BRAIN GYM®

Barbara Aigen is a founding member of Kinesthetic Learning, Inc. a local non-profit organization of Brain Gym® instructors in the Greater Washington, DC area. Phone number (703) 978-7831.

What is Educational Kinesiology®?

Problems with stress? Organizing the desk, closet? Have difficulty remembering names and dates? Or is spelling, math, and reading giving the problems. Want to improve driving, golf or sports?

All these goals can be addressed by Educational Kinesiology®.

How can all these seemingly unrelated tasks be facilitated by one modality?

The answer is because The Educational Kinesiology® is a program that uses simple physical movements which have been shown to enhance learning in any area.

Brain Gym® is the registered trademark for a developmental movement program established by Paul E. Dennison, Ph.D., an expert in child motor-development. Brain Gym® promotes efficient communication among the many nerve cells and functional centers located throughout the brain and body. Our blocks occur when information cannot flow freely among these centers.

Brain Gym® is based upon 80 years of research by educational therapists, developmental optometrists, and other developmental specialists. Brain Gym® consists of simple movements similar to the movements that are natural in the first three years of life to accomplish important developmental steps for coordination of eyes, ears, hands and the whole body. The Brain Gym® movements have been shown over years of clinical experience, in field studies, and in published research reports, to prepare recipients with the physical skills needed to improve reading, writing, as well as other desired goals.

Brain Gym® can be done in less than five minutes, does not require special equipment of space, adapts well to any curriculum or teaching style, has immediate, long-term demonstrable results, highly effective for specific learning difficulties.

(Taken from: "Brain Gym® Simple Activities for Whole Brain Learning," by Paul E. Dennison, Ph.D. and Gail E. Dennison 1986)

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Outline of Class I Gave on Brain Gym®

"We invite you to get ready to learn and reduce stress."

Barbara Lucia, RN 703-256-4530
Margaret Candler 410-757-5626

1. WATER = energy
Stimulates chemical and electoral connections.
Use: all biological and academic functions

2. BRAIN BUTTONS = clear thinking
Stimulates carotid arteries.
Use: reading, writing and following directions

3. CROSS CRAWL = active
Stimulates both brain hemispheres.
Use: coordination and breathing

4. HOOK UPS = positive
Stimulates electrical circuits.
Use: increasing attention and emotional centering

Energy follows intention!
Set the goal and notice your body.
Noticing is a basic form of biofeedback.

Three Brain Gym® postures and their uses:

- THINKING CAPS -
Stimulates whole hearing mechanism.
Used for: recalling technical information.
Caregivers: Put objects on the affected
side to provoke "noticing."

- LAZY EIGHT -
Stimulates right and left eye integration.
Used for: balancing, enhancing peripheral vision.
Caregivers: Assist the eyes to track for arousal.

- BALANCE BUTTONS -
Stimulates the occiput (back of the skull) and brain stem
Used for: alertness, comprehension
Caregivers: Use for arousal.