Brain Gym® Workshop ‘Therapro, INC, Framingham, MA August 23, 2008 Fran Bruen, MED, OTR/L, LMT, Dipl. ABT (NCCAOM) icensed Brain Gym® Instructor Fran Bruen is Registered Occupational Therapist with 30+ years experience working in the Public Schools, EI and ICF Nationally Certified Diplomat in Asian Bodywork Therapy/Acupressure Shiatsu. One of 12 Licensed Brain Gym® Instructors in MA. Grad School Thesis: Acupressure Shiatsu and it’s Impact on Anxiety in Asperger Adolescents (Eastern and Western Approaches to the Treatment of Autism including the Traditional Chinese Medicine modalities of Acupressure, Auricular Therapy and the Energetics of Food. A student case study was also submitted with excellent results achieved) ‘Learned about and experienced Brain Gym while attending Grad School. Took classes through the Educational Kinesiology Foundation to become licensed to teach Brain Gym® 101 and to see clients. My Dream: to combine eastern and western approaches to address autism and ADHD working with individuals and families using the skills I have acquired as an OT, Brain Gym® Instructor and Asian Bodywork Therapist. Brain Gym® Stress: Developed by Paul E. Dennison, PhD a world authority on cognitive and reading achievement, Based on his experience and research in the 1960s, Revised the program with assistance from his wife Gail. Goal based program that uses a series of simple movements to enhance access to whole brain function and learning abilities. Access to frontal lobes, brainstem, midbrain emotional centers, left and right hemispheres. 26 activities are easy and fun to do. They are portable and can be adapted to address the needs of both adults and children with various physical, emotional or earning challenges. Program components are based on SI, NLP, Developmental Optometry, Kinesiology, Chiropractic and bodywork Helpful for stress reduction, focus, concentration, organization, communication and motor coordination, Useful in a variety of settings for both adults and children: It’s used in schools, businesses, nursing homes, EI programs and by professional athletes, Noticing: physically, mentally, emotionally, self-talk (words that turn the brain on/off) Learning experience Brain Gym® isa registered trademark ofthe Educational Kinesiology Foundation FBRUEN, 8/08P-A-C-E: © Prepares or readies the body and mind for a Brain gym balance or for learning. It De-stresses the body and mind system. P-OSITIVE: Do I feel ready to begin? A-CTIVE: Do I feel like moving? C-LEAR: Am I thinking clearly? E-NERGETIC: Do I have the energy to learn? Steps for PACE: (For a Visual Demonstration, see visual diagram or bookmark) ‘© E-nergetic: sip water, hold it in your mouth then swallow. Water enhances the electrical and chemical action of the brain and CNS. © Clear: Brain Buttons. One hand over your navel. With the other hand, make a “C” shape and position your thumb and middle fingers in the hollow space below the clavicle and next to the sternum. Easy way to find these acupoints or hollow area, is to curl or roll your shoulders forward. You can rub these points or the area if the points are sensitive or position your hand over the area Brain Buttons stimulate the carotid arteries bringing freshly oxygenated blood to the brain, Placing your hand on your navel is grounding or enhances the awareness of gravitational center. ‘* Active: Cross Crawl can be done sitting or standing and lying down. Lift up one leg and touch your thigh or knee with the opposite hand or elbow. Lift up the other leg and again touch your thigh or knee with the opposite hand or elbow. Continue repeating several times. Cross Crawl helps with bilateral integration of the right and left brain and also the right and left arms and legs. ‘+ P-ositive: Hook-ups part 1. Cross your arms at your wrists with both thumbs facing down, Interlock your fingers. Rotate your fingers down and in towards your body up to your chin, Notice which arm is on top. Cross your ankles so that the opposite leg is on top. Sit quietly for a minute with your eyes closed and your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Relaxes the CNS and connects the electrically circuitry of the body. Crosses the center midline to activate both hemispheres of the brain, It’s aids in emotional centering and grounding. Part 2. Uncross your legs and your arms. Place your feet on the floor. Bring your hands together so that your fingertips touch, Hold you hands together at Discussion: © Sharing * Anecdotals: emotional, follow through at home. © Use in Classrooms: Behavior Disorder, Life Skil * My personal/professional experience ;, Regular Education Brain Gym® is a registered trademark of the Educational Kinesiology Foundation FBRUEN, 8/08TT reer we wwwurwuvuvvuvd Matching Language to Intentions Language can serve as a powerful way to communicate our intentions, yet sometimes we use words carelessly and actually affirm what we don’t want, rather than what we do want to plan, invite, or anticipate, On page 14 we'll earn about setting a goal that accesses the frontal lobes, which helps us ant eld what we want, rather than accessing the brain stem to move aouy fiom what we vont ‘want. Here, we further explore the use of common statements to suppott our intentions, The words and phrases on the eft, below (taken from Switching On: The Wholistic Answer to Dyslexia) contain unintended stress—evidence of a mental conviction that's incongruent with feelings or actions, Compare them to the whole-brain, process-oriented languaging on the right. try See tt Laad stretch should “Thope” “Lwane’ “Ican’t remember” or "I forget” “can never finish..." “Tquit” “hate...” “You never...” eee) “But...” “failed” “I'm sick" or “I’m in pain” “tm sory” “I'm having a problem” do our best reach or lengthen shall, will, or plan to “Tplan” or “I trust” “Twill” or “I plan to” “I didn’t remember yet” “Thaven't yet finished..." “I'm taking a break” “I prefer something else” “Let's...” “When... “And yet...” “I'm in the process of...” “I'm experiencing (feelings or sensations) or “I'm healing” “Tapologize; how can I make it right?” “I'm having an experience” or “I'm meeting a challenge” ‘To explore your own use of whole-brain language, see page 18 for a worksheet, Brain Gym® is a registered wademark of the Educational Kinesiology FoundationFind Your PACE Everyone has a unique rhythm and timing—a selfinitiated pace—for optimal learning. In Edu-K, the acronym pace stands for the four learning-readiness qualities shown below. The Cross Crawl ACTIVE Part I Part Il Hook-ups POSITIVE 6 Brain Buttons CLEAR ENERGETIC Sipping Water Brain Gym@ is a registered trademark of the Educational Kinesiology FoundationBrain Gym Balance: 1. PACE E-C-A-P 2. Setand PACE goal P-A-C-E 3. Pre-activities 4. Learning Menu 5 Post Activities CELEBRATE!!!!! Balance for Writing Exercise: write with non dominant hand, write the cursive alphabet continuously and write your thoughts or few sentences. Learning Menu ‘The Energy Yawn: Pretend to yawn and a lightly massage the area around your jaw the area around the upper and lower back molars or on any tight spots you may feel along your jaw joints. Make a deep, relaxing yawning sound, gently stroking away any tension. The Energy Yawn relaxes the jaw an area where many people hold tension. It also relaxes the eyes by stimulating lubrication and increases whole brain integration 50% of neurological connections from the brain to rest of body go through the joints in the jaw area Arm Activation: Raise your arm above your head using the opposite hand to hold it next to your ear. Inhale and while you exhale though pursed lips, activate your muscles by pushing your raised arm again the other hand in 4 directions front, back, in and away. Repeat using the other arm, Arm Activation relaxes and coordinates your shoulder and arm muscles to enhance breathing and ease of writing, Double Doodle; Using your hands and arms in simultaneous motions, draw a mirror image shape on a large board. It’s a bilateral activity that uses the large muscles of the shoulders and arms. It enhances directionality and orientation in space. It's a good precursor to activities that require crossing the midline and eye hand coordination for writing ‘The Energizer: Place your hands on the desk and rest your forehead between your hands. Slowly and easily raise your head, forehead first followed by your neck and upper body as your shoulders and lower body stay relaxed, Now exhale as you tuck your chin down into your chest. Draw your head forward allowing the back of your neck to lengthen, Relax and breathe deeply. Repeat 2-3 times. The Energizer keeps the back and spine muscles flexible and relaxed. Improves posture, concentration and attention Discussion: Sharing ‘© My personal and professional experience Brain Gym@ is a registered trademark of the Educational Kinesiology Foundation FBRUEN, 8/08HemetNow that I have had a “TASTE” of Brain Gym®, how I can learn more about Brain Gym@? © Take a Brain Gym® 101 class (see handout for upcoming Brain Gym 101 Class being offered by Sue Wilbur and Fran Bruen on Sept 6th and 7 (part one) and Nov Ist and 2™ (part 2 which completes the Brain Gym 101 class- 24 hours total). Contact a Brain Gym® Instructor (See the list of Brain Gym® Instructors below) * Go on the Brain Gym® websites listed below. * Check out books and materials at Therapro, INC. CLOSING: Brain Gym is a registered trademark ofthe Educational Kinesiology Foundation FBRUEN, 8/08BIBLIOGRAPHY: Dennison, Paul E, PhD and Gail E., Brain Gym®101: Ventura, California: Edu- Kinesthetics, Inc. 2007 Dennison, Paul E, Brain Gym and Me Reclaiming the Pleasure of Learning: Ventura, California: Edu-Kinesthetics, Inc. 2006 Dennison, Paul E., PhD and Gail E. Brain Gym Teacher's Edition Revised: Ventura, California: Edu-Kinesthetics, Inc. 1994 Goldsmith, M. and Cohen, I. Hands On How to Use Brain Gym® in the Classroom: Ventura California: Edu-Kinesthetics, Inc. 2003 Hannaford, Carla, Ph.D. Smart Moves: Why Learning is Not All In Your Head: Salt Lake City: Great River Books, 2005 Hannaford, Carla, Ph.D. The Dominance Factor: Alexander, NC: Great Ocean Publishers, 1997 Additional Information/References and Contacts: www. braingym.org www braingym.com Fran Bruen, Worcester MA. fbruen@ yahoo.com (774) 239-8689 Susan Wilbur, Charlton, MA (508) 248-3985 Bonnie Hershey, The Kinesiology Connection, Lexington, MA 781 674-0044 Pam Formosa, Pathways to Learning Hopedale, MA (508) 478-5164 June Smith, Norwell, MA (781) 659-2946 Kathleen Monahan, Uxbridge, MA (508) 278-0376 Candi Cosgrove, Haverhill, MA, Windham, NH (603) 434-9115 Brain Gym) isa registered trademark of the Educational Kinesiology Foundation FBRUEN, 8/08