In our clinical practice, we focus on functional movement as a way to improve adopted body mechanics that lead to pain, discomfort, and poor athleticism. We’ve identified the patterns of degradation, and we understand the work it takes to correct them. However, we have found an opportunity, through Heartstone Academy, to instill proactive care by changing the environment to support good biomechanics. We use traditional practices form around the world and integrate them into our classrooms, in addition to implementing individualized movement support. It is important to us that our students not only develop their minds, but their bodies as well. This is part of our Organic Learning platform.

You won't find traditional chairs in our classrooms. Or a traditional classroom, for that matter. Instead, we have adopted the Japanese model of floor tables and layout. This is not just an aesthetic choice; but a fundamental ergonomic decision that promotes:

‍Better Hip Control and Mobility: Children naturally engage their core and hip muscles, promoting healthy hip development and flexibility that is often lost with prolonged sitting in chairs.

‍Dynamic Posture: It encourages frequent shifts in position, preventing stiffness and promoting natural spinal alignment and core strength.

‍Enhanced Focus: Active sitting helps channel energy and improves concentration by engaging the body in a more natural way.

With our expertise in functional movement, we see every activity as an opportunity to build physical intelligence. We don't just set aside time for movement; we weave it into every day, with developmental for both group and individual needs:

‍Engaging Games & Challenges: From obstacle courses that refine balance and coordination to interactive games, we design activities that are fun but also strategically challenge muscle groups and movement patterns.

‍Mindful Group Yoga: Our group yoga sessions are designed not just for flexibility, but for body awareness, breath control, and core strength, fostering calm and concentration, even at a young age.

‍Dynamic Outdoor Play: We utilize our outdoor spaces and playground for functional development. We encourage climbing, crawling, jumping, and running, as well as group athletics to develop gross motor skills and spatial awareness.

‍Day-to-Day Movements: Even simple transitions become learning opportunities. How we stand up, how we reach for an object, how we carry our belongings – these are all chances to reinforce efficient and     healthy movement patterns. We optimize an open floor plan as well as outdoor learning spaces to explore these options.

‍Barefoot Zones: We've incorporated dedicated barefoot zones within our school. Walking and playing barefoot allows for proper foot development, strengthens intrinsic foot muscles, improves proprioception, and enhances sensory input that feeds directly back to the brain. This foundational sensory experience is crucial for overall motor skill development and balance.

We base our physical development perspective off of many different philosophies however they might apply, but the core foundation of our understanding of movement development comes from a line of study called Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS). DNS is a physical therapy-derived practice from the Prague School that has been refined from generations of revolutionary manual therapists including Dr Karel Lewit, Dr Václav Vojta, and the current Dr Pavel Kolar. DNS is based on the idea that the most efficient and stable movement patterns are the ones we develop naturally in infancy – from laying on our back, rolling, crawling, squatting, and eventually walking. These are pre-programmed in our brains, and they form the foundations for posture, breathing mechanics, and coordinated movement throughout life. These patterns have been studied extensively, and are considered true for all human beings free from early physical trauma.

We apply this knowledge in our classroom to identify and remedy early signs of movement dysfunction, while it is most easily corrected. This way, we help to give every child the best chance for ideal musculoskeletal development, proper life-long posture, and foundational athletic potential.