Aims: We aim to constrain the structural variations within the HST-1 region downstream of the radio jet of M 87, in general as well as in connection to the episodes of activity at very high energy (VHE). Methods: We analyzed and compared 26 VLBI observations of the M 87 jet, obtained between 2006 and 2011 with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) at 1.7 GHz and the European VLBI Network (EVN) at 5 GHz. Results: HST-1 is detected at all epochs; we model-fitted its complex structure with two or more components, the two outermost of which display a significant proper motion with a superluminal velocity around ~4 c. The motion of a third feature that is detected upstream is more difficult to characterize. The overall position angle of HST-1 has changed during the time of our observations from -65° to -90°, while the structure has moved by over 80 mas downstream. Our results on the component evolution suggest that structural changes at the upstream edge of HST-1 can be related to the VHE events.