Week 2: Movement

A Gentle Approach to Brain & Body Development

When a child is born with a brain injury, parents often hear that their child will have limited movement, difficulty learning new motor skills, or challenges with coordination. But what if the key to progress wasn’t about “fixing” what’s missing, but helping the brain discover new possibilities?

Inspired by the Feldenkrais Method and Anat Baniel Method (ABM), this approach is about helping all of us to learn through gentle, explorative movement—not through strain or forced practice. With the right environment, curiosity, and small movements, our brain can create new, more efficient ways to move at any age.

Let’s explore how you can support movement in a way that feels natural, enjoyable, and deeply effective for both yourself and when you are together with Simen.

1. Slow Down & Allow the Brain to Feel Movement

In traditional therapy, there’s often a focus on repeating movements over and over—but when the brain is struggling to coordinate the body, forcing movement can create frustration and tension.

Instead, we help the brain learn best when we:

🔹 Move slowly and gently – Slow movements allow the brain to notice what is happening in the body.

🔹 Reduce effort – Straining causes the brain to “resist” new learning. Less effort creates more awareness.

🔹 Pay attention to sensation – The more you feel your body in space, the more their brain can map out movement.

🧡 We try this: Instead of helping Simen forcefully touch his left hand to his right knee, we gently guides his hand partway and pause. Let him feel where his arm is in space. Can he sense the shift in his weight? The slight rotation in torso? By exploring small steps, the brain learns more effectively.

2. Variation Creates New Possibilities

The brain thrives on variation, not repetition. If you have difficulty with a certain movement, instead of drilling the same motion, try introducing small variations so the brain can discover easier ways to move.

🌀 Try this instead of strict repetition:

✔ When Simen struggles to touch his knee, encourage him to reach toward different spots—his thigh, shin, or even across his body toward his other hand with as little effort as possible.

✔ Explore different positions—lying down or sitting—so his brain can sense movement from new perspectives.

✔ Use playful, unexpected movements—such as gently rocking or wiggling—to engage curiosity.

🌱 Why it works: Variation keeps the brain engaged and curious, rather than frustrated by what isn’t working.

3. Engage the Whole Body (Not Just the “Problem Area”)

Traditional therapy often isolates “weak” areas—like focusing only on improving a left arm if it’s not moving well. But movement isn’t just about muscles—it’s about how the whole body works together.

🔸 If you struggle with crossing midline, don’t just work on your arm—explore gentle movements in the hips, shoulders, and spine to help the body organize itself more fluidly.

🔸 If your left side feels stiff, explore movement on your right side first—this can create connections without direct strain.

🔸 If you have trouble with diagonal movements, start with side-to-side rocking, allowing their torso to naturally rotate.

🧡 We are trying this: Instead of insisting on touching the knee, gently roll Simen´s hips and shoulders side to side as he lays down. Notice how this movement naturally encourages the arms and legs to shift. Let the body discover the movement organically.

4. Reduce Effort to Increase Awareness

Many persons with brain injuries develop compensatory patterns—ways of moving that require extra effort but don’t truly serve them. Instead of forcing movement, we create conditions where easier movement emerges naturally.

✨ How to create ease in movement:

✔ Support the body so you don’t struggle against gravity—try practicing movements lying down or in water.

✔ Encourage micro-movements—tiny, subtle shifts help build awareness without strain.

✔ Use soft touch and voice cues to invite movement rather than push it.

🌱 Why it works: When movement feels effortless, the brain becomes more open to change.

5. Connection & Emotion Drive Brain Change

One of the most important aspects of Feldenkrais and ABM is the power of connection. A person´s ability to move isn’t just about muscles and nerves—it’s deeply connected to emotion, curiosity, and relationships.

💡 Make movement meaningful:

🎶 Add music in short, mindful sessions to encourage rhythmic motion.

🤗 Use gentle, loving touch to create a sense of safety.

😃 Celebrate exploration, not perfection— enjoy movement without pressure.

🧡 We are trying this: Instead of focusing only on “correcting” movement, playfully explore! Wiggle fingers, tap knees, or sway side to side while singing a song. Joyful engagement wakes up the brain far more than forced practice.

Final Thoughts: Awakening the Potential, One Gentle Step at a Time

Your brain is always capable of learning, growing, and finding new ways to move—no matter the challenges. The key isn’t to force movement, but to create opportunities for the brain to discover ease, variation, and possibility.

🌟 Your role is to be the guide, offering gentle support, playful exploration, and the belief that their body is capable of more than they know. 🌟

Read the book: Kids Beyond Limits by Anat Baniel for the full 9 Essentials.