Brain Gym Exercise
Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body
Joseph Addison
English poet, playwright, politician
How can you enjoy learning and reading if you find learning and reading difficult? By going through the Fast ForWord and Clear Fluency programme you can rewire your brain and once again enjoy learning and reading.
For an extra boost try these physical exercises before you start each session!
Brain gym is a programme committed to the principle that moving with intention leads to optimal learning. It is made up of a series of exercises that stimulate your brain. Through specific physical movements they promote mental clarity, improve co-ordination, reduce stress, and enhance overall cognitive abilities.
Studies have shown exercise can enhance your ability to learn and you will do better in cognitive tests if your exercise. These brain gym exercises, only a few of what is available, switch your brain on getting it ready to learn new things, help remember words, and never lose your place when reading. And they are fun to do!!!
Cross Crawl
This exercise promotes co-ordination between the left and right hemispheres of the brain by crossing the brain’s midline. This is required during reading and writing.
Stand up, cross you left arm over your body, raise your right leg, touch your left elbow to your right knee; swap arms and legs crossing your right arm and touching your right elbow to your left knee. This makes one set.
If it is difficult to touch you elbow to your knee, touch the opposite shoulder or opposite elbow with your hand.
Do 5 to 10 sets.
Lazy 8s
The Lazy 8 exercise activates the eyes while crossing the brain’s midline. This assists with reading. The movement involves tracing an imaginary lateral 8. Begin with your left hand, hold your hand out in front of you with the thumb pointing up, align your thumb with your nose. Move your thumb as though you are tracing over a lateral figure 8, sweeping across the lateral midline of your body.
Do this three time with each hand, then three times with both hands together.
Brain Buttons
This exercise stimulates the arteries taking oxygenated blood to the brain. It helps awaken learners by raising their level of alertness. The thumb and second, or third, finger massages the points located in soft tissue between the collarbone and the first rib. Place your opposite hand over your belly button, massaging the points to the left and right of it.
Do this for 20 to 30 seconds then swap hands to activate both brain hemispheres.