In this FLEX class, we will explore animals and letter sounds through movement. Each week of five, we will focus on a new animal by going through the letters of the alphabet. We will start by investigating the letter sounds, the way the letters look, making our bodies into the letters. We will dance to songs that use the letter to point us to our featured animal. This funneled learning helps bodies and brains go on a natural journey from an excited and un-focused state to focused and ready to learn. We will use the featured animal to move our bodies in a way that trains our brains for learning. We will always meet a learner where he/she is. 

As a physical therapist and dance educator, Ms Annika will lead the exploration of a new animal through age-appropriate music and movement to:
-get our blood flowing to wake up our bodies and brains with basic cardiovascular exercises. These skills also help with focus and organization.
-use cross-body movements to activate both sides of our brain. These skills help with flexibility of thought and learning integration.
-use self-pressure and coordinated movement for emotional regulation. These skills help with calming and self-control.
-practice eye exercises and balance poses to improve coordination and creative thinking. These skills help with reading, too!
-learn breathing techniques that will help pull focus back in any situation.
-close with words of positive affirmation and visualization. These skills are important for the brain to feel good about learning!

This class can be used to prepare for learning, take a break between learning, or get your wiggles out and refocus. No technique required! These movements use neuroscience to coordinate the hemispheres of the brain, increase blood flow, and improve concentration especially during on-line learning or breaks from a structured routine. This will be a fun, high-energy class!

This is a FLEX class providing 5, 20-minute work-outs sent on Monday morning EST of each of the five weeks a learner is enrolled. 
Week 1--Focus
Week 2--Flexibility of Thought
Week 3--Emotional Regulation
Week 4--Organization and Patterning
Week 5 (if there are 5 weeks in the month)--Learning to Wait

This is not rotating topics per week--these are options for this Animals All Around class. Once you have completed the WYB Animals All Around FLEX 1, you can re-enroll for the next set of letters and animals for another five weeks of new Wake Your Brain material. Please note which section you would like to buy during registration:
WYB Animals All Around 1 A, B, C, D, E
WYB Animals All Around 2 F, G, H, I, J
WYB Animals All Around 3 K, L, M, N, O
WYB Animals All Around 4 P, Q, R, S, T
WYB Animals All Around 5 U, V, W, X, Y/Z