"Movement is the language of the brain."

Anat Baniel

 

The key to success

 

In my work with children I use the „9 essentials“ of the Anat Baniel Method®.

The Method uses movement in ways that awaken the remarkable capacity of the brain to create new connections and new possibilities. Anat Baniel Method® (ABM) NeuroMovement® is a revolutionary, holistic approach to human functioning and health, based in the understanding that movement is the language of the brain. Movement provides information the brain needs to grow and organize itself. And, in return, the brain organizes all movement, thought, feelings, and action. The method’s approach is founded in neuroscience and the biodynamics of the human body, and supported by current brain plasticity research. 

 

The 9 Essentials of Anat Baniel Method® NeuroMovement® Keys to Waking Up the Brain and Accessing Your Potential 

 

Essential 1 – Movement with Attention 

Movement is Life. Movement helps the brain grow and form. The brain is organized through movement. In turn, it is the brain that organizes all movement: the movement of your body, your thinking, your feelings, and your emotions. But movement alone is not enough. Automatic movement — movement done without attention — only grooves in the already existing patterns. 

 

Essential 2 – Slow 

To learn and master new skills and overcome limitation, the first thing to do is slow way down. Slow actually gets the brain’s attention and stimulates the formation of rich new neural patterns. 

Slow gets you out of the automatic mode in your movements, speech, thoughts, and social interactions. 

 

Essential 3 – Variation 

Variation is everywhere and is more than just the spice of life. It’s a necessity for optimum health. 

Variation provides your brain with the richness of information it needs to create new possibilities in your movements, feelings, thoughts, and actions. It helps increase your awareness and lifts you out of rigidity and being stuck. 

 

Essential 4 – Subtlety 

We have all heard the expressions “no pain, no gain” and “try harder.” However, in order to overcome pain and limitation and thrive, the brain needs the exact opposite—less force. 

For the brain to receive new information, it needs to perceive differences. 

 

Essential 5 – Enthusiasm 

Enthusiasm is self-generated; it is a skill you can develop, choose to do and become good at. 

Enthusiasm tells your brain what is important to you, amplifying whatever that is, making it stand out, infusing it with energy to grow more. It is a powerful energy that lifts you up and inspires you and others. Enthusiasm lights up your brain, helping to usher in changes, transforming the most mundane situation or task, adding meaning and generating delight. 

 

Essential 6 – Flexible Goals 

“Keeping your eyes on the prize” is a great way for most people to fail. Freeing yourself from the compulsion to achieve a goal in a certain way and at a certain time keeps you open-minded. You are available to recognize opportunities you might never have noticed had you been fixed on a too rigidly set course. There is no way to know in advance the path that will lead you to achieving your goal. Know your goal and embrace all the unexpected steps, mis-steps, and re-routes. They are a rich source of valuable information for your brain to lead you to your goal. 

 

Essential 7 – The Learning Switch 

The brain is either in a learning mode — the learning switch is on — or not. Healthy young children have their learning switch on and the dial turned on “high.” Their eyes are bright, their movement lithe, and they are full of energy. Repetition, drill, and everyday stresses, as well as habitual patterns of thought, exercise, and emotions, all tend to turn the learning switch off. The same happens when a child has special challenges, or a person has suffered trauma or injury. 

For the brain to do its job well, the learning switch needs to be on. Once on, at any age, life becomes a wonderful new adventure, filled with movement, creativity, and new possibilities. 

 

Essential 8 – Imagination & Dreams 

Through imagination your brain figures out new possibilities before actually having to perform. When imagining, the brain grows new neural connections. Your dreams call upon you from your future. They give you your unique life path to follow and guide your brain to continue growing and developing. 

 

Essential 9 – Awareness 

Awaring — the action of generating awareness — is to be knowledgeable about what you are doing, sensing, thinking, and experiencing at any given moment. Awaring is the opposite of automaticity and compulsion. It is a unique human capacity that can catapult us to remarkable heights. 

When you are aware, you are fully alive and present. Your brain is working at its highest level, noticing subtle nuances of what is going on around and within you, revealing options and potentials, greatly accelerating learning. You are enlivened and joyful, contributing to others, becoming more enlightened, and fulfilling more and more of your human destiny. 

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