Brain Gym Breaks

Kim McCool Information from MAHPERD presentation 2012

Brain Gym is a system of simple movements that relieve stress naturally and quickly to enhance brain function
Simply put, Brain Gym is moving your body to wake up your brain

Brain Gym founder Paul Dennison, PhD (early 1970s) Used in over 80 countries, translated into 40 languages

Brain Gym:
integrates the left and right hemispheric functions of the brain draws out innate gifts and talents- brings about whole-brain learning

controls emotional stress that is so often created in new learning situations

Right Brain vs. Left Brain

Temporal Processing over Time Space Linear, Sequential Symbolic, Verbal Two-Dimensional Starts with Pieces First Entirety Technique Future-Oriented Sees Differences Routine, Predictability Analytical Deliberate Expressive Effort Global Processing Over Simultaneous Spatial, Intuitive Multi-dimensional Starts by seeing Inspiration Present Moment Sees Similarities Novelty Imaginative Spontaneous Receptive Flow

Benefits of Brain Gym

Grows new brain cells (neurogenesis) in the learning and memory center (the hippocampus) of the brain Gets the brains fuel, oxygen and glucose to the brain faster (*Brain Button/PACE) Moves the body in space (spatial awareness) to help the brain see letters and numbers on a page (*Space Buttons/SUPER PACE) Increases long-and short-term memory Great to do before a test (*Thinking Cap/SUPER PACE) Brain body connection - crosses the midline of the brain and body to aid in coordination of movements and thoughts by organizing, and integrating the brains hemispheres (*Cross-Crawl/PACE) Supports behavioral management by reducing stress quickly (*Hook-Up/PACE)

Benefits of Brain Gym (continued)

Improves and accelerates learning, condenses the learning cycle Increases reading skills, math skills and athletic performance Creates positive changes in the attention and the ability to focus Increases self confidence Prepares the brain to learn Enhances brain function Can be done individually or in groups Can be done occasionally, routinely, or ideally daily Safe, simple and quick No equipment needed budget friendly

Brain Gym PACE Exercises

Improve concentration decrease mental fatigue

PACE: Positive Active Clear Energetic Drink Water (Energetic) Sipping is better Composes 75% of your brain Makes up 75% of your Muscles Stress can cause dehydration so drinking water is imperative under stressful conditions Moistens oxygen for breathing Makes up 83% of your blood Helps convert food to energy Regulates your body temperature Removes waste EXERCISE TO FOLLOW PLEASE (Notice how you feel)
Please sip a glass of water in preparation for upcoming Brain Gym

Hydration is the critical first step

Brain Gym PACE Exercises

Decreases visual stress, keep reading place, increases scanning.

PACE: Positive Active Clear Energetic Brain Buttons (Clear)

Relieves visual stress, directionality for keeping ones place while reading crossing the visual midline, and scanning Stimulates more blood flow to the brain Please stand-up Using your thumb and fingers make a U Shape (as being demonstrated) Put your opposite hand on your navel Massage your brain button while your eyes scan left to right (as being demonstrated) (Lazy 8)

Brain Gym PACE Exercises

Increase memory, helps screen out distracting sounds, improved listening Good before a test!!!

Thinking Cap Memory Retrieval/Improved Listening)

Increases long-and short-term memory
Using both of your hands Starting at the top of your ears Using your thumbs and index finger Conduct a massaging movement as if unrolling your ears from top to bottom (as being demonstrated) Repeat three times Maintain slow and steady breathing

Brain Gym PACE Exercises

Activates both hemispheres of the brain

PACE: Positive Active Clear Energetic Cross Crawl (Active)

Activates the left and right hemispheres making new neural connections through the corpus colloquy This exercise crosses the midline of the body by using right hand to touch left knee and vice versa Repeating exercise twenty to thirty times alternating (can use another language to count)

Brain Gym PACE Exercises

Helps to calm and organize

PACE: Positive Active Clear Energetic Hook-Ups (Positive)

Can be done standing or sitting

Part One:

Please sit-down Cross one ankle over the other Cross one wrist over the other Thumbs down Clasp hands together (as demonstrated) Fold hands in, resting over your heart (as demonstrated) Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth Hold the tongue and hand position for one to two minutes Take a deep breath in, release, repeat Hold this position for one to two minutes (Relax)

Brain Gym PACE Exercises

PACE: Positive Active Clear Energetic Hook-Ups (Positive) Can be done standing or sitting Part Two:
While seated Keeping your tongue on the roof of your mouth Uncross arms and legs Bring fingertips together (see demonstration) Tap fingers together (follow demonstration) All fingers tapping together Tapping fingers one at a time Twirling fingers Think positive thoughts Continue with exercise for one to two minutes Relax

Brain Gym Research

Over 30 years of research available www. BrainGym.org Key Studies
Brain Gym and its effect on Reading Abilities The Effects of PACE on self reported anxiety and performance in first year nursing students The Effects of Brain Gym with Special Education Students in Grades Three Through Five

Sources and Resources

Aimee Taylor Katy Held
Email: aimee.taylor@wlps.net
www.learningheart.com

Jean Blaydes Madigan

www.tessarose.co.nz

Brain Gym CD (Super PACE) Smart Fitness, Smart Foods and Brain Wave CDs Lucy French
By Ronno and Liz Jones-Twoney
Minds-n-motion, LLC

www.actionbasedlearning.com