Michelle Mark- movement

From a distance.... wishing you a warm holidays, from my family to yours! Stay safe, stay sane, and stay active this holiday season! Xo... #neuromovement #lovecumberland #comoxlake #socialdistancing #kinesiology #holisticmovement #movementtherapy #comoxvalley #feldenkrais #anatbanielmethodneuromovement #courtenaybc #vancouverisland #wellnessthroughmovement

Resist the urge to crawl into a cave with a case of wine this holiday season! This season can nudge many of us back into some not so great habits. overindulging ... drinking too much sleeping too little not moving enough Which leads to a bucket load of New Years resolutions come jan1. What if you didn’t crawl so deep into a cave that jan1 didn’t require a swift reset button? What if you carried through with small but intentional steps each day? What can you do to overcome these comforting habits? I find the biggest boost in mood and energy comes when learning something new. Is there something new and unique you can challenge yourself to learn? We celebrated the winter solstice Nordic skiing for the first time. It wasn’t easy. There were tears, some foul words, and some big learning moments..... but on the drive home there were 5 happy souls filled with the satisfaction of breaking the daily mold. What new adventures can you explore this holiday season? By the way, did you know there are 2 free movement puzzles available on my site MovementRX.com ? No login required! These sessions are a great way to gently shift your habits. #neuromovement #christmashabits #newyearsreset #holidayintention #kinesiology #holisticmivement #mtwashington #mtw #nordicskiing #feldenkrais

All the way up to standing? Getting up and down from the floor can be tricky, embarrassing and painful..... In today’s Neuromovement class we explored an easier way of spiraling all the way up to standing. ... first we did it step by step then we layered on the next piece finally we smoothed out the pieces into one fluid movement we did this in 1/4 of the speed and 60 minutes longer than shown! I teach movement, not exercise. Exercise is meant to be hard, movement is the other 23 hours of the day. Could this movement pattern be helpful for you? #neuromovement #anatbanielmethod #kinesiology #movementforlife #holisticmovement #bodymapping #cumberlandbc #spiralmovement #feldenkrais #comoxvalley #comoxbc #comoxwellness #funmovement

Never a dull moment with this crew. When we fully succumb to the present moment, our capacity to plan for tomorrow fades. Only then are we truly child-like. No watch on our wrists, persistently wondering, and seeking everlasting pleasure. ... Our goal as adults.... to balance work and play.... Always. #bepresent #comoxvalley #wonder #neuromovement #writenow #adhd #theconceptoftime #add #getoutside

Post Neuromovement Class Vibes. How do you feel? Next class series begins in January.... Will you be joining me? #cumberlandlove #comoxvalley #comoxvalleysmallbusiness #zoomfitness #mindfulmovement #neuromovement #neuromuscularreeducation #anatbanielmethodneuromovement #feldenkrais #neuromovement #wellnessthroughmovement #naturalmovement #movementvsexerxise #somaticmovement #vancouverisland #comoxvaleywellness

It’s not the year for little black dresses! Lucky for us Canadians, we have some toasty alternatives to apres at home in. My holiday attire has arrived. I scored this cozy fleece from @greenbeanreloved in Kelowna and will be snuggled up in it til 2021 (at least). Handmade in Kelowna these gems are hard to come by. It’s no wonder since they are: ... handmade by a Kelowna maker, mama, and Nurse composed of ALL recycled materials shipped in recycled paper super stylin’ one of a kind have big cozy pockets!!!!! Be warned they are harder to score than the new iPhone. P.S. I am a full fledged paying customer who was not compensated, I just want to share the cozy and spare the landfills. #shoplocal #nothingtodowithmovement #greenbeanreloved #secondhandclothing #cumberlandbc #kelownabc #writeforfun #getbacktowork #getcozy #fleece #winterattire #skiwear #apreswear

Woohoo, a technical-glitch free first online Neuromovement class! Thanks to all who joined and looking forward to three more weeks of this series waking up the spine to be more flexible, responsive and all around youthful! There’s a few empty boxes on my screen for YOU to join;) ... #neuromovement #cumberlandlove #courtenay #comox #victoria #feldenkrais #kinesiology #neuromovement #anatbanielmethodneuromovement #mindfulmovement #painfree #moveintowellness #movementmeditation

Are these not the sweetest? Thank you Yuki @honeycanada I spent a good hour admiring these adorable calendars when they arrived. I envisioned the delicate care that was taken with each and every detail. ... Ditch the lego calendars this year and buy handmade and from as close to home as you can manage. Better yet get crafty yourself if you have the time and skills. These are too sweet not to share, handmade advent calendars and felted ornaments straight out of North Vancouver @honeycanada Shhhhh don’t tell my kids! #notmovementrelated #mindfulmovement #mindfulshopping #mindful #handmadeadventcalendar #craftfair

When I teach adults who are pain to improve their movement patterns, it appears that they begin to age backwards. This video shows what I see as their teacher. Babies move with maximum efficiency and minimal effort. ... It is not that you need to move like this always... but can you move easily if you want to?

A steep climb with a worthwhile prize. . Hiking to a clear destination is a great way for kids to learn that persistence pays off. . Another lesson we stumbled upon was that when traveling in a group the whole team suffers when one individual is selfish.... . While a lot of Neuromovement work is focused on the individual and becoming more in tune with what the individual needs to feel safe and comfortable. There is a fine line between caring for oneself and being self absorbed. . Ultimately it is important to be able to differentiate between what are needs and wants and finding the balance of being loving to oneself while still contributing to the team. . Unintentionally this is relevant to not just movement or children but to society in general....especially currently. Lets all keep doing our best. . #neuromovement #kinesiology #toughenup #hikingwithkids #persistence #kinesiology #movementmeditation #sociablecreatures #covid-19 #vancouverisland

If there is one thing I am a self proclaimed expert on, it is change. . I love change more than the average human. I actually find it fascinating that most humans avoid change and I love that my job is helping people explore their rigidity through something so often overlooked, movement. . My tip for you in these continually changing days is to focus on and lavish in that which you can control. ... . Eat well. Sleep well. Move well. Love well. ___well. . Its natural to have a few mental tailspins each day (especially right now) but practice becoming aware of when your mentally disintegrating and gently redirect your attention to something else that you can control. . (I am back on Instagram after a few weeks of tech challenges, aka forgetting my password and username). . #neuromovement #cumberland #courtenay #comox #movementtherapy #painrelief #neverendingsummer #kinesiology #mamato3 #vancouverisland #mentalhealth #chaos #change

I sure love some fast downhill biking at times! I had a Fun day up @mountwashington with my not so little man. . On the drive home we were laughing because my son said he is lucky to have a mom who does these fun things with him and that there arent a lot of moms up there riding. It hadnt really occurred to me. I just do me. I love biking, baseball, hockey, snowboarding, martial arts and a whole lot of male dominated sports. I just love sports and have had the privilege of... participating/competing in a wide variety of them. Privilege. I am raising my children to pick what they want to do based on their inner drive not the social constructs presented to them which still bear much thicker outlines than pre-kid me had imagined. But We are privileged to live in a country where we have the opportunity to choose. Not everyone is so fortunate. . As we drove down the mountain listening to talk radio a CBC reporter casually mentioned a UBC graduate, Loujain Al-Hathloul who has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for the last 2 years! Without emotion the reporter stated that her family has not heard a word from her for 6 weeks and they fear she may be dead.... and then she moved on to the local traffic. Wait....stop the show! 2 years in jail in Saudi Arabia? . With a bit more digging, I have learnt that this firecracker of a lady was arrested at just 29 years of age due to her threatening (to the state) activity as a womens rights activist. At the time of her arrest she was being filmed driving a car, at a time when women were not allowed to drive (this ban has allegedly been lifted since). . She went to UBC. I went to UBC. She has family in Toronto. I have family in Toronto. She is a female. I am a female. And here I am feeling proud of myself for riding a bike down a mtn, when this lady has been in prison for 2 years because of her drive to emancipate women in Saudi Arabia. And why oh why is NOTHING happening to save her? She is just sitting in a jail somewhere fighting for womens rights and no one is saving her. Scary shit there. . And to top it off, she alleges to have been tortured and abused physically and sexually during her imprisonment and the state has offered to release her if she records a video saying she has not been tortured. She has refused this offer, because she is an absolute hero, because she is fighting not for her freedom but for the freedom of all women in Saudi Arabia. When I got home and set eyes on my two little girls. My two firecrackers who are constantly challenged for their boisterous behaviour and athleticism..... I said to them you two should be proud to be strong females. Inspire others. Do whatever you want and never ever care what anyone else thinks.... and they giggled and said okay mommy. We need more women like Loujain who are willing to stand up to injustices. My heart aches for her.

What are you doing to shake up your routine? . While there is value in having daily rituals to keep you grounded there is also as much benefit to shaking things up. . The brain thrives on new experiences... sometimes it can feel scary and overwhelming to try new things but with more and more positive outcomes you will have positive feedback and remind yourself that sometimes good things do come from change. ... . To start, become more aware of when you are avoiding new things because of an uncomfortable feeling and question this uncertainty. Is there validity there or are you getting a bit rigid in your day to day habits? . PS this little guy wouldnt even swim in a lake until this year. Look at him now! . #variation #neuroplasticity #habits #neuromovement #thrive #babysteps #cliffjumping #vancouverisland #change #movement #kinesiology

Its that time of the year..... where we are always on the go but never actually getting anywhere... aka blackberry season/summer. But this summer feels somewhat longer than others, shocking right? . It has been 5 months since I booked a few weeks off work to be with my kids during March break. I miss my lovely Cumberland office, my quiet mornings, my inspiring clients, and especially time to be alone with my thoughts. .... Wah, wah, wah says me... yes, these days are long and tiring, but I realize they are also bursting with memories I know I will cherish forever. But speaking honestly, I need to tell myself that hundreds of times throughout each day. Something tells me my experience parenting during COVID-19 is not an isolated experience but a shared experience with many others. . The Groundhog Day effect many of us are living and reliving each day makes it challenging to muster the energy to focus and really attend to each of those special moments. . One of the nine essentials of positive neuroplasticity (because you better believe there is a whole wackload of not so great neuroplasticity) that I have been practising is ENTHUSIASM. . Enthusiasm is a skill that can be learnt, practised and quite possibly even perfected. Try to do this with the most mundane task you have throughout the day or while talking to your least favourite person. Try to notice things you like about this experience and exaggerate their positivity beyond belief. Also imagine an experience you absolutely love (like gliding through powder on your snowboard or....?) and manifest the same sensations your brain and body feel while doing that... and carry them into your present scenario. . This is not to say I am loathing my time at home, but there are only so many meals one can cook and clean, clothes to pick up, and squabbles one can attend to before the mind starts to wander! . Let me know how it goes! . #neuroplasticity #neuromovement #anatbanielmethod #kinesiology #mindfulness #meditation #storytelling #vancouverisland #comoxvalley #courtenay #mindfulmovement #feldenkrais #holisticmovement #covid19parenting #cargobike #familybiking #yubamundo #ebike See more

Thimbleberries! Scrumptious little berries that are everywhere in the valley right now. These little wonders are a gentle reminder to stop and smell the roses, or rather to eat the berries. . As phase 3 is in full swing, life is bustling as usual, if not more so for many of us. The 2 long months of summer have rolled seamlessly into 5...with a possibility of more, possibly, maybe, maybe not..... the uncertainty makes looking at tomorrow challenging to say the least. . But na...ture isnt listening to your internal conundrums or the daily covid-19 reports. Nature is blooming and blossoming as usual, if not more so than years gone by. And that beautiful mother of all of ours continues to be a wise voice of reason, reminding us to hit the pause button and enjoy each moment. Each soft, velvety bite with a subtle crunch for balanced perfection. . #comoxvalley #covid-19 #vancouverisland #mindfulmovement #kinesiology #internal #meditation #balance See more

These are my summer shoes.... the Luna Monos. They arrived the night before I left for Nicaragua for a month of backpacking (2 years ago) and I took a risk by bringing them and only them. . Well they proved their worth and then some. Not a single blister or twinge to complain about. . The absolute best part about walking in the Luna sandal is that I am constantly reminded to soften my whole body and allow the natural counter rotation of walking to occur. If I slam my heel i...nto the ground of course it will hurt in these, so I am coerced into gliding forward gently and landing on my feet by organizing my torso to flow seamlessly. . A few points to bring awareness to how you walk; . Try to soften the landing of your foot by mobilizing the centre of you. . Is your pelvis rotating? Are your ribs rotating? What about your belly button? . Is the effort of walking being distributed evenly throughout your whole body? Or are you straining your legs to drive you forward on their own? . Are your abs held stiff or free to allow rotation of your centre? Are you breathing? . Instead of trying harder look for areas that are working too hard, let your arms dangle, your belly relax and allow your pelvis to rotate. . Be wary of jumping into running in barefoot style shoes without years of undoing the effects of supportive footwear. Start with brief and mindful walks and slowly build your duration. I once heard a chiropractor say that barefoot shoes were the best thing that ever happened to his business, I wouldnt doubt it! Barefoot shoes are not the only solution, involve yourself in some work to support the transition. The sessions on @movement__rx will guide you in your exploration of walking more comfortably. . Do you wear a barefoot shoe? Have you tried the Luna? I would love to hear your thoughts? . #barefootshoes #mindfulmovement #counterrotation #lunasandals #lunamono #neuromovement #backpacking #kinesiology #functionalmovement #strength #sustainability #pain #backpain #barefootwalking #anatbanielmethod #feldenkraismethod See more

The talented illustrator whose images adorn my website, @seasandtrees and @ashleyandthesun have teamed up to release this beautiful childrens book that just released. . I am ordering now and cant wait til mine arrives. Ashleys website describes the purpose of this book is to teach kids; * self-love * inclusiveness... * kindness * emotional health * heart-centred decision making . Sounds good to me! Support this young BC writer and her inspiring message to the world. . Visit: www.ashleyandthesun.com . #selflove #compassion #peacefulparenting #calm #mindful #movement #childrenfirst #kinesiology #Comoxvalley #beautifulday #neuromovement See more

The summer season offers a host of opportunities to expand your movement repertoire. . Variation is so valuable to sustainable movement habits, both physically and cognitively. This is why it is one of my teacher, Anat Baniels essentials to healthy brain plasticity. .... Any movement is good but mixing up your movement choices is even better. Just like with nutrition, a well balanced and moderate movement repertoire loaded with fresh local variety is ideal. . This was my first time wake surfing in a few decades, but was fun to find my balance and stack my bones while in motion. Are you seeking variety in your summer activities?? . I have just a few spaces available for consults or private online sessions in July. PM me for details. . #neuromovement #kinesiology #anatbanielmethod #wakesurfing #summermovement #variation #neuroplasticity #beautifulbc #vancouverisland #lakelife #balance

Happy Canada Day. . I am so grateful to live in beautiful British Columbia. As a first generation Canadian, I am thankful for the sacrifices my parents each made to provide me with the opportunity and freedom that exists in Canada. . When my father was growing up there were no trees, no plants and definitely no flowers in his world. They were ordered to tear out any greenery that appeared, so all that he saw was dirt and concrete for decades. When he raised me in Ontario he s...hared his absolute admiration for the great outdoors. An appreciation I have only begun to understand within this decade of my life. . Yes, there is still lots to improve upon in Canada but ultimately I feel fortunate to live where I live, where progress is possible and change is within reach. . #happycanadaday #comoxvalley #cvv #cumberlandbc #kayak #kinesiology #movement #vancouverisland #getoutside #tiredofhiking #neuromovement #grateful See more

What are you grateful for today? . #mindfulness #freshair #cohousing... #communitygarden #growyourfood #comoxvalley #vancouverisland #neuromovement #mindfulmovement #blessings #grateful #getoutside #charlesdickens #kinesiology See more

Whatever it is, let it go..... for your own mental health.

My commute to work has gotten shorter and shorter over the years. This is the all time shortest. . I continue to offer my services as an ABM Neuromovement practitioner and Kinesiologist through virtual private sessions and through my online movement library @ MovementRX.com. . Individual programs catered to your specific needs; from postpartum recovery to injury rehab, chronic disease management, children with diverse needs, and even general fitness and lifestyle management. ...Niches arent my thing ;) PM me to inquire. . #abmneuromovement #neuromovement #kinesiology #hypopressives #mindfulmovement #postpartum #stress #add #adhd #asd #feldenkrais #lifebalance #ergonomics See more

Nice and slow Sundays... What did you get up to today? . #sundayfunday... #familyday #sunday #getoutside #movementislife #kidsinadingy #lightningstrikes #lotsoftears #beautifullake #vancouverisland See more

Today practice the art of pausing before reacting. . Today is another moving day. Not ideal, not planned; but a strategic reaction to the current realities. . We are latching onto the positives and shaking off any negative thoughts that attempt to settle. ... #movement #mindfulmovement #holisticmovement #movementtherapy #neuromovement #neuroplasticity #athlete #postpartum #recovery #stress #movementmeditation #peacefulparenting #cohousing #movingday #roundtwo

. New session alert. Just added this one to the members area of my online mindful movement library. . In this session we will explore some wildly unique movement combinations. .... Coordinate pelvic floor contractions with movements of your hands, feet, jaw and even eyes. . Its amazing how much residual tension can be hanging out in the pelvic floor muscles. First lets improve awareness of your pelvic floor by enhancing your attention and challenging your habitual patterns.... only then will strengthening and coordinating the pelvic floor to match your performance and lifestyle demands be so much easier. . Sign up at www.movementRX.com or sample a few free sessions before you commit. . #movementsession #mindfulmovement #bodymapping #pelvicfloor #postpartum #preandpostpartum #momfitness #fourthtrimester #pelvicfloorrehab #pelvicfloorhealth #mindfulmama #neuromovement #feldenkraismethod #breathe #postpartumrecovery #pelvicfloorspecialist #preandpostnatalfitness See more

We are surviving without school, organized sport, coffee shops, specialists, dentists and even socializing! But here is a place we are missing on a daily basis..... the library. . I miss the peaceful setting where all patrons are deep in thought. I miss the abundance of opportunity within a fingers reach. I miss the freedom to let my children go to town without the guilt or worry of cost or effect. I miss the predictable library routine. Everyone has their own essentials... that, once identified, serve to guide daily rhythms. . What is one of your essentials that you are missing these days? . #mindfulmovement #kinesiology #trainer #balancedlife #cumberland #vancouverislandlibrary #reading #ilovelibraries #neuromovement #balancedtraining #holisticmovement #essentialism #covid19 #schoolsout #homeschool #peacefulparenting #mindfulparent #literature #movementmeditation #neuroplasticity See more

Like many of you, I have suddenly fallen into the position of substitute teaching. Although I am not qualified for the position I have been making it through each day with the same basics I apply to creating physical training plans for busy moms and professionals. . Its easy to say learning should be organic and similarly movement should be naturally integrated into our lives. But nothing about these days feels organic or naturally evolved. . Days are busy and schedules are ...essential to working towards progress or even just maintenance. If you intentionally draft out the essentials in your life and they are similar to mine and involve your kids learning and you being physically active then these tips might serve you well. . Find a thorough curriculum that lays out directions to follow. Or thank your childs teacher if they are doing this for you! . For exercise, draft out what your goals are during the next month or two and locate the resources to accomplish these or find a trainer to do this for you. . Spend ten minutes at the beginning of the week creating a weekly plan for what your child will learn and how you will teach it. Gather the supplies you need and have them handy for when you are working with them. . Similarly, make a plan for what your physical activity looks like for the week: gather the supplies you need aka support of partner/childcare and have them handy! Or schedule a buddy to join you to keep you accountable. . If you have decided to let the school year go and wait til September, so be it! Embrace that decision. If the same rings true for your physical activity, so be it! I personally have found its much easier to keep some momentum than it is to start over and we will keep plugging away with much less frequency and intensity..... with a focus on simply maintaining good habits. . If you need help with your childs education I am not the gal for you. If you need help with your movement programming I am here to help! See more

Most of my clients are now working from home and scrambling to determine the best set up for their physical health. Not only are they working, parenting, schooling, cooking and cleaning but they also have to be in charge of their own ergonomics which is no easy task. Let me lend a few thoughts by answering the most FAQ this week: Q: Is it better to sit on an exercise ball or chair? ... A: Its not what you are sitting on as much as HOW you are sitting. The attached research paper clearly shows that participants who sat on a ball for an hour had no benefits over participants who sat on a chair. In fact, those who sat on the ball experienced more discomfort. My guiding principle is that we, as humans, were not designed to stay put. Thus, it is important to get up and move on a regular basis. Set a timer for every 15 minutes, get up, and do a few squats. Also while youre taking a body break remember to give your eyes a break: take your eyes off the computer and look up and down, right and left.. break up any habitual patterns and introduce some variation. This paper refers to stability balls but the same is true for standing desks and other ergonomic "devices". Rotating between different positions is the most ideal. For example, sitting on a ball, standing, sitting on a chair, squatting at your coffee table, side sitting on the floor.. you get my point! Take advantage of working from home in your cozy sweat pants and get moving! https://uwaterloo.ca//4164-2_position_paper_2016_-_gregory

Note the dirty laundry in the corner... this is the beauty of online sessions, they are personal and raw and they just fit. . Hypopressives is one of the many tools I use to help clients with pelvic floor issues such as incontinence or prolapse. . Hypopressives is a breathing and posture technique that was developed to decrease downward pressure on the pelvic floor. By creating a vacuum with the rib cage and applying an apnea the organs of the abdominal and pelvic cavity can ...actually be lifted upwards..... most women enjoy this sensation along with all of the other potential benefits such as improved posture, decreased back pain, enhanced breathing function, decreased incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction. . The best part is that you can learn hypopressives from the comfort of your home and have a set program to practice on your own. . #lift #pelvicfloor #postpartum #hypopressives #kinesiology #pelvicfloorrehab #breathing #posture #runner #runningmama #athletemama See more

Not movement related! But practising sustainability.... are you drowning in paper grocery bags because covid-19 restrictions wont let you use your own bags. . Are you also running out of paper as your kids doodle up a storm. .... Cut the paper bags into sheets of nice thick colouring paper! . Now is the time to look at what daily practices are sustainable, from paper bags to movement patterns. How long can you continue to do what you do? Forever? One week? Not a minute longer..... . #sustainability #peacefulparenting #movement #holisticmovement #homeschool #reuse #paperbag

. Your daily dose of nourishing movement, website is live NOW. . Login. Press play. Connect...... my dream of creating an attractive and user friendly online library of my favourite mindful movement sessions is ready for you to enjoy now. .... I will be adding new sessions biweekly. Please share any feedback and if you love it share with others. . Special thanks to web design by COMOX Valleys Lani @featherlitedesigns and Cumberlands Alex of @seasandtrees. Follow me at @movement__rx . www.movementRX.com . #mindful movement #comoxvalley #feldenkrais #neuromovement #kinesiology #postpartum #athletes #elderly #calm #movementRX #movementismedicine #holisticmovement #peace #mindfulparenting #neuromovement #feldenkraismethod #kinesiology See more

Spoiled from sunrise to sunset by my fantastic crew... breakfast in bed, artwork galore, long solo run in the forest, beach day with chips, chips and more chips.... and even steak, champagne and cake! And even my one blissful wish for the day- harmony. I think the kids might have got confused and thought it was my birthday. Or they are getting wiser and have learnt that when one of us celebrates, we all celebrate! Thats what family is for. We cry together and we fly together.... . This is the only image I have to remember today because I was so blissfully occupied and equally being barracaded from one surprise after another, but its one I have filed away safely in . . Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers out there! . #comoxvalley #happymothersday #comox #neuromovement #holisticmovement #kinesiology #mothersday #sundayfunday See more

It was so fun to partake in a casual social distanced chat with Rachel of Aligned Movement Studios. Check out the video here:

You are Resilient!

Movement break from my Saturday computer work exploring the different directions my spine can move. Move slowly Move comfortably Look for ease ... PLAY!! #nourishingmovement #notmadefordeskwork #backpain #neckpain #movementbreak #closeyoureyes #neuromovement #movementRX #onlinesessions #kinesiology #holisticmovement #notyoga #release #clearblockages #spinalawareness #grace #easymovement

Hop on over to @movement__rx my new account where I will be releasing a mindful movement library this week! See you on the other side! #mindfulmovement #kinesiology #anatbanielmethodneuromovement #nourishingmovement #holisticmovement #mindfulparenting #mindfulmoms #anatbanielmethodneuromovement #feldenkraismethod #somaticmovement #mindbody #movementmeditation #functionalmovement #movementlibrary #peacefulparenting #restorativemovement #preandpostnatal

Hop on over to @movementrx my new account where I will be releasing a mindful movement library in the next few days! See you on the other side!

Now booking online Sessions on Saturdays. PM me for details.

Cue an abrupt and welcome shift in conversation topic..... Tummy time, is it necessary? We, ABM Neuromovement practitioners, think not. Allowing your babies time to explore their world from the supine position is vital to forming neural patterns as well as building a sense of themselves in relation to the world and especially gravity.... Eventually a healthy baby will discover, on their own time, how to roll to their belly and usually by complete accident. This discovery will lead to pure delight and ignite their curiosity to discover just how did I accomplish this amazing feat?? On the other hand, often when you plop a baby on their belly for a designated number of minutes each day, most of them just puke, rage or smush their faces into the floor. With such little research supporting why tummy time is critical, why force the uncomfortable? My advice aligns with that of Dr. Jill Heathcock, Ph.D., as quoted in the article- Whats most important is that kids be in a variety of positions during the day. https://nyti.ms/2RufA8L

Happy Easter! My hope for you today is that you love where you live and you love who you live with! #grateful... #happyeaster #cumberland @ Michelle Mark- Movement Therapist See more

Guys, I am worried about our children. All our children. Theres a lot of fear floating around with a hint of paranoia. For some children who already cope with a fair deal of anxiety, communicating with strangers is nerve wracking but valuable skill to hone. With such little face to face communication these days, what does their future look like? I have been making a big effort to say hello to all the children I pass..... of course from a safe distance. And I am sad by how s...hocked or uncomfortable they are by my greeting. I urge you to do the same. Remind them that you see them. I have three little people who have been talking AT me non stop for three weeks straight because there is no one else to listen to them. I am doing my best but I know I am not enough. If you see a child out on your walk make an effort to say hello. Maybe even ask them what their favourite colour is. Please dont be scared they are going to cough on your or hug you. Please trust that most parents are doing their best to maintain safe distancing but likely struggling to nurture their child on their own and this could be your token of help. Show your appreciation to all the children who have suddenly lost their playmates, schooling, sports teams and family connections. Show them you appreciate their efforts to keep society safe by acknowledging them, waving and engaging them in conversation or something even more creative. It takes a village to raise a child. Right now we are being instructed to be antisocial and its very concerning, especially for the tiny humans who are in critical developmental stages. And also for the parents who are treading water amidst job loss, mortgage payments, virtual schooling as well as the obvious fear of falling ill or having a loved one fall ill. My message today is to say hello to all the little people you pass. #abmneuromovement #mindfulmovement #holisticmovement #happyeaster #socialdistancing #earlychildhooddevelopment #simplicityparenting .#simple #mindfulparenting #covid-19children #sayhello #grateful

This was the poem my daughter and I read in her Language Arts book today. It was quite fitting for all of us, perhaps for you and yours too? . . .THE VALLEY OF GRUMP .... The Valley of Grump is a sad, sad place. Everyone cries and fights all day. No one has anything nice to say, And trash is scattered all over the place. . . The sun never shines in the Valley of Grump, And there are no flowers in that smelly old dump. No bees buzz, and no birds sing, And no one there has ever seen spring. . . Oh, its so easy to slip into the Valley of Grump, And find yourself in such a horrible slump, But, oh, its so easy to get out, tooJust put on a smile and say something kind, And suddenly youll be in the Valley of Nice. . . Yes, the Valley of Nice is the best place to be. The flowers dance, and the birds always sing. So, in the Valley of Grump, never stay long; The Valley of Nice is where you belong. . . By Margaret Colton Adapted by Jenny Phillips . #valleyofgrump #socialdistancing #homeschool #suddenlyhomeschooling #covid19 #daybyday #inthemoment #intentional #gradeone #holisticmovement #neuromovement

Yes! Please make an effort to support your local businesses who are transitioning to online services and delivery methods at break neck speeds. I have been able to barely come into contact with ANYONE for 18 days without sacrificing necessities (and a few luxuries) thanks to the efforts of these businesses. If you want to enjoy the offerings of these small businesses for years to come, now is the time to show your LOVE. Thank you; ... Seeds Food Market for being open for walk in, or call/email ahead and packing up my groceries for pick up (OR I believe they will deliver to those in need) Cumberland Village Bakery for continuing to bake bread to pick up (outside) Local Refillery for being open for ordering via email and prepping orders to be ready for pick up Dark Side Chocolates for delivering a hefty and tasty bag of coffee to my door today Blue Spruce Ice Cream for delivering a few pints of DF ice cream to my door last Friday Speedyprintshop for printing all our new "school books" so these kiddos can keep up their learning Kingsway Auto Center for efficiently replacing my dead car battery whilst maintaining social distancing to a tee Think about the other side of this pandemic and how you want your life to look. Do you want to only be able to order off Amazon or big chain stores? If not then now is the time to support the little guys so you can enjoy your "quaint and charming" lifestyle on the other side.

Day 17 of social isolation with 3 crazy kiddos..... #selfy #glenboles artist