BrainDance Movement as a Tool for Creativity and Learning Carol Kaminsky Dance/Movement Therapist...

BrainDanceMovement as a Tool for Creativity and Learning

Carol Kaminsky

Dance/Movement Therapist

kaminskycarol@yahoo.com

Brain-Compatible Dance Educationby Anne Green Gilbert

Foundation of BrainDanceResources for Further Reading

Making Connections: Total Body Integration through Bartenieff Fundamentals by Peggy Hackney

What is BrainDance?

A sequential and holistic warm-up exercise based on the developmental movement patterns of infants. We continue refining these patterns throughout our lives.

Integrates mind and body and can be adapted to all ages and abilities.

Premise of BrainDance

Movement patterns can be re-learned and re-experienced

Movement affects our brain, cognitive pattern and emotions (body-mind)

Movement patterns can be integrated into expressive movement

Brain and Neurological Connection

Need for sensori-motor input to form memory and connect to meaning

Movement and exercise boosts brainpower by increasing blood flow and oxygen

Every brain is wired differently Repeat to remember Remember to repeat Neurons that fire together, wire together

Developmental Patterns

Jellyfish

Snake

Frog

Developmental Movement Patterns

Lizard

Cat

Person

The Eight BrainDance Patterns

BreathTactile

Core-DistalHead-Tail

Upper/Lower BodyBody Side

Cross LateralVestibular

Breath

Take a Breath

Core-Distal

Opening and closing the body

Establishes the size of your personal space

Head-Tail

Body attitude

Upper Body

Emotional

grounding

Connection

to things and

people

Lower Body

Power and

grounding

Stability and

mobility

Body Side

Making

choices

Vertical

plane

Cross-Lateral

Complexity and thinking

Integrates right and left brain

Vestibular

Develops ourrelationship togravity

Balance isnecessary forseeing, hearing,and touching

Demonstration of BrainDance Warm-Up

http://vimeo.com/40164646

Benefits of BrainDance

Increased blood and oxygen flow to the brain Reorganization of the neurological system Enhanced core support, connectivity, and alignment Assessment of neurological issues Deeper understanding of dance technique elements Positive outcomes with class management, student

behavior, learning, and improved ability to focus  

How to use BrainDance

Warm-up to teaching your lesson Integrate it into your lesson plan Use intermittently to regain focus Cool Down after your lesson

BrainDance with other Arts

Moving to music Making music for each part of the patterns Art designs in the air, painting the space Drawing the patterns Dramatizing the patterns with a particular

character

Music and Video Resources

CDs by Eric Chappelle

BrainDance

Music for Creative Dance volume 1-4

DVD by Anne Green Gilbert

BrainDance

www.creativedance.org