Faith's First Anat Baniel Lessons

To someone who might not know Faith well, or to the stranger observing Faith, her movements probably seem pretty abnormal. Her tone kicks in and her muscles tighten, not allowing her to move or relax. 

Every once in a while, she throws her arms up in the air for no apparent reason. When she's tired, her head hangs to the side and she can barely keep it up, even while sitting supported in her chair. But to me, this is Faith, and this is how she has moved for most of her life.

She has spastic motions that are anything but graceful. While sitting with me, her hand will shoot up and slap me in the face. There is no reason - no purpose for some of her movements - that is all she and her parents have known. We are in a constant battle with her high muscle tone. Sometimes she tightens up so stiffly we can barely pick her up. This is how it has been for her nine years of life. This is normal for us.

This week I learned life does not have to be this way. This week I've seen Faith move in ways I never thought possible for her, barring a miraculous healing. It was amazing to see Faith push her feet in her footrests to help scoot her behind to the right place in her chair. It was amazing to see Faith "find the middle" of her chair and to sit up in a straightened position all on her own - even without the support of the laterals on her chair. She was excited too and repeated, "I did it! I did it!"

It has been an eye-opening week for me, to say the least. I've come to realize that keeping her strapped and restrained tightly in her chair has not allowed her to explore ways for her to achieve purposeful movement. 

Her movement has always been so random and so disorganized, but through the Anat Banal Method, both Faith and I learned that there are ways to help her organize and move her body that are beneficial to her. In doing so, her brain can actually form new neural connections.

I know it all sounds so abstract and it is hard to even put down into words. So instead of using words, I'll share some photos that I took while Faith was working with Pati Holman, who comes to Bismarck from Milwaukee, WI.

This was actually day 2 of meeting Pati. The first day I just wanted to listen and take it all in, so I didn't take any photos. Faith was a little nervous to get on the table on the first day and although she was still nervous on day 2, she quickly got over it. She and Pati had a great connection and I know Faith completely trusts her.

Pati helps Faith move on to her side. When Faith rolls onto her side, her body is usually very disorganized and she uses her legs, arms and her head to try to get herself onto her side. Pati repeatedly and very slowly rolled Faith onto her left side then her right and eventually Faith could do it without her whole body flailing in all directions.

Slow movements are essential in getting Faith to relax and help her feel and pay attention to how her body moves

Faith in a sitting position toward the end of the lesson - see how relaxed her legs are! Usually when she's in a sitting position, her lets shoot straight out.

Faith's third lesson - "Oh yeah, I know this lady! She's pretty nice but she's serious business too!"

Pati trying to help Faith figure out what is best for her in a sitting position.

Going from sitting to lying on her back.

Pati takes hold of Faith's arm to help her go from her back to a side position in the gentlest way possible, keeping her whole body as organized as she can.

Faith is totally relaxed and she finds something to play with.

Back to sitting. Pati has Faith putting her cheek on one knee then she helped Faith put her other leg up to do the same. This helps Faith to know that she has a right leg and a left leg and that they can function separately from one another. This is helping Faith to bring attention to her movement which is important for the brain in creating new connections.

That's it! That was our first four Anat Baniel Lessons. Both Rob and I feel this was a very positive experience for Faith we are looking forward to learning more!

*Edit: Though these lessons seemed promising, we were unable to continue with them as they were very expensive. And of course, as with most forms of alternative therapies, insurance did not cover it.  Also, we were given advice that did not align with her doctors and therapists.