Saturday, June 20, 2009

Feldenkrais (R) Anat Baniel Method (sm) for Children and Edmonton!!

What an amazing journey this was. I flew into Edmonton to meet a lovely person, Carla and her sister-in-law Theresa. What a wonderful group of people to meet!

I was coming to work on 5 special needs children. My request upon landing was going to see the West Edmonton Mall ! I found myself at this mamoth place within 1/2 hour of landing! We saw the ice rink, the swimming pool, the roller coaster, stores galour, Europea section, and had dinner in the Bourban St. Area. We also stopped into the Lululemon store. I finally purchased so Lululemon fitness wear for my upcoming trip to Italy!

I was given my very full intensive, schedule to see 5 special children either 2 x for 45 minutes or 3 x for 30 minutes a day for the next 4 days.

First child was very cooperative and got 3 lessons that first day with some wonderful changes, eg. better balance, more confident playing sports.

The second child was amazing and loving in his own way. He was very spactistic, but learned to soften during the sessions.

The third child has had many lessons with Anat Baniel and other practitioners in California, so she was very quick to learn and change. She has had brain injury so repeating things was very helpful for her.

The fourth child came in very quiet and little to now awareness or movement. She changed very quickly to become aware and have a light and sparkle for life in her eye.

The fifth child was abused as a 9 week old and had suffered brain injury! She has a number of habitual habit that have formed from being in the hospital and parents and grand parents just not knowing what to do, how to create new possibilities and change. I believe this is the 1st step in becoming aware of an issue with your child.

The changes in the children were amazing and the parents were very, very thankful.

The news of your child being diagnosed with some disease or disability is 'overwhelming' to say the least! What steps do you take and what do you do? There are many agencies out there to tell you this that and the other, but the "overwhelm" creates a helplessness that sometimes closes our minds to look for other alternatives.

Working with the children in the Feldenkrais, Anat Baniel Methods gives me lots of insite as to how to create new possibilites, create more movement and self awareness for the child. I work with the whole child and adult, not just the dis-ease or dis-ability. I have been through a process of many lessons on the floor as well as doing hands on sessions in my training! With this new knowledge in my body, mind and soul, I have learned how to teach others to learn and be aware as well.

Whom has benefited and can be helped by this method?


  • Arthrogryposis
  • Ataxia
  • Athetosis
  • Autism - Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Brachial Plexus
  • Cerebellar Atrophy
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Charge syndrome
  • Contractures
  • Delayed development
  • Diplegia
  • Down's Syndrome
  • Failure to thrive
  • Fragile X Syndrome
  • Hydorcephaly
  • Hypertonia
  • Hypotonia
  • Larsen's syndrome
  • Macrocephaly
  • Microcephaly
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Periverntricular Leukommalacia
  • Polymicrogyria
  • Prader-Willi syndrome
  • Premature birth
  • Rett syndrome
  • Sensory integration dysfuntion
  • Shaken Baby syndrome
  • Spinal muscular atrophy
  • Stroke

What changes are seen when children receive lessons?

  • Improved mood
  • Better sleep
  • Greater comfort
  • Increased alertness and awareness of their surroundings

Functional changes that have been seen as children continue the work include:

  • More effortless movements
  • Better balance
  • Improved ability to move: crawl, walk, run, jum and reach
  • Greater problem-solving skills
  • Improved speech

Find an Anat Baniel Method (sm) practioner in your area to learn more! email me at info@stretchyourlife.com

phone 519-743-5375 please leave a message as I may be out of town (off to Italy June 23 - July 3rd) or working with a client. I will return your call as soon as possible!!