A Gypsy at Heart

Brain Gym consists of a set of easy exercises that will improve whole brain integration.

To achieve whole brain integration Brain Gym developed a set of easy exercises to help the individual to achieve "unblocked" information processing.

For processing of information we use our eyes, ears, hands and brain. As we all know we have one of each on the left and right side of our bodies.

We also have a right and left brain lob. One of these will always be dominant. In a situation where stress is involved, which is most learning situations, the dominant hemisphere takes over.

The ideal situation for a left brain dominant person will than be that hand, eye and ear domination will be on the right side. This is important for the quick processing of information. Information processed on the left side of the body automatically goes to the right hemisphere of the brain and information processed on the right side of the body goes to the left hemisphere of the brain. During stressful learning the dominations (eye, ear, hand and brain) on the same side will become "blocked". An example will be if a right brain dominant person also has a dominant right eye. In information processing the right eye will send the information to the left brain, but because the left brain is not dominant the information has to be send from the left brain to the right brain. In the process information will get lost and more time is necessary to process the information. The same concept will apply to the hand or ear, if the dominant hand or ear is on the same side as the dominant brain.

Very few people have open channels to their dominant brain hemisphere. Once you know your dominations (which can be done by a very simple test) you suddenly realize why you, for instance, process information much better by listening (ear and brain domination will be on opposite sides) or reading (eye and brain domination will be on opposite sides).

To be able to process information quickly and efficient, you need to integrate both sides of the brain so that information can be processed without hindrances. In other words, the left hemisphere and right hemisphere of the brain must be able to process information equally under stressful situations.

Brain Gym works wonders with children that are troubled with learning problems but can also be used with much success in adults. You are never too old to train your brain.

The ideal would be that each pupil in any learning situation should have a brain dominance profile and every educator should have the knowledge to assist the learner in achieving whole brain integration. Many learning problems in schools can be solved with this knowledge.

The exercises are simple, not too time consuming but needs to be done on a regular basis.

It is a pity that schools don't always know about or are prepared to understand the value of Brain Gym in the class.

Brain Gym is a set of exercises that are easy to do and has multiple benefits for each and every student. It is a fact that we all have different ways in which we prefer to learn. There are those who are visual or auditory learners and then there are also kinesthetic learners that prefer to move while learning.

Most school set ups only provide for the visual and auditory learner. A too active learner is quick to get into trouble at school. Many times the kinesthetic learner will also be a right brain dominant learner. Each learner has a dominant brain profile, which will be the more active part of the brain during learning. The right side of the brain is more focused on the bigger picture than on detail. Again this is not what the main requirement for learning at school is. Here the focus is more on detail.

The purpose of brain gym activities is to assist the learner to integrate the left and the right brain. Now the learner will have the benefit of both the right and the left hemisphere of the brain during learning. For the learner that dreaded the Math class but loved the art class, both will be enjoyable now.

Drinking water is the first requirement for optimal learning. The problem is very few teachers allow learners to take water bottles to class. Water increases brain function and decreases stress and is therefore particularly beneficial in the learning process.

Taking just five minutes out of the day, in the morning, to do three of the essential exercises would be of great value during learning.

The first exercise is called Brain Buttons.   In this exercise the thumb and forefinger are placed on either side of the sternum, just underneath the collarbone, and these soft spots are getting massaged for a minute long.

The next exercise is known as the Cross Crawl in which the left leg is raised by the knee and the right hand it placed on that knee. Then it is done with the opposite hand and knee. This is continued for one minute. During this process action from both brain hemispheres are required.

The last exercise is called The Hook Up which is done in a comfortable sitting position with the legs crossed at the ankles and the hands at the wrists with the fingers intertwined. Deep breathing and complete relaxation should accompany this exercise.

These three exercises, combined with the drinking of water, is an essential start for any learning process.

The full brain gym program includes many more exercises. It would be ideal if each and every teacher can do the basic program which will give them so much insight into the learning process of the child. They will also have access to a vast amount of exercises to assist different learners with their own unique learning difficulties.

Brain Gym has been criticized as just another holistic approach that can be replaced by any form of exercise. That might be true to a certain extent but how many children is really part of an exercise program? By forcing learners to do these exercises, for just five minutes a day, the benefits will be huge. Once you have experienced the value of Brain Gym for yourself you will know that it should be part of any learning process.