For Melbourne-based designer and mindfulness coach Gemma Mahoney, Rise Practice began as both a creative project and a deeply personal mission—to design a space where mindfulness meets movement. What started as a website blossomed into something far more expansive: the first app dedicated to Stretch Meditation, a practice that helps people release tension, move with ease, and reconnect with their bodies.

With its minimalist design and calming tone, Rise Practice offers a sanctuary for mind and body—uniting mindfulness, movement, and mindset in one serene digital experience. When Gemma and her co-founder, Charles, discovered Movement, it gave them the tools to translate their holistic vision into an app that feels truly aligned—beautiful, functional, and deeply intentional. Today, Rise Practice reaches users worldwide, helping them stretch, release, and reset through over 350 guided sessions designed to restore balance, one breath at a time.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and the business you run?

Gemma: My name is Gemma, and I’m the co-founder of Rise Practice, a movement and mindfulness platform that we launched with Movement.

Charles: And I’m Charles, also co-founder of Rise Practice. Our mission is to help people transform movement practices into mindfulness. It’s really about creating an experience that helps you feel present, grounded, and connected through mindful movement.

What led you to create an app?

Gemma: As a small startup, when we initially launched our mindfulness, movement, and mindset platform, we started with a website due to limited funds that prevented us from exploring an app avenue.

When we first launched our business a couple of years ago, we felt that the option of an app was just impossible at that time—based on price and just not knowing where to start.

Once we were launched for a little while, we actually stumbled across Movement and were incredibly impressed that we could potentially launch an app.

"Once we started checking it out and playing with the templates and designs, we realized—wow, we can actually translate our visual identity and website experience into an app."

Why did you choose Movement to build your movement and mindfulness app?

Gemma: Firstly, meeting the founders in person put Movement on our radar, and there was an added sense of trust that came from that face-to-face interaction. It was reassuring to know that we were also supporting a startup by choosing the Movement platform.

Charles: When we came across Movement, it totally transformed our ability to create an app and reach people. The functionality and design meant that we could create an experience that was really consistent with our brand identity—and our graphic design worked beautifully with the Movement model.

"When we came across Movement, it totally transformed our ability to create an app and reach people."

Did you try any other platforms before Movement?

Gemma: Not for an app. We did look around, but the fees made it unattainable for us.

Charles: We really thought creating an app would be years away and extremely expensive. Movement made it possible right now.

What was your experience like building the app?

Gemma: The app development process was incredibly straightforward, and design-wise, it proved to be flexible and complementary to our website.

"As a graphic designer, I’ve been so impressed with how customizable it is—the design features, the adaptability, even being able to add in custom fonts like Google Fonts. It really allows you to build a custom-feeling experience that feels like you."

Charles: It’s changed our product offering in such a way that we’re really happy with. It’s been amazing to see how Movement has elevated the quality and experience of what we can offer.

What kind of support did you receive along the way?

Gemma: The team has just been incredible. If we’ve ever had any questions, there’s a live chat where you can pop your question in—and they get back to you within an hour. It’s incredible!

Charles: They’ve been supportive every step of the way—just a terrific team and a great group of people.

"The team has just been incredible."

What’s changed for your business since launching the app?

Gemma: Honestly, we’re hugely grateful for this platform as it has allowed our small business to expand. It’s given us a professional, scalable space that reflects who we are and what we offer.

Charles: It’s also made our brand feel complete. Having our own app allows us to reach people more directly and create a consistent, immersive experience that just wasn’t possible before.

"It has allowed our small business to expand. It’s given us a professional, scalable space that reflects who we are and what we offer."

Would you recommend Movement to others?

Gemma: Yes! I just can’t recommend this product enough. If you are like us (a small business wanting to launch an app), this is the perfect place to start.

Charles: Absolutely. Movement is a game-changer. It makes app creation accessible, and the team genuinely cares. Check them out—they’re doing amazing work!

"I just can’t recommend this product enough. If you are like us (a small business wanting to launch an app), this is the perfect place to start."

Since launching their app with Movement, Gemma and Charles have transformed Rise Practice into a seamless online wellness and fitness platform—one that embodies calm, clarity, and connection. With Movement’s flexibility, they were able to design an app that not only reflects their minimalist brand aesthetic but also delivers an intuitive, high-quality user experience for their growing global community.

With Movement, they found the perfect balance of design flexibility, affordability, and hands-on support. Today, Rise Practice continues to grow, offering an accessible and beautifully crafted space for people to reconnect through movement and mindfulness: a true reflection of the calm, clarity, and care at the heart of their brand. For mindfulness coaches, yoga instructors, and wellness brands seeking to elevate their offerings on a smaller budget, Rise Practice is proof that you can build a serene, beautifully branded mindfulness app without sacrificing design, usability, or authenticity.

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