The happy baby roll, maybe you’ve heard of it in yoga class or watched your own little one enjoy this curled up body position.  There is science behind this joy!

Jessica Hoffarth MS OTR/L, occupational therapist at the Midtown office of Child and Family Development, and some other C&FD pediatric therapists are learning all about it in their continuing education work with Rhythmic Movement Training International (RMTi).  RMTI is a movement based, primitive (infant or neo-natal) reflex integration program that uses developmental movements, gentle isometric pressure and self-awareness to rebuild the foundations necessary to help overcome learning, sensory, emotional and behavioral challenges for children and adults. 

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 are based on replicating the movements that infants naturally make.

Watch this video of a school aged child doing the happy baby roll here. 

Jessica is eager to continue her training and incorporate these techniques into occupational therapy sessions.