If there's one controversial topic that an Anat Baniel Method® Practitioner is passionate about... it's probably the case AGAINST tummytime.

Yikes... hear me out...

There are soooo many reasons to STOP and think about why we are putting babies in a position they can't get into or out of on their own (for the idea that it will help them gain new skills or to prevent flat head).

If left to their own self-initiated movements, most neurotypical children will develop the skill of rolling over onto and out of their tummy ON THEIR OWN. 

All that's needed is lots of time on the floor in a safe space to wiggle and explore how their own bodies move through gravity.

The idea of TummyTime originated after the back-to-sleep program (see blog post on Janet Lansbury.com) to counteract the amount of time babies were spending either sleeping on their backs, or spending too much time in restrictive carriers.

This isn't to bash modern realities or parenting. We live in a world where safe...

Create change (and a learning moment) for your child with special needs just by exploring reaching!

How does adding in an intention (reaching for a fun toy in this case) change the way your child's ribs move as they reach???

Get down on the floor and let's explore!

Try it yourself first...
TRUST ME... you will be better able to transfer what you FEEL yourself to create bigger changes for your child. So get down and explore yourself, before your child. 

Feel your ribs with one hand as you reach for a toy with the other.
Move the toy and feel how your rib movements change.
Do your ribs slide down, up, forward?

Now explore with your child. Make sure they are comfortable (modify if needed to keep them safe and comfy)
Place a gentle hand on their ribs.
Place an interesting toy within their ability to reach.
Feel any movement in their ribs as they reach.
Move the toy and feel if their ribs shift and move?

Remember... it’s not about ‘making’ your child reach for the toy.
The...

What does the Pelvis have to do with Head Control and Tummy Time...

Turns out... a lot.

My daughter struggled with head control for a very long time. I thought she needed to "strengthen" her neck muscles.

Thankfully, my Anat Baniel Method® training taught me a few things about learning how to move our skeletons through gravity. 

Well-organized movement uses the LEAST amount of muscular effort.

The head is connected to the ENTIRE spine, which is connected to the pelvis. 

We are dynamic, whole beings. Learning HOW to use our WHOLE, dynamic bodies will improve balance, coordination AND Head Control. 

You can find out more about Head Control and slow, gentle movements here:

https://classes.mindfullmoves.com/courses

• How many ABM® lessons your child should be getting.
• What is ABM’s approach/feeling towards simultaneous methods of therapy?
• AND... what you can do at home to support your child in between ABM lessons. 

Early morning stiffness gone in under a min. No stretching!

I’ve always had “tight” hamstrings.
It wasn’t until I discovered ABM® and STOPPED stretching that I could touch my toes for the first time in my 40+ yr life.

Change in under 1 min.
No stretching. No pain.

Just simple curious exploration of movement.

Gentle reminders to my brain…

• that it can move in this way…
• and move in that way and…
• it can reorganize itself to move with more ease, less pain and more efficiency.

Brains for the early morning win!

Give it try and let me know what changes you notice!

1. In standing, reach for toes as far as comfortable.
2. Get on floor (or can be done sitting in a chair!)
3. Run both hands down one leg at a time, find the way that is most comfortable for you.
4. Bring one foot closer to your chest, reaching with your hands. Keep it comfortable.
5. Play.
6. Come to stand again. Reach for toes.
7. What differences do you notice?

You can access the potential of your child's brain with a few simple tools (Anat Baniel calls them: the 9 Essentials®)

Let's take a closer look at Movement with Attention and how FAST you can engage your child's brain, just by bringing attention to WHAT they are doing.  

BUT... it begins with your own awareness. 

The more Attention YOU can bring to your own movements, the more your CHILD will be able to bring attention to their own movements. 

Follow along with this 2 min video to experience tapping into your own brain's ability to change and upgrade. 

Using this tool with your child can be as easy as CREATING the space for them to bring attention to their own movements. 

To learn more... let me guide you on exploring your child's unique movement journey inside the Movement Class Membership. 

As an Anat Baniel Method® of Neuromovement® practitioner, I get a lot of questions from parents asking if it can help their children with a wide variety of conditions and diagnoses. 

Can ABM® help my child with cerebral palsy? 
Can ABM® help my child with hypotonia? 
Can ABM® help my child with Down's Syndrome?
CanABM® help my child with autism?  

The short answer is yes. 

But how? 

From the outside observing, ABM® looks like almost nothing.
Slow, gentle movements, all within the range of the child's comfort and ease.
How is that possibly doing anything to increase their range of motion? Increase their tone?

The secret lies in the brain. 

Whatever the diagnosis, parents are searching for a change in the quality of MOVEMENT for their children. 

Better coordination. 
Better balance. 
Less spasticity. 
Better tone.  

Now this is where things get interesting.

Most traditional...

This is one of the hardest questions I get asked as an ABM practitioner!

It seems silly, because after 9 years of taking my daughter to practitioners, 3 years of training and 5 years of practicing, I should probably be able to answer this simple question in one sentence. 

But... well...it's complicated. 

ABM is a paradigm shift from looking at our children as something to "fix", to seeing them as the dynamic, amazing humans they are (with dynamic and amazing brains). 

From a parent's point of view, this seems so obvious.  

From a professional point of view, it's just not how rehab and therapy are done (yet!). If there's something "wrong" you try and fix it. And if you are a child... other people try and fix you. 

That never sat quite right with me, as a parent. 

My ultimate goal for my daughter is for her to reach her own unique potential, whatever that is. How can I, as a parent support her in reaching her potential? 

I...