Brain Gym®
Brain Gym® is an educational movement program that supports learning, coordination, and whole-brain development through simple physical activities. It emerged from the field of kinesiology in the 1970s, originally known as Educational Kinesiology (Edu-K), and was developed by educators Paul Dennison and Gail Dennison.
Today, Brain Gym® is used internationally in schools, homes, learning environments, and workplaces. A wide range of Brain Gym® resources and learning aids are available to support its application across different age groups and settings.
Brain Gym® may support people to:
• Learn with greater ease and confidence
• Improve focus, organisation, and coordination
• Approach tasks and projects more effectively
• Support learning challenges such as attention and concentration difficulties
• Enhance performance in academic, creative, athletic, and professional contexts
What is Brain Gym®?
Brain Gym® is a structured program of 26 gentle, purposeful movements designed to support learning and performance. It was developed through the Dennisons’ work with children and adults experiencing learning difficulties, and was informed by research into developmental movement and sensory-motor integration.
Brain Gym® is now used in more than 80 countries and has been applied in diverse settings including education, the performing arts, sport, and business. While the movements promote flexibility and coordination, Brain Gym® is distinct in its focus on movement activities that are intended to support skills such as reading, writing, spelling, listening, and physical coordination.
How does Brain Gym® work?
Movement plays a fundamental role in human development. In early life, neural pathways are formed and strengthened through physical activity and sensory experience. Brain Gym® uses specific movement patterns to support efficient communication between different areas of the brain and sensory-motor system.
The program is based on the idea that learning challenges may arise when communication between sensory systems—such as vision, hearing, and movement—is less efficient. Brain Gym® activities aim to encourage integrated movement experiences that support the brain’s natural capacity to organise and process information.
Further discussion of the neurophysiological foundations of movement and learning can be found in Smart Moves by Carla Hannaford, a key reference within the Brain Gym® field.
Who can use Brain Gym®?
Brain Gym® is suitable for people of all ages and learning styles. It can be used by:
• Children and adults who enjoy learning and want to enhance performance
• Individuals who experience learning challenges or difficulties with attention, organisation, or coordination
• Students with additional learning needs
• Adults seeking supportive movement strategies for work or daily life
• Seniors interested in gentle, engaging movement
The 26 Brain Gym® activities are easy to learn and can be adapted to suit different abilities and environments. They are commonly taught using the Brain Gym® Teacher’s Edition and can be practised individually or in groups. No special skills or fitness levels are required.
Broader applications of Brain Gym®
Although originally developed for school-aged students, Brain Gym® is now widely used with:
• Infants and preschool children
• Teenagers and university students
• Adults in workplace and creative settings
• Seniors and community groups
Brain Gym® principles have also been adapted for professional environments, including business and corporate settings, where movement activities are used as short, accessible “brain breaks” to support clarity, focus, and engagement.
About Paul Dennison
Paul Dennison began his career as a school teacher and personally experienced significant learning challenges, including dyslexia. Through extensive research and practical experimentation with movement-based approaches, he developed methods that supported his own learning and teaching effectiveness.
In the early 1980s, he formalised this work into what became Brain Gym®. Paul Dennison went on to teach internationally, sharing the program with educators, practitioners, and learners around the world.