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Movement That Enhances Independence
Movement That Enhances Independence
This program is guided by occupational therapy principles and focuses on how movement supports activities such as:
This program is guided by occupational therapy principles and focuses on how movement supports activities such as:
Walking & transfers
Reaching, lifting, & bending
Balance, posture, & coordination
Movement is not just exercise - it is how we:
Movement is not just exercise - it is how we:
Care for ourselves
Interact with our environment
Express ourselves
Maintain independence
This program emphasizes how you move, not just how much you move.
How Your Brain Learns Movement
Your brain is always capable of change. This is called neuroplasticity. It is supported through:
Repetition
Meaningful movement
Focused attention
Time and consistency
Connecting movement to real activities
Practice + attention = change
Understanding Movement
Understanding Movement
Laban Movement Analysis (LMA):
Laban Movement Analysis (LMA):
a way to understand how you move.
LMA helps you:
Improve movement control
Adjust effort for daily tasks
Move with confidence and intention
It looks at:
Body – which parts move and how they connect
Effort – how strong, light, fast, or sustained movement feels
Space – where movement goes (up/down, forward/back, side/side)
Shape – how the body changes form
Flow – whether movement is free or controlled
Somatics:
Somatics:
a way of learning through internal body awareness. Instead of focusing on how movement looks, somatics focuses on how movement feels.
Somatic movement helps you:
Notice body sensations
Improve coordination
Reduce tension
Move more efficiently
Patterns of Total Body Connectivity (PTBCs)
Your body moves as a connected system, not as separate parts. These patterns develop early in life and can be relearned at any age. These movement patterns help your body work as a connected system during everyday activities.
You are learning from the inside out.
The 6 Patterns
The 6 Patterns
Session 1: Breath – sensing and organizing the body
Session 2: Core–Distal – moving from your center out to arms, legs, head, and tail
Session 3: Head–Tail – coordination of head, spine, and pelvis
Session 4: Upper–Lower – using upper and lower body together
Session 5: Body-Half – one side stabilizes while the other moves
Session 6: Cross-Lateral – opposite arm and leg work together
Graphics above inspired by Making Connections (Hackney, 2002). Illustration of fundamental movement patterns. Illustration created by the author using Procreate (2026).
Movement is empowering.
Movement is empowering.
Even small movements practiced regularly can create lasting change.
Even small movements practiced regularly can create lasting change.
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