Eye tracking bubbles
Yesterday, I had my first experience introducing the Brain Gym® program to 137 kids…I was in classrooms for 2 year olds up to 8th graders. In some I introduced PACE. In others we added on some Double Doodle and the Energy Yawn. And in the Junior High…we discussed how stress affects their coordination, memory, thoughts and musculature. A name game with koosh balls really highlighted the stress response as balls were being dropped, inaccurately thrown, giggles were high pitched, etc. We followed the activity with some Lengthening Activities and enjoyed pausing after lengthening one side to notice what relaxed muscles feel like before addressing the other side.
Junior High and vision work
Two months later…I have found my niche! After weeks of so-so experiences with the junior high, I now have a successful game-plan. Every week I am facilitating a Visioncircles balance with the 7/8 graders at school. They are loving it!
Last week the Observer circle was a big hit with one 7th grader giving an unsolicited exclamation that his vision was clearer (without his glasses) after the menu of movements.
This week we did the Animator circle…rolling, spinning, and playing with balloons really got them ready for the menu items. They were attentive, focused, joyful and pronounced their coordination and awareness of their body in space was different. Hmmm, isn’t this the very age group that often grows rapidly and loses their body awareness?
I’m as thrilled and motivated as they are to continue through the other six balances.
I am providing them flashcards so they can re-visit the movements when I’m not there. What a gift of self-empowerment for these kids (and their teacher)!
PS I will teach Visioncircles in 2011 in the Twin Cities! It is a thorough exploration of the senses, including vision. This course has changed my life!
To see an updated schedule, click here.
