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Peel Board of Education - Teacher TestimonialsBrain Gym® 101 Certification TrainingI have begun using Brain Gym (PACE) with my student with Autism. He now asks to do his "exercises" and I find that it helps him to settle and focus. I have noticed a calmness after using the movements with this student, a refocusing on the task at hand. I really appreciated the time we spend working on the movements and hearing testimonials in this workshop. As was mentioned above, my student is a walking billboard for PACE. He is eager to share what works for him with his classmates. We plan to have him lead the class in this routine just before DEAL time each day (DEAL stands for Drop Everything And Listen). It's a good school wide program where at a scheduled timed each day, ours is immediately after morning recess everyone in the building stops and one piece of music is played and discussed for a week. I know I am being successful because I can see the changes in him. Since implementing Brain Gym in the classroom we have experienced decreased hyperactivity, greater attention. The instructor, Jill Hewlett is very passionate and knowledgeable. Laura Smith, Educational Resource Facilitator, Stanley Mills Public School
I use Brain Gym daily to help maintain my energy levels and my focus. Since I have taken the course I am noticing more what my body needs and in general what I need. I'm handling stressful situations a little bit better and am working on a positive attitude no matter now rough things get. With stress and attitude Brain Gym has helped me to remain grounded and to not crawl within myself. I'm not just moving through my days anymore, I'm living each day...so thank you for that. I really liked the range of music that was played at the workshop...I am looking forward to incorporating music when using Brain Gym with my students. Jill (the Instructor) made the workshop not only very informative but also fun, and truly relaxing. I use Brain Gym in the classroom throughout the day with my students...we start our day with some form of P.A.C.E. and use movements from the menu during transitions. The students love it!!! I know I am being successful with Brain Gym because my students are more focused since I have implemented Brain Gym as part of our regular routine. They want to lead certain movements. They have even suggested to other teachers who teach them to try using P.A.C.E if they are, tired or out of focus. Since implementing Brain Gym the classroom environment is calmer and the students are more aware of their own needs. I see them doing Brain Gym movements when they are at their desks (Space Buttons or Earth Buttons) or when they are on the carpet waiting for the music teacher, someone will do a Thinking Caps, then someone else joins in. They will ask if we can lead a Brain Gym when we come back from break. We did the Double Doodle on paper and they expressed how much fun they had but some said that they noticed it was hard for them to focus on both hands working at the same time plus creating a picture; another one said, "I am left handed so I found that my left hand wanted to lead." I think the eye opener for me was when I saw this student who seemed to have difficulties, and how he handled the double doodle activity on paper... he sat a drew a perfectly symmetrical picture while doing this activity with sustained interest in the task. He did Double Doodles in preparation for a particular activity, he was able to concentrate, remain focused and able to engage his attention to detail. I have seen a great deal of changes in this particular student since I have started to use Brain Gym in the classroom! Since I have written the above testimonial, I have injured myself and lost a great deal of mobility. The student that I was referring to above has been leading the Brain Gym activities despite my absence. Honestly Sharon, I think the eye opener for me was when I saw how he handled the double doodle activity on paper...such concentration and attention to detail. I have requested to continue working with him next year and I definitely want to track the effects of brain gym with this particular student. So I welcome any suggestions on how to go about doing that. I am a grade two teacher, however next year I will be a 2/3 teacher. Using some of the Brain Gym menu during my current situation is really helping me to stay clam and focused on each challenge and am dealing with each very well as they come along. Carlene Calbert - Grade 2 Teacher, Stanley Mills Public School
By doing Brain Gym, it gives me the time to slow down, breathe and helps me deal with life's little problems better. What I liked best about this workshop is learning new activities that were easy to perform. I know this sounds crazy but I would have liked the workshop to run longer. My level of stress has been greatly reduced and it has given me a new level of confidence so that I can be the best teacher possible. The Instructor, Jill Hewlett is full of life, energy, and empowerment. Diane Belo - Educational Resource Facilitator, R H Lagerquist Senior Public School
I use Brain Gym daily, sometimes 4-5 times a day. I find that I have a calmer more serene attitude. My outlook has continued to improve since beginning to use Brain Gym. Things that once caused me tremendous stress is now easier to cope with and I tend to brush them off, I know that things will get better. I find that I get upset less and generally am a much happier person. This past year has been difficult for me, but Brain Gym has allowed me to see that open window when the doors around me seem to have all closed. I am really enjoying the simple things in life (birds chirping etc.) that I never really enjoyed before. I am just HAPPIER! The Instructor, Jill Hewlett, was excellent! Very caring and personable. What I enjoyed best about the workshop was the personal stories that Jill was able to share about how Brain Gym affected her life and the interactions with others in the classroom were also beneficial. I also enjoyed being able to try out things (e.g. Balances). Right now, I am an occasional teacher. I use the Brain Gym movements for myself, and I am reinforcing the simple idea of drinking more water with the students in the classrooms I do see regularly. I do plan to use it regularly when I do get my own classroom. I know I am being successful using Brain Gym as I am happier and more relaxed. I am beginning to enjoy the simple things in life. I have also noticed a change in attitude since doing the balances and I still continue to see positive effects everyday. Melanie Da Silva, Teacher, Corliss Public School
I do PACE in the morning; I also do PACE with my class every morning. Brain Gym has helped me manage my own stress and given me an alternative outlet for stress and regrouping. What I liked best about the workshop was the versatility of Brain Gym's uses. I use it myself, with my grade 2 class, and with family and friends. I will also be able to adapt the strategies next year when I work with developmentally delayed students. Jill Hewlett, the facilitator is very calm, relaxed and grounded in her approach. In my grade 2 classroom, we do PACE every morning. We also take Brain Gym breaks through out the day. My students also do Brain Gym activities as needed, ex. Thinking Caps to tune out background noise and improve listening. I also use the Lazy 8 movement on some students who exhibit ADHD activity and Fatal Alcohol Syndrome and it totally calms them. On some of my very active students and it seems to calm them during large group learning times. The behaviour of my students with high activity has decreased. Most of my students willingly take part and they also do some of the activities on their own, self initiated. In the classroom using Brain Gym we have experienced a decrease of behaviour and there is more focus on tasks. Students now ask to take part in the activities. Paula Dineen, Grade 2 Teacher (ISSP cluster) - Brisdale Public School
I have made a number of changes in my life based on my participation in the Brain Gym workshop. For starters, I always have my water bottle handy. I never used to drink water before and now I drink a glass when I first wake up, another 44 oz. a day at work, and I've substituted hot water with lemon for much (NOT ALL) of the coffee I used to consume. As a result, I seem to have a lot more energy. In fact, I joined a fitness challenge that requires me to attend "boot camp" twice a week, I cycle to work and I swim lengths three evenings a week. I feel fantastic! I use Thinking Caps when I feel my energy level dropping. I find that I automatically do Brain Buttons when I am thinking about something. It really is fascinating to me how much of a habit these things have become for me. In addition, when time permits (and I know that sounds terrible) I do PACE in the mornings and before I go into what I know will be a tense or anxiety-ridden situation. I have noticed a significant decrease in my stress level and a definite improvement in my attitude when I use Brain Gym. I am a naturally positive person to begin with, but I find that Brain Gym has still made a significant impact. I enjoyed the interactivity of the workshop. I liked that we got to practice each of the Brain Gym movements. The Instructor, Jill Hewlett is Dynamic, Engaging, Perceptive. Shannon Petracco, Teacher
What is Brain Gym®?
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