Integrating Spinal Reflex Patterns with Hanna Somatic Movement
Melissa Fray 4-20-2024
In Hanna Somatic Education we understand that reflexes are stereotypic unconscious muscle movements that occur in response to stimuli directed from the brainstem and require no cortical or thinking involvement. Babies are born with a set of reflexes called “neonatal reflexes” that are designed for both protection and to aid in developmental challenges in the womb and early months of life. These movements literally help develop the brain. When neonatal reflexes remain active, and not integrated, they can interfere with academic, social, and motor learning. This can lead to a variety of asymmetries and poor posture patterns in the children and adult body and can even result in injury.
In this session, Melissa will be introducing the inner workings and organizing principles of the Spinal Galant and asymmetric tonic neck reflexes. Cases studies, practical applications, and assessment will be presented. She will be guiding us through specific Hanna Somatic movements to help understand how to address these patterns and to help lay down new patterns of neural networks. This ultimately can assist in the myelination of neural pathways for allowing the connection of various brain areas.
Melissa Orth Fray is a well-respected Hanna Somatic Educator, neuro-movement expert, speaker, and former World Champion athlete and single-digit handicap golfer. For over 40 years, she has built her practice around helping children and adults improve their mobility, performance and sense of well-being. Once Melissa realized the brain is in charge of movement, she dedicated her life to learning and teaching people how to develop new neural patterns so they could make connections physically, emotionally and cognitively.
Melissa holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology from George Williams College, an MBA from Aurora University, and is a certified Hanna Somatic Educator. Additional areas of study include Aston Kinetics, the Chikly Institute's osteopathic courses on the lymph system, brain therapy, and reflex integration at the level of the brain. In her practice she has coached a select group of Chicago athletes from the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks and Cubs, as well as seven touring golf professionals. She is a 1980 World Powerlifting Champion and Hall of Fame inductee.