Anatomy Trains Structural Integration (ATSI) for Babies, as adapted and evolved by Effath Yasmin, goes beyond bodywork—it is a deeply attuned, fascia-based therapeutic relationship. It brings together the foundational insights of Tom Myers’ fascial lines with the Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST) principles of therapeutic presence, safety, and wholeness, creating a gentle space for the baby’s body to reorganize from within.
Here, intervention is not something done to the baby. It is an invitation—a presence that listens, resonates, and involves parents as active co-regulators of their baby’s healing journey. It is not a technique. It is a conversation between the baby’s fascia, their breath, and the relational field we hold around them.
Core Principles of Infant ATSI (Inspired by BCST Integration)
- The fascial matrix holds stories of intrauterine constraint, labor dynamics, and medical birth interventions—not just physically, but emotional & energetic imprints across the baby’s system.
- These imprints may manifest in feeding, digestion, movement, and relational engagement, affecting a baby’s capacity to bond, settle, or thrive.
- The work honors the blueprint of health, not dysfunction. Through presence-centered, feather-light fascial contact, the baby’s system is invited to unwind—not corrected, but met.
- Babies are not problems to be fixed—they are beings with a story that asks to be heard. Therapeutic presence creates the container in which that story can complete.
- Parents are not bystanders. Their regulated presence, gentle gaze, and openhearted involvement can amplify the potency of touch and support the baby’s deeper integration at home.
Common Lactation Issues BCST Can Support
We don’t pathologize these patterns—we listen to them:
- Arching, stiffening, or rigidity during feeding or being held
- Difficulty latching or maintaining latch despite normal anatomy
- Reflux, colic, gas, or trouble with burping or stooling
- Head flattening (plagiocephaly), torticollis, or one-sided preferences
- Oversensitivity to touch, sound, or movement
- Frequent startling, unsettled sleep, or inconsolable crying
- Reluctance to feed in certain positions
- Early oral dysfunction or feeding therapy referral
Each of these may point to subtle fascial tension shaped by birth. When these are met with attuned, respectful touch, resolution is possible—often quite quickly.
How We Support Babies Through ATSI
ATSI for babies, as practiced by Effath Yasmin, is grounded in a field of biodynamic stillness, relational safety, and attuned listening. In each session:
- We begin with full presence—regulating ourselves first, then co-regulating with the baby and caregiver
- We observe posture, tone, movement, and interaction—not to assess dysfunction, but to understand how the body is trying to adapt
- We apply feather-light, sustained fascial contact to gently support fluid continuity and release patterns along myofascial meridians
- We engage the cranial base, diaphragm, pelvic bowl, and oral structures in resonance with the baby’s readiness
- We involve parents as co-facilitators, offering home-based holding protocols and daily rituals of touch, presence, and rest
The baby is always the guide. The session is always a dialogue, never a directive.
For Parents Who Are Wondering:
You may be asking…
- “Why does my baby always seem uncomfortable, even when fed and changed?”
- “Why does my baby stiffen in my arms or resist cuddling?”
- “Why is breastfeeding so hard when there’s no visible issue?”
- “Is my baby just fussy—or is something deeper going on?”
- “Is it too late to help them feel safe and settled in their body?”
We want you to know: You are not imagining it. Your sensitivity to your baby is your superpower. When we join that sensitivity with therapeutic presence and informed touch, healing begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is ATSI painful for my baby?
Not at all. Touch is subtle, slow, and always led by the baby’s cues. Babies often release tension through softening, pooping, yawning, or deep sleep. We never override their signals.
2. How many sessions will my baby need?
It varies. Some shifts are seen after just 1–2 sessions. Others may benefit from a short series. Our goal is not prolonged therapy—but meaningful, sustained change with parental support tools.
3. My baby had a C-section or vacuum-assisted birth—is this for them?
Yes. These births often imprint rotational or compressive forces into the fascial system. ATSI can help gently unwind these patterns, improving feeding, digestion, and comfort.
4. Will this help with breastfeeding challenges?
Yes, especially if the root issue is tension-based. We work integratively with IBCLCs and feeding therapists to help the baby reclaim function and comfort at the breast.
5. I feel guilty or overwhelmed about my baby needing therapy. Is that normal?
Absolutely. We hold space for you too. You did not cause this—and your willingness to support your baby now is powerful. Your calm presence is part of the therapy.