issues (I had lower back surgery following my pregnancy) that left me anxious about certain movements and back spasms which left me super anxious about exercise in general—especially any sort of twisting of the lower back. With Alan’s guidance and encouragement, I’ve not only overcome those fears but now actually enjoy the exercises I used to avoid. He even teaches you how to run properly and now I actually enjoy it when I never used to before! My mobility and strength have improved tremendously. I’m more flexible, have noticeably better posture, and feel far more confident and purposeful in my movements. What I also appreciate is the tools and techniques Alan uses are simple, practical, and incredibly effective. He ensures you understand the reasons behind each exercise, which makes a huge difference in staying consistent. He is also a great coach both from an exercise point of view and life in general and I think this is what sets him apart from others, he really tries to understand your situation and everyday life to try and recommend exercises that fit in with your life. Through his coaching I have learnt to push myself, but also to know my limitations and how to recover swiftly, this is where he teaches massage techniques for sore muscles (rollers, peanut), neck massager and using the sole steps to improve my posture. Thanks to Alan, my body (and mind) are stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to handle setbacks or injuries if they come up. I have attended his classes as well as private sessions and highly recommend them if you have any sort of long term pain, want to build on your strength and want to make a difference in your everyday movement.

I came to effortless movement because I knew my movement just wasn't right. Too much effort in a rigid manner that just wasn't producing the results I wanted. Allan has a way of pinpointing what needs to be changed, what can be done better. He can see how to connect upper and lower body and suggest answers. Add to that his focus on the importance of breathing correctly when you are moving has been a great benefit. It's good to learn effortless movement techniques and to understand what your body parts are doing.
This track season has seen me able to apply the things I have learned and resulted in reducing my 400m personal best by 8 seconds, 800m by 25 seconds, 1500m by 16 seconds. At age 72 it has made me more competitive during competition and made me more confident in seeking further improvement because it gives me more confidence. Now the challenge is to continue improving so that I can reach national and international level at age 73

Allan helped me emotionally and physically deal with pain from a torn planter fascia. After months of being on the hamster wheel of going to different doctors and experts, weeks of a moon boot and a cortisone injection. Finally someone who took in the whole picture (Allan ) -his practice allowed me to move with and through the pain. His calm and constructive advice helped me calm my nervous system. I am constantly learning and retraining my movement and my thinking around connection of each movement . Thanks to Allan I’ve gone from not being able to walk without pain and I am now back to my long walks and can even run pain free. Thank you 🙏

I came to see Allan a couple of years after a shoulder surgery that had a few ongoing complications. I was so pleased I did. Allan’s program is holistic and integrates movement patterns, stretching, strength and recovery. I felt this holistic approach was exactly what I needed to get my body back into shape, and I think it’s far superior to a traditional physio, because it takes into account the movement patterns of the entire body, rather than just focusing on the injured part. But more than this, I think Allan’s superpower is taking the time to fully understand not just physical goals. He’s an excellent sounding board, and was willing to listen to what was going on with me and work through the mental and emotional aspect of my journey as well. In stark contrast to the traditional physios I have seen, he would listen carefully and think hard about what I was telling him, and would usually find an effective way to help. He has a very thorough understanding of body mechanics and uses that to find ways to help work through any issues. The group classes take things back to basics, and teach movement patterns, balance, and strength. Allan works at everyone’s level and adjusts the movements accordingly. I really enjoy using the flywheel machines that Allan has at his studio. Unlike traditional weight machines, they allow you to move through the full range of motion while moving heavy weight. (Plus it makes you feel a bit like you’re training for a martial arts movie.) I think I learn something new every time I go to a session! Allan’s knowledge, encouragement and genuine care have made a lasting impact on my well-being. I can’t recommend him highly enough!

I came to Allan with ongoing knee pain that had progressively worsened after years of high-impact sports like netball, basketball, and running. Even after a year of physio and sticking to low-impact exercise, nothing really changed — I was still stuck in pain with restricted movement. Working with Allan has been a complete game-changer. He guided me through the confronting (but powerful) process of unlearning and then relearning the true foundations of movement. These sessions haven’t been about exercise — it’s been re-training the way I move in everyday life. I’m now consciously applying these patterns in simple, daily things like walking, using stairs, or crouching low and using my body to minimise pain — things that used to feel difficult or even impossible. The difference has been pretty life-changing. My pain has reduced, my confidence in movement has grown, and I feel like I have the tools to take control of my body’s future. Allan is an incredible movement instructor — supportive, knowledgeable, and deeply invested in helping you get results that last.

I highly recommend working with Allan Liang at Effortless Movement (previously Train Away Your Pain).

I came to Allan because I was having issues with my knees. I had lost confidence in my ability to walk and run effectively. After recovering from a running injury to my left knee, I began hearing a “crunching” sound in my right knee whenever I bent it. I’d never had issues with my knees before, and suddenly I was experiencing ongoing issues with both knees which I couldn’t explain. My scans showed no structural damage, so I saw a physio to try and fix the problem. They gave me exercises to strengthen specific muscles. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something more fundamental was “off” with my movement patterns.

This prompted me to sign up for Allan’s 12-week program. It offered a more “holistic” solution to addressing my movement patterns and restoring confidence in my body. Allan immediately pointed out some issues with my “biomechanics”, particularly my squatting technique and the lack of rotation in my upper body. Over the course of the program, I was able to understand these issues and learn ways to move my body in a more integrated way.

Allan is a great teacher, super patient and he meets where you are at. Even in a group class environment, he will give you tailored guidance based on your body’s capabilities and individual goals. His approach is very unique. This is not a standard exercise class! You will learn movement fundamentals from the ground up, plus the role of the breath and regulating the nervous system in the healing process. Allan knows what he’s doing 🙂

I reached out to TAYP because I was suffering a lot of pain in my right shoulder which was making it hard to sleep and doing everyday things. It took my gardening joy away because I was unable to pull weeds, Use a shovel or just general work. My time with TAYP helped me with moving my whole arm instead of putting all that pressure in to my shoulder. Through moving my whole body correctly and using my breath my shoulder has improved immensely and I will be forever grateful to learn some basic techniques to help me. Thankyou TAYP

After spending almost a decade in construction with an injured back and trying physios and chiros for years, I had almost settled on living with the pain. But then I found Allan, who, in a fairly short amount of time, took away 80–90% of the daily pain. He showed me a handful of exercises that put me on the right track. But the real value was in how he adjusted my perspective every time I got stuck in my recovery journey. It’s been a little over 3 months, and I’ve gone from having pain while sitting on a sofa to jogging without pain. Where Allan is different from others is that he arms you with the tools so that if things ever start to hurt again, you now have a way forward.

I reached out to Allan Liang (TAYP) in July 2024 after suffering for several years with unresolved hip and lower back pain, resulting from compressed discs and bursitis. The pain was constant, increased when I was sitting or lying down (eg sleeping) for any length of time and negatively affected my quality of life. I have been a walker for many years and found daily walking and more limited bike riding helpful although “too much” exercise increased pain, particularly in my hips, which decreased my enjoyment of these activities significantly. Before meeting Allan I had previously tried physiotherapy, red light therapy, medication and various other modalities to obtain relief without any lasting success. What was particularly noticeable about Allan from the start was his willingness to listen and his interest in identifying root cause rather than just managing symptoms. I have previously felt that many practitioners that I consulted applied generic, ‘cookie cutter’ solutions to manage symptoms rather than considering my individual needs and addressing root cause, with the result that nothing changed. This was not the case with Allan. He has a very clear communication style and was able to explain why I was suffering from the pain that I experienced in a way that was easy for me, as a lay person, to understand. He recommended a course of movement instruction which initially included scaling back my walking activities for a period of time to promote recovery and healing. I found this difficult to do as I enjoy walking but ultimately it helped reduce the pain that I had been experiencing to a much more tolerable level. The movement instruction that Allan provided was supported by clear visual demonstrations of technique which he encouraged me to video, thus making it easy to follow outside of our one-on-one sessions. Through these sessions I gained a better understanding of cause and effect and learnt to adapt my routine to manage and, ultimately, address the pain I was suffering. Overall, I found Allan very approachable and engaged - he was always available to answer queries and provide additional movement instruction as required. He is very knowledgeable about his subject and is able to convey complex information in a clear and easily digestible manner. I never felt hurried during our sessions and enjoyed the opportunity to discuss a range of topics related to my issues and treatment. Allan’s whole-body approach to movement instruction, incorporating consideration of both mind and body, was a major factor in the positive results that I achieved while participating in his program. Although no longer working directly with Allan I continue to gain benefit from applying his movement instruction techniques in my day-to-day activities.

I came to Allan following 2 years of on/off back pain and tennis elbow. Both of these injuries hindered my work as an electrician and got in the way of my daily training and active lifestyle. After just a few weeks with Allan and following his movement rehab program I had began to progress and was happy with the results I was seeing. After a few months I was barely thinking about my back at all. The most profound part of Allan’s training for me has been his mind management teachings- I still get minor flare ups and niggles now but the skills I have learnt from Allan and his program keep me on track better than I ever have before. Small injures in the past would have been major set backs for me and ruined weeks or months of training whereas now I can work out ways to train around/rehab the injury without it getting in the way of everything else- all thanks to Allan. I’m incredibly appreciate for the opportunity to train and learn with Allan

Post COVID I was having horrible pain on my shoulders down to my right arm, super tight calves and painful achilles on my left leg! I spent my time on weekly visits to both physio and massage therapists but the problem persisted to the point that I thought I would have to give up what I was doing (beauty therapy). Until March 2024 I took the courage to contact Allan and did a TAYP Confidence program and trained with him, the pain has since dissipated! Allan has amazing combined knowledge of both Eastern and Western physiology and philosophy that helps to alleviate the pain through movements! My achilles no longer hurt, my calves are no where near tight, I don’t feel the pain of my rotator cuff, tennis elbow and wrist tendonitis and if work triggers them a little, I know what to do with what I learnt from Allan! I am not in the constant pain I was at the beginning of this year! Through this course of training with TAYP, I realized that only us to be responsible for our own pain and how to change it! I had so much fear within me that create layers of protection around my pain that I made it worse! I was relying on physio therapist and massage therapists to solve it for me (what an easy way!) but it won’t go until I stepped up to the RIGHT movements! Since then I have learnt the ways I move could build strength and soften my pain! Also, I now know that I can age but don’t have to age with pain! Allan told me “unless you are in the hospital not allowed to move, or you’ve broken your bones, there are always movements to do.” He is so right! Thank you Allan!

I experienced ongoing joint pain for many years, stemming from my two pregnancies. The most frustrating aspect of my pain was that any exercise seemed to exacerbate it. As a result, I started avoiding all exercise, even walking.

I saw many different kinds of therapists for help. I did make some progress with some of these health professionals. However, my problem with avoiding exercise persisted, as I was never able to exercise confidently without pain. I also became anxious about exercise as a result, and my avoidance grew.

Allan was very different to all the other people that I had seen. He recognised the many layers to my difficulties, in particular the emotional component that had set in for me.

After working with Allan, I had a repertoir of movement tools, with a comprehensive program that I now follow at home. I also had techniques and tools to manage the psychological component that had set in. As a result, I was able to shift my old and unhelpful patterns and replace them with a new approach to managing pain/avoidance.

My goal on starting with Allan was to be able to do any exercise I wanted (running, gym, yoga, etc) without having to abandon it due to pain. I have absolutely achieved this goal. I now can attend several fitness classes during the week (pilates, gym, yoga), and I walk and run. I also know that if I do have pain, I have the knowledge to manage it effectively myself, and it quickly resolves.

I would highly recommend TAYP to anyone who is experiencing pain, and whose life has been restricted in any way as a result of this pain.

Apologies in advance for such a long review, but it’s truly been a journey and I want my story to help others in the same situation.

At the risk of sounding over the top, Alan and Ben have literally changed my life. I suffered from lower back ailments on and off over the last 15 years probably due to a desk bound job, having children etc. Over the years I have had tried different forms of exercise to address it (yoga, pilates, swimming, running) but nothing dealt with the pain I was experiencing and some forms of exercise made it worse. A couple of years ago I aggravated my back terribly (L4.5 / L5.S1 annular disc irritation and sacroiliac ligament strain) by simply getting out of bed and was left with daily ongoing debilitating pain that just didn’t seem to get better. As everything is connected, over time I also started noticing my neck was being affected too. This combo resulted in daily headaches, pins& needles down my arms and pain shooting across my lower back and down my legs.

I was visiting an amazing Chiropractor approximately every 10 days and he would get me moving again, my pain would be reduced but didn’t completely cease. He would get me to a point where I could move again but after 2 years of constant visits I realized I wasn’t doing enough to help myself out of my pain cycle. I felt pretty lost at Osteo and Physio. They hurt and felt worse after. Excercise hurt. Driving to the supermarket hurt. Gardening hurt. Sitting at my desk hurt. Sneezing hurt!! I was scared I would need an operation. My constant pain was exhausting - aging me faster, extinguishing all my joy (I couldn’t even bend down to tie my shoelaces without significant pain) it compromised my sleep (I couldn’t turn in bed without bracing myself) and produced an anxiety that took over my life. I was on a constant merry go round of appointments, pain killers and dreading basic things things like picking up my daughter or going to a picnic for fear of having to sit on the ground. It wasn’t great to feel that uncomfortable in my own body. I felt weak and vulnerable in everything I did. I was literally at my wits end with it all and frightened about my future. I was apprehensive about the commitment required at Train Away Your Pain (exhausted from pain and worried training would make it worse) but I was really desperate so decided to give it a go.

Allan and Ben were beyond amazing. Life changing is definitely the words I would use. They meet you where you are. You start small and at an achievable consistent pace. They build your confidence as well teach you how to reconnect your mind to your body. They are gentle, encouraging and wise beyond their years about the science of movement, the psychology of pain and the ability we all have to overcome our own pain and discomforts. They sincerely care about your outcomes.

I’ve been going for 4months now. My pain and discomfort level has gone from a high level 90% of the time to a low level probably 10% or less of the time. I now only go to my Chiropractor once every 5 weeks and I require far fewer adjustments. When I started at TAYP I couldn’t even lift the 6kg kettle bells. I’m now on 14kg kettles easily with no back pain. I can now sit comfortably at my desk and get in and out of the car like the 45year old I am instead of feeling like an 80 year old I felt like.
I now only have sore muscles from training (the good sore) and not the pain, discomfort and alarm bells ringing in my mind when I moved awkwardly (the bad sore).
My confidence is being restored and I play with my daughter again. I have my life back. Sleep is better. There’s much more joy.
I wouldn’t have it all if it weren’t for Alan and Ben. When you are released from pain it’s literally like a curtain is being pulled back and the sunlight is flooding in again.
I can’t recommend Alan and Ben at Train Away Your Pain highly enough. I truly feel blessed to have found them.

I've been training with Allan for about 2 years and I hate to think where I'd be now if I never tried TAYP. I'm very active nearly 50, running a swim school (which I intend to keep doing for another 20 years at least!)
Pilates and Spin I thought would get me there but I started to get injuries that just wouldn't go away. Shoulder pain, lower back pain, neck pain, getting up in the morning I'd never know what to expect...
I'd go see my Physio and get massages but doing a bit of research I realised I needed to up my game with movement and decided to give TAYP a go.
I loved it! It wasn't just mindless reps but engaging and stimulating movement exercises. I didn't realise how much fun it would be and educational.
I now know what to do when I get up in the morning to warm my body up, what to do if I feel some tightness and if I do get pain how to self massage it away!
I'm more flexible than I was 20 years ago, know my body well and love learning more that I can even help my family & friends with.
Yes it takes discipline to do daily movement but to be honest it is so motivating when seeing the results that it has given me.
I'm so greatful to Allan and can't recommend TAYP enough.
It's an investment that will give you years back.