Rhythmic Movement Training International (RMTI) is a reflex integration program that supports the foundations of posture, central nervous system maturity, vestibular function, sensory processing, memory, learning, emotions, and behavior which form the sold base of the pyramid as seen in the pyramid of learning By Williams and Shellenberger . If the foundation is not strong, the structure may collapse anytime.
RMTI method is based on movements developed by Kerstin Linde, a self-taught therapist in Sweden who used her observational skills as a photographer to create a series of exercises inspired by the natural movements of infants in their first months of life.
For infants, movement is the primary way they begin processing and integrating sensory information, helping them form a basic understanding of the world around them. Their early, uncoordinated movements gradually transition to coordinated, rhythmic motor abilities. To support this natural progression, infants need time, space, and opportunities which needs to be provided by caregivers. Through these early movements, infants develop postural control, which serves as a foundation for gross motor skills such as rolling, creeping, and crawling. These then lead to more complex abilities like walking, running, jumping, and skipping. In turn, these movements lay the groundwork for fine motor skills, including self-feeding, writing, and even playing musical instruments.
A crucial aspect of infant movement is primitive reflexes—automatic reflex movements that are only intended to remain active for a few months after birth before they integrate into more mature functions. RMTI movements replicate these baby movements, allowing the body to retrain and re-establish these foundational reflexes. With repeated practice, the nervous system finds the rhythm and coordination it needs to operate with greater organization, efficiency, and energy.
RMTI typically begins with passive movements, which are excellent for promoting rhythm and ease in coordination. These movements help to calm the nervous system, which in turn promotes body awareness, improves head control, supports the integration of primitive reflexes, and strengthens neural connections.
When early reflexes are not integrated we can observe symptoms of their presence in children dealing with various learning and behavioural challenges.
My Experience with RMTI Passive Movements
I’ve had some remarkable experiences using RMTI passive movements. Here I would like to share one of them. My house helper’s five-year-old son is a ball of energy, constantly running, jumping, and rarely stopping to rest. His grandmother often finds it difficult to keep up with him and has sometimes had to refuse to watch him due to his seemingly boundless energy.Once she even got hurt because he kept opening and shutting the closet doors.
When I first worked with him, I had him lie on a yoga mat and guided him through a gentle “fetal rocking” movement. To my surprise, this simple exercise brought an immediate calmness to his usually high-energy system. He enjoyed the movement so much that his mother now does it with him at home. On his next visit, I introduced him to a few active movements that he could do independently, like cross-lateral crawling, cycling to name a few.
Today, his mother tells me he’s shown these movements to everyone in his family and even practices them regularly on his own. It’s a beautiful example of how simple, rhythm-based movements can have a profound impact on a child’s sense of calm and self-regulation.
References
*RMTI level 1manual : Focus, organisation & comprehension
Minaz Ajani has a Masters in Special Education with a focus on Learning Disabilities. She is also a licensed Brain Gym® , Touch for Health® and Movement Based learning Instructor and RMTI consultant . She regularly trains parents, teachers and therapist.546456