Developed by the French obstetrician Frédérick Leboyer on the basis of a traditional Indian technique, Shantala is mainly a massage for infants. Equally positive effects can, however, be seen in older children, especially those with emotional difficulties. It is used both with typically developing children and with children with delayed psychomotor development, cerebral palsy, genetic conditions and other dysfunctions (regulation disorders, asymmetry, abnormal distribution of muscle tone, sensory integration disorders).
Over several sessions, the physiotherapist teaches the parents how to give the massage, so that they can do it at home for 10–15 minutes every day.
Regular massage has a positive effect both on the child and on the mother or other person giving the massage.
Benefits for the child: it strengthens the bond with the parent, soothes and calms, helps to regulate sleep, improves digestion, modifies muscle tone, raises body awareness and thus increases the sense of security, boosts immunity and stimulates the hormonal system.
Benefits for the parent: it calms, strengthens and improves the bond with the child, builds self-confidence and faith in one’s own parenting skills, alleviates or prevents postnatal depression in mothers, and helps to understand the child and what they are communicating.