BrainFit Teaching/ Coaching Methods
BrainFit programs prioritize the establishment of a low anxiety learning environment for all participants.
This means our focus is to create an environment that allows the brain to relax and feel safe whilst learning and often this means that for the first few sessions our focus will be to create a relationship of trust and reduced anxiety, rather than focusing on "pushing" a participant physically.
Our focus is the brain and its ability to want the body to move and learn.
This can often frustrate an onlooker who may want to see a participant moving the entire session
It is important to understand that the focus at BrainFit is the establishment of long-term health and long term engagement in exercise. We want to create a positive attachment to movement and health for all participants.
This may take a few sessions to create a relationship of trust in the exercises.
We also request that participants involved in groups and classes enable others to exercise in a low anxiety environment.
We encourage participants to provide each other with positive reinforcement and to respect that others are exercising in the gym space.
Participants are reminded to respect the low noise levels that fellow participants may require and to limit constant talking over the top of other members
To assist with creating low anxiety learning environments we use 3 coaching methods.
1) The Principles of Engagement
2) The FITERACY Teaching Method
3) The Roman Method
The Principles of Engagement
The Principles of Engagement were developed by Brodie's father Associate Professor Brian Cambourne
Cambourne's Conditions of Learning and the Principles of Engagement have been used for over 50 years internationally and nationally as an education framework to assist people of all ages and cultures learn to read and write and develop language skills.
Brodie's father's research was developed through observation of how children learn to speak a language and the conditions and environment that parents and carers naturally create around children to help them become confident learners of language and speech.
In 2001 Brodie completed my Masters (Hons) thesis applying the Principles of Engagement and Cambourne's Conditions of Learning to encouraging children and families to lead physically active lives
From 2001 to 2011 Brodie then applied these theories to nationally funded programs throughout South East Queensland , Australia. Brodie created the Fiteracy Program for 0 to 5 year olds and their families and assisted children to learn how to read whilst also learning how to love physical activity.
The Brainfit programs are the first adult health program to apply these Conditions of Learning and principles of engagement to the health sector
The 4 Principles of Engagement include:
Cambourne's Conditions of Learning and the Principles of Engagement have been used for over 50 years internationally and nationally as an education framework to assist people of all ages and cultures learn to read and write and develop language skills.
Brodie's father's research was developed through observation of how children learn to speak a language and the conditions and environment that parents and carers naturally create around children to help them become confident learners of language and speech.
In 2001 Brodie completed my Masters (Hons) thesis applying the Principles of Engagement and Cambourne's Conditions of Learning to encouraging children and families to lead physically active lives
From 2001 to 2011 Brodie then applied these theories to nationally funded programs throughout South East Queensland , Australia. Brodie created the Fiteracy Program for 0 to 5 year olds and their families and assisted children to learn how to read whilst also learning how to love physical activity.
The Brainfit programs are the first adult health program to apply these Conditions of Learning and principles of engagement to the health sector
The 4 Principles of Engagement include:
- Learners of health concepts are more likely to engage with demonstrations if they believe they are actually capable of learning the task
- Learners of health concepts are more likely to engage in an activity that has purpose in their lives
- Learners of health concepts are more likely to engage with demonstrations if they are free from anxiety
- Learners of health concepts engage with demonstrations given by those whom they admire, respect, like, would like to copy
The FITERACY Coaching Method
The FIteracy Teaching Method was created using the Cambourne's Conditions of Learning as a framework for teaching health concepts.
Associate Professor Brian Cambourne discovered that there are 8 specific conditions that parents and carers of children naturally apply to a learning environment when children are learning to speak and communicate.
The Fiteracy Teaching Method was used for 10 years through the nationally funded Communities for Children Programs in South East Queensland and assisted 1000s of children and families develop an attachment to physical activity, music and reading from the earliest possible age.
Each letter of the word FITERACY represents a condition of learning and has been outlined below.
By applying these teaching methods, participants in Brainfit programs are able to learn about health concepts in a low anxiety, naturalistic learning environment.
The Conditions of Learning and Fiteracy:
Associate Professor Brian Cambourne discovered that there are 8 specific conditions that parents and carers of children naturally apply to a learning environment when children are learning to speak and communicate.
The Fiteracy Teaching Method was used for 10 years through the nationally funded Communities for Children Programs in South East Queensland and assisted 1000s of children and families develop an attachment to physical activity, music and reading from the earliest possible age.
Each letter of the word FITERACY represents a condition of learning and has been outlined below.
By applying these teaching methods, participants in Brainfit programs are able to learn about health concepts in a low anxiety, naturalistic learning environment.
The Conditions of Learning and Fiteracy:
- F= Fascinate and Demonstrate
- I= Immersion
- T= Train and Practice
- E= Expectation
- R= Responsibility
- A= Approximation
- C= Connect and Engage
- Y= Your Response
The Roman Method
The Roman Method was designed for Rehabilitation Professionals as well as Performance Trainers who are focusing on Functional Movement Training that enable a patient to move from rehab to fitness and if desired, to performance-based sports. The method is used by Physiotherapy practices in New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.
The Roman Method was created by Mr Tom Roman
Director Roman Pilates
M.Ed. University of Georgia
BA Michigan State University
Diploma Pilates
Certificate IV Personal Trainer
IKO Karate Black Belt
The Roman Method is Cognitive Brain Training for the Body
The Roman Method was created by Mr Tom Roman
Director Roman Pilates
M.Ed. University of Georgia
BA Michigan State University
Diploma Pilates
Certificate IV Personal Trainer
IKO Karate Black Belt
The Roman Method is Cognitive Brain Training for the Body
- Movement learning starts with our understanding on how to move through the interpretation of sensory impressions. The meanings constructed in this way enable the creation of new synaptic links between the neurons of the brain and therefore resulting in learning” (Roth, 2004).
- Movement is a learned behaviour that can be unlearned or enhanced through the incorporation of methods from other disciplines that have been shown to change human behavior.
- We can assist this learning process by creating the ideal environment for movement and incorporate our understanding of how emotions can enhance or inhibit learning.
- A Client-Centred Approach creates a non-judgemental and accepting environment where the patient can identify their own movement dysfunction without prejudice and develop strategies with the help of the movement specialist, to create effective long-term change.
- The Roman Method involves creating multiple training environments to re-enforce neuropathways to assist the brain in developing strategies for future movement.
- The ultimate goal is not to get people ‘Fit”. The goal is for patient, to the best of their potential, master movement skills that enable them to move more efficiently and thereby increase their performance and participation in their everyday activities. Through improving efficiency and performance, people do more because they can, and they gain the benefits from being more active
