Brain Gym: Simple Activities for Whole Brain Learning
A pioneer in applied brain research, Dr. Paul Dennison focused on the interdependence of physical development, language acquisition, and academic achievement. In his work he developed a series of simple and enjoyable body movements, called Brain Gym. The commonality of this set of movements was that they all assisted brain-body integration. Since fortunately the brain and body are linked, these movements lead to microadjustments in neurology, which in turn could dramatically accelerate academic progress. In studio and class we all used all the exercises of Brain Gym every day. --John Chamberlain in The Heart of the Matter: Diary of a School YearBrain Gym is also highly effective with sports, music, art, and dance of every kind. In order to perform well in any of these, a person must be able to master technique and integrate that mastery with rhythm, flow, emotion, and image in a spontaneous way. I have taught Brain Gym to technically good musicians who found they could finally feel and express the passion in the music they played. Visual artists I have taught were stunned by the depth of expression they could achieve in their work. The tremendous contribution and appeal of Brain Gym is its ease and utility. People can do the exercises at any time to enhance anything they do. It is simply movement, free and easy. --Dr. Carla Hannaford, in Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All in Your HeadThe in-service session I held to teach all the medical students and personnel how and when to do the Brain Gym movements was gratifying. The medical staff's understanding of the importance of implementing this unique physiological assistance created the space for the children's emotional, mental, and physical survival. Most of the staff members were grateful for the breakthrough discovery that movement can result in growth and significant change in traumatized children. --Dr. Svetlana Masgutova in Trauma Recovery You Are a Winner: A New Choice Through Natural Developmental Movements, coauthored by Pamela Curlee