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About Us

(Brain Gym® Australia, Inc)

Who we are and what we do

General

Brain Gym® Australia, Inc

Brain Gym® Australia Inc. is a national not-for-profit organisation funded through membership fees, course registration fees, and through profit from events and workshops run by the Association. Associate membership is open to anyone interested in Brain Gym® and Educational Kinesiology. Professional membership is only for licensed Brain Gym® Movement Facilitators and Instructors/Consultants.

The intention is to let people know more about the many and varied applications of this work both within Australia and throughout the world.

History

The Brain Gym® /Edu-K Network originated in 1992 as an informal group to foster an interest in Brain Gym® and Educational Kinesiology. Over the years, there have been a number of changes.

In 1998, the organisation was formalised and registered as a not-for-profit.

In 2002, it became an incorporated association.

In early February 2011, Brain Gym® Australia was accepted as an approved Affiliate by the Brain Gym® International Board of Directors. Brain Gym® Australia (BGA), as an official affiliate of Brain Gym® International (BGI), licenses instructors in Australia to use the work in a responsible and ethical manner. While BGI can influence the course content, it cannot control the business decisions independent contractors make.

Australia had the privilege in 2006 to hold the International Gathering in Brisbane, the first time since the late eighties that a world-wide Edu-K event of this magnitude was held in Australia.

In 2019 Brain Gym® International began trading as Breakthroughs International.

Brain Gym® Australia Mission Statement

Brain Gym® Australia is committed to assisting people throughout the community to reach their full potential by:

  • building awareness regarding the value of movement in daily life
  • promoting Brain Gym® to all sections of the community
  • empowering members to grow personally & professionally through mentoring, training and collaboration
  • supporting members with the skills and knowledge they need to develop successful Brain Gym® businesses

Our Mission

To utilize the Brain Gym® educational model to:

  • promote play and the joy of learning
  • draw out and honour innate intelligence
  • build awareness regarding the value of movement in daily life
  • emphasise the ability to notice and respond to movement-based needs
  • encourage self-responsibility
  • leave each participant appreciated and valued
  • empower each participant to better take charge of his/her own learning
  • encourage creativity and self expression
  • inspire an appreciation of music, physical education and the fine arts

Brain Gym® Australia Management Structure

At the Annual General Meeting each year, a Management Committee is elected to deal with the day to day working of the organisation. This committee is responsible for overseeing the sub licensing of graduates and their adherence to our Code of Ethics. It oversees the BRAIN GYM® trademark, ensuring it is protected under our licensing agreement. The Committee continues to develop and enhance the exposure of the Brain Gym® profile within Australia through the website and the eNews.

All financial members are eligible to vote, however only Professional members may serve on the committee.

Management Committee

The current members of the Management Committee are:

  • President: Heather Gibbons
  • Vice-President: Gillian Stuart
  • Secretary: Jose Toussaint
  • Treasurer: Karen Alexander
  • Committee: Dorothea Bassett, Patti Leahy, Shelley Floyd

Student, Associate and Professional Members

Brain Gym® Australia provides professional, associate and student members ongoing support and connection via the website, emails and a regular e-news.

Professional members have the opportunity to have their information on the Brain Gym® Australia website:

  • free individualised profiles listed to promote their businesses
  • free advertising of their accredited training courses
  • advertisements to promote their introductory workshops

Faculty Members

Faculty are members, who have worked towards and achieved this leadership role to take responsibility for teaching advanced courses including those at the instructor level. Those who are members of the International Faculty also have the added responsibilities of overseeing the curriculum, training further Faculty members and attending international Faculty meetings.

In Australia Gilly Johnson and Patti Leahy are Faculty Members and the International Faculty Members are Tania McGregor and Julie Gunstone.

Professional members who wish to apply to train as Faculty, need to apply to Brain Gym® International.

Brain Gym® Australia Life Members

  • Gilly Johnson
  • Tania McGregor
  • Julie Gunstone

Brain Gym® International Mission Statement

Brain Gym® International (trading as Breakthroughs International) is committed to the principle that moving with intention leads to optimal learning. Through our outstanding instructors and movement -based programs, we empower all ages to reclaim the joy of living.

The Founders of Brain Gym® and Educational Kinesiology

Paul E Dennison Ph. D. is a professional educator, a pioneer in the field of kinesiology, and an authority on the breakthrough attainment of cognitive and academic skills. In the 1960s Dr Dennison began his research into reading achievement and its relation to brain development that would form the basis of the Brain Gym® work.

In 1975 Paul Dennison received the Phi Delta Kappa award for outstanding research at the University of Southern California, and was granted a Doctorate in Education for his research in beginning reading achievement and its relationship to cognitive development and covert speech skills. His unique understanding of the interdependence of physical development, language acquisition and academic achievement led to the formation of the remarkable Brain Gym® program.

In the 1980s he met his wife, an artist and movement educator. In 1986 Dr Paul Dennison PhD and Gail Dennison first taught Brain Gym® in Australia. Gail E Dennison is the cofounder and cocreator of the Edu-Kinesthetics series of books and manuals on learning through movement; and the originator of several courses.
Paul and Gail Dennison are committed to a renewal and redefinition of the learning process for people of all ages and abilities.

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Find a Course

Whether you want to find an introductory workshop, an entry level course or something to become a professional member you will find it here.

Find a Consultant

Consultants utilise the 26 Brain Gym® movements and other Brain Gym® procedures in a specific 5 step balancing process to lead you to achieve your goals.