Anat Baniel and the Unlimited Potential of the Human Brain

I was so excited that Jason and I had the opportunity to speak with Anat Baniel, a woman whose work continues to be at the forefront of the emerging brain plasticity field, as well as the understanding of the role of movement in child development, health and vitality. Many years ago, when my own daughter was newly diagnosed with infantile spasms and we began what would become a decades long search to help her, I began reading and learning about what were then called "alternative" therapies. These "alternative" therapies would, essentially, become the treatments that Sophie responded to best, and while we would continue to try "traditional" treatments (mainly pharmaceuticals), I firmly believe that it was these other treatments -- cranial-sacral osteopathy, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and cannabis -- that gave my daughter far more potential and ultimately enhanced her life beyond what any doctor had predicted. I was therefore thrilled when Jason arranged for Anat to be on the show. I had heard of her, but to get to actually talk to her was such a privilege.

Anat is the founder of the Anat Baniel Method® NeuroMovement®,a holistic approach that utilizes movement in all its forms. This approach helps upgrade the functioning of your brain, which in turn helps you learn and think better, overcome pain and move better, and achieve new levels of performance. Over the past 30 plus years, Anat has worked with athletes, musicians, and other high performers as well as thousands of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, genetic disorders and more. She developed Anat Baniel Method NeuroMovement that provides both practice and theory supported by current brain science. She is the author of the highly acclaimed book Kids Beyond Limits and the bestselling Move Into Life: NeuroMovement for Lifelong Vitality.

Trained as a clinical psychologist and dancer, Anat was a student and then close professional associate of Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais for many years. She has trained over 700 practitioners that now work with children with special needs and continues to train practitioners, lead workshops and run a private practice with her colleagues at the Anat Baniel Method Center in San Rafael, California.

In today's podcast, Jason and I had a far-ranging conversation about her story, the evolution of her work, and the importance of shifting from a mentality of fixing to connecting. We talked about the differences between healing and curing, and Anat shared her wisdom about how she deals with parents and their own growth and evolution. We learned about the nine key points of Anat's method for positive brain change, which I'll leave here as a teaser. We know you'll listen to the show and feel your own mind expand and grow.

Essential 1 – Movement with Attention

Wake up to Life

Essential 2 – Slow

Luxuriate in the Richness of Feeling

Essential 3 – Variation

Enjoy Abundant Possibilities

Essential 4 – Subtlety

Experience the Power of Gentleness

Essential 5 – Enthusiasm

Turn the Small into the Great

Essential 6 – Flexible Goals

Make the Impossible Possible

Essential 7 – The Learning Switch

Bring in the New

Essential 8 – Imagination & Dreams

Create your Life

Essential 9 – Awareness

Thrive with True Knowledge