Anat Baniel Method of NeuroMovement®

for Children with Special Needs 

Bonnie Kissam, M.A.,
in Exceptional Student Education, Feldenkrais® Practitioner

Adapted Physical Education

Sessions Available IN-PERSON or AT HOME/ONLINE

Bonnie Kissam, M.A., with a Master’s Degree in Physical Education and Dance, and a second one in Exceptional Student Education, became a Licensed Massage Therapist in NY State in 1980, and a Feldenkrais® Practitioner in 1983.

Bonnie was fortunate to study with Moshe Feldenkrais, D.Sc., in his last two years of teaching in 1980 and 1981, when Anat Baniel was one of his assistants. Bonnie completed Anat’s program for Children with Special Needs in 2012, 

Bonnie offers lessons in Sarasota, St. Petersburg by appointment. Inquire about options for Bonnie to come to your area for a weekend with several children.

The Anat Baniel Method® of NeuroMovement® for Children with Special Needs is a result of Anat Baniel's 40+ years of practice and experience, changing the lives of hundreds of children who have difficulty in some aspect of their development.  She demonstrates that Moshe Feldenkrais’ idea of using movement with attention, while looking for and experiencing variations to existing capabilities, supports ongoing learning and is the key for keeping the wheel of self-development, self-learning moving forward.

Anat Baniel says, “As a baby lays in her crib during the first weeks of life, her brain is just beginning to figure out what to do with her sensations and how to organize movements and perceptions …. The brain’s ability to perceive the distinct differences in these sensations is the source of information from which the brain performs the extraordinary process of organizing itself, the body, and making sense of the world.  It is here that we find the greatest opportunity for helping the child who has special needs by facilitating her brain’s ability to perceive differences.”

– Anat Baniel (2012); Kids Beyond Limits, pp. 29-30

Bonnie uses movement and the brain’s ability to sense, adapt and grow to guide each child’s attention and help him/her differentiate his sensory experiences in a way that expands his thinking and overall ability. The intention is to help your son or daughter engage in what he/she is sensing until more optimal strategies for a new action evolves.

Through gentle, specific movements, sounds and sensations your child is guided to sort for differences and expand his/her physical and cognitive abilities. Infants and children, even those who have not begun to use the spoken language, can learn to differentiate what they sense, hear or see and learn to ‘move’ beyond limitations.

The video below shows Bonnie working with little Ms. R. learning to roll easily. Watch how Bonnie initiates the movement but then how Ms. R. organizes and performs the rest of the action.

Book Appointments with Bonnie Kissam — IN PERSON or AT HOME/ONLINE

The program of ABM works best for the child if she/he receives 2-4 lessons of 30-40 minutes each within a few days of each other. BonnieK is available in Sarasota during the week and organizes one weekend a month for appointments specifically for children. 

Contact: Bonnie Kissam
Phone: 941.360.2248
Email:  [email protected]

Appointment Locations (or AT HOME/ONLINE)

Sarasota:
Ionies 1241 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34236 (map link)

St. Petersburg (On Tuesdays):
Living Room Yoga, 8424 4^th Street North in St Petersburg (near Gandy Blvd. – map link)

AT HOME/ONLINE
by appointment – Call 941.360.2248

Bonnie will Travel: On-Site Appointments

Bonnie will come to your town to work for 2-3 days.  Organizers would need to provide transportation, accommodation, and a comfortable room for lessons.  (Minimum of two days).

Each day includes lessons for three to four children (two individual lessons for each child, each day). Contact BonnieK for more information: 941.360.2248

Cancellation Policy

Please give at least 24 hours notice to avoid a cancellation fee.