NAVIGATING THE SPECTRUM

COGNITIVE EURHYTHMICS

What is Cognitive Eurhythmics^SM?

Cognitive Eurhythmics is a method of music-movement education designed to tune up a child's kinesthetic self-image and its rhythmic integration with the environment.

Cognitive Eurhythmics training is in the form of creative, improvisational games integrating rhythmic movement, voice work, musical instruments and, when applicable, music theory concepts. It is usually taught privately or semi-privately but can be supplemented with group classes.

From where does Cognitive Eurhythmics come?

Cognitive Eurhythmics is based on the Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education^SM and Dalcroze Eurhythmics. Both are methods of somatic or neuromotor education that enhance the skills of high performers as well as special needs populations.

The Feldenkrais Method is a method of movement education that develops the kinesthetic self-image. It has been shown effective in recovery from stroke and increased functionality in Cerebral Palsy populations as well as in the skills of musicians, dancers, actors and other high-performers.

Dalcroze Eurhythmics is a method of teaching musical concepts through movement. It is used by conservatories and programs for musically gifted children the world over as a powerful way to develop musicianship.

Cognitive Eurhythmics is a novel combination of these two methods to address the issues of the special needs community.

How does Cognitive Eurhythmics work?

Cognitive Eurhythmics is a method of transforming behavior in special needs children by tuning up the rhythmic, embodied biological processes that underlie that behavior.

The brain exists as a translator of sensory information into adapted movement. In people with special needs, there is distortion in that translation from sense to response. This process is increasingly seen as rhythmic: many functions of the brain are now described as oscillators or pulsations, while attention and social interaction are described as acts of rhythmic entrainment with the environment. Cognitive Eurhythmics focuses on the central role in a healthy brain of sophisticated rhythmic interaction with the environment, a fact neglected by many modalities. Through integrating rhythm, movement and speech, Cognitive Eurhythmics "tunes up" the brain's rhythmic translation of sensation into embodied behavior.

Who can benefit from Cognitive Eurhythmics?

Cognitive Eurhythmics is generally for children ages 3-10 but has been adapted for children younger and older, and senior citizens.

Goals of Cognitive Eurhythmics students include: better movement and balance; greater attention and focus; greater inhibition and impulse control; clearer and more expressive speech; more comfort with social interaction and children’s groups; creative self-expression through movement and music; and improvement with reading and math fundamentals.

Children who come to the Cognitive Eurhythmics Studio have had: Autism; Asperger’s; ADHD/Impulse Control; Dyspraxia; Reading and Math Disorders; Social Phobias; Lyme’s; and Cerebral Palsy.

Is Cognitive Eurhythmics a form of Music Therapy?

Cognitive Eurhythmics is not a therapy. Based on the Dalcroze and Feldenkrais methods of somatic education, it takes principles used to enhance performance in high-functioning artists and athletes and applies them to the special needs community.

Whether we want to improve our violin sonata or just our ability to walk and talk, we all have room for growth in connecting intention with action. Cognitive Eurhythmics uses music as a teacher to train children to better do what they want. It is fun, creative, educational, powerful and effective.

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