MollieO Patrick

The Gentle Use of Power

EDUCATIONAL KINESIOLOGY

When I discovered Dr. Paul Dennison’s Educational Kinesiology Foundation in Ventura, California, in 1973 I was delighted. Finally here was an organization for assistance for all those kids who felt like outsiders and knew they were a little different from everyone around them. By then I knew I had a slight form of dyslexia (inability to process written material efficiently) which explained the tension I had experienced as a student.

The research behind Educational Kinesiology is extensive and can be read at the Foundation’s website: http://www.braingym.org. Basically it’s a process of using specific movements which activate the brain for optimal storage and retrieval of information. It also serves to re-educate the whole mind/body system. When a child with learning disabilities is given these exercises their future can be changed. There are amazing examples of children taken out of Special Ed and put into main stream classes due to this work.

I'm delighted to teach these exercises to anyone at any age who is interested. If you have children who are more comfortable learning at home, I often come to the house so that the whole family can learn together. That way a child doesn't feel singled out and has the support of family. Also, if there are a number of you who are interested in group classes, I offer those as well.

I highly recommend anyone at any age to evaluate areas where you perceive you are weak and learn exercises to bring your system into balance around the issue. There are exercises for:

READING SKILLS
            Crossing the visual midline
            Organizational skills
            Crossing the auditory midline
            Reading comprehension
            Oral reading

WRITING AND MATH SKILLS
            Hand-eye coordination
            Creative writing
            Spelling
            Math

INDEPENDENT LEARNING SKILLS
            Home study skills
            Creative thinking
            Test taking
            Speed reading

PERSONAL ECOLOGY SKILLS
            Productivity at the computer terminal
            Bus, plane, automobile riding

SELF AWARENESS SKILLS
            Self-concept
            Whole body coordination for sports and play

These exercises benefit adults as well as children in bringing about balance between the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

For any of you who may have a child who is experiencing difficulty in school I recommend that you familiarize yourself with this work. You can learn the exercises and do them with your children. Make a game of it. Everyone will win.


VISION IMPROVEMENT

Before you get that first pair of glasses or up-grade your present prescription I encourage you to consider doing exercises to strengthen and lengthen your eye muscles.

I give individual instruction as well as classes in using Educational Kinesiology techniques to support improved vision.

MY DAILY USE OF EDU-KINESIOLOGY EXERCISES

Before I do any computer work I take about 15 minutes to do a Brain Gym
work out. This consists of:

1. Drinking water - water is the medium that increases electrical potential across cell membranes, essential for nerve net function.

2. Brain Buttons: Place one hand on the navel while the thumb and third fingers of the other hand are massaging the soft tissue under the clavicle to the left and right of the sternum.
This activates the brain for:
            Sending messages from the right brain hemisphere to the left side of the body and vice versa
            Receiving increased oxygen
            Stimulation of the carotid artery for increased blood supply to the left side of the carotid artery for increased blood supply to the brain
          Increased flow of electromagnetic energy


3. Cross Crawls: Similar to walking in place except that you are crossing one elbow to touch the opposite knee and vice versa.
Activates the brain for:
            Crossing the visual/auditory/kinesthetic/tactile midline
            Left-to-right eye movements
            Improved binocular (both eyes together) vision.

4. Hook-Ups:
            Part 1: Sit while resting your left ankle on your right knee. Grasp your left ankle with your right hand. Put you left hand around the ball of the left foot (or shoe). Breathe deeply and relax on you exhalation. Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth while inhaling and relax in on the exhalation.
            Part 2: When relaxed, uncross your legs. Put your hands at chest level and touch the fingertips of both hands together, continuing to breathe deeply for a few more minutes.

This activates the brain for:
            Emotional centering
            Grounding
            Increased attention
            *Cranial movement

If I work three or more hours at the computer I’ll notice that I begin to transpose letters. I simply get up, drink some water, do some cross crawls and settle back down.

I also have a Tibetan Eye Chart on the back of my office door which is a great daily exercise. At 75 I do not need long distance glasses and use reading glasses only if I’m going to be reading for several hours.

Suggested Reading

Brain Gym for Business by Paul E. Dennison, PhD & Gail Dennison
Brain Gym Handbook by Paul E. Dennison, Ph.D. and Gail Dennison
Brain Gym and Me by Paul E. Denison, PhD
Brain Gym Teacher’s Edition (revised) by Dr. Paul and Gail Dennison
Brain Gym Teacher Practicum by Dr. Paul &Gail Dennison with Kat Jorstad
Brain Gym and me by Dr. Paul E. Dennison
Switching On, the holistic answer to Dyslexia by Dr. Paul E. Dennison
Personalized Whole Brain Integration by Dr. Paul E. Dennison and Gail
           Hargrove
The Physiological Basis of Educational Kinesiology by Dr. Carla           Hannaford, Ph.D. (Neurophysiologist/Educator)
The Dominance Factor, How Knowing Your Dominant Eye, Ear, Brain, Hand              & Foot can Improve your Learning by Dr. Carla Hannaford
Awakening the Child Heart , Handbook for Global Parenting by Dr. Carla         Hannaford
Smart Moves, Why Learning is Not All in Your Head, by Dr. Carla Hannaford
Switched-On Living, Easy Ways to Use the Mind/Body Connection to Energize Your Life by Jerry E. Teplitz, J. D., PhD. & Norma Eckroate
Switched-On Selling by Jerry V. Teplitz, Ph.D.
I Am The Child , Using Brain Gym with Children Who Have Special Needs       by Cecilia K. Freeman, M. ED. With Gail E. Dennison
Interfacing Brain Gym with Children Who Have Special Needs by Cecilia
             (Freeman) Koester, M. Ed.
Songs to Open the Heart, CD to accompany Movement Based Learning for Children with Special Needs with Cecilla E. Koester, M. Ed.
Overcoming Senior Moments. Vanishing Thoughts- Causes and Remedies
             By Frances Meiser and Nina Anderson
Putting Out the Fire of Fear, Extinguish the Burning Issues in Your Life by      Sharon Promislow
Making the Brain/Body Connection by Sharon Promislow
You Are a Winner, Movement’s Role in Trauma Recovery by Dr. Masgutova
            & Pamela Curlee

VISION IMPROVEMENT

Eyebody by Peter Grunwald
Natural Vision Improvement by Janet Goodrich
Vision, A Holistic Guide to Healing the Eyesight by Joanna Rotte, Ph.D. and
             Koji Yamamoto