Raising Resilient Kids: How Movement Shapes Mind & Body
From Pre-Med Dreams to Pediatric PT
Priya knew from the start she wanted to work with kids. While the original plan was pediatrics as a doctor, she found her calling in pediatric physical therapy. Now she works with children from birth to age three in early intervention—guiding their development while also empowering parents.
"You're with these families for years. You build relationships. You're not just treating a kid, you're shaping their whole experience."
Movement as Medicine—From Day Zero
Priya breaks down how movement—even in infants—can influence emotional regulation, cognitive development, and long-term mental wellness. Using strategies like sidelying play, deep pressure, and rhythmic butt pats, she activates babies’ parasympathetic nervous system, helping them feel safe, calm, and grounded.
"It's about teaching the nervous system how to relax, before kids even know what anxiety is."
Helping Moms Means Helping Babies
Her real game-changing insight? Support the mom, and you support the baby. Priya’s method includes teaching moms how to regulate their own nervous systems so babies can mirror that behavior. Whether through movement, EFT tapping, or intentional breathing, her work helps moms parent from a calmer, more connected place.
"Babies model what they see. If mom’s nervous system is calm, baby learns to regulate too."
Intentional Movement: Emotional Wellness through Exercise
Priya’s personal experience with anxiety and depression inspired her to create Intentional Movement, a system that helps women:
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Identify emotions
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Locate them in the body
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Use three specific movements to release tension
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Finish with EFT tapping to rewire stress responses
"We try to fix ourselves with things outside of us—but movement reminds us we already have the tools."
Training Parents, Not Just Kids
Through early intervention, Priya realized it’s not enough to just treat the child. Parents are the primary influence. She now coaches parents with realistic, daily habits that integrate seamlessly into diaper changes, playtime, and bedtime routines.
"Roll your baby before diaper changes. That small rep adds up—and strengthens their core."
Rethinking Mental Health Tools
This episode also touches on medication, the overuse of prescription treatments, and the gap in traditional therapy models. Priya shares how tools like movement therapy and EFT tapping have been instrumental for her and her clients.
"Why are we not prescribing walks and sauna time alongside meds? Movement is therapy too."
What’s Next: Healing Generational Trauma through Moms
Priya’s future vision includes working directly with moms—especially women of color—to help break cycles of generational trauma. Through group coaching, education, and nervous system regulation, she’s building stronger mothers to raise more secure, confident kids.
"Babies will follow. If we help moms regulate and heal, the kids benefit for life."
Explore more ways to integrate fitness, emotional health, and family wellness at iehealth.co