Good Morning,
I hope that you have all enjoyed another lovely summer weekend. I certainly did as I did a little more working in this weekend and with lots of tai chi to build up energy in my body. I worked a bit more than usual last week and needed to help recharge the engine to give my love to all of those that I work with.
Can I Move Like a Baby (part 1)?
Last week I introduced to you the topic of infant development and why it matters so much. Now it is time to check and see if we can move like a baby. This type of movement begins in utero and each of our movements is significantly impacted by our first year of life. Let’s dive in and look at each one as it relates to infant development patterns as presented by Linda Hartley in Wisdom of the Body Moving.
Cellular Breathing
This is often known as respiration. We must be able to oxygenate the body down at a cellular level. Respiration will never be able to be optimized without using a proper breathing pattern. This is often developed by poor control over our inner unit stabilizers and thus improper use of the diaphragm or what is often referred to as an inverted breathing pattern in which the chest rises before the stomach. We must remember that the first two thirds of our breath at rest should come from our stomach rising and the last third coming from the chest.
Naval Radiation
This begins in utero and continues through the first few months of life. It is compared to a starfish with the umbilical cord being the mouth or center of movement. The movement in utero is very fluid around the center with all six limbs (head, tail, two legs and two arms). Since the first (shows their importance) nerves to myelinate (develop fatty sheath for nerve fibers to conduct faster) are the vestibular (balance and spatial orientation) nerves we are setting up our movement orientation skills for later in life. We learn to sense our movements throughout space as they are not under our conscious control yet.
Mouthing
Here is where conscious movement begins to develop early after birth. Since getting nourishment to the infant must be done through the mouth this must be developed well. This mouthing pattern is critical to development of the bones of the cranium, upper cervical spine and temporo-mandibular joints. This motion will most likely be lacking if fed with a bottle and can often lead to many head, neck and shoulder disorders if not developed. Mouthing can be practiced through sucking the thumb while gently reaching the head forward, closing the jaw and “milking” the thumb to the tip with the teeth while retracting the head.
Pre-Spinal
Usually not associated with one specific movement, but the fluidity or quality of the previously mentioned movements and with the spinal movement. People who lack this stage of development may be able to do the movements, but very poorly.
Spinal
This is akin to an “inch worm” and is an infant’s first mode of movement. A baby will use his/her head and tail to move them through space whether they are on their stomach or back. To try this at home I suggest you only do so on your back to avoid marking up your forehead. Completely take your arms and legs off of the floor and move your entire body either up towards your head or down towards your hips. See how much ground you can cover. This is all a baby has to use since the extremities are still not myelinated and they get around quite nicely. This movement is of critical importance for stabilization of the spine and must be accomplished before progressing to even low level strengthening programs.
Stay tuned in as videos will be following shortly. There will also be several new patterns introduced next week so have fun moving like a baby!
Have a Great Day!
Nick Horowski