Sensory Integration & Exercise

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

The Whole Learning School’s philosophy of sensory integration and holistic education is that mind and body are inextricably intertwined; without a body that feels ready to learn, a mind will never be able to achieve to its potential. Have you ever had a day where you were bursting with so much energy that it interfered with your ability to sit and study? Or one where you got out of bed and felt sluggish, as if your mind and body hadn’t realized that you were supposed to be awake? Our students have those same kinds of days, so every morning,we prepare them to learn by activating a brain/body connection that balances energy levels.

TWLS students start the day with a set of warm-up exercises called Brain Gym, followed by either a cardiovascular workout or yoga. You may remember seeing further  pictures of yoga mats or the exercise room in the TWLS photo tour.

First, let’s talk about Brain Gym. It was developed in the 1970s as one of the first forays into “enhanced learning through movement”, or Educational Kinesiology. The exercises students do are based around the acronym PACE – Positive, Active, Clear, and Energetic. After Brain Gym & exercise, students should feel positive, active – and so on – and ready for their day. The PACE acronym was chosen because students going through Brain Gym steps should do so at their own pace and when they need it. If they find they need to take a few minutes during the day to re-center themselves, that’s normal and encouraged.

So, what does PACE mean? The exercises are actually performed in reverse order of the acronym:

1) Energetic – Students sip water, letting it soak into their systems and making sure they’re fully hydrated and ready to exercise and focus. Lack of water is a common cause of headaches and difficulty focusing. At TWLS, students track their water intake to ensure they maintain good hydration all day. No waiting until the end of class here; we recognize that until the body’s needs are met, it’s hard to meet those of the mind.

2) Clear – Students practice a technique called Brain Buttons intended to help get them centered and ready to think, exercise, and study. Students press lightly on certain points on their chest in a regular pattern. The concentration and regular motions can help students feel calmer, more centered and able to think more clearly.

3) Active – Students reach across their body to hold their opposite knee as they lift it. This exercise incorporates crossing the vertical midline (the center of the body) and helps improve coordination and communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain by getting both sides of the body involved.

4) Positive – An exercise called Hook Ups integrates elements of the previous two, where students cross their legs, then intertwine and pull in their hands to their chest, holding the position for several minutes. Like the others, it promotes centering and calmness in the body, and through it, in the mind.

Following PACE, students begin a thirty minute cardio workout or yoga/Pilates class. The combination prepares students for optimal thinking and learning throughout the day.  In addition to just writing about these, today we can show you.  Take a look at the following video:

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3 Responses to “Sensory Integration & Exercise”

1. susie fry says:

   December 19, 2009 at 9:40 pm

   I so loved reading about and watching the video on Brain Gym
   We so love TWLS
   Susie
2. Sarah Trout says:

   January 13, 2010 at 5:14 pm

   I deeply enjoy teaching the Cardio Class! We jam to music and get our heart rates racing. What a perfect way to start the day!!
3. Kelly Lewis says:

   January 23, 2010 at 5:23 pm

   I am crying so hard that I can’t type my response because of how much I love our kids and teachers at TWLS! To see our awesome friends exercise and smile to take care of their bodies and get ready to learn is so inspiring! TWLS ROCKS!!!