July 2011

click here for PRINTABLE VERSION

One of the benefits licensed instructors receive is a weekly email. It is used to inform them of general information, policies, program updates and more. Sometimes, it's a simple reflection from the administrative office regarding daily life and the Brain Gym® program. Last week the email seemed to strike a chord with our instructors. The topic was “Self-care in Chaos”, which I think is a relevant topic to include in this publication as well. I hope you enjoy this revised version:

The pace of life is often unpredictable. It can lull one moment and the next second everything seems like it's happening in perfect timing. Other times, it feels like a freight train barreling down the tracks at high speeds.

We all know it's important to pause and take care of self. However, it's not always practical to do so. I'm certainly not going to jump off a speeding train (well, unless it's about to crash - but that's a different article)! Rather, it makes more sense to sit tight, trust that it will eventually slow down again, and embrace the chaos of the journey.

The magnificence of the Brain Gym work is that it fits into whatever pace life is taking. I can capitalize on a "lull" by taking time to dive deeply into a balance, use Pace to keep me ready, willing, and able during those "perfect speeds", and pepper movements throughout my day to cope with the chaotic stretches.

The key for me is in the "noticing". Noticing empowers me to be conscious about how I take care of myself. For me, self-care is not always about pausing. There are times when someone or something else is more important than my need for a "break". I can notice that I am exhausted, assess the big picture, and consciously choose to wait for a chance to pause. I am then able to notice what resources can assist me in the meantime. Whether I “pause” or “use available tools” to push myself, I am still engaged in self-care.

May you enjoy the ride of life with all its varying speeds!

Kind Wishes,Kari CoadyExecutive Director

Edu-K Tips and Tools:What if I can’t find a class near me?

The QDeborah Scott Studebaker

THE EDU-K UPDATE JULY 2011

People sometimes comment on the desire to have courses offered closer to them in order to cut down on travel expenses. One way to accomplish this is to sponsor an instructor in your home area, allowing you to possibly attend the class for free, without the cost and time of traveling. If this interests you, use the following steps to get started:

1. Determine which course you’d like to take.

2. Find an instructor who teaches the course you’re interested in:

Visit www.braingym.org, click on “instructor/consultants”. Instructors are listed alphabetically by country, then state/province, then city. Refer to the letter codes to find out which courses a particular instructor is licensed to teach besides Brain Gym® 101.

3. Contact the instructor to check for availability.

4. Ask the instructor for a list of sponsor/instructor responsibilities.

(Please note that all instructors are independent contractors not employees of Brain Gym® International. It may be useful for sponsors and instructors to develop a written agreement which outlines the expectations and responsibilities of each party.)

If you have questions, we’re happy to be a resource.

IN THIS ISSUE

Brain Gym® News & Events

The Q: Seeking Balance

Meet the TeamEve Mimiaga, Office Manager

Edu-K Tips and Tools What if I can’t find a class near me?

Brain Gym News & Events

The QDeborah Scott Studebaker

A Brain Gym Story Jessica Breur

Events

The 11th Canadian Summer Institute2011 July 31-August 8Ottawa ON, CanadaContact: Maureen Priest

Brain Gym® International & IKC Joint International Conference2011 Aug 25-28Kecskemét, HungaryContact: Zsuzsanna Köves

IT’s OFFICIAL! SAVE THE DATE ~

We have chosen our dates and venue for the 2012 Annual Brain Gym® Conference:

2012 Aug 2-5Colorado State UniversityFort Collins, Colorado, USA

stay tuned for more details...----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Remember, you can hold a Brain Gym® Day in your own region. Licensed instructors receive re-licensure credit provided a roster and processing fee is submitted to the Foundation. A Brain Gym Day is designed to act as a mini-conference. Components might include balancing, guest speakers, networking and more. If you are interested in developing a Brain Gym Day, write to info@braingym.org.

The Q – Seeking Balance

It’s time for another installment of The Q – juicy bits of information, quotes and questions!

This month I am excited to explore the subject of balance. The word itself has many usages. We balance for a particular goal. We reconcile our checkbooks and financial accountings. Babies work hard to achieve it; senior citizens fret about maintaining it. Throughout our lives we find it and lose it; tip, strike or regain it; we’re in and out of it, as we bring various elements of our bodies, thoughts, emotions and activities into harmony.

I like the simplicity of this particular definition from occupational therapists Norma J. Quirk and Marie E. DiMatties: balance is “being able to maintain a position against the force of gravity.” (8)

Special education teachers Cheatum and Hammond depict the “balance sense” (vestibular) organs of the inner ear. “Overall, their purpose or action is to communicate a sense of where the body is in space and to maintain the posture and equilibrium (balance) that is necessary for the individual to be able to perform motor acts.” (149)

For the child in the womb, the vestibular system is the first to develop and offers the brain essential information about its environment. Bill Hubert, the creator of Bal-A-Vis-X, references Carla Hannaford, Ph D, when he states that “an undeveloped vestibular system leads to unstable balance, undeveloped head-righting reflexes, poor spatial awareness and orientation, and lack of eye teaming and tracking.” (77)

Educator Cecilia Koester asks us to “keep in mind that balance is the key to visual clarity.” (40) I’d very much like to take a side trip down that road! For

now, however, we’re going to make a U-turn and hear from Brain Gym® creators Paul and Gail Dennison.

The Dennisons discuss balance in the Edu-K In Depth: Seven Dimensions of Intelligence course manual, and I have always appreciated the big picture they provide: “Balance and equilibrium require the connection of opposing left and right, upper and lower, and back to front movements… The full presence of being only becomes available in the context of the tension and integration of these opposites.”(3)

Finally, I have to smile when I read these forward-thinking words from Mabel Ellsworth Todd, written in 1937: “We now realize that in the physical economy of the individual, the many systems should be working in balance and unison and that thinking is a very part of their activity” (3).

So, once again, these quotes and ideas only make me want to know more! If something resonates for you here, please contact me at info@braingym.org to share idea(s) on this or any other topic. I’d love to hear about the connections you make!

Cheatum, Billye Ann and Hammond, Allison A. Physical Activities for Improving Children’s Learning and Behavior

Dennison and Dennison, Edu-K In Depth: Seven Dimensions of Intelligence

Hubert, Bill, Bal-A-Vis-X

Koester, Cecilia. Movement Based Learning

Quirk, Norma J. and DiMatties, Marie E. The Relationship of Learning Problems and Classroom Performance to Sensory Integration

Todd, Mabel Ellsworth, The Thinking Body

A Brain Gym® 101 student shares:

On the last day of my Brain Gym® 101 class, my husband got home from work and was very stressed out. Our normal routine is to sit down and talk about his day, but

tonight he asked, “Would you do some of that Brain Gym on me?” I sort of laughed at his question, but then took the opportunity to do this as my “balance” assignment. I first asked what was stressful about his day. His day-to-day work is mostly attending meetings and designing new programs so his team can get through each process faster and with better accuracy. He leads a group of people (mostly women in their 40-50’s) who work on processing life insurance changes. Needless to say, motivating this group on new computer programs, even if they are better, can be a hard task to accomplish.

We first did PACE. Then we set his goal: To fully listen to each team member’s opinion and actively work to delegate the workload fairly so that all team members could leave each day on time.

During the Pre-Activities for the Action Balance for Organization, I was excited to actually notice what was working for him or not! When he did The Swimmer, his hands were not equal at the tip of the “A”. He was able to do the up and down movements; however, he

complained that they hurt his knees. When he walked, I noticed that only his left arm swung and that it swung with his left leg.

For the Learning Menu, I let him choose which activities he wanted to do. He chose to drink more water and the Thinking Cap, which I had shown him on a previous night and he liked it. We re-checked with The Swimmer after these two things and his hands were still not even. Then I suggested the Positive Points and Hook-ups (this one is my favorite).

He then repeated the Pre-activities and this time he was able to make an “A” that was equal with both hands. When he took a walk, he swung both arms with opposite legs…even I was amazed at the change!

I explained to him what I had noticed and he told me that he felt funny when he was walking the first time. After doing the Brain Gym balance he felt more relaxed, like he was able to walk more leisurely and not be as uptight. We finished by talking about how he could use the Positive Points, the Thinking Cap, and even Hook-ups prior to team meetings. At the end of the balance he admitted he felt much better and more relaxed.

...even I was

amazed at the change!

Meet the TeamEve Mimiaga, BGI Office Manager

The Q – Seeking Balance

It’s time for another installment of The Q – juicy bits of information, quotes and questions!

This month I am excited to explore the subject of balance. The word itself has many usages. We balance for a particular goal. We reconcile our checkbooks and financial accountings. Babies work hard to achieve it; senior citizens fret about maintaining it. Throughout our lives we find it and lose it; tip, strike or regain it; we’re in and out of it, as we bring various elements of our bodies, thoughts, emotions and activities into harmony.

I like the simplicity of this particular definition from occupational therapists Norma J. Quirk and Marie E. DiMatties: balance is “being able to maintain a position against the force of gravity.” (8)

Special education teachers Cheatum and Hammond depict the “balance sense” (vestibular) organs of the inner ear. “Overall, their purpose or action is to communicate a sense of where the body is in space and to maintain the posture and equilibrium (balance) that is necessary for the individual to be able to perform motor acts.” (149)

For the child in the womb, the vestibular system is the first to develop and offers the brain essential information about its environment. Bill Hubert, the creator of Bal-A-Vis-X, references Carla Hannaford, Ph D, when he states that “an undeveloped vestibular system leads to unstable balance, undeveloped head-righting reflexes, poor spatial awareness and orientation, and lack of eye teaming and tracking.” (77)

Educator Cecilia Koester asks us to “keep in mind that balance is the key to visual clarity.” (40) I’d very much like to take a side trip down that road! For

now, however, we’re going to make a U-turn and hear from Brain Gym® creators Paul and Gail Dennison.

The Dennisons discuss balance in the Edu-K In Depth: Seven Dimensions of Intelligence course manual, and I have always appreciated the big picture they provide: “Balance and equilibrium require the connection of opposing left and right, upper and lower, and back to front movements… The full presence of being only becomes available in the context of the tension and integration of these opposites.”(3)

Finally, I have to smile when I read these forward-thinking words from Mabel Ellsworth Todd, written in 1937: “We now realize that in the physical economy of the individual, the many systems should be working in balance and unison and that thinking is a very part of their activity” (3).

So, once again, these quotes and ideas only make me want to know more! If something resonates for you here, please contact me at info@braingym.org to share idea(s) on this or any other topic. I’d love to hear about the connections you make!

Cheatum, Billye Ann and Hammond, Allison A. Physical Activities for Improving Children’s Learning and Behavior

Dennison and Dennison, Edu-K In Depth: Seven Dimensions of Intelligence

Hubert, Bill, Bal-A-Vis-X

Koester, Cecilia. Movement Based Learning

Quirk, Norma J. and DiMatties, Marie E. The Relationship of Learning Problems and Classroom Performance to Sensory Integration

Todd, Mabel Ellsworth, The Thinking Body

Ask Dave

A Brain Gym® 101 student shares:

On the last day of my Brain Gym® 101 class, my husband got home from work and was very stressed out. Our normal routine is to sit down and talk about his day, but

tonight he asked, “Would you do some of that Brain Gym on me?” I sort of laughed at his question, but then took the opportunity to do this as my “balance” assignment. I first asked what was stressful about his day. His day-to-day work is mostly attending meetings and designing new programs so his team can get through each process faster and with better accuracy. He leads a group of people (mostly women in their 40-50’s) who work on processing life insurance changes. Needless to say, motivating this group on new computer programs, even if they are better, can be a hard task to accomplish.

We first did PACE. Then we set his goal: To fully listen to each team member’s opinion and actively work to delegate the workload fairly so that all team members could leave each day on time.

During the Pre-Activities for the Action Balance for Organization, I was excited to actually notice what was working for him or not! When he did The Swimmer, his hands were not equal at the tip of the “A”. He was able to do the up and down movements; however, he

complained that they hurt his knees. When he walked, I noticed that only his left arm swung and that it swung with his left leg.

For the Learning Menu, I let him choose which activities he wanted to do. He chose to drink more water and the Thinking Cap, which I had shown him on a previous night and he liked it. We re-checked with The Swimmer after these two things and his hands were still not even. Then I suggested the Positive Points and Hook-ups (this one is my favorite).

He then repeated the Pre-activities and this time he was able to make an “A” that was equal with both hands. When he took a walk, he swung both arms with opposite legs…even I was amazed at the change!

I explained to him what I had noticed and he told me that he felt funny when he was walking the first time. After doing the Brain Gym balance he felt more relaxed, like he was able to walk more leisurely and not be as uptight. We finished by talking about how he could use the Positive Points, the Thinking Cap, and even Hook-ups prior to team meetings. At the end of the balance he admitted he felt much better and more relaxed.

...even I was

amazed at the change!

Dave administers and answers questions posted to our website message board, “Ask Dave”. To visit or post a question click here.

Question:

Hello - I have an almost 6 year old son who is diagnosed with PDD-NOS and has low-tone and is a sensory-seeking. Currently,

he is in a typical kindergarten setting with pull-out support for speech/lang. and OT and social skills. A friend referred me to Brain Gym and it sounds very interesting although I'm a little nervous about the physical aspects - how strenuous they are? We have steered away from non-traditional therapies so I'm a little leery. Would Brain Gym be appropriate for this type of child? I know it is difficult to say without having seen him. Any and all info. or similar experiences would be appreciated. Thank you

Dave’s Answer:

The Brain Gym® exercises are not strenuous. They are self actuated movement activities like Cross Crawl which is essentially walking in place, this can be done sitting or lying while moving arms and legs, or Lazy 8s which is tracking the hand with the eyes in a figure 8 on its side pattern. I have worked with some students experiencing low tone whom I observed some positive changes in and other Brain Gym instructors report positive changes with students experiencing PDD though these were not scientifically controlled situations.

The Brain Gym® activities are intended for educational purposes only and meant to be used as learning readiness activities to help the person develop and practice sensory-motor skills for related learning skills. They are not meant to be a treatment for any psychological or medical condition and will not “cure” any condition. They may help the person cope with their situation a little better by relieving some of the challenges and stresses presented by sensory integration difficulties. They also seem to me to help the person learn new ways, or areas of the brain and pathways for processes in the brain and reconnect some of the old in new ways, to gain/regain some skills. As with any exercise program please consult with your physician before starting the Brain Gym exercise program.

Meet the TeamEve Mimiaga, BGI Office Manager

Eve has happily been part of Brain Gym® International’s administrative office team for over 11 years! She is a jack-of-all-trades with a keen eye for details. Here is a a taste of her numerous responsibilities:

• Updating instructor and schedule lists on the website

• Bookkeeping and banking Handling incoming and outgoing mail

• Assisting the Executive Director• Responding to phone calls

Eve has a constant smile on her face and greets everyone with a cheery voice. Her heart is HUGE and her compassion for others runs deep.

She is devoted to her family and shares, “I am a wife of 23 years and Mom to 2 children. My gems are Sam who is 20 and Megan is 17.” In her spare time, Eve enjoys playing with her kittens, practicing yoga, and helping teens in need. She also works for a local website called Ventura Rocks, which keeps the local community informed about live music shows in Ventura, California.

Managing Editors: Kari Coady & Cindy Goldade

Educational Kinesiology Foundation/Brain Gym® International1575 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 204B

Ventura, CA 93001www.braingym.org

phone: 800.356.2109 or 805.658.77942email: info@braingym.org

Brain Gym is a registered trademark of the Educational Kinesiology Foundation© 2011 Brain Gym® International

∞Get your Brain Gym® Global Observer Subscription!

For just $25 per year, you can receive three editions of our Brain Gym Global Observer. You can order one for a family member or friend too.

Email info@braingym.org for more information.

Dave administers and answers questions posted to our website message board, “Ask Dave”. To visit or post a question click here.

Question:

Hello - I have an almost 6 year old son who is diagnosed with PDD-NOS and has low-tone and is a sensory-seeking. Currently,

he is in a typical kindergarten setting with pull-out support for speech/lang. and OT and social skills. A friend referred me to Brain Gym and it sounds very interesting although I'm a little nervous about the physical aspects - how strenuous they are? We have steered away from non-traditional therapies so I'm a little leery. Would Brain Gym be appropriate for this type of child? I know it is difficult to say without having seen him. Any and all info. or similar experiences would be appreciated. Thank you

Dave’s Answer:

The Brain Gym® exercises are not strenuous. They are self actuated movement activities like Cross Crawl which is essentially walking in place, this can be done sitting or lying while moving arms and legs, or Lazy 8s which is tracking the hand with the eyes in a figure 8 on its side pattern. I have worked with some students experiencing low tone whom I observed some positive changes in and other Brain Gym instructors report positive changes with students experiencing PDD though these were not scientifically controlled situations.

The Brain Gym® activities are intended for educational purposes only and meant to be used as learning readiness activities to help the person develop and practice sensory-motor skills for related learning skills. They are not meant to be a treatment for any psychological or medical condition and will not “cure” any condition. They may help the person cope with their situation a little better by relieving some of the challenges and stresses presented by sensory integration difficulties. They also seem to me to help the person learn new ways, or areas of the brain and pathways for processes in the brain and reconnect some of the old in new ways, to gain/regain some skills. As with any exercise program please consult with your physician before starting the Brain Gym exercise program.