Aideen McIlroy - Experiential Movement Practitioner

04/08/2025

Last month I travelled to Germany to complete my "continuing education" component of the course. I loved having the opportunity to revisit some of the material Sylvia has developed for her course. And it was great to be back with some of my colleagues from afar! It served as a great reminder for me of how powerful it can be to receive the work in this way. As always, I am looking forward to bringing this learning home to help kids in Ireland. If you are interested in learning more, I have included some information on my website: https://www.aideenmcilroy.co.uk/
You can also get information on Sylvia's upcoming courses here: https://www.neurohorizons.eu/
® 🍀

02/05/2025

✨What Changes Can You Expect After a Movement Intensive?✨
For children with developmental or neurological challenges, a movement intensive based on the NeuroHorizons, Feldenkrais Method or Anat Baniel Method (ABM) can unlock significant progress in their physical, emotional, and cognitive abilities. These changes emerge as their brain learns new patterns, improving its ability to organise movement and function more effectively.

Parents often notice:

✨Improved Motor Skills✨ Movements like crawling, walking, or grasping become smoother and more coordinated.
✨Greater Ease in Movement✨ Stiffness or effort in movement may reduce, helping the child feel more at ease in their body.
✨Enhanced Focus and Attention✨ Many children show better engagement, concentration, and responsiveness during and after the intensive.
✨Developmental Milestones✨ Activities that previously felt out of reach—like rolling over, sitting up, or turning their head—may emerge or improve.
✨Emotional Regulation✨ Children often appear calmer, happier, and more connected to their surroundings.

These shifts may happen gradually or be noticeable right away, depending on the child’s unique needs and abilities. A movement-intensive provides a safe and nurturing environment to help children grow, thrive, and realise their potential in ways that support their individuality.

If you have any more questions or are interested in booking a few lessons, please get in touch ☺️

06/04/2025

Introseries Part 3: Who can benefit from Movement Lessons?

Movement lessons are for anyone looking to improve their physical and mental well-being. They are especially beneficial for children with developmental challenges, such as those on the autism spectrum or experiencing motor delays. This playful, exploratory approach helps improve focus, coordination, and ease of movement, making everyday activities more manageable and enjoyable.

This method is also highly effective for those managing chronic pain, recovering from injuries, or dealing with conditions like back pain, or neurological challenges such as stroke, Parkinson’s, or multiple sclerosis. By using gentle, mindful movements, these lessons help reduce tension, improve coordination, and enhance the brain’s capacity to support healing and functional improvement. For athletes, performers, and professionals, movement lessons offer a way to refine skills, enhance flexibility, and reduce the risk of injury, supporting peak performance.

Beyond specific challenges, movement lessons are perfect for anyone seeking stress relief, better posture, or a greater sense of ease in daily life. They’re also ideal for older adults who want to maintain mobility, balance, and independence as they age. Whether you’re recovering, performing, or simply seeking to move through life with more freedom and comfort, these lessons offer a safe, gentle, and effective path forward.

If you have any more questions or are interested in booking a few lessons, please get in touch

26/03/2025

Introseries Part 2: What is NeuroHorizons?

NeuroHorizons is a Learning Program for parents and caregivers created by Sylvia Shordike, a master trainer in the method. Sylvia trained in both Feldenkrais and the Anat Baniel Method, and has been practicing for a total of 30 years.

The training involved doing movement lessons on ourselves, on the floor as well as lots of hands-on experience in giving lessons to each other. My trainers Sylvia and Kerstin were available to give support when needed throughout the training due to the small group size. This allowed for a high-quality training experience insuring that I left the training confident in what I had learnt and the changes I had experienced for myself.

If you have any more questions or are interested in booking a few lessons, please get in touch

12/03/2025

Part 1: What does a movement lesson look like?

A lesson usually happens on the table (or closer to a parent if your child is nervous), and involves me introducing, slow, gentle, possibly new movements to your child that can help them to map their body, it’s parts, how they are connected and how they can move together.

The focus is on increasing awareness of how their body moves, noticing subtle sensations and patterns to refine movement. Lessons emphasise quality over quantity, encouraging curiosity and discovery rather than striving for perfection. With plenty of pauses for rest, the sessions create a relaxed atmosphere that helps your nervous system process and integrate new patterns for better movement.

Each child usually has different patterns of holding themselves and using their body that help to direct the lesson. I will take them through some movements that will make them aware of what they currently are doing and introduce some new options that may benefit them.

If the child is passive and happy to be worked on, they can get a lot of information in 30-35 minutes, if they like to play or struggle to stay on the table it will take the full 45 minutes.

Mostly, it should be enjoyable for them and kids usually settle into it after 3 or 4 lessons.

If you have any more questions or are interested in booking a few lessons, please get in touch

06/02/2025

Posting again as there are a few spaces left on 23rd and 24th February!
✨ **ABMNM lessons in NI** ✨
Hello, I am organising intensive therapy with senior Anat Baniel Method practitioner Marianne Nelissen.
This method involves using slow and gentle movements which can help with mobility (injury, strain or aging), neuro-developmental challenges (e.g. CP, ASD, GDD) or other neuro-rehabilitation (MS, stroke or Parkinson’s disease).
The intensive will be in Belfast from 21st-24th February. Please get in touch if you would be interested in getting some lessons for yourself or your child! 😊

The Anat Baniel Method is a remarkable method that improves health through movement with awareness. Overcome limitations by pain, injury or disease.

07/01/2025

✨ **ABMNM lessons in NI** ✨
Hello, I am organising intensive therapy with senior Anat Baniel Method practitioner Marianne Nelissen.
This method involves using slow and gentle movements which can help with mobility (injury, strain or aging), neuro-developmental challenges (e.g. CP, ASD, GDD) or other neuro-rehabilitation (MS, stroke or Parkinson’s disease).
The intensive will be in Belfast from 21st-24th February. Please get in touch if you would be interested in getting some lessons for yourself or your child! 😊

07/11/2024

I have a few spaces remaining on the following dates:
✅ 16th -18th November
✅ 30th November - 2nd December

Please get in touch if you are interested in booking in!

10/10/2024

✨ **Spaces Remaining** ✨
Hello, I am organising intensive therapy with senior Anat Baniel Method practitioner Marianne Nelissen.

This method involves using slow and gentle movements which can help with mobility (injury, strain or aging), neuro-developmental challenges (e.g. CP, ASD, GDD) or other neuro-rehabilitation (MS, stroke or Parkinson’s disease).

The intensive will be in Ballycastle from 18th-21st October. There are a few slots left on Sunday 20th and Monday 21st October. Please get in touch if you would be interested in getting some lessons for yourself or your child! 😊

The Anat Baniel Method is a remarkable method that improves health through movement with awareness. Overcome limitations by pain, injury or disease.

24/09/2024

✨I had a wonderful time last week working with 2 new kids and this lovely little lady who is a returning client! I have one more space open in my upcoming intensive in October. Send me a message if you are interested in booking in! 🧠✨

05/08/2024

Last week, I had the priviledge of working with two new children. They both responded brilliantly during their experiential movement intensives. I'm excited to continue working with them to see what new learning follows 🥰

06/02/2024

Luke would love to come and speak at your school or organization about Dreams, Disability, and Inclusion. Learn more about his life and the many challenges ...