Written by: Murugalakshmi Thirumalai
Everybody knows exercise keeps our body healthy and fit, but little did we know that exercising our brain can improve brain function. As a teacher I use “hook ups” a lot in my classroom as a calming tool for the children who finds it difficult to listen and follow direction. It is a very effective self disciplining tool in my experience. So also “lazy eight” is a very effective tool to enhance focus and improve reading at a very drastic pace. A novice who has never heard about brain gym will be wondering what am I talking about!
It is “Brain Gym”, a movement based brain exercise invented and co founded by Paul E. Dennison Ph.D., and his wife Gail E. Dennison in 1980s. Brain Gym has been practiced in over 80 countries around the world and has been utilised at schools, health and fitness facilities, corporate settings and private homes.
Brain Gym is based on a holistic philosophy of looking at the mind and body as a whole. It educates us to observe ourselves and to take appropriate action when needed. Brain gym can also be explained as physical movements that enhances learning and helps to overcome any learning challenges by finding the right movements which creates new pathways in a person’s brain.
The founder of brain gym Dr. Paul Dennison says, “Movement is the door to learning.” The operating philosophy of educational kinesiology Foundation which works under the trade mark Brain Gym international is based on the knowledge that humans learn through movement. Brain Gym movements, exercises, or activities refer to the original 26 Brain Gym movements, these activities recall the movements naturally done during the first years of life when learning to coordinate the eyes, ears, hands, and whole body.
The movements developed in brain gym are extremely beneficial in times of stress. Stress can affect the capacity to move and inhibit the ability to comprehend, organise, and communicate. stress may affect thinking, feeling, or sensing influencing a person’s performance. Brain Gym observe and address movement patterns with the intention of restoring the skills associated with successful achievement.
Movement is necessary for learning to take place more effectively. Movement stimulates the parts of brain and enhances brain functioning. These movements help to improve areas such as: Concentration and focus, memory, academics, physical coordination, relationships, self responsibility, organisation skills, etc.
Educators and therapists around the world are greatly appreciating the brain gym benefits as it enhances learning to take place with ease and manage stress. There are so many studies that proved the effective of brain gym, viz, “Pilot Study: First-Grade Students Improve Their Writing Skills,” by Debra Honegger, Ohio. Brain Gym® Journal, March 2004, Volume XVIII, No. 1, The Effect of Brain Gym on Reading Abilities, © 1998 by Cecilia Freeman Koester, Brain Exercise Improves Reading and Memory, © 1994 and 1996 by Jochen Donczik (translated from German by Christine M. Grimm and Sigrid Wong) etc.
The simplicity of the movements helps to practice it anytime and anywhere. Embracing brain gym within our classroom setting will ease the immense stress shouldered by our younger generation to stay in par with the advanced learning system.
Reference: www.braingym.org
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