Welcome to the Brain FUNdamentals Blog!
I began this blog in May 2020 while working as the Lead Coach and Educator at Brain Fit Academy Inc. Today, I’m excited to continue sharing my insights and experiences—only now, I’m writing from the perspective of my own company, Brain FUNdamentals LLC! While the name has changed, my passion for this work remains the same!
Story Time
It’s story time!
Once upon a time, there was a teacher named Amy. Amy was a good teacher. She loved working with her second grade classes and she loved helping each of the children grow and succeed in her class.
Walking the Loop
In a previous post titled "Out of the Loop", I talked about "The Learning Loop" and how it relates to us and our children. If you haven't read it yet, I suggest you read that post now in order to fully understand what I'm about to say.
Thoughts
"Did you ever wonder....?" That is what the famous TV presenter Andy Rooney would often say during his few minute snippets at the end of the TV show "60 Minutes".
How Long is a Piece of String?
I recently attended the annual Breakthroughs International Conference for the first time. The conference took place in Malaysia, but was online this year due to COVID-19. Since many of you may not be aware of this organization, let me explain. Breakthroughs International is the over-arching organization under which Brain Gym® International falls.
Balance- Part II
Sometimes, it's hard to find balance. It's too easy to shut the world off, pretend like things aren't there. Responsibilities, problems or situations that easily bop you ''out of the loop".
I did it!
You know when you finish something you've been working really hard on, and when you get to the end you have mixed feelings about it?
Yesterday, I finished my last required course in order to become a Licensed Brain Gym® Instructor/Consultant and with that, comes mixed feelings.
Balance
Balance is such a big word. And by big, I mean used in so many ways.
People talk about balance in life. We talk about balance in our emotions and in our bodies. We talk about balance in our relationships and balance in the world.
Work
My new, seven year old client looked at me and exclaimed "That was work?" I smiled and replied "Yeah- it's not the same kind of work you have to do when you're in school or something like that, is it?"
Problem Solving
I was sitting on the sidelines of my Brain Gym® 104 class. We were on Zoom and the participants were working together to practice a few of the movements I had taught them.
Teachers
I remember when I first learned about Brain Gym®. I was teaching second grade at the time and those "buzz words" circulated around-first at my school and then the district.
Bags
I guess I already knew how heavy the bags are that I carry to every client's house. I just don't really think about it unless someone asks me. It wasn't until I injured my knee and needed to think about carrying large tote bags into a client's house that I really needed to stop and think about what I have in those bags and whether I could lighten my load a bit.
Patterns
Patterns are all around us. They are in nature, they are in our bodies (like the motor patterns of the primitive reflexes) and they are in our behavior.
We Use Movement
Survival. We all need to survive. Physically, emotionally, cognitively- survive. We go through our days, sometimes only seemingly "just surviving". It happens- to all of us, right?
What’s Next?
At Brain Fit, we don't want our clients to stay forever. We want there to be a last day. But that also begs the question- what's next? Once you finish integrating the reflexes, is that it? Is that when the last day happens?
Out of the Loop
Worried. Confused. Overwhelmed. Frustrated. Angry.
Ever feel any of these feelings? Yup, me too.
Ever feel any of these feelings all at the same time?? Yup, same here.
What about your child- have they ever felt these feelings all at the same time?!?
Breakthroughs
Sometimes, you have to go through the dark place to move beyond it. This is something that I think all of us learn at some point, don't we? Facing your fears, or emotions on a deeper level.
Changes
My 12 year old client was balancing on my round yoga balancing board while simultaneously holding an infinity loop marble board and rolling marbles around it rhythmically. Have you ever tried something like that? It takes a tremendous amount of balance, coordination and focus to accomplish it, and there he was- doing it like it was easy as pie.
Notice
"When was the last time you noticed your ears?"
The Beginning
He looked at me with one of those "deer in the headlights" looks. It was my first session with this 10 year old client and I was explaining to him about P.A.C.E. (the Brain Gym® 4 step process that we use to settle in).
Goals
Goal.
It's number 2 on our "schedule" for sessions with clients- right after our Brain Gym® settling in activity called PACE.