A Day in the Life of a Brain Gym Practitioner

Morning Magic

It’s early, and I can feel the day calling me awake. I start with a gentle stretch—legs, back, arms—welcoming the morning into my body. Another day begins. Another day to enjoy, to learn, to grow, to connect. Another day to embrace all that life has to offer.

While this may sound idealistic, my journey hasn’t always been smooth. Depression, burnout, breast cancer, and ongoing health challenges have shaped my path. Life has thrown me curveballs, but I’ve learned that it’s not about what happens to me—it’s about how I respond. And that begins with how I start my day.

Brain Gym first crossed my path in 2011, while I was studying kinesiology. The philosophy captivated me: the way movement influences learning, thinking, and overall well-being. As an eager student of life, I dove into the first Brain Gym course I could find and immediately fell in love—with the practice itself and with the beautiful community of like-minded souls. I pursued my certification and licensure, deepening my understanding every step of the way.

I’ve been fascinated by how simple movements can balance the brain and body, unlocking potential in ways that feel almost magical. The transformation I’ve witnessed—in myself and my clients—never ceases to amaze me. Sometimes, all it takes is a few intentional movements to clear the mental fog and restore clarity.

And so, this is how I start my day in the clinic—through P.A.C.E. A sequence of four movements, the foundation of Brain Gym, setting the tone for balance, focus, and energy.

Creating Balance Through P.A.C.E.

Starting with the E in PACE—ENERGY—I begin my day with a mindful glass of water. I let it sit in my mouth for a moment before swallowing, gently signalling to my body that it’s time to wake up.

Water is essential for optimal brain and body function. Stress, heat, diet, and sleep can all deplete our reserves, making hydration a crucial first step in setting the right tone for the day.

Moving on to C—CLARITY—I activate my Brain Buttons.

Standing or sitting, I use my thumb and first two fingers of one hand to rub just under my collarbone, on either side of my sternum, while placing my other hand on my navel. I continue for about a minute, then swap hands.

As I do this, I gently move my eyes from side to side, waking up the visual processing centres of my brain, sharpening my focus, and preparing for the day ahead.

Next is C—CROSS CRAWL.

I stand up and begin walking on the spot, alternately touching one hand or elbow to the opposite knee. I start slowly and deliberately, tuning into my body as my muscles wake up.

This movement activates my midline, encouraging communication and integration between both hemispheres of my brain—helping me feel more balanced, focused, and ready for the day.

And finally, I come to H—HOOK-UPS—a powerful way to centre myself and prepare for the day ahead.

In the first part, I cross one ankle over the other, then extend my arms, turning my palms so they are facing outwards, crossing one wrist over the other before bringing my palms together and interlacing my fingers. I gently lift my hands placing them on my chest and close my eyes, breathing deeply for about a minute, allowing a sense of calm to settle within.

In the second part, I uncross my hands, arms, and legs, then softly bring my fingertips together, feeling their light connection. Once again, I close my eyes and take slow, deep breaths, grounding myself before stepping into the day.

All these movements not only help me release muscle tension and stress while gently awakening my body, but they also bring mental clarity—preparing me to embrace the day ahead with focus and intention.

Meeting You Where You Currently Are

Every person is unique, and so are their challenges—and the path to restoring balance. As an avid learner, I’ve explored many different modalities over the years, diving deep into various branches of kinesiology as well as approaches beyond the kinesiology world.

Within a session, Brain Gym allows me to bring in exactly what the individual needs in that moment. We begin with a conversation—exploring what’s happening in their life and how it’s impacting their well-being. While many people share their diagnoses with me, my focus is on how these experiences are shaping their daily life and, more importantly, how they envision their future.

From there, we co-create a goal—something meaningful that reflects how they want to feel or what they hope to gain from the session. Once we’ve established that, we check in to ensure they’re in balance and that the goal is aligned with their needs. Using PACE and a few other assessments, we establish a Pre-Activity—a movement, action, or muscle test—to help the individual connect with their body and gain awareness of where they are now.

Next, we move into the Learning Menu, where things get playful. I draw from the Brain Gym curriculum as well as the other modalities in my toolkit, weaving in movement, acupressure, dialogue, and more. Throughout the process, the individual stays attuned to how they feel, noticing shifts as they unfold.

Once we’ve explored the Learning Menu, we revisit the Post-Activity, usually the same movement or test we did at the beginning. This allows the individual to experience the difference—to witness the changes within their mind, body, and energy.

We also establish Home Play—something fun and relevant to reinforce the changes. And then, we CELEBRATE!

This is one of my favourite parts. Through all my studies, including Positive Psychology, I’ve learned the profound impact of celebration—honouring our shifts, our wins, our growth. This reinforcement helps solidify the transformation while reminding us just how incredible our beingness truly is.

What I love most about Brain Gym is its simplicity. The movements are accessible yet profoundly impactful, helping release muscle tension, sharpen the mind, and improve the way we learn and process the world. And best of all, it’s beneficial for people of all ages and abilities.

A Balanced Brain Creates Your World

After a session, most people feel lighter and more balanced. From this state of equilibrium, we begin to process the world with greater clarity and creativity—listening more intently, communicating more effectively, and finding solutions to our challenges with greater ease and alignment to who we truly are.

Working in this space for the past 15 years has also deepened my own creativity, shaping how I navigate the world. One of my greatest joys is creating—whether it’s crafting sessions tailored to each individual, meeting them exactly where they are, or weaving together the tools they need to restore balance in their life.

On a personal level, I’ve found that this creative energy helps me navigate life's challenges with a sense of possibility. It fuels my passion for writing meditations, books, and stories—all designed to guide others in finding balance in their own lives.

Ending The Day With Heart Expansion

At the end of the day, as I lie in bed, I settle back into HOOK-UPS, tuning into my heart. I let gratitude fill my being—reflecting on the day that has passed and every interaction I’ve shared with family, friends, clients, and even fleeting moments with strangers.

I then bring love into my heart, allowing it to radiate outward—expanding my awareness of the world around me. Sometimes, this awareness stretches far beyond what I expect, opening space for connection, understanding, and possibility. As it flows, I let it gently prime me for a night of dreams and adventures, carried by the energy of the day.