CLASS 8 | I SEE A WALTZ
Team up for fast-paced brain games to introduce the value of timed workouts to everyday thinking.
TRAINER OVERVIEW
Topic: The we can boost our visual attention and discrimination skills using visual imagery.
What: Use visual senses to explore the waltz together.
- A video source and speakers
- TBH I See a Waltz slides. Option to print cards as needed
- TBH I See a Waltz playlist
- TBH I See a Waltz video prompts
- Option to use soft scarves
- Option to use black and white reprints of the cards, crayons or colored markers if offering the Backup Plan version
WELCOME TO CLASS
- Welcome students with a short orientation to the location, time, and
people in the room. - Share in simple terms how engaging our minds together is good for our thinking and wellbeing.
Let’s make sure we all know each other. I’m (state your name and your role, if applicable). And this is (if in a group, allow time for introductions providing assistance as needed).
We are sitting in the (description of room or location). Today is (day of the week, month, date). It is (share description of the weather, time of year, important anniversary date, etc.).
This is our brain wellness class. We are here to learn and enjoy our time together. We will do some things to keep us healthy across body, mind and spirit. And we will have fun!
TBH LET'S GET IT STARTED
- Lead the optional seated physical warmup.
- Use the TBH music to set your pace, or choose your own.
FEET GET STARTED!
- Tap toes on both feet, up and down. 10 repetitions. Count together 1 to 10.
LEGS GET STARTED!
- Stamp feet on the ground to the beat of the music. Make “noise” with group.
- Gently kick legs out from the knee, alternating legs. 10 repetitions. Count together 1 to 10.
- March in place, alternating legs. 10 repetitions. Count together 1 to 10.
ARMS STARTED!
- Gently shake arms, open and close hands.
- Circle wrists a few times in clockwise and counterclockwise.
- Gently circle arms. 5 repetitions. Count together 1 to 5.
- Shrug shoulders up and down, with hands on knees. 5 repetitions. Count together 1 to 5.
VOICES GET STARTED!
- Say “OHHHHHHHHHH.” Have group say sound with you. Hold for a few seconds.
- Say “EHHHHHHHHHH.” Have group say sound with you. Hold for a few seconds.
- Say “AHHHHHHHHHH.” Have group say sound with you. Hold for a few seconds.
- Repeat each sound again. Have group say sound with you. Hold for a few seconds.
BREATH GETS STARTED!
- Slow focus to bring awareness to sitting still in chair.
- Take a deep breath in through the nose. Exhale out through the mouth.
- Repeat slow, focused breathing for 5 rounds.
- Give selves big hug, wrapping arms across waist and squeezing gently, as able.
- Thank selves and send some “TBH love” to our brains!
Let’s start with a warm-up exercise. We will be moving and thinking together right in our seats! Watch what I do and follow along.
(At end of warmup) Great job, everyone! We are started up and ready to go!
LEARN THE SCIENCE
Share these science facts before or during the training workout.
- Waltzing is a very popular dance. Who knows the waltz?
- Moving our bodies is a good way we can stay healthy, no matter who we are.
- Dancing is a fun way to get exercise.
- Dancing also makes us think. We must keep the “beat” of the music and remember how to move.
- There are many famous waltzes. Some are named after places. Can you name some waltzes?
- The Blue Danube waltz is popular. It is named after the Danube River.
LET'S TRAIN
- Select a TBH I See a
Waltz slide. Option to print as card if needed. - Talk together about the photograph, such as different objects, colors, what the people are doing, how the people are feeling, the feelings they have looking at the photographs together, etc.
- Watch a TBH I See a Waltz video together. Have students follow along with the videos by clapping or humming to the musical 1-2-3 pattern.
- Option to use soft scarves and have students wave them to the beat while watching the video.
Let’s start our workout. We are going to look at a photograph. We will talk about what we see in the photograph together.
Now let’s watch some waltzes together. We will talk about what we see. We can (clap/hum) along with the music. It will be fun to watch together!
If using scarves: We can wave our scarves and make them dance along with the music!
Repeat the class at a later date to boost mastery and confidence.
Choose different music or video selections.
ADAPT THE WORKOUT
Adapt as needed so everyone can fully benefit from the workout.
Make It Harder Have students create a short story about the photograph together. Have students identify the musical instruments, and parts of the orchestra in the video.
Adapt as needed so everyone can fully benefit from the workout.
Make It Easier Ask guiding questions to engage students in discussing the photograph. Have students move to the music. Talk about the music’s pace, feelings the music brings up. Use scarves as you move to the music together.
Adapt as needed so everyone can fully benefit from the workout.
Backup Plan Hum or move along with the music in a manner that best engages students. Gently run the scarves over students’ hands. Print the photograph prompts in black and white and use them to color together with crayons or markers.
TBH TAKE A BREATH
- Lead the optional breathing relaxation cooldown.
- Use the TBH music to set your pace, or choose your own.
- Have student/s get comfortable, resting both feet flat on the floor, hands resting in their laps on their thighs.
- Have student/s close their eyes and keep them gently closed if they are comfortable doing so.
- Ask student/s to focus their attention on their breathing, noticing the rate and rhythm of their breath. Allow them to focus on their natural breathing for a few moments.
- Instruct student/s to begin rhythmic breathing. Ask them to inhale slowly and deeply through their nostrils, breathing gently into their chest and belly. Then ask them to exhale slowly through their lips, slowing the rate and rhythm of their breath.
- Have student/s continue rhythmic breathing, instructing them to continue to focus on gently and slowly inhaling and exhaling, allowing their attention to simply “ride” the wave of their breath. Allow them to focus on rhythmic breathing for several moments.
- Offer the following positive affirmation statements below in a calm, slow voice.
Invite student/s to simply listen or to repeat the phrase together with you.
My mind is relaxed.
I am glad to take time for myself.
I am glad to see the beautiful waltz.
I am glad to be with friends.
Pause for several moments, allowing your student/s to continue focusing on their breathing.
- End the exercise by inviting your student/s to bring their awareness back to the room, gently opening their eyes if closed, and becoming more aware of the room and of each other.
- Invite them to end practice with gratitude for taking a moment for themselves, for the chance to learn together and to connect with each other.
We will finish by relaxing together. We will use our breath to help us focus and feel calm. We will share how grateful we are to be together.
Click for the TBH Take a Breath music playlist.
JOIN ANOTHER CLASS
- Thank students for
attending the class exploring the waltz together. - Invite students to join you for the next class session.
I am glad we had time together today. I enjoyed watching the waltzes with you!
I hope you will join me for another class soon.
CLASS RESOURCES
TBH I See a Waltz Card Deck or Slides. Print the cards or use the slide deck for the activity. If using the cards, print the cards 2-sided and in color. Cut them apart. Option to print out 1 deck for each student to comply with sanitary requirements. If possible, laminate the cards for easier handling, cleaning and durability. Or use the provided slide deck to share the cards with your student/s.
TBH I See a Waltz Video Prompts. Use the videos from this playlist for your class activity.
TBH I Hear a Waltz Online Playlist. Use the musical selections in this playlist for the activity.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
TBH I Hear a Waltz Playlist. Suggested waltz music if making your own playlist for this class.
ARTIST: SONG TITLE
Peter Tchaikovsky: Waltz of the Flowers (The Nutcracker Suite)
Peter Tchaikovsky: Waltz from Swan Lake (Swan Lake)
Johann Strauss: Kaiser Waltz
Johann Strauss: Blue Danube Waltz
Henry Mancini: Moon River (Breakfast at Tiffany’s)
Henry Mancini: Theme from Romeo and Juliet (Romeo and Juliet)
