RMT Belfast

22/11/2023

RETAINED BABKIN

Some of the challenges that can be faced if babkin reflex hasn't been integrated.

Integrating the babkin will also help with stage 2 of moro.

21/11/2023

BABKIN REFLEX

Do you ever notice your little one sticking out their tongue while concentrating? Have you ever wondered why?
Maybe they do it when writing, drawing, playing or concentrating in anyway?

This could be a babkin and with using specific rhythmic movements we can help to integrate this reflex and help that little wondering tounge relax back into the mouth 👅

20/11/2023

Let’s talk about the potential risks associated with baby containers like car seats, bumbos, swings, and nursing cushions. https://ilslearningcorner.com/2019-09-parents-stay-away-from-containers-car-seats-bumbos-swings-and-nursing-cushions/

15/11/2023

The Babkin reflex begins emerging at 13 weeks in utero and should integrate into the life long bonding response by 4 months 

It is a whole body reflex and plays and important role in developing fine motor skills and speech and language

The integration of the Babkin is important for the integration of the 2nd stage of the moro, so that bonding is well established, which gives the opportunity for an infant to feel safe to move out into the world.

The strongest reaction for the Babkin is through the Hand-mouth connection and when this aspect remains active this is where we see the tongue sticking out when writing, drawing and other fine motor skills.

14/11/2023

SIGNS OF A RETAINED MORO REFLEX

When the Moro is retained the ability to filter and understand sensory  stimuli is compromised and the survival system easily activates and undermines the ability to differentiate between what is safe and not safe.

There are lots of challenges, maybe you recognise some?

12/11/2023

PASSIVE MOVEMENTS FOR MORO

Passive movements are wonderful for promoting rhythm, ease, coordination, and smoothness of movement. These movements are beneficial in stimulating the brainstem.

They aslo help:

✨️Develop awareness of body parts

✨️Developing coordination

✨️Improving postural alignment

✨️Improving attention

✨️Allowing the body to recognise possibilities & opportunities for movement

✨️Encouraging bonding and touch

Children are given a movement menu and chose which movement they would like to do and asked how often they would like to do the movements each week, allowing them to have choice and communicate their needs is all part of the process in RMT.

01/11/2023

SIGNS OF A RETAINED FEAR PARALYSIS REFLEX 🙀

We all experience fear, but have you ever wondered why it can sometimes leave us feeling paralysed? A retained Fear Paralysis Reflex can have a major impact on our lives.

The Fear Paralysis Reflex is a primitive survival mechanism that causes us to freeze when we encounter danger. It's an automatic response designed to keep us safe, but sometimes it lingers long after the threat has passed.

🙉 Signs to Watch For: 1️⃣ Overthinking: Constantly ruminating on past traumatic events, unable to let them go. 2️⃣ Hypervigilance: Always on edge, expecting danger around every corner. 3️⃣ Avoidance: Going to great lengths to avoid situations that trigger fear. 4️⃣ Feeling Stuck: The sensation of being paralyzed by fear when confronted with a challenging situation.

There are many signs that can indicate a retained FPR, you may not display them all but are likely to suffer with a few!

💥 Remember, you have the power to overcome a Retained Fear Paralysis Reflex by working through a few simple rhythmic movements that can have profound effects on your life.



reflexes

31/10/2023

A really good article from a a few years ago where Chris Evans talks about Rhythmic Movement helping his son Eli 💜

The presenter, 53, revealed his son Eli, seven, underwent 'miracle' treatment after his 'retained reflexes' left him unable to read and write during his Virgin radio show on Wednesday.

31/10/2023

PASSIVE MOVEMENT FOR FPR

There are different aspects of Rhythmic Movements - Passive, Active & Isometric Pressure.

'Passive movements are essential in providing the repetitive, patterned, movements and the body awareness needed to stimulate the brainstem to create a feeling of safety, improve muscle tone, mature the primitive reflexes and promote efficient sensory processing'.

Most people find these movements relaxing and calming as they release tension in the body. However, some can become dizzy when the vestibular system is stimulated so with the FPR we can start with side to side movements like ribcage rocking in the video.

Jerky, uncoordinated movements are an indication that primitive reflexes are still active; the cerebellum is not yet functioning efficiently, and we have poor sensory processing.

As we practice the movements and they become more exact, then we know that through neuroplasticity, the brain is maturing, and there is less involvement of the more primitive parts of the brain in controlling movement. Therefore, we use less effort to keep upright against gravity and muscular tension eases.

Exact movements are also symentrical, so practising the movements and getting the rhythm and smoothness promotes symmetry through reflex integration.

Exact movements also teach the body to move from being disorganised to organised and connected.

Even though the movements look simple, they provide a lot of vestibular, tactile, and proprioceptive stimulation, and for an immature system, it can be overwhelming to do too much. If we do too much, we get stressed, and a stressed system does not get stronger.

Less is more in RMT and that is why we practice little and often.

27/10/2023

FEAR PARALYSIS REFLEX 🥶

The first of the movement patterns to form are the ones based on the defensive reflexes, one of these being The Fear Paralysis Reflex (FPR).

The FPR is an intrauterine reflex that emerges at 5 weeks in utero.  It is one of the earliest set of reflexes that develop during the embryonic stage of development and forms the basis of our fight or flight response.

A retained FPR is withdrawal by nature, and we can easily find ourselves overwhelmed by the world around us and under perceived danger, we will shut down, freeze, or withdraw.

Children and adults with a retained FPR have a low tolerance to stress. They find it difficult to filter and process sensory information, meaning they tend to react to life and its situations rather than respond.

The FPR can be integrated by movements that are similar to movements we make in the womb pre birth and are effective if they are practiced at every other day for at least a month.

All reflexes have a journey and take time as they lay the foundations for neurological growth.

If you'd like any more info, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Tara 💜

21/10/2023

👶 What are Primitive Reflexes? 🧠

From the moment we're born, our bodies are wired with incredible reflexes that shape our early development. Primitive reflexes, often seen in babies, are instinctive movements that lay the foundation for more complex skills as we move through life.

🍼 These reflexes are essential for survival and initial interactions with the world. But did you know that some of them can stay stuck or retained, affecting our learning, emotional development, behaviour, concentration, posture, and movements?

Stay tuned as we explore these fascinating automatic responses in the coming posts! 💡

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19/10/2023

🌟 Reflecting on my journey with RMT and reflex integration! 🧠

Meet my tribe - These guys are the inspiration for all that I do-Seth (11) Eli (9) and Gracie (6)

4 years ago when seth was P3 and Eli was P2 I was at their yearly parent teacher interviews. Teacher reviews were good and the kids loved school but i was so upset to hear that the school day was really challenging for them.

I went in search of support and a friend of mine recommended Christine and Amanda at Therapy Foundations for Education. Two OT'S who gave me so much hope. Amongst other things they used rhythmic movement and the boys were so receptive to it. I saw changes overtime, things started to improve and they enjoyed doing the movements everyday with me at home.

Fast forward 6 months and I was contacted by Rhythmic Movement Training International to see if I'd be interested in hosting a training in Belfast. I couldn't believe it , for me, this was a sign. Not only did I host the training, I took part and started my journey towards becoming a consultant -my mind was blown!

RMT is still very much part of our tool kit at home. Seth struggles with Dyslexia, dyspraxia and sensory processing. Eli with dyspraxia and sensory processing and Gracie has some auditory processing issues. RMT helps them all to lead a very fulfilling life, reaching their full potential.

So, from personal challenges to a passion for helping others here, I am embarking on this path to help others unlock their full potential.

I've had lots of messages about what age group I will be working with, and at present, it will be babies right through to primary aged kids.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to get in touch and if you'd like to visit me in the studio you can book through the link 👇https://thelittleyogahouse.co.uk/services/rhythmic-movement/

Tara 💜