Brain GYM and reading
My day started by taking a Brain Gym 101 class, led by Mari Miyoshi.
She is a delight!
Brain Gym is this self-improvement technique discovered by Dr. Paul Dennison. It caught my attention because Dennison worked as a public school teacher and reading specialist in the 1960s, researching more effective ways to help children and adults with learning difficulties. As a result, he came up with this technique.
It consists of 26 movements and works to balance your brain.
One of my absolute favorites was the sequence called PACE.
Start by taking a sip of water, which nourishes your nervous system.
Sipping Water means E (Energy) in PACE.
BRAIN BUTTONS means C (Clear) in PACE.
Rest one hand on your belly button. With the thumb and fingers of the other hand, find the two hollow areas below the collarbone, about an inch from the center of the chest. Rub these areas vigorously for 30 seconds. If you want to add an extra level of complexity, you can also look from left to right.
Why do we do it? This stimulates the carotid arteries that supply freshly oxygenated blood to the brain. They help restore directional messages from parts of the body to the brain, improving reading, writing, speaking, and the ability to follow directions.
CROSS-CRAWL stands for A (Active) in PACE.
Standing, “march” in place, alternating each hand with the opposite knee.
Continue for four to eight full, relaxed breaths.
Why are we doing this? This exercise is wonderful for improving reading, listening, writing, and memory. Coordinate the whole brain.
The last exercise in the sequence called Hook-Ups. It stands for P (Positive) in PACE.
Begin by sitting in a chair, resting your left ankle on your right knee. Grasp the left ankle with the right hand and the ball of the right foot with the right hand. As you inhale, place your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth, about a quarter inch behind your front teeth. Relax your tongue as you exhale. Close your eyes and rest in this pose for four to eight full breaths.
Now uncross your legs, resting your feet on the ground. Lightly smear the fingertips of both hands
together, as if you were locking a ball.
Keep your eyes closed as you continue to lift your tongue on the inhale and lower it on the exhale, relaxing in this position for four to eight full breaths.
This exercise connects the two hemispheres of the brain and strengthens the electrical energy of the body, particularly in stressful environments such as offices. The reported benefits are increased vitality and better self-esteem.
I plan to use this sequence to set the stage for learning and reading. It certainly had an energizing and calming effect on my brain. I highly recommend the program!