Date and time: 8 th November, 2006; 2:15 - 3:30 p.m.

Venue: Activity Room, SMCC

Participants: All Form 7 students

“Stress management” is no stranger term, especially to senior St. Marians. Very often, people talk about abstract principles or theories, like “giving yourself a break every day”. But this time, we got advice that is concrete, surprising and motivating. It’s just different. It’s Brain Gym.

Brain Gym is a combination of easy physical movements that enhance learning performance in ALL areas. It integrates one’s body and mind to bring about rapid and often dramatic improvements in bodily functions, resulting in better concentration, memory, writing, listening and physical coordination. The movements are as simple as moving your thumb in the shape of the number “8”, with your eyes tracing the movements of your thumb at the same time.

However, it is surprising to learn that those simple bodily movements are actually generated by professional therapists! Some schools even employ professional Brain Gym tutors to correct or improve marginal behaviors of their students.

In the Brain Gym workshop, all Form 7 students were eager and excited to have a taste of Brain Gym. Weighed by the overwhelming demands of studies and co-curricular activities, some of us are stressed out both physically and mentally. The brain gym activity thus gave us one more channel to relax and sustain our abilities to deal with challenges ahead. After attending the workshop, some students felt that there was a wonderful change in their mind – the feeling that they’re refreshed and recharged!

So, if you’re tired and under pressure recently, try this out – Brain Gym helps! Even if it doesn’t work for you, it never harms to engage in a new experience.

Written by: Jocelyn Chow (F.7A) & Sally Shek (F.7B)