When we explore the emergence of our earliest reflexes, we often reference their integration as serving to establish a sense of security. The movement and the integration of these reflexes help us explore the world around us, feel safe in our independence and seek healthy attachments with others. We reflect on Mother’s Day and the role a maternal figure plays in these early developmental transitions.
In this case study, an infant with remarkably low muscle tone and a traumatic birth story came to Thrive after muscle professionals failed to diagnose his condition. Through gentle, gradual rhythmic movement work, he was able to slowly integrate early reflexes to achieve critical developmental milestones.
As a lifelong educator, Moira’s true passion is leading and learning within a classroom setting. As one of the co-founders of Rhythmic Movement Therapy International (RMTi), she has worked on an international scale to organize, teach and consult on the power of reflex integration and specifically this rhythmic movement modality.
This is a case about a mother, who through her son found a path to help herself. Mary’s story is about harnessing rhythmic movement therapy to support emotional regulation. She has been able to work through active Moro, which manifested in pain and outbursts, and find a path to stability for herself and her family.
Pennsylvania-based Kimberly Witman works as a paraprofessional in elementary school classrooms and in church as Sunday school leader. It was her role as a mother, however, that led her to RMTi. After witnessing the transformative effects of rhythmic movement on both her and her son, she felt compelled to share this gift in her work with others.
Human connection, in its purest form, is a collaborative concept. Two unique and independent individuals come together in cooperative engagement. Someone is guiding through an experience, and the other is allowing that care and attention for a moment in time. When I empower my clients and their caretakers to practice rhythmic movement exercises on their own, I’m inviting this gentle dance of give and take.
As a multi-modal therapist based out of Florida’s Majestic Oak Therapy group, Timalee became aware of Thrive through her continued education on reflex integration. By applying rhythmic movement therapy with her clients, she quickly discovered the concept that less is more.
Roxy the sloth serves as an example of a dominant parasympathetic nervous system. Sloths are exceptionally good at regulating stress in this state. Our own rhythmic movement exercise based on this creature helps to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system and regulate overactive fight or flight behavior, to support the integration of Moro.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 3 in 5 Americans feel their mental health is negatively impacted by the holidays (2021, NAMI). Holiday season, where later nights, travel and packed schedules often disrupt routine, can be particularly hard for children to navigate. We take a loop at coping strategies for the whole family.
Our reflexes work to support the strengthening of our neural pathways and underpin our daily behavior, an important connection in our reflex integration work. In this more comprehensive review of our early reflexes, we’ll take a look at how immaturities may manifest in potential social, behavioral or even physical challenges as we develop.
