Brain Gym

Brain Gym is an educational program that uses simple movements to enhance learning abilities in children and adults. This program was developed by Paul Dennison, Ph.D., an expert in child motor development. Brain Gym grew out of clinical studies started in 1969. Brain Gym is a program that enables students of all ages to practice and master the skills required for learning. Integrated Brain Gym movements encourage self-directed learning and promote efficient communication between the brain and the body, eliminate stress in learning, and increase creativity.

Recognized in over twenty countries with more than 30 years of clinical research, Brain Gym is also endorsed by The National Learning Foundation. Possible benefits of Brain Gym include accelerated learning, expression and movement abilities in children and adults, higher reading and math scores, improved athletic skills, greater confidence performing and singing, heightened creativity, and overcoming “Attention Deficit Disorder”. Teachers typically report improvements in attitude, attention, homework performance, discipline and behavior for the entire class

The Brain Gym (R) educational model helps:

  • Promote play and the joy of learning
  • Draw out and honor innate intelligence
  • Build awareness regarding the value of movement in daily life
  • Emphasize the ability to notice and respond to movement-based needs
  • Encourage self-responsibility
  • Leave each participant appreciated and valued
  • Empower each participant to better take charge of his own learning
  • Encourage creativity and self expression

Brain Gym® is also offered as a 24-hour course. Students learn “noticing”, action and verbal goals, pre-activity and post-activity as well as role playing, and the balance sequence. In addition, students learn the brain function of the three dimensions – laterality (ability to coordinate one side of the brain with the other), focus (ability to coordinate the back and front parts of the brain), and centering (ability to coordinate the top and bottom parts of the brain). Muscle checking as a way of “noticing” and a measure of brain response and feedback will also be included.

For more information about Brain Gym, please visit www.braingym.org