Who can benefit from Brain Gym®?
Everyone of any age! Business and medical professionals, teachers,parents, athletes, coaches, therapists, performers, students, professionals and non-professionals who work with infants through seniors. Anyone who has a goal!
How does Brain Gym® work?
Our brain is dynamic, always growing and changing, regenerating and connected to the movements of our body. All learning requires movement in order to create new neural pathways. Learning through movement is not just for children, who anchor new neural pathways through repetition of movements. Adults at any age can LEARN through creating new pathways through movements. Brain Gym® movements integrate the brain’s neural pathways for whole brain functioning and switches on all areas of the brain.
What is the Scientific foundation of Brain Gym®?
“Brain Gym® activates muscles on both sides of the body. This activation of muscles is directly related to the integration of the motor cortex of the frontal lobes, as well as the basal ganglion and cerebellum. Consistent, routine activations of the motor cortex develop nerve networks in the rest of the frontal lobe including the pre-motor and superior pre-frontal cortex. Since Brain Gym® movements switch on nerve networks throughout the brain, in both hemispheres simultaneously; they help build the hardware needed to assure success for life-long learning. Brain Gym® is effective for everyone and optimizes learning and performance at every level in all cognitive endeavors, in short, LEARNING. Because the exercises relieve and manage stress, Brain Gym® also contributes to overall health.” Carla Hannaford, Ph.D., LEK, Neuro-Physiologist and Educator.
CONTACT
JAN HUNT DAWSON Ph.D.
FOR AN INDIVIDUAL BRAIN GYM® BALANCE, AN UPCOMING CLASS OR BRAIN GYM® CONSULTATION
JAN HUNT DAWSON Ph.D. was an Educational Psychologist and School Psychologist for 30 years in Hawaii and California. She discovered Brain Gym® near the end of her career as a school psychologist. Jan used Brain Gym® in special education and regular education classes with fast results. Many of the special education students were able to return to regular education classes. She also used Brain Gym® to help athletes with sports goals, again with great results. She now has a private practice in Brain Gym® facilitating private sessions and as a consultant for schools, athletes, and equestrian therapy. She is also an award winning artist who uses Brain Gym® before she paints. Prior to learning about Brain Gym®, she wrote books on ADHD with accommodations for schools and parents. Using Brain Gym® with children and adults with ADHD, she has seen immediate changes in behaviors. Jan brings her desire and love of helping people of any age to fulfill their goals. Every goal can be fulfilled through letting Jan facilitate the power of Brain Gym® by empowering your lives and making your goals a reality.
How did Brain Gym® originate?
In 1969, Paul Dennison, Ph.D. started his research on the connection of kinesiology (the study of movement) and brain function for learning. Based on his research, Dr. Dennison gathered a sequence of movements which are effective for babies, older children, and adults. Dr. Dennison’s research was partially based on his predecessors and colleagues, who include Dr. George Goodheart, Dr. John Thei, Dr. Richard Tyler, Dr. Bennett, Dr. De Jarrette, Dr. Louis Jacques, Drs. Samuel and Margaret Herr and many more.
How can a Brain Gym® consultant help you ?
A BrainGym consultant/instructor(licensed Educational Kinesiologist) teaches Brain Gym® classes to anyone interested in learning new skills to fulfill their goals. The first class is Brain Gym® 101, which teaches you the theory of Brain Gym®, the 26 movements and 11 basic balances, through a five step learning process. A balance can be completed in just minutes. A longer, more in-depth balance may take one to two hours and is usually completed one-on-one with a Brian Gym® consultant.
Brain Gym®’s worldwide influence
Brain Gym® is currently used in more than 80 countries worldwide. Although originated in the United States, Brain Gym® is currently an integral part of many schools throughout the world. The US, including the National Assn. Of School Psychologists is increasingly promoting Brain Gym® in their schools. The National Learning Foundation, inspired by a White House Task Force on Learning has selected Brain Gym® annually since 1990 as today’s leading technology in education. Several countries have incorporated Brain Gym® into their athletes’ preparation for the Olympics.