Question asked of network Team from network member:
In attending a 5-Day Plan To Stop Smoking Seminar that I was helping with a lady that was one of the coordinators had asked one of the volunteers to share this special exercise with the class. I did not take part noticing this could be Eastern Meditation. Ruth noticed right away and asked during the exercise if I felt uncomfortable? I stated quietly I could talk with her later.
I would appreciate your input on this Brain Gym Exercise. When —– lead out in this she sat down in a chair crossed her ankles and her wrists. Stated that this exercise related to your subconscious. Said to say “I can stop smoking. “or “I am worthy.” It got very quiet. She stated this will help with anxiety and stress while you are trying to stop smoking. One of the volunteers asked how do you know that you have gotten into the subconscious state you are trying to achieve. She stated that she feels a certain feeling in the middle of her chest or on top of her head. She ended with making a large circle by bringing her hands and fingers together.
Thank you for helping me with your support and knowledge.
In Christ’s Service,
Answers by Network Team:
Apr 15, 2019, 8:49 PM (12 hours ago)
Will Baron <WillBaron@adventweb.org>
to me, Eric, Kok, Magna
Sensing the need for a self-teaching element, the Dennisons gathered some of their favorite activities for learning and moving, gave them playful names, and organized them according to the three dimensions from the advanced courses. These activities were published in a little orange book called Brain Gym: Simple Activities for Whole-Brain Learning in 1986. This series of activities is known today as the Brain Gym movements, and forms the core of the Brain Gym program.
Many of the Brain Gym activities, such as the Owl, the Elephant, and Alphabet 8s, were developed from Paul’s knowledge of the relationship of movement to perception and the impact of these on fine-motor and academic skills. Others were learned during his training as a marathon runner, his work with developmental optometrists doing vision training, and his study of Jin Shin Jitsu (a form of acupressure). Dennison Laterality Repatterning and Three Dimension Repatterning are Paul’s original contributions to the field of education. Gail brought in her own movements from her background in dance, natural vision training, acupressure, and Touch for Health.
Today the work is carried on by the International Faculty, each of whom is licensed by Brain Gym International.
AdventWeb:
PREPARING MANKIND FOR THE GLORIOUS SECOND ADVENT
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The Ellen White information website: www.ellenwhite.info
Apr 15, 2019, 9:56 PM (11 hours ago)
Will Baron <WillBaron@adventweb.org>
to Eric, Kok, me, Magna
Hi Edwin:
On the surface, the description of the “exercise” and the words spoken do not have the hallmark of classic transcendental meditation. If the words were repeated several times over, there is a possibility that they could become some kind of “mantra”.
In doing a Google search, you will discover that the “Brain Gym” exercise was founded by educators Paul & Gail Dennison, who describe their program as being “Educational Kinesiology”. The word “Kinesiology” is off course closely connected with New Age diagnostics and energy balancing therapy associated with from Acupuncture and Acupressure theories and therapies. In checking out the Dennison’s “BrainGym.org” website’s history section:
http://braingym.org/history
you will find the following paragraph:
Sensing the need for a self-teaching element, the Dennisons gathered some of their favorite activities for learning and moving, gave them playful names, and organized them according to the three dimensions from the advanced courses. These activities were published in a little orange book called Brain Gym: Simple Activities for Whole-Brain Learning in 1986. This series of activities is known today as the Brain Gym movements, and forms the core of the Brain Gym program.
Many of the Brain Gym activities, such as the Owl, the Elephant, and Alphabet 8s, were developed from Paul’s knowledge of the relationship of movement to perception and the impact of these on fine-motor and academic skills. Others were learned during his training as a marathon runner, his work with developmental optometrists doing vision training, and his study of Jin Shin Jitsu (a form of acupressure). Dennison Laterality Repatterning and Three Dimension Repatterning are Paul’s original contributions to the field of education. Gail brought in her own movements from her background in dance, natural vision training, acupressure, and Touch for Health.
Today the work is carried on by the International Faculty, each of whom is licensed by Brain Gym International.
From my highlighting you will see that “Brain Gym” is closely related to New Age. The “Touch for Health” Foundation was a pioneer in Applied Kinesiology, a methodology taught at The Lighted Way, the New Age Center where I received most of my mysticism training. The founder/director of the Center, Muriel Isis, was a Theosophist, channeler of the Ascended Masters, and a professional psychic & psychologist. Every year at the New Age Whole Life Expo she was typically asked by the Touch for Health Foundation to help them man their booth in the Expo, thus showing the close affinity between Touch for Health leadership and hard core New Age. At the Lighted Way, as part of the discipleship training program, we did practice the “Brain Gym” exercises, although we didn’t call it “Brain Gym” as such at the time.
It seems to me that the following Bible verse is applicable in this situation:
“Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22 KJV).
in Him,
Brain Gym Questions
5:37 AM (3 hours ago)
Eric Wilson
to Will, me, Magna, Kok
Good morning Edwin,
At first glance, the question presented looks very familiar to the practice of “self-hypnosis.” A practice which is heavily used within the eastern mystical practices of Martial arts, Tai-chi chuan, Qigong and Yoga.
Although the names for these techniques often vary, from one art to another, the end result and the means to obtain this “altered-state” of “consciousness” is always the same.
For example, in the arts of Chinese Qigong and Tai-chi that I practiced, the students were taught to focus their intent on their abdomen and breathing, while at the same time visualizing the desired result. And then adding the physical movements common to these forms. This was said to integrate the “spirit, mind and body” as one. i.e. “holistic” healing.
The truth is however, that through this combination of “breath, mind and physical movement,” the desired result is found to be realized much easier than with simply meditation. The student is actually “entering” this “sub-conscious” (altered-state) without being told that this is the actual purpose of the exercises.
To achieve this state with meditation alone, was often considered much more difficult, and a higher level of practice. Because with western minds especially, it was said that it was difficult to “quiet the mind” from all of the internal chatter.
So, by adding the focus on one’s breathing, and concentration on correct physical movements of the body . . . the mind is given a crutch, something to “do” rather than simply attempting to “empty” it.
This is a great deception.
In summing these up . . . the practice is simply SELF-Hypnosis by a different name.
May our Saviour be with all of us this week, working in us mightily to shed the Light of His Word throughout this world of darkness !
your friend and brother,
Eric
Edwin Noyes—response:
“Brain Gym Exercise” as a specific discipline in the healing arts was a new entity for me. However physical activity in relation to brain health, function, brain size and including memory is not new. Intensity of exercise is related to benefits and with movement only type exercises not showing benefit. Vigorous activity such as brisk walking, running, result in a hormone being produced which stimulates the brain in the function of learning and memory. “Spark” by John J. Ratey M.D. is an excellent text on this subject. It may well be that the Deinnisons, the initiators of “Brain Gym Exercise,” were attempting to promote these science findings with their program.
So often the devil “hi-jacks” appropriate practices and inserts deceptive practices which when utilized bring him respect and honor. This has happened in massage and the use of oils of plants. It appears to me that such may be the case with this situation. The association of Brain Gym Exercise organization with Applied Kinesiology is suspect of itself. The practice of applied kinesiology came from chiropractor George Goodheart D.C. in 1964. It is a blend of “Innate Intelligence” (synonym of chi, prana) and Eastern Mysticism which came through “psychic means.” Ref. Can You Know Your Doctor pp. 157-158
I agree with the above comments of Eric and Will. I see no reason to repeat. A comment on the lady doing the exercise forming of a large circle by the bringing of hands and fingers together. Symbols have meaning and there are many symbols. Making a circle brings to mind certain symbols to the sun. This may not be the symbol described but I will share with the network a picture of circles used to give homage to the sun.
Here are links to this subject on 1) Wikipedia 2) Skeptdic.com
Wikipedia for Brain Gym
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_Gym_International
Skepdic.com
http://www.skepdic.com/braingym.html
See the other attachment for sun seal pictures.