What the work looks like from the inside

A lot of children with special needs are wanderers — highly awake beings with a big mission. Meet this little guy: the moment he walks into the therapy room, I feel his big heart.

On the outside he seems in trouble, labelled with ADHD, epilepsy and autism. His strong and loving dad calls him a demolisher, as he breaks things down daily. I reply: but then he is a very sweet demolisher. The dad smiles and agrees.

His dad calls me a magician — he has never seen his son so relaxed with a stranger. But here's the secret: I am not a stranger to him, nor is he to me. We're on the same mission.

Yesterday I received a message that filled my heart with joy: a picture of a car, with my proud and happy client standing next to it.

It's not that I care much about cars. It's what the picture represents — newfound freedom for a woman who was bedridden for years and learned to heal little by little, step by step.

No, she still can't do everything most people her age can. But she has moved well beyond limits that seemed locked in with her diagnosis. And she did it from the comfort of her home, connecting with me weekly or fortnightly over Zoom.

I had the privilege of working with a 62-year-old man diagnosed in his teens with a condition that created stiffness throughout his body. Much of what was done for it at the time possibly engraved the pattern deeper than anyone wished.

He wanted more freedom and ease in his movement. After a four-session mini-intensive he felt very different. His wife recognised it when he came home after our first meeting.

'I finally feel a sense of ease and effortlessness,' he said. And then he added: 'What I like most though is the stillness I feel within me.'

P.S. His wife signed up for a session too.

Oh dear, clever-hearted Judith Simon. You are more than a therapist to us — you are like Ernest's fairy godmother.

Every time, it is such a joy to be under your caring wing, and always a little bittersweet to say goodbye. Ernest conducts every lesson with passion, joy, loud laughter, singing and endless energy. Every day he shows how much the classes help him — how they deepen his body awareness and strengthen his speaking as he creates dialogues, even in English.

It's amazing to witness the connection that grows through your gentle, stimulating touch — how mind and body come into harmony.

After a week of NeuroMovement lessons with amazing children with special needs and their families in Riga — meet Ralfs and his dedicated mother, Ginta.

Ralfs was born prematurely at 26 weeks. He survived, and had to learn to live with cerebral palsy. His mother has rooted for him and taken him to many therapies to improve his quality of life.

After just two lessons Ralfs said: 'I feel more free in my body and my legs walk better.' He came again for two more. He giggled occasionally during the lessons, but I promised him not to say why. That's a secret.

Judith, working with you is both gentle and powerful at the same time. You create space for silence as well as conversation, for insights and for simply feeling.

In our sessions, so much bypasses my thinking and goes straight into my body, where I feel invited to let go of the old and embrace the new.

Because your guidance comes from such authentic care and love, the process of change feels natural and deeply effective. I am truly grateful for this special work with you.

It is much easier for me to tune in now to the feeling of love and compassion. I am more aware when I am strategising to self-protect. Talks with my ex-partner are calmer, easier, even enjoyable.

I am more aware when I suppress anger or frustration. I can more easily shift to the here and now. I am learning to practise being okay with not knowing. I have learned to love myself when I feel triggered.

On the days of our sessions, I felt more chill, more clear, open, and at times very relieved.

I was working with a 75-year-old man. He was in quite a lot of pain; he could barely get up, let alone sit or walk comfortably. His body was tight and hard to move.

After the fourth session he got up from the table with ease. He almost couldn't believe how different he felt on his feet.

Call it NeuroMovement, healing, or just plain magic. It happens when people come together with that intention.