BRAIN GYM - THE THEORY…
You can find this sort of drivel all over the net. Just Google Brain Gym.
BRAIN GYM - THE THEORY…
What is Brain Gym?
Movement is a key part of the process of development and learning. Brain Gym is a programme of
simple exercises, developed over a 25 year period by a remedial educational specialist, Dr Paul
Dennison. He created the movements drawing on the experience of many others. Originally it was
created to help children and adults with reading difficulties ( Dr Dennison himself, suffered from
dyslexia and difficulties with vision), butand is now used in many areas of education, business,
sport, the arts and personal development to improve learning, attention, behavioural
skills, body co-ordination and performance .
When can it be used?
Some schools are using it in the classroom as ‘brain break’ activities to focus the whole class,
first thing in the morning, after lunch and during lessons. Children with learning difficulties are
sometimes given more in-depth programmes. The movements link in with the development of
reading, writing and listening etc. so they can be used before starting a specific task. Brain Gym is
not used just in schools, it can be used to help with homework or studying, in the workplace
or just with all those brain activities that daily life demands of us.
How does it work?
It works on the theory that specific body movements stimulate particular aspects of brain function,
and help different areas of the brain to connect, so that the whole brain is used in learning or other
activity. Some of the movements are designed to bring about movement
across the midline of the body and so connect the left and right sides of the brain. Stress can be a
major inhibitor to learning. Some of the exercises help to connect the part of the brain which
governs emotions, with the part which produces logic and reasoning and so induce a more relaxed
and balanced approach. It has been reported that, amongst others,
Brain Gym exercises have helped with such things as confidence, comprehension,concentration,
abstract thinking, organisation, copying, memory, mental fatigue, completing tasks, physical
balance and co-ordination.
The neurophysiologist, Carla Hannaford, gives a number of powerful examples of success with
brain Gym in her book, Smart Moves. In one she shows a pictures of a child’s writing before, and
after, a few Brain Gym exercises; in the first example it would seem the child has struggled to write
two words, and in the second example he/she has managed three flowing descriptive sentences.

The Importance of Water
Drink a glass of water before Brain Gym activities. As it is a major component of blood, water is
vital for transporting oxygen to the brain. You need to replace the water which is constantly being
lost. Children need between about half to one and a half litres a day.

Sources and Further reading -
Gym Lesson by Alan Heath -Article for Nasen’s magazine, ‘Special’.
Brain Gym and Brain Gym - Teacher’s Edition - Gail and Paul Dennison
Brain Gym for Business—Dennison, Dennison and Teplitz
Smart Moves - Why Learning is not all in Your Head by Carla Hannaford
Dominance Factor- How knowing your Dominant Eye, Ear, Brain, Hand and Foot can Improve
your
Learning - Carla Hannaford
Cheshire Parent Partnership Service/Inclusive Learning Day for Parents 2004/MMcC

SOME BRAIN GYM EXERCISES..

Breathing
The Dennisons say for Brain Gym, and as a rule for every day movements, you should -Exhale
when you are extending your body. Inhale when you are drawing your limbs or energy back in. In
all there are twenty six Brain Gym movements. But try the following sample of exercises, in the
listed order (ideally twice a day) to get started, drinking water beforehand -

Belly Breathing

Place your hands on your abdomen. Breathe out through your mouth in short little puffs until your
lungs feel completely empty. Then breathe in filling yourself like a balloon. Then breathe out
slowly and fully. Repeat four times. Oxygenates the blood. Helps relax the central nervous system
and increase energy. Can improve reading and speaking abilities.

Brain Buttons

Make a ‘C’ shape with your thumb and forefinger and place on either side of the breast bone just
below the collar bone. Gently rub for 20 or 30 seconds whilst placing your other hand over your
navel. Change hands and repeat.
This exercise stimulates the flow of oxygen carrying blood through the carotid arteries to the brain
to awaken it and increase concentration and relaxation.

Cross Crawl

While standing, alternately touch your left knee with your right hand (or elbow) and then your right
knee with your left hand (or elbow). Do this slowly 10 or 15 times.
Helps co-ordinate right and left areas of the brain. Useful for spelling, writing, listening, reading
and comprehension and left/right co-ordination of the body.

Hook-ups

Stand with both feet flat on the floor. Cross one foot over the other. Stretch out your arms and them
so the backs of the hands are together. Cross one over the other so that palms are now together.
Interlock the fingers, swing hands down and in and then up onto chest (fingers and thumbs are now
uppermost) and hold. Place tongue flat against roof of mouth about a quarter of an inch behind the
front teeth and breathe in. Relax the tongue and breathe out. Repeat the breathing part four to eight
times. Can also be done whilst sitting with the legs straight out. Connects the part of the brain
concerned with emotions to that part concerned with reason and so enables learning and better
response to difficulties. Helps diffuse stress and calm the mind, improve
self-esteem and positivity. A good exercise to try before a test!

Or try the Seven Minute Tune-up, recommended to prepare anyone for the day ahead -
Drink some water
Belly Breathing - (as above) 4 - 8 breaths
Brain Buttons - (as above) look left and right as you massage the points for 4 - 8 breaths
Hook-ups - Part 1 (as above) Relax for 4 - 8 breaths.
You may want to review areas of stress and consider other possibilities.
Part 2 Place fingertips together and feet flat on the floor for 4 - 8 breaths.
Brain Integration Movement - Extend your arms out as wide apart as is comfortable. Picture
bringing
your left and right brain hemispheres together, as you bring your two hands together, interlocking
your fingers. Hold this for 4 - 8 breaths.
Positive Points - Lightly place three fingers of each hand on points above the centre of each
eyebrow and halfway to the hairline. (you might find a slight bulge) Hold these acupressure points
lightly for 4 - 8 breaths. You may want to use this time to plan your day.
Cross Crawl - (as above) 10 - 25 repetitions.
Sources for ‘Brain Gym - The Theory’ Cheshire Parent Partnership Service/Inclusive Learning Day
2004MMcC