RBLM Updates
Want to know what we have been up to lately? You’ve come to the right place!
How Movement Shapes Children’s Learning and Development
How Childhood Development Through Embodied Cognition Can Help Schools Better Support Learning and Emotional Growth Jason Phillips, Contributor July 15, 2026, 10:52 a.m. ET As neuroscience and developmental research seem to continue to advance, educators and health professionals appear to be revisiting long-held assumptions about how children learn. Athena Oden, pediatric physical therapist and founder of Ready Bodies, Learning Minds LLC, believes one area deserves particular attention: the relationship
Why the Future Education Depends on Restoring Child Development Before Raising Academic Expectations in Early Childhood
Athena Oden, Pediatric Physical Therapist, argues that many classroom challenges stem from developmental gaps rather than student deficits, calling for a renewed focus on whole-body development in early education. written by Adam Bent June 18, 2026 For many young children, the first signs of school difficulty appear long before they can be measured through grades or test scores. They may show up in the way a child sits, moves, listens,
Special Symposium
This 2024 event was such a success! A sharing of ideas focused on serving those in Collaborative Christian Schools, but ALL Christian schools are welcome! Bring your ideas and your questions! Ideal for Administrators, Teachers, Counselors and Support Members. Discussion topics will include: AdmissionsTerminology: Modifications and Accommodations vs Best PracticesBehaviorStaff TrainingPoliciesDiffering Supports in Lower and Upper SchoolsMotor DisabilitiesFunding and Staffing
Motor Lab Research
Action Research Project, Bulverde Elementary School, Comal ISD, TexasDr. Denise Kern In October of 2002, Athena Oden, creator of Ready Bodies, Learning Minds, and Dr. Denise Kern, Principal of Bulverde Elementary School in Comal Independent School District, began a controlled research project into the effectiveness of the motor lab developed by Athena Oden, physical therapist. The motor lab is a prescriptive motor development program that focuses on providing
A Classroom Full of Embodied Beings: An Anthropological Discussion
A Classroom Full of Embodied Beings: An Anthropological DiscussionAthena Oden, PT(Publish copy: The Journal, a publication of the Society of Classical Learning, Winter 2017) In a room full of desks and chairs, carefully aligned, twenty second graders sit with their feet on the ground and hands carefully folded. It’s time for the daily math lesson, and the students watch their teacher write simple problems on the board for
Motor Labs Build Foundations for Healthy Brains
Great article and really good representation of who we are and how it works! https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/k12_education/cps-motor-labs-build-foundations-for-healthy-brains/article_2ab6bb58-0709-11ea-88b8-d7ddc3f1dd5c.html Missourian Newspaper Article, “CPS motor labs build foundations for healthy brains” EMILY A. ROIGER Nov 22, 2019 Workout mats carpet the floor, diagrams of exercises cover the walls and sweaty bodies move in unison as a coach pushes members of the group to “show their best.” No, this is not your trendy local
RBLM Motor Lab
The RBLM motor lab addresses the needs of all students in task-oriented circuit training, supported by consistent, foundational exercises, offering developmental support for the sensory and motor systems.
About Us
Athena Oden, P.T. and author of the Ready Bodies Learning Minds workshop and curriculum, is widely known across the US for her down to earth approach to teaching and the practical and powerful nature of the Ready Bodies, Learning Minds program. Whether it is a presentation to hundreds of therapists or on the floor with children in a Ready Bodies Motor Lab, Athena is driven by the sincere desire to apply her knowledge to help those that choose to work with her.
