An Empowering

Movement-Based Approach for Survivors and

Those Who Support Them

PRESENTED BY Brain Fit Academy, Inc

Co-Founders:

PAMELA FORMOSA MA, OTR/L

CHRISTINA SCHLUPF

Brain Fit Coach: KARLA BOUDREAU, PTA

2016 Brain Fit Academy, Inc.

Who are we? Today’s Speakers Pam Formosa, MA OTR/L

• Co-Founder of Brain Fit Academy, Inc • Licensed Occupational Therapist • Licensed Brain Gym® Consultant • Specializes in Primitive Reflex Integration

Karla Boudreau, PTA • Brain Fit Academy Coach • Physical Therapy Assistant • Specializes in Primitive Reflex Integration

Who are we?

Brain Fit Academy, Inc

Infants and Toddlers Children and Teens Adults and Seniors Sports - Businesses

Who are we? The Basis of our Brain Fit Program

Movement Awareness Intention Together, these create change

Who are we?

Barbara Webster Framingham BI Support Group 4 Week Series: Using Brain Fit Approach

How Brain Fit Academy got here today…

Who are we? What Survivors shared about The Brain Fit Support Group Series

“I was amazed at the improvement in my balance after doing just a couple of simple exercises she taught us like “lazy eights” and the “bean bag toss”. I knew if my balance was better, my brain had to be connecting better too.” “I feel so much more relaxed after I do these exercises”

Who are we? The Basis of our Brain Fit Program

Movement Awareness Intention Together, these create change

Who are we? Movement and Brain Plasticity Movement plays a big role in creating new neuropathways.

Who are we? Movement and Brain Plasticity “Nothing happens until something moves” - Einstein. “Movement is the mechanism through which the brain grows, organizes self, forms patterns, action, expectation, and thinking emerges from that.” - Anat Baniel “Movement is the door to learning” - Dr. Paul Dennison

Who are we? Moving with Awareness and Intention

When we are infants, first

learning to move, we are very aware of our body and sensations.

Following a brain injury, we are relearning movements and how to become aware of our body and it’s sensations.

Who are we?

“To overcome limitations and achieve breakthroughs in one’s life, it is the brain that needs to change and learn. Movement and awareness were the two main tools to accomplish these positive changes.” - Moshé Feldenkrais

“Movement is the language of the brain. Paying attention to what you are experiencing during these movements, movement with attention - more connections made. - Anat Baniel

Movement and Awareness

Who are we? Movement and Awareness

Notice tightness in the jaw Notice tension in the eyes Move: Energy Yawn Notice tightness in the jaw Notice tension in the eyes

Who are we? Humans are Goal-Oriented Beings

• Our brains organize more quickly around goals and intentions.

• When you have goals, movements become more than exercises.

Who are we? Setting a Goal or Intention

Goal: Improve neck flexibility Notice: Range of motion Move: Think Caps Notice: Range of motion

Who are we?

Brain Injury: Diverse Cognitive, Emotional and Physical challenges

Main Areas Addressed through our Program:

Anxiety Balance Vision

Brain Injury Support Group Focus

Who are we? Getting Started…

Learning Loop – A tool for noticing and understanding where a person is functioning and where they want to move towards.

Three Levels of the Brain – Understanding how these different levels guide our performance and behaviors. This understanding also directs us to what type of movements may most be beneficial.

Who are we? Learning Loop

Who are we? Getting Acquainted with the 3 Levels of the Brain

Who are we? Goal or Intention for Right Now

Goal: To easily take in new information and relate it to what you already know.

Pre-Noticing Three Parts of the Brain

What is your self talk right now? How are you feeling emotionally right now? Do you feel truly present? Are you distracted by external stimuli? Internal thoughts? How does you body feel? Tensions discomfort? What is your energy level?

Who are we? PACE

Brain Gym® is a Registered Trademark of the Edu-K Foundation, Ventura, CA

Post-Noticing Three Parts of the Brain

What is your self talk right now? How are you feeling emotionally right now? Do you feel truly present? Are you distracted by external stimuli? Internal thoughts? How does you body feel? Tensions discomfort? What is your energy level?

Who are we? Goal or Intention for Right Now

Goal: To easily take in new information and relate it to what you already know.

Who are we? Brain Injury and Fight Flight

I have had this amazingly huge startle response since my TBI in August, 2010. For nearly a year, any sudden sound (or even when it suddenly got silent), light, or movement caused me to throw my arms in the air, kick my legs, gasp, you name it. My PT said it was brain-stem related, my Neurologist said it was psychological, my MD had nothing to say. Nearly two years of counseling, EEG, MRI, and accepting that it might be psychological: it won't go away. Does anyone else struggle with a huge startle response? If you do, what have your providers told you causes it? Thank you TBINetwork TBIsn.org

Fight Flight and Primitive Reflexes

What is Primitive Reflexes?

- Early motor patterns used as a survival mechanism for babies in their new environment.

- MORO Reflex is the primitive form

What happens with a brain injury?

- The MORO Reflex becomes re-activated - Protective mechanism - Needs to be re-integrated with intention

Primitive Reflexes

MORO Reflex Reflexes reside in the brain stem

Moro Reflex – Our Earliest Fight Flight Response

Purpose: Sets up the nervous system to:

1) Process sensory information 2) Cope with stress 3) Facilitate first breath of life

Integrates and transitions into “startle” at 4-6 months of life

Trauma can re-activate the Moro Reflex, causing physical, emotional and cognitive challenges.

Effects of a Re-Activated Moro Reflex

Moro Reflex Re-integration

Sample Movements to address Balance and Vision Challenges

How we can help?

Brain Fit Workshop Series for Support Groups

- 4 Session Program

Individual Brain Fit Sessions Professional Development

- Brain Gym 101

- Primitive Reflex Integration Training Contact Pam Formosa for more information: 508 478-5164 www.brainfitacademy.com