The Benefits of Infant Massage - March 16, 2013

DSACO will be hosting the Benefits of Infant Massage on March 16, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. This seminar, taught by Becca and Shannon Black, will educate parents on the many different styles of touch, movement, interaction and communication. Both research and anecdotal evidence from families have shown that there are many ways that babies and families may benefit from infant massage. They can be grouped into four categories: Interaction, Stimulation, Relief and Relaxation.

INTERACTION:
Promotion of bondingand secure attachment
Verbal/non-verbal communication
Development of trust and confidence
Using all the senses
Feelings of love, respect, and being valued

STIMULATION:
Circulatory and digestive systems
Hormonal and immune systems
Coordination and balance
Learning and concentration
Muscular development and growth
Mind and body awareness

RELIEF:
Gas and colic
Constipation and elimination
Growing pains and muscular tension
Teething discomfort
Cramps

RELAXATION:
Improved sleep patterns
Increased flexibility and muscle tone
Regulation of behavioral states
Being calm and being able to calm themselves
Reduction in stress hormones


ABOUT SHANNON & BECCA BLACK -- We started Renew with the hope of bettering the lives of Oklahoma’s young children by improving the connection they have with their parents. While attending our certification course with the International Association of Infant Massage we were both struck by the need of healthy touch in families that teaches children to respect their bodies and trust their parents deeply. Especially pressing is the need for parents of children with special needs to have a tool for connecting with their child, who may be undergoing rigorous therapies and medical treatment that can cause deep stress and a loss of connection through hospital stay separation or emotional disconnection associated with some disorders and diseases.

Becca has been a certified massage therapist since 2003, working with children and adults through medical massage to improve physical well-being and repair injuries and physical dysfunction, as well as spending several years as an instructor of massage therapy at two local, highly respected massage colleges. Among her favorite subjects to teach was the time she spent as the infant massage instructor at one of the colleges, teaching students to in turn teach parents the art of loving touch.

Though Shannon is new to infant massage instruction, his ability to connect with parents and teach the massage routine with comfortable confidence helps fathers find the same ability in themselves. So strong is the bond between mother and child that fathers are often left feeling disconnected and out of place, never truly finding a comfortable role of closeness with their new baby or special needs child. Shannon’s guidance and wonderful example helps fathers settle into the instruction sessions and focus on their relationship with their child.

Please note that childcare will not be provided.

For more information or to RSVP to this seminar, contact Megan Winkler via e-mail or at 405.463.5641.