Celebration of Engineering Week February 8,2011 Maximizing Brain Power

Introduction What is "BRAIN GYM"? The phrase BRAIN GYM usually modifies a noun. Whether used by itself or as a modifying phrase, it describes a specific set of movements, processes, programs, materials, and educational philosophy. It is a registered trademark of the Educational Kinesiology Foundation (Brain Gym® International) in Ventura, California, USA.

Educational Kinesiology teaches that brain function is defined in terms of three dimensions: laterality is the ability to co-ordinate the left and right sides of the brain, focus is the ability to co-ordinate the front and back of the brain, and centering is the ability to co-ordinate the top and bottom of the brain.

According to Brain Gym, people whose brains are not interconnected properly in the three different dimensions suffer from corresponding deficits; for example, the ability to move and think at the same time is dependent on laterality (left to right co-ordination). The Brain Gym exercises are claimed to work by interconnecting the brain in these three dimensions.

Brain Gym® movements, exercises, or activities refer to the original 26 Brain Gym movements, sometimes abbreviated as the 26. These activities recall the movements naturally done during the first years of life when learning to coordinate the eyes, ears, hands, and whole body. The twenty-six activities, along with a program for “learning through movement” were developed by educator and reading specialist Paul E. Dennison and his wife and colleague, Gail E. Dennison who say that the interdependence of movement, cognition, and applied learning is the basis of their work. Clients, teachers, and students have been reporting for over 20 years on the effectiveness of these simple activities.

Even though it is not clear yet "why" these movements work so well, they often bring about dramatic improvements in areas such as: Concentration and Focus Memory Academics: reading, writing, math, test taking Physical coordination Relationships Self-responsibility Organization skills Attitude

The human brain is the best organized, most functional three pounds of matter in the known universe. Anatomy of the Human Brain

STRATEGIES Attention Movements Meaning The Brain as the Meaning Maker Emotion Enriching the Brain through Music, Art, Motor Stimulation, and Surroundings Motivation Nutrition Peace

Pre test You are given activity sheets. Please go over each copy and do as you are instructed. Everyone will begin at the same time and will end also at the same time. Papers will be collected so make sure you wrote your name,age and department affiliation on each paper. You are not required to answer each activity perfectly, but you are encouraged to accomplish it well. GOOD LUCK!

What is your dominant brain hemisphere? Right left brain conflict Right brain tries to say the color Left brain tries to read the color

EyesRespiratory Quadratic Watch GreenDivision Demand Treasury Truck Globe Passion Governor Television Sweden Selling Vertical Beacon Bonifacio Purple Chicken Paper St. Peter Cord Glass Molave Milk Platinum Pretty Street Floor Plastic Mary Slipper Baptism Dog Castro Hair Uranus Muscle Pyramid Entrance Locke Batangas Cold Pulley Banana Egg Hand

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Exercising the Brain

Brain Gym Stories History of Brain Gym Paul and Gail Dennison (1970) Edu Kinesiology- learning through movements Switching On: A Guide to Edu-Kinesthetics (1980) and Brain Gym – Simple Activities for Whole Brain Learning (1986). Brain Gym in the Philippines Rolly Ceniza Remitar Asian Psychological Services and Assessment Corp. a seminar : Nurturing the Human Brain in the UST Graduate School Glecita Repia Las Pinas Rosario Ferrari, Makati Rizalina Ochoa, Muntinlupa

Brain Gym Movements WARM UP P- Positive (Hook ups) A- Active (Unrolling ears, Cross crawl) C- Clear ( rubbing lips, brain buttons) E- Energy

Water Drink a glass of water. This increases energy, improves production, concentration and test taking ability.

C- Clear (rubbing lips, brain buttons) This exercise stimulates the blood flow through the carotid arteries to the brain to "switch on" the entire brain before a lesson begins. The increased blood flow helps improve concentration skills required for reading and writing. It also increases overall relaxation. Make a 'C' shape with your thumb and index finger and place at either side of your breastbone, just below the collar bone. Gently rub for 20 or 30 seconds while placing your other hand over your navel. Then change hands and repeat.

A- Active (Unrolling Ears, Cross Crawl) This exercise helps coordinate right and left brain by exercising the information flow between the two hemispheres. It is useful for spelling, writing, listening, reading and comprehension. It also improves left/right coordination. While standing, alternately touch your left knee with your right hand then the right knee with the left hand. Continue for 10 to 15 repetitions. (Variation 1 - touch opposite elbow to knee. Variation 2 - reach hand behind back to opposite foot.)

P –Positive (Hook Ups) This works well for nerves before a test or special event such as making a speech. Any situation which will cause nervousness calls for a few "hook ups" to calm the mind and improve concentration. Diffuses stress; improves self-esteem; establishes a positive orientation; promotes clear listening and speaking; aids in ability to function calmly in test taking; improves typing and computer work; helps reading, writing and spelling.

Sitting on a chair with legs outstretched, cross one ankle over the other, stretch your arms forward with the backs of your hands facing one another, thumbs down lift one hand over the other (now palms face one another) and interlock the fingers roll the locked hands straight down and in toward the body so they eventually come to rest on the chest rest your tongue on the roof of your mouth behind the teeth (the hard palette).

Some Brain Gym Movements/ Combination And their benefits

Comprehension -Gravity Glider -Thinking Cap -Water BRAIN GYM

Gravity Glider The movement uses balance and gravity to release tension in the hips and pelvis, allowing the participant to discover comfortable standing and sitting postures. Sit comfortably on a chair, crossing one leg over the other at the ankles, and keeping knees relaxed. Bend forward and reach out in front of you, letting your arms glide down as you exhale(allowing gravity to take over) and up as you inhale. Reaching forward from the rib cage allows the legs and the back muscles to lengthen and relax.

Thinking Cap Helps with: spelling, self awareness, short-term memory, listening ability, abstract thinking skills. With your thumb and index finger, gently pull and unroll the outer part of the ear, starting from the top and slowly moving to the lobe. Pull the lobe gently. Repeat the whole exercise three times.

MEMORY -Cross Crawl -Positive Thoughts -Neck Rolls BRAIN GYM

Benefits oral reading, silent reading, and study skills. Neck Rolls

LISTENING -Thinking Cap -Cross Crawl -Elephant BRAIN GYM

Elephant This activity activates all areas of the mind/body system (highly recommended for children with ADD [attention deficit disorder]). Place the left ear on the left shoulder extend the left arm like the trunk of an elephant with knees relaxed, draw the infinity sign (crossing up in the middle) in front of you switch arms after three to five signs.

INNER SUNSHINE -Water -Thinking Cap -Balance Buttons BRAIN GYM

Balance Buttons Keeps mind alert and body relaxed. Touch two fingers to the indentation at the base of the skull; rest the other hand on the navel. Breathe the energy up. After a minute, hold behind the other ear.

What hinders brain power? Poor diet and nutrition Negative experiences Wrong lifestyle Risky leisure Lack of information and education Absence of peace

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