What is Brain Gym? | Brain KinetiX

What is Brain Gym? As you might imagine, this is a question I get a lot. For me, it is…

“Movement is the door to learning,” states Paul Dennison, co-creator of Brain Gym. After years of experiments and studies with children and adults in schools, at work and athletics, Paul and his wife Gail devised a compilation of 26 simple and effective movements that focus on three basic areas of our brain; Lower Back brain, Mid-brain and Neocortex, which all work together for full brain/body integration. These areas are broken down into four Dimensions; Focus, Centering, Deepening Attitudes and Laterality. We will talk about three of them.

But first, let’s think about this….

Noticing

When we, children and adults, are in a stressful situation, our bodies response may be, “fight, flight or freeze.” This portion of our brain (brain stem) is in full “survival mode.” Our heart rate increases, blood vessels become constricted while blood pressure increases, breathing is rapid, we perspire, our pupils dilate and we are most likely not able to access our higher level of thinking. In this state, an individual may have a meltdown, throw a temper tantrum, experience sensory overload, feel overwhelmed, be anxious, have a panic attack, and anxiety. We are typically not able to access our higher level of thinking, executive functioning.

It should also be noted that Brain Gym was originally created to assist children with learning and motor challenges. This has evolved into individuals of all ages and abilities! There are times that we are not even aware that we are over-compensating while completing various tasks. No matter where we are on the learning curve, how good or challenging our hand-eye coordination may be, how organized, or not so organized, we may be, we can always get better and it can always be done just a little easier.

Brain Gym Dimensions

Now, let’s take a brief look at the Dimensions, what they are and how we can help to integrate for success…just a little easier.

The Focus Dimension

The Focus Dimension, the Lower Back portion of our brain, our systems “autopilot.” This area includes the Brain Stem, our Vestibular System, the Cerebellum and our Reticular Activating System which are in control of our automatic functions. This dimension is in charge of our breathing, heart rate, internal rhythm, balance, coordination, and newly learned patterns such as walking, sitting, posture, core muscle strength, handwriting, number facts etc. Our Brain Stem is in control of movement patterns and primitive reflexes that are the innate pathways to process new information for learning.

To help ourselves or others get out of this state and be able to use our whole brain for success with ease, it is recommended that we do the Lengthening Activities from the Brain Gym learning menu. Some of these include, but are not limited to; The Grounder (similar to Warrior 2 Pose or Virabhadrasana II in Yoga except hands on hips), The Footflex, The Owl, Arm Activation and The Calf Pump which is similar to the “runner’s stretch.”

The Centering Dimension

The Centering Dimension, also referred to as the Limbic System (mid-brain), is our brain’s center for “emotions and self-control”. This area includes the Hippocampus, Amygdala, Hypothalamus, Basal Ganglia, Thalamus, Cingulate Gyrus. This dimension is in charge of our blood pressure, body temperature, and the creation of long-term memory. The process of learning is done through movement and making an emotional connection through our senses. This allows us to continuously build upon previously stored information while sending messages to our executive functioning brain.

To help center and ground ourselves and others at work, school, on the field or court, here are some recommended exercises for easier successful completion that you can choose from…
Brain Buttons, The Energy Yawn, The Thinking Caps, Balance Buttons and yes, as simple as Sipping Water.

Let’s Do the Thinking Caps…

Pre-Check

Turn your head so your chin is turned towards one shoulder; notice the how far you can turn your head, notice if there is tension in your neck or not, take note of your peripheral vision, how do your eyes feel, how does you back feel?

Brain Gym Learning Menu Exercise

Next, free massage! Massage your ears by unrolling the folds of your ears with your fingers beginning at the top of your ear and down to your ear lobes. Gently do this at least three times.

Post-Check

Now, turn your head to the other shoulder; again, notice the how far you can turn your head, notice if there is tension in your neck or not, take note of your peripheral vision, how do your eyes feel, how does you back feel? What differences did you notice? Looser neck? Less tension in neck, back, eyes? Further peripheral view? Warm or even hot ears (this means blood is flowing for better hearing, amongst many other positive improvements!).

This simple yet extremely effective activity is what makes Brain Gym so dynamic!

The Laterality Dimension

The Laterality Dimension, our The Neocortex, is where our higher level thinking takes place and consists of our Neocortex, Corpus Callosum and Pre-frontal Cortex, also commonly referred to as, executive functioning. These areas are responsible for making connections between the right and left hemispheres of our brain. This enables us to plan ahead, be rational in our thought processes and make logical, intellectual decisions, We are better able to access this higher level when in a relaxed state.

If you or a loved one are currently having a challenging moment with making a logical decision or would like to “respond instead of react”,choosing the following Brain Gym Midline Movements are encouraged…

Belly Breathes, Cross Crawl Sit-ups (like the “bicycle”), Lazy 8, The Double Doodle, Neck Rolls, and The Cross Crawl.

Simple, basic example of The Cross Crawl – while sitting or standing, place your right hand on your left knee then your left hand on your right knee. This activity crosses our mid-line which helps spark the wires in the corpus callosum to make connections and pathways between the right and left hemispheres of the brain.

As with anything else, Brain Gym is should be done a little bit each day. Some will notice huge shifts while others will notice slight shifts. It depends on the individual that is participating in the movements and what is occurring at that present moment. That being said, these simple and effective movements are powerful tools that can be done mostly anywhere, anytime, by anyone while making positive changes!