Quirky kids are my passion. They have this wonderful creative potential but they often struggle and under-perform educationally. It is most rewarding to see them gain skills and strategies to help cope and flourish in everyday life. If a child reports they received player of the day at soccer, felt confident giving a speech, or their writing/drawing has improved, I know I have facilitated a positive change in that child’s life. Change is experienced over a series of sessions and incorporates parents/caregivers implementing a playful movement programme at home encouraging consistency. Below is a range of outcomes that can be experienced after a series of sessions: Learning can become easier and faster (eg. reading, writing, physical coordination) as the underlying physiology around learning becomes more efficient Challenges in learning and development may reduce Retained primitive reflex movements are integrated, i.e no longer observable. Decrease in sensory overload, sound, taste, tactile defensiveness Improvement in balance Positive changes to fine motor and handwriting skills Increased ability to focus and attend/complete tasks Improved performance in sports/whole body movement e.g. soccer, swimming, dancing, martial arts, the arts and drama Decrease in ‘explosive’ behaviour An overall increase in risk-taking behaviour, confidence and calmness Best results are achieved when there is commitment to a daily movement programme, with the parent being actively involved. Sessions are spaced 3-4 weeks apart and typically over a 6 month period. Janet de Witt is an Educational Kinesiologist, Brain Gym Instructor who has been working with movement (body) and the brain for 27+ years. To find out more about Janet's services or to book a session for your child with Janet contact her directly via her profile . This article has been re-published and edited from its original format (with permission) on Janet de Witt's website, Brain Body In Synch .

We have an array of Brain Gym books, charts and manuals available to further expand your knowledge and training. You can order items from the authorised distributor for Edu-K/Brain Gym in NZ by emailing Anne Doig, aspecialfxnz@gmail.com with the name of the item/s you wish to purchase. You can also reach Anne on 06 878 8694 . Brain Gym® - Teacher’s Edition The Companion “Guide to Brain Gym® Simple Activities for Whole Brain Learning”. Paul E Dennison PhD and Gail E Dennison $47.00 NZD The 2010 Brain Gym Teacher’s Edition is written to deepen and broaden one’s understanding of the 26 Brain Gym activities. Brain Gym - Simple activities for the whole brain Paul E Dennison PhD and Gail E Dennison $24.00 NZD Written in the first person story format, this book includes the 26 Brain Gym movements and simple instructions on how to perform them. Recommended for all ages. Brain Gym® Activities for Children - Poster Large - $56.00 NZD Medium - $44.00 NZD A full colour wall chart of the 26 Brain Gym activities for children, demonstrating each movement. This is great for the classroom, home or workplace. Waterproof and suitable for lamination PACE for Children - Poster $30.00 NZD This PACE poster clearly shows each of the four PACE activities. A colourful addition for classrooms, children’s bedrooms or the offices of Brain Gym Consultants. Waterproof and suitable for lamination Brain Gym® Activities for Teens and Adults - Poster Large - $56.00 Medium - $44.00 Demonstrating each movement, this full colour wall chart of the 26 Brain Gym activities for teens and adults is great for the classroom, home or workplace. Waterproof and suitable for lamination PACE for Teens and Adults - Poster $30.00 NZD This PACE poster clearly shows adults and teens participating in each of the four activities of PACE. A colourful addition for classrooms, workplaces, or the offices of Brain Gym Consultants. Waterproof and suitable for lamination The Alphabet 8 - Poster $28.00 NZD Learners enjoy the physical (kinesthetic and tactile) experience of tracing the alphabet letters on this colourful poster. Let the student discover the alpha and beta letters. How do they feel alike? How do they feel different? Waterproof and suitable for lamination The resources below have just had price reductions! Get in quick before they sell out. Overcoming Senior Moments Frances Meiser and Nina Anderson $10.00 NZD Break the myth that aging creates memory loss. Overcoming Senior Moments is presented in an easy to read format, and tells us what we need to keep our brains working. The Smart Brain Train Frances Meiser and Nina Anderson in cooperation with Susan Lee $10.00 NZD A delightful book for children that explains the importance of water, exercise and nutrition in creating a healthy brain. Detailed explanations for parents and teachers included. This book has been revised from the first edition of The Brain Train. Playing in the Unified Field – Raising & Becoming Conscious, Creative Human Beings Carla Hannaford PhD $15.00 NZD Carla Hannaford, best selling author of Smart Moves - Why Learning Is Not All In Your Head, draws on science, our heritage of human wisdom and her own experiences as a biologist, parent and educator to advance an empowering new view of reality. Playing in the Unified Field offers inspiration, models and practical advice for raising our families with coherence, presence, love and trust in their capacity to learn and grow. Smart Moves – 2nd edition Carla Hannaford PhD $15.00 NZD Biologist and educator Carla Hannaford tells us why we must move and how to move to fully activate our potential as learners. Smart Moves is a popular, readable book that explores how the body/mind processes sensation, emotion and thought. It emphasises the power of Brain Gym to enhance learning for everyone and the role of movement to reduce stress. Making the Brain/Body Connection Sharon Promislow $15.00 NZD Discover how to be more effective, learn more easily and feel better. In her lively and entertaining book, Sharon blends up-to-date learning, stress and brain research with practical exercises and techniques, including specialised kinesiology, that will have you moving beyond current limitations. The Children’s Song Book and CD Brendan O’Hara $15.00 NZD Enjoy the lively songs written and sung by Australian, Brendan O’Hara. The children’s song book and CD are the first in a Movement and Learning series. This song/activity book supports and enhances the Brain Gym programme. Wombat and His Mates Song Book and CD Brendan O’Hara $15.00 NZD In his second children’s song book and CD, Brendan O’Hara sings some more playful songs to move to. “Spin on Your Bottom” lends itself to doing the Rocker; “The Walking Song” and “Skip-a-long” to doing the Cross Crawl and Skip-Across Crawl and “Pitter Patter” to doing Focused Nodding from Vision Gym™. The Learning Gym Erich Ballinger $10.00 NZD Experience the playful introduction to the Brain Gym programme with this delightfully and clearly illustrated book. Eleven Brain Gym movements are playfully described with more in-depth notes on “when & why”. Anne Doig is an Educational Kinesiologist and Brain Gym Consultant with over 20+ years experience. To learn more about Anne's experience and service offering you can check out her profile here .

We've compiled our top associated Educational Kinesiology and Brain Gym websites for you to explore. Breakthroughs International is a non-profit organisation based in Santa Barbara, California. It encompasses a wide range of approaches and non-invasive interventions including the Educational Kinesiology and Brain Gym programmes. There are lots of resources available across the site including programmes information. Hearts At Play - Move, Learn, Bloom is the website of Paul and Gail Dennison - Founders of Educational Kinesiology and Brain Gym. This resource site has been created to provide the educational philosophy of learning through movement. There is a great deal of Educational Kinesiology wisdom to explore on this site. Equilibrium is a mail order business that has been publishing & distributing Kinesiology material in Australia and overseas for over 37 years. It has an extensive range of Kinesiology & related materials in the world. Breakthroughs International recognises a number of other relevant training programmes to further your education. These include: Touch for Health Rhythmic Movement Training International BAL-A-VIS-X Life Enhancement Acupressure Program (LEAP)

Educational Kinesiology Consultants Booking a private session with an Educational Kinesiologist Consultant / Brain Gym Instructor in your local area or online, will allow you to experience the full benefits of this holistic approach and a combination of other modalities depending on your Consultant. Each session typically begins with a ‘balance’ based on the 26 Brain Gym movements. By doing so, we engage both the left and right sides of the brain and enter into your parasympathetic nervous system - where your body can relax, feel safe and begin to restore itself. Goals are defined and worked towards, allowing you to feel and notice an improvement in your learning and performance abilities. Please contact a Consultant directly through their relevant details provided. Fatima Dollie Central Auckland I work in mainstream education both primary and high school looking into ways to help children learn and feel good about themselves. Read More Helma Dalton North Shore, Auckland I love working with people of all ages to address the challenges they're experiencing and enabling them to seek the changes they desire. Read More Janet de Witt Torbay, Auckland I specialise in supporting children and teenagers with challenges such as; sabotage, learning, sensory integration, coordination, self-regulation and anxiety. Read More Margaret Underwood New Plymouth My great love is teaching, the process of empowering others to; access more of their potential, gain confidence, help themselves learn easier and rediscover their joy and love of life. Read More Helene Young Merrilands, New Plymouth I love seeing how Educational Kinesiology positively changes people's lives and the ongoing empowerment and benefits one experiences. Read More Anne Doig Hastings, Napier I'm enthusiastic about the possibilities within us all. I draw out one's innate potential, by sharing Educational Kinesiology knowledge. Read More Barbara Wards Paremata, Porirua I utilise a wide range of kinesiology training and reflex integration work, including Rhythmic Movement, when working with clients. Read More Jan Nalder Porirua, Wellington I use several versions of kinesiology in my work and also include distant healing and animal communication in my service offering. Read More Alexandra Partington Upper Moutere, Nelson My passion is to support people to feel empowered as they move through life’s stages with confidence and ease, supporting a growth mindset for learning and self-development. Read More Jean Jordan Christchurch I'm a natural pain therapist who loves to find solutions for your pain, be it constant or intermittent, over months or even years. Read More Sally Goldsworthy Rangiora, Christchurch It's amazing to work with children and adults who present with different issues and with their help, make their lives less challenging and more fulfilling. Read More Alex Bowles Queenstown I'm devoted to working with women and children on their health, focusing on natural remedies and the wellbeing of the whole family. Read More Joanne Inder Dalmore, Dunedin I support health and wellness through the integration of Physiotherapy, Educational Kinesiology, Developmental Kinesiology, Craniosacral Therapy and Ortho-Bionomy. Read More

Scheduled Courses + Workshops Courses. Creative Vision Eight consecutive Thursdays; the 29th January - 19th March 2026. Manual included in price. When: 29th January - 19th March 2026 No. Hours 24 Location: Online via Zoom Price: $650 NZD (repeat $325 NZD). Manual Included Learn More > Brain Gym 101 Experience the power of whole brain integration through whole body movement using the 26 Brain Gym exercises, the Edu-K Balance processes and Dennison Laterality Re-patterning. When: 2nd March - 11th May 2026 (11 consecutive Monday's) No. Hours 33 Location: Online via Zoom Price: $875 NZD (repeat $425 NZD) Learn More > Movement Dynamics 1 Three consecutive Sunday's; 1st February, 2-5 pm, 8 February, 2-4.30 pm, 15 February, 2-4.30 pm. MD 1 + 2 manuals included in price. When: 1, 8, 15th February 2026 No. Hours 8 Location: Online via Zoom Price: $225 NZD (repeat $160 NZD) MD1 and MD2 manual included. Learn More > Movement Dynamics 2 Three consecutive Sunday's; 19 April, 2-5 pm, 26 April, 2-4.30 pm, 3 May, 2-4.30 pm. When: 19, 26th April + 3rd May 2026 No. Hours 8 Location: Online via Zoom Price: $195 NZD (repeat $140) Learn More > Brain Gym 26 Movements (Feb - March) Five consecutive Tuesday's; 3 February - 3rd March. Course manual additional. When: 3, 10, 17, 24 February + 3 March No. Hours 15 Location: Online via Zoom Price: $325 NZD (repeat $175) Learn More > Brain Gym 26 Movements (July - August) Five consecutive Tuesdays commencing 29th July from 6 - 9 pm. Course manual additional. When: 29th July - 26th August No. Hours 15 hours in session + 1 home play hours Location: Online via Zoom Price: $395 NZD (repeat $190 NZD). Manual additional Learn More > Workshops. Unsure of the course or workshop you should attend? Explore our learning pathways to find the right fit for your personal or professional goals. Alternatively, contact a Faculty Member to discuss your options. Pathways to Learning. Brain Gym Movement Facilitator As a Brain Gym Movement Facilitator you'll learn the 26 Brain Gym movements plus additional concepts. Upon completion, you'll be qualified to teach some courses. LEARN MORE Educational Kinesiologist / Brain Gym Consultant As a professional member you will complete the full Brain Gym training programme. An extensive journey that qualifies you to teach more courses and work privately with clients. LEARN MORE

What is Educational Kinesiology? A comprehensive mind/body integration programme for all ages. It incorporates movement to enhance our abilities and confidence—in learning, sport, performing arts, communication, or wherever our challenges may lie. Founded in 1987 by specialist educator Paul Dennison, PhD, and his wife/colleague Gail E. Dennison at his remedial learning centre in California. Educational Kinesiology is the 20 year outcome of conducting experiential and experimental research, after noticing a correlation between learning challenges and postural, physical or perceptual stresses. Kinesiologists use the tool of muscle checking to work with clients one on one. Educational Kinesiologists have completed the core training and are required to be registered with Educational Kinesiology (Brain Gym) NZ inc. What is Brain Gym? Brain Gym is the fundamental programme of Educational Kinesiology movements and balances. An internationally recognised programme used to coordinate the whole brain, senses and body for improved learning and self-development. The Brain Gym programme is a holistic system based on the principles of kinesiology and learning theory. A combination of 26 designed movement activities (or exercises) that benefit everyday life. Supporting individuals to perform daily tasks with more ease, experience improved movement, posture, sensory processing and lowered stress levels. Developed by learning specialist Paul E. Dennison, PhD, and his wife and partner Gail E. Dennison in the 1980s. After experiencing the benefits personally, many people have gone on to become Educational Kinesiology Consultants or Brain Gym Instructors. Potential Benefits Many individuals report observing and feeling a positive result after performing the movements regularly over a short period of time. To experience longer lasting changes, regular practice of the movements is essential. Academic skills – reading, writing, spelling and maths Memory, concentration and focus Behaviour management Emotional stability Self-development and personal stress management Sleep and relaxation Organisational skills Physical coordination and balance Sports performance Communication skills and language development Creativity Achievement of goals - both professional & personal, individuals & groups Pathways to Learning. Brain Gym Movement Facilitator As a Brain Gym Movement Facilitator you'll learn the 26 Brain Gym movements plus additional concepts. Upon completion, you'll be qualified to teach some courses. LEARN MORE Educational Kinesiologist / Brain Gym Consultant As a professional member you will complete the full Brain Gym training programme. An extensive journey that qualifies you to teach more courses and work privately with clients. LEARN MORE