Movement Lesson™
New Movement Sciences

You are learning about Movement Lesson™ (ML) because you are helping someone to achieve movements, development, milestones you didn’t think were possible, or you need to move better. There is very specific areas of movement sciences discovered, presented, and taught by Michelle M. Turner, the creator of Movement Lesson™. ML™ is not just a modality for development, although known around the world for its work with special children, it’s the forefront for a new generation of movement sciences. This specific area of expertise encapsulates the origin and organization of movement needed for all living organisms.

Turner presented her first Theory of Opposition to Gravity and Locomotion in 2017 at the International Movement Conference, Oxford University. The abstract and paper was published in Functional Neurology, Rehabilitation, and Ergonomics • Vol. 7, No. 2.  

Turner’s Theory of Opposition to Gravity and Locomotion

by Michelle M. Turner

Abstract: The organization of human body functions is due to the principle of the opposition of gravity. There is no doubt that Newton’s gravitational law is directed toward intimate object that are uniform and straight whereas human dynamics, having no fixed point of movement, in relation to coming to Earth’s gravitational force. However, any and all cognitive and developmental movement patterns are initiated, integrated and formulated on the basis of all these acts in opposition to gravity. Within this principle, that human’s require the ability to rotation to respond to stimulus and eventually become erect in biped momentum thus creating the ability to oppose to forces in equal and linear functions creating the ability to accelerate and eventually control these forces with an equal increase cognitive development. It is within this environment that muscle function becomes a part of this equation and not the soul source of strength but functional movement. This equation is of equal importance to any and all organ function as it is to perpetual motion. 

During this conference, Turner, with Dr. Kimberly Huggins, introduced the system mechanics of the human body needed for the creation of movement we currently recognize as neuro-typical development. The complete paper was published in 2018, Functional Neurology, Rehabilitation, and Ergonomics • Vol. 7, No. 2.

Initiation and Stimulation of Functional Movement and System Mechanics 

by Michelle M Turner and Kimberly N Huggins, PhD

Development of complex movement patterns (e.g. walking) requires the coordination of momentum and acceleration in space with no fixed points of reference. Functional movement builds upon experiences of moving in space from the neonatal period forward. An infant, having no experience with movement in a gravitational field, creates unique system mechanics in relation to gravity while lacking the cognitive ability to willfully transfer might against mass. Constraints during this developmental period either internal or external lead to system shut down or long-term restrictions. The work described here addresses a method of introducing those experiences in order to change the brain and develop these functional system mechanics. Application of gentle external touch is used to guide a client through a rotational movement. Subtle variation is added to increase the complexity of any and all movement. In this method, learning is not accomplished by finding the point of failure or rote repetition. Rather, basic rotational movements are built upon to create the foundations to initiate and enhance interactive 

In addition, she presented details of muscle responding to movement for continued use  of motion at the 2017 International Movement Conference at Oxford University. The full paper was also published in 2018 Functional Neurology, Rehabilitation, and Ergonomics • Vol. 7, No. 2.

Perpetual Motion and Cognitive Development

Michelle M. Turner, Dr. Medhini Singaraju

Abstract: Muscles play a major role in performing day to day activities and in infants the ability of the muscle to respond to stimuli is key to the development of the cognitive skills. Skeletal muscles as well as the involuntary muscles can be manipulated be an automatic and deliberate cognitive response depending on the human’s stage in relation to their developmental movement patterns. 

Purpose: In this article, we will not only look at the muscle function in a new light but the cognitive organization of infants to a more controlled adult manipulation of movement. 

You can see this continued conversation in 2017 in her essay for the Gravity Research Foundation Awards for Essays on Gravitation.

How Living Organisms are Affected by Turner’s Opposition to Gravity Theory

Michelle M. Turner 

Abstract: The development of human cognitive and functional movement patterns is initiated, integrated and formulated on the basis of action in opposition to gravity. Newton’s gravitational law is directed toward inanimate objects that are uniform and straight. However, this key gravitational force is a working scientific theory that does not account for dynamic mechanisms involved in creating motion within a living organism. Furthermore, humans require the ability to rotate in response to stimuli and eventually become erect in biped locomotion. This ability to rotate is essential in creating equal opposition of two forces. The succession of natural human development eventually initiates the ability to control complex actions for movement, momentum and acceleration through gravitational force with an increase in cognitive development. 

Turner and Dr. Huggins joined forces at Neuroscience, Washington, D.C., in 2017 to present.

Creating Volitional Movement in Cerebral Palsy 

Kimberly N. Huggins, Ph.D, Michelle M. Turner 

Development of complex movement patterns (e.g. walking) requires the coordination of momentum and acceleration in space with no fixed points of reference. Functional movement builds upon experiences of moving in space from the neonatal period forward. An infant, having no experience with movement in a gravitational field, creates unique system mechanics in relation to gravity while lacking the cognitive ability to willfully transfer might against mass. An infant with a medical condition at birth or during the early stages of development will miss opportunities to lay the foundation for complex movement. Cerebral palsy results from a brain insult during the time of life between birth and age 5. Current therapies and standard of care are aimed at symptom management with no concerted effort to organize the nervous system and enable habilitation through neuro-plasticity. 

Constraints during this developmental period either internal or external lead to system shut down or long-term restrictions. Here, the authors describe a method to improve the efficiency and. frequency of volitional movement in children with movement disorders. Utilizing specific types of movement, the authors replicate early developmental period experience to organize the nervous system and facilitate movement following developmental delays. Changes in movement patterns and system mechanics are outward expressions of underlying changes in the brain and are followed by changes in vision, sensory processing and other concomitant delays. 

At this point, Turner felt the significance to offer her views on infant development during the neonatal and early development. At the International Movement Conference 2018, Harvard University, School of Medicine.

Infant Developmental Movement Patterns: 

Evaluation Techniques and Definitive Milestones

Michelle M. Turner

Abstract: At its peak, the human body moves fluidly while maintaining a balance and opposition to gravity. During the neonatal period, infants do not present with the ability to produce purposeful actions or demonstrate specific motor functions. The development of complex movements begins in infancy and builds upon the exploration of limb movement, followed by trunk involvement and ultimately whole body movements like walking. In early development, newborns require continuous and unique opportunities to experience functional movement. Newborns are not able to initiate, stimulate or enhance functional movement through their own abilities. Failure to establish the body’s relationship to the natural forces of gravity, rotation and counterbalance during this period of time through functional movement has been shown to lead to significant short-term and long-term developmental delays. This paper presents a new model for evaluation techniques for infants that relies on functional movement patterns. The rethinking of essential movement patterns during the body’s transition from the neonatal period to early infancy is key to establishing effective cognitive evaluation techniques for young children’s development. Ultimately, implementing movement-based evaluation techniques is a necessary intervention for clinicians and parents alike to enhance proper motor development, particularly for those at risk for developmental delays.  

Turner and Dr. Huggins continued the presentations of Movement Lesson Movement Sciences at the 2018 Movement Conference, Harvard University, School of Medicine

What is standing? Redefining the mechanics of standing and clinical interventions

Kimberly N. Huggins Ph.D., Michelle M. Turner 

Abstract: Standing is a fundamental requirement for a body to be upright and is a precursor to ambulation. During early childhood development, standing helps to properly form hip joints and prevent subluxation and dysplasia. For children without the ability to independently bear weight, professionals often prescribe time in a standing apparatus. Children may also be prescribed and orthotic for the foot, the foot and ankle, or the foot ankle and knee. 

All movement requires an opposition to gravity. Standing requires forces in two directions, opposition to gravity and applied force. These actions work in the understanding of Newtonian laws while also representing a new understanding of how the body maintains an upright position. Interventions aimed to improve standing should first be focused on the pelvis. Pelvic involvement and positioning drive the alignment of other joints above and below. With proper pelvic engagement and positioning, the hips will properly rotate within the dockets and the rotation of the femur will guide proper alignment of the knees. If the knees are properly aligned, the tibia and fibula will align over the ankle and the foot will exhibited the applied force driven through the legs. Without pelvic engagement, interventions for standing remain suboptimal in both creating movement and of therapeutic value. 

In 2020, Turner submitted another entry to the Gravity Research Foundation Awards for Essays on Gravitation.

Biological Laws of Gravity

Michelle M. Turner 

Abstract: Our quest for understanding gravity has taken us to the far reaches of the universe, when all along, our answers have been right before our very eyes. Our interaction with the source of gravity causes living beings to organize with these principles of natural law to include rotational movements in opposition. Gravity creates the structure of movement needed for us to respond in form and function which produces our cognitive synapsis for our development and evolution. Recognizing that the architecture of gravity is rotational movement counteracting another rotational movement establishes the binding force needed for all life, from atoms to complex solar systems. 

Her continued research after a statement that there was little understanding of gravity and the human body. Turner compiled 21 theories of Biological Gravity on gravity and movement. 

She accumulated her knowledge in her next book, You Can’t Get to Mars Without Me! The Rules of Gravity, 2021 is available on Amazon and Audible. she offers how gravity is formed for organic life, organized for movement and life, and when gravity fails the system mechanics formation. These 21 Theories are needed to bring humans to a multi-planetary existence, and is the science we all need for cognitive and physical development. 

She is expanding on two topics at the 25th Annual International Mars Society Convention

"Searching for Life with Heavy Lift", Arizona State University, 2022 through two abstracts.

The Organization of Gravity on the Functional Movements of the Human Body

It is thought that man’s muscular force depends on the ratio of mass to maximum speed needed to perform an action under normal gravitational conditions. This paper presents, all gravitational conditions are normal to a being’s nervous system, it’s the experience of the other sub-senses that can cause issues with typical mass/might calculations. Newton’s first law of motion offers that F=MA (Force = Mass X Acceleration) as compared to when the organism is as rest, offering F = M (Force = Mass). This equation might be true for simple single cell entities; however, a living organism, especially within the animal, amphibian, and plant genera, are almost never at rest. Even more significant is the observation that although there is a point of similarity within different lifeforms, no two are the same. Variations in size quickly change any calculations of movement into the ability to use force based on previous conversations with movement. Therefore, the calculation of a body’s weight subject to gravity, P = MG (where P is the weight of the body = Mass X Gravity) is useful as a reference of amount, not ability, for movement within gravity. It is actually within a body’s non-muscular mass where the capabilities of opposition through movement reside. A body needs to oppose not only gravity, but also perpetual motion. Perpetual motion is within the rotation of the muscle fiber, but it’s the act of balance and counterbalance that creates the acceleration within the system mechanics of a human’s body. Shedding new light on how muscles react to any and all movement within the opposition to gravity will create new insights and evaluation techniques on earth and beyond. The failure of not having this knowledge is the key to our current limitations within existing space programs.

The Architecture of Functional Human Movements in Gravity

In the organization of all human movements, the architecture for function requires the opposition to gravity through rotational responses. The root of all developmental movement patterns begins with our milestone markers. With these markers, we create skills through weight transfer: from transitional movements to load/lift variations, through horizontal to vertical presentations. Gravity’s relationship to all human movement is not recognized by our bodies as a pulling force; rather it is incorporated as a binding force. Newton’s presentation of gravity, a mathematical view of mass moving in space, is an important feature directed toward inanimate objects that are uniform and linear. The mass substance cannot create movement, nor oppose gravity, whereas human dynamics (having no fixed point of movement in relation to Earth’s gravitational force) are dominant over gravity. However, humans (and most living organisms) have a unique ability to manipulate gravity with structured cellular rotational responses, as it is the only non-optional force we deal with throughout our lives. It is our aptitude for the initiation, integration, and formulation from the immature to the mastered skills required for development and survival that allows us to interact with gravity this way. Within this principle, we need to not only recognize but calculate gravitational movement responses to include all acquired human potential for bipedal momentum, thus creating the ability to oppose forces in equal and linear functions, noting the expertise for creating acceleration so we can manipulate and control these forces in comparison with those found on Mars or any other planet. As each human body acknowledges the organization for Earth-based functions, it is within these parameters that life can exist in a multi-planetary facet. The recalculation of human movement through muscle strength and biomechanics rather than rotational organization diminishes the diversity of life needed for new colonization.

'The greatest gift you can give your child is movement'

- Michelle M. Turner

Servicing the need to assess all babies, Turner created and published her Newborn Movement Assessment: The Evaluation and Stimulation of an Infant's Developmental Movements published in 2016 and is available on Amazon. The step-by-step, online video course is available to view on her site MovementLesson.Academy. This is the first time you can acknowledge your baby’s ability to present and develop milestones. Knowing how a baby is ready to respond to stimuli and to catch and address deviations from neuro-typical responses.

From there, her breakthrough book, Early Infant Development + Warning Signs: Birth to Three Months, Michelle M. Turner, published 2022 available on Amazon, This is the first time details of your baby’s development and valuable warnings signs are available to help your baby thrive into their first month's movements. You can re-evaluate the details of your birth, the type of baby your baby is: typical, hyper- or hypo-responsive. A complete month-by-month detailed development and valuable warning signs your baby might be presenting immediately after birth. Thought this series, Turner presents five categories of development and deviations:

• Social/Emotional Milestones
• Language/Communication Milestones 
• Cognitive Milestone
• Cognitive Vision
• Movement/Physical Development Milestones 

The parent and professional can interact and track developmental movement as it her aspirations for babies to leave the doctor’s office with a growth, weight, and movement chart!

Turner will continue with this series to first complete Birth to Twelve Months to empower parents and professional with the necessaries in infant development and early interactive intervention through Movement Lesson™.

To bridge the gap needed in Movement Sciences in coordination with vision, she is publishing her Cognitive Vision: Functional Visual Assessment: A Study Guide, available October 2022 via Amazon. This book is apart of her Cognitive Vision training course tailored for parents and professionals with her introduction of vision and development milestone chart and her Diamond Scale Visual Assessment. Many children have issues with optimal development due to visual structure, developmental delays, neurological complications, environmental complexities, and her introduction of functional vision. When a child has issues with minor and global complications in movement development, the function of vision can also be impaired as it is not synchronized for optimal cognitive integration.

Turner currently sees clients, from around the world, out of her Phoenix (Peoria), Arizona, USA, via zoom or in-session appointments. She continues to travel for presentations and some personal sessions with her ML Practitioners. She is also generous as she presents and reviews videos through her private Facebook Group Movement Lesson for Parents and Professionals. She will continue to present her flare to these new aspects of movement sciences through. Many professionals do not make themselves available as Turner does. To review any of Michelle M. Turner’s publications, please contact Movement Lesson™ LLC.