🌟 Rolling Beyond Babies: How Developmental Positions Shape Our Movement for Life
Ever wonder why babies move so effortlessly? Why they roll, twist, and push up without any “core workout”? It’s because they follow a brilliant, natural blueprint of movement that we often lose as adults. But what if you could reconnect to that same foundation to build stronger, more functional movement today? In this post, we’ll explore three powerful positions — RT1, RT2, and RT3 — not just as “baby milestones,” but as adult movement superpowers. Discover how they shape your strength, stability, and freedom, and learn exactly how to reintroduce them into your daily routine or training. ⸻ 🌀 RT1: The Head Leads the Way What is RT1? RT1 (Reflex Turning 1) is the first stage of turning development in infants, usually around 4 months. Here, movement begins with the head and upper trunk, while the pelvis stays quiet. This sets the stage for independent head and neck control and dissociating upper from lower body — foundational skills we need throughout life. Why it matters for adults ✅ Looking over your shoulder when driving. ✅ Rotating to reach for something behind you without twisting your hips. ✅ Supporting healthy neck mobility to reduce tension and headaches. RT1 helps us reclaim healthy cervical and upper thoracic mobility, crucial for efficient, pain-free movement. ⸻ 🌊 RT2: Rolling from the trunk What is RT2? By about 4.5–5 months, infants enter RT2. Here, they begin using segmental trunk rotation, involving the pelvis and trunk muscles to roll onto the side. This phase represents our first real experience of diagonal movement and integrated trunk control. Why it matters for adults ✅ Rolling out of bed. ✅ Throwing, swinging a racquet or club. ✅ Transitioning through twisting movements in sports or daily life. RT2 restores our ability to move the spine segmentally, engage the oblique system, and coordinate the entire trunk — all keys to powerful, safe rotational movement. ⸻ 🐯 RT3: Prone and Proud What is RT3? Around 5.5–6 months, babies progress to RT3: moving fully onto their belly and supporting on their forearms or hands with the head up and trunk extended. This phase builds strength for future crawling and sitting.