Qigong Massage for autism? also Anat Baniel's movement therapy

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Following discussion on another list about movement therapy for autism and improving brain plasticity --- apparently Anat Baniel's movement therapy is making waves at Autism One this year — I was wondering about tai chi and came across this:Easing Ills through Tai Chi - Researchers study the benefits of this mind-body exercise:"For anyone who practices tai chi regularly, “brain plasticity arising from repeated training may be relevant, since we know that brain connections are ‘sculpted’ by daily experience and practice,” explains Kerr, who is investigating brain dynamics related to tai chi and mindfulness meditation at HMS. “Tai chi is a very interesting form of training because it combines a low-intensity aerobic exercise with a complex, learned, motor sequence. Meditation, motor learning, and attentional focus have all been shown in numerous studies to be associated with training-related changes—including, in some cases, changes in actual brain structure—in specific cortical regions.” http://harvardmagazine.com/2010/01/researchers-study-tai-chi-benefitsAdmittedly tai child is probably too complex for most of our kids to learn (I have started learning it and am really struggling with memorising sequences – showing my brain is in a worse state than I imagined ( ) , but wondering if some sort of simplified stripped down version could work ?Just did a search on tai chi and qigong, which is a related technique of relaxation/meditation through movement and breathing (also thought in tai chi classes as a 'worm-up'), and came across 'qigong massage' as being helpful in autism. Anyone heard ?? http://www.qsti.org/QST_parents.html (research fact sheet attached, more on website). Sounds very interesting and doable but not sure if training is offered in the UK? Any info appreciated!!Also does anyone know if there are any Anat Baniel's trainers in the UK? Natasa

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researchfacts.pdf