What is Rhythmic Movement Training?

RMTi is based on the work of Kerstin Linde, a Swedish movement training specialist, who developed movements based on her observations of how infants are meant to move.   The movements in Rhythmic Movement Training International are based on replicating the movements that infants naturally make.

In RMTi sessions we work at using these movements to integrate the reflexes so that learning, communication, behaviour, emotional and general well-being can be given the opportunity to be accessed and developed.

What Are Rhythmic Movements? Rhythmic movements are gentle rocking and reflex integration movements that stimulate neural pathways and promote learning, emotional balance and ease of movement. RMTi is an effective way to help with symptoms of ADD/ADHD, learning challenges, autism and behavioral/emotional imbalances without the use of drugs.

Licensed RMTi Consultants either use RMTi movement and integration techniques by themselves or can use these movements in conjunction with other techniques and modalities. There is usually an assessment of the active reflexes, and then a series of activities given to help the system change from stressed posture to a more natural and easy way of moving.

This promotion of easy learning and whole brain-body development has been effective with people all over the world. There have been many instances of positive shifts and change as these reflexes integrate and we form a proper basis for moving and learning. The movements are easy to learn and parents find that they are straightforward to use at home. Children like them and find them beneficial. Adults also find them easy to remember to do.

Rhythmic Movement Training International (RMTi) explores the role of babies’ natural developmental movements during various stages of development:
Before birth
The first six months after birth
As they get up on their hands and knees
As they learn to walk

These movements are crucial for laying down the foundations of neural network pathway growth and myelination in the brain. They are also important for establishing head control, muscle tone and posture, the basis of our ability to move through life with ease and choice.

​RMTi works with integrating the retained, or underdeveloped, infant reflexes (also called primitive reflexes or neo-natal reflexes) that are involved in learning challenges such as ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, writing problems, focussing and comprehension challenges, co-ordination difficulties and Asperger’s Syndrome. It has also been successful in working with people with anxiety, panic, emotional imbalances, behavioural problems, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s, psychosis, PTSD and general overwhelm. Rhythmic Movement Training International provides the basis for optimizing our ability in all areas of life. It is beneficial for all no matter what age or skill level. The movements are effective for reflex integration, whole-brain learning, optimizing skills, reducing stress, eliminating learning blocks and living well.  For many people the changes experienced when doing rhythmic movements seems magical, however RMTi is not a quick fix and for many people the program lasts for a year or more as the various stages of development are revisited and experienced.

-excerpted from www.rhythmicmovement.org

Why Are Primitive Reflexes Important?

From very early on in utero, the primitive reflex movements literally help develop the brain. The movements lay down the patterns of neural networks and myelinisation of pathways that allow the connection of the various areas of the brain that are so important later on for learning, behaviour, communication, relationships and emotional well being.

Integration of the primitive reflexes is important because:

They are the basis of our nervous system and our ability to move They originate in the brain stem. This area of the brain is responsible for survival. If under stress, we functioning from the brain stem and we are not able to easily access our prefrontal cortex, which is where we process and analyse information. Instead, we stay in survival and stress. As we get older, our unintegrated reflexes trigger the fight/flight response, even when there is no ‘logical’ reason for the stress. So, stressed behaviour becomes our pattern of responding. When our movements come from active primitive reflex movement patterns then there are challenges with coordination. This can lead to reading and writing difficulties; language and speech delays; disorganization; fidgeting; concentration etc. Other challenges may be seen in poor bladder control; breathing difficulties; skin problems; and having a uncontrollable sweet tooth Low muscle tone; muscle weakness; chronic body aches; poor endurance; and fatigue.

​-excerpted from www.rhythmicmovement.org