Organization History

Wellness Through Movement® began in January of 2005, when an innovative elementary school interested in the neuromuscular perspective in physical education contacted Ms. Catherine Rosasco Mitchell, kinesthesia educator for twenty years (kinesthesia: the deep sense perception of movement, the muscular sense of perception), and invited her to enhance the school’s physical education curriculum.

Significant effects as well as the enthusiasm of the children from simple adjustments in the curriculum including additional developmental movements involving the “whole child,” inspired an integrative physical education curriculum.  With the help of Ms. Susie Jones, Physical Education Instructor, the Wellness through Movement Board of Advisors, local community groups, parents, teachers and administrators, a core unit of 15 primary movement lessons/games was created. 

Neuroscience, the mathematics of physics in the biomechanics of muscular-skeletal systems (Functional Integration®), and psychology are vital in teaching children how to turn their senses inward to enrich their authentic nature and the integration of multiple intelligences.  The curriculum’s use of neuroscience research and scientific sequences of movements helps with strength, coordination and alignment, while the games with themes such as the virtues of courage, respect, and trust, encourage the heart and character of a child.  Most importantly the methodology fuels enthusiasm, self-directed learning, and creativity.


The Distinctive Competence of Wellness Through Movement Programs:
   
Wellness Through Movement Programs® are unique compared to the array of other movement styles because they use the combination of neuroscience, mathematical physics of biomechanics in motion and personal exploration.  Lessons are based on how the human skeleton functions in relation to the mind, it’s multiple array of senses (over 18) and gravitational field.  Based on the idea that the human brain learns by nature, the Wellness Through Movement methodology complements a variety of teaching styles.  Not only is Young at Heart PE a physical education course, but it also supports cognitive learning skills such as math and reading. 


The Young at Heart PE Methodology:
   
Customized movement lessons strengthen human innate nature, bridging awareness between attitude, action and alignment for a wide array of learning styles.  The lessons invite full participation regardless of the learner’s abilities or physical or emotional state, and result in the creative expanded sense of personal possibilities. 
   
Utilizing research in the fields of neuroscience, motor functioning, and psychology, movement lessons create new possibilities for awareness and the process of learning how we learn.  Games based on a virtue such as respect, trust, or courage are played in such lessons as, “No Place Like Home Breath,” “Panda Bear Bowling,” and “Blindfold Dance.”
   
For example in the “No Place Like Home lesson, the virtue of respect is explored by teaching about the “home breath.”  The “home breath” is about centering oneself or finding peace within a “storm.”  Big beat music frees the kid’s spirits, but if they bump into or touch anyone the music freezes and attention is redirected to deep inside with the “home breath.”  Following the vibration of saying “hooooommmmme” out loud, the kids move to their centers, calming their minds/bodies.  Through a scientific sequence of steps involving the senses and movements in personal bubbles ranging in size from large to small, the students’ inner and outer “worlds” are brought into harmony.
   
In another example the  “Panda Bear Bowling I” lesson teaches the virtue COURAGE (“core-rage” the core and passion of the heart) and the customized rock n’ roll movements based on neuroscience research, focus on how the pelvis re-aligns the core of the body. A large, soft, rubber bowling ball comes rolling the students’ way.  If they are not doing the “rock n’ roll” pelvic twist and get bumped, it’s off to the “HOME” corral (until they are centered enough to join the alley again).  The lessons are about how attention is affected by awareness within and outside of the one's self, sense of centering, strength and realignment of posture, have on virtues of courage and flexibility within the vessel of the body/mind.



Assessment Measures:
•    Does the child demonstrate more patience, calmness, creativity, and cooperation?
•    Does the child resort to the body techniques to calm the mind?
•    Does the child feel more balanced emotionally and physically?
•    Is the child more innovative in problem solving?
•    Have the child’s attention and participation improved?
•    Have the child’s test scores and academic performance improved?

 

 

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Programs

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The Young at Heart PE:
•     Core developmental Movement series of 15 lessons, 30-40 minutes

Movement Toolbox for Teachers:
•     In-classroom, 5-minute movements to support cognitive learning including math, reading, and writing.
•    Chaos Movement tools
•    Transition Movement tools

Parent Cheat Sheets:
•    Whas Up in PE?  Clues to give parents to use at home for example to calm and center kids, communication, and stress reduction.

Get With the Earth:
•    Gym mat donation program for elementary schools