TYLER (KYTX) -- It's called Brain Gym, and it started back in 1969. Today, more than four decades later, it's as popular as ever. Brain Gym is practiced in 88 countries, on every continent, and it's helping families right here in East Texas.
As a society we're fascinated by gizmos and gadgets, and a lot of us spend a whole lot of time in front of the TV.
Brain gym is designed to counter that. It's about learning by playing and empowering by moving.
The Penkilo girls start out with Brain Gym every day. It may look like they're just playing, but they're actually activating their minds.
Their mother Monica works with them on these movements. She says, "So you have the same basic movements, and you can change it up depending on how your children develop."
5-year-old Ava struggles with expressive language disorder, and other developmental and social issues.
"With a child like Ava," Monica says, "I need to teach her these things. They don't come natural to her."
2 years ago, Ava's social and separation anxieties were so bad, she couldn't function in every day situations.
MaryAnn Girard is Ava's brain gym instructor and remembers the day she met Ava.
"She wasn't doing anything on age level at that point."
Monica says, "When we first started Brain Gym, Ava couldn't hold something in each hand at the same time."
But now, she can do it without even struggling.
Brain gym is broken up into four parts known as PACE.
The P stands for positive, and is associated with movements known as "hook ups."
A, for active, uses motions that cross the middle of the body.
Monica explains how, "By making a lazy 8, by making the X, you're crossing your body so you're getting the whole brain working together."
C is for clarity in the brain and uses movements called brain buttons, and E stands for energy, and the importance of water.
Monica's girls will now even come up to her and say 'Mommy I need to drink some water. I need to hydrate my brain.'
She says Brain Gym has helped Ava achieve things she couldn't through traditional therapy.
"When we started doing Brain Gym, I'm right there working with her. I'm the comfort. I'm learning what to do."
Girard says it's the parents that have to do the work, and that she's there to give them suggestions.
Girard says she is amazed at Ava's success.
"Her motor skills have improved, I can't tell you how many percentage points."
And the movements don't just help with disabilities.
Monica says, "I've learned that it can help a child developing normally, or it can help a child with challenges. My three year old can now write her letters, perfect clear speech, do cutting, other activities, that there is really no way, I don't think, without Brain Gym."
Girard says the idea behind brain gym is to get people moving again - and it's not just for kids.
Brain gym is for everyone, from babies to college students, and from athletes to the elderly.
