1. BrainDance Movement as a Tool for Creativity and Learning
Carol Kaminsky
Dance/Movement Therapist

2. Brain-Compatible Dance Education by Anne Green Gilbert
Brain-compatible dance education is a structured methodology for teaching dance using a 5 part lesson plan and strategies that create an environment in which the brain is able to learn.
It is a holistic approach that involves the student in dance skills, critical thinking, collaboration and choreography.

3. Foundation of BrainDance Resources for Further Reading
Making Connections: Total Body Integration through Bartenieff Fundamentals by Peggy Hackney
Brain Dance is the warm-up component of Brain Compatible Dance Education and is based on Bartenieff Fundamentals.
These fundamentals explore the stages of infant motor development, and as older children and adults we can think of these movement patterns as a way to enhance the connections in our bodies.
Specific set of exercises to move from the center (core) of the body.

4. What is BrainDance?
A sequential and holistic warm-up exercise based on the developmental movement patterns of infants. We continue refining these patterns throughout our lives.
Integrates mind and body and can be adapted to all ages and abilities.

5. Premise of BrainDance
Movement patterns can be re-learned and re-experienced
Movement affects our brain, cognitive pattern and emotions (body-mind)
Movement patterns can be integrated into expressive movement

6. Brain and Neurological Connection
Need for sensori-motor input to form memory and connect to meaning
Movement and exercise boosts brainpower by increasing blood flow and oxygen
Every brain is wired differently
Repeat to remember
Remember to repeat
Neurons that fire together, wire together
Stimulate as many of the senses as possible.

7. Developmental Patterns
Jellyfish
Snake
Frog

8. Developmental Movement Patterns
Lizard
Cat
Person

9. The Eight BrainDance Patterns
Breath
Tactile
Core-Distal
Head-Tail
Upper/Lower Body
Body Side
Cross Lateral
Vestibular

10. Breath
Take a Breath

11. Core-Distal Opening and closing the body
Establishes the size of your personal space

12. Head-Tail
Body attitude

13. Upper Body
Emotional
grounding
Connection
to things and
people

14. Lower Body
Power and
grounding
Stability and
mobility

15. Body Side
Making
choices
Vertical
plane

16. Cross-Lateral
Complexity and thinking
Integrates right and left brain

17. Vestibular Develops our relationship to gravity Balance is
necessary for
seeing, hearing,
and touching

18. Demonstration of BrainDance Warm-Up

19. Benefits of BrainDance
Increased blood and oxygen flow to the brain
Reorganization of the neurological system
Enhanced core support, connectivity, and alignment
Assessment of neurological issues
Deeper understanding of dance technique elements
Positive outcomes with class management, student behavior, learning, and improved ability to focus  

20. How to use BrainDance Warm-up to teaching your lesson
Integrate it into your lesson plan
Use intermittently to regain focus
Cool Down after your lesson

21. BrainDance with other Arts
Moving to music
Making music for each part of the patterns
Art designs in the air, painting the space
Drawing the patterns
Dramatizing the patterns with a particular character

22. Music and Video Resources
CDs by Eric Chappelle
BrainDance
Music for Creative Dance volume 1-4
DVD by Anne Green Gilbert