Tiny Toes is a creative movement class that is Brain-Compatible Dance Education. Brain Compatible Dance Education is a structured methodology for teaching dance using a lesson plan and strategies that create an environment in which the brain is ready, willing and able to learn. Tiny Toes starts with a warm-up called “BrainDance”. BrainDance is a movement tool which was developed by Anne Green Gilbert from Seattle, Washington and the director of the Creative Dance Center. BrainDance is a sequential and holistic exercise based on the developmental movement patterns infants move through during their first year and we continue refining throughout our lives.

Brain Dance patterns are: Breath, Tactile, Core-Distal, Head-Tail, Upper-Lower, Body Side, Cross Lateral, Eye Tracking, and Vestibular. The benefits for children and adults cycling through these patterns each week include reorganization of the neurological system, increased blood and oxygen flow to the respiratory system and brain and enhanced body strength and alignment.

Each Tiny Toes class revolves around one of 15 dance concepts which is explored and utilized with developing movement skills and used to create movement improvisation. Class ends with a relaxation exercise called “Rag Doll” and stamps on the hands and feet.