We all know about whole body workouts. Exercises for the brain, cranial callisthenics and whole brain gymnastics are part of a new phenomenon in healthy living. With Alzheimers Disease on the rise, along with an ageing population, elderly people are encouraged to exercise their brains. Programs have also been developed for schoolchildren and to boost employee performance in major companies. There are even brain exercises for babies. The efficacy of brain exercise for brain-damaged patients continues to be explored.
Scientists have not yet fully endorsed the idea that the brain needs exercising just as the body does. Neurologists have criticized programs for being based on simplistic ideas about the way the brain works, even though some scientific studies have suggested that they may sometimes yield positive results. People who have tried brain exercises regularly report improvements in memory function and concentration. Whole brain exercises, as the name suggests, do not aim to develop abilities that are believed to be localized in one or other side of the brain. Instead they focus on either improving the joint functioning of both hemispheres, or on stimulating multiple regions of the brain.
Cross Crawls
The adult cross crawl is believed to have various benefits, including promoting immune system function and assisting in dyslexia. It is a whole brain exercise because it is designed to boost communication between right and left brain hemispheres, through the corpus callosum. To do the cross crawl, touch your left knee with your right hand, and then do the same with the left hand and right knee. If seated, touch the opposite knee with your elbow. Repeat for 2 minutes or approximately 25 times each side.
In adults, it is said to help integrate the functioning of the two sides of the brain, speeding communication through the corpus callosum, improving dyslexia and boosting the immune system, amongst other benefits. It involves alternately touching the right hand (standing) or elbow (seated) to the left knee and vice versa, 25 times each or for 2 minutes.
Lazy Eights (Infinity Sign)
Lazy Eights are said to exercise both sides of the brain, with benefits including enhanced attention, hand-eye co-ordination and emotional wellbeing, as well as reduced stress. With a pen and paper, using first your dominant, then your non-dominant hand, draw the infinity sign (the number eight lying on its side) for 1-2 minutes daily.
An alternative that doesn't require pen and paper is Rhythmic Eights. Also derived from kinesiology principles of rhythmic movement, Rhythmic Eights consist of drawing figures of eights in the air for up to a minute daily. This movement is said to balance the two hemispheres of the brain.
Other Exercises
All these different activities add up to a gymnastics session that can keep your whole brain fit. - 16890
Scientists have not yet fully endorsed the idea that the brain needs exercising just as the body does. Neurologists have criticized programs for being based on simplistic ideas about the way the brain works, even though some scientific studies have suggested that they may sometimes yield positive results. People who have tried brain exercises regularly report improvements in memory function and concentration. Whole brain exercises, as the name suggests, do not aim to develop abilities that are believed to be localized in one or other side of the brain. Instead they focus on either improving the joint functioning of both hemispheres, or on stimulating multiple regions of the brain.
Cross Crawls
The adult cross crawl is believed to have various benefits, including promoting immune system function and assisting in dyslexia. It is a whole brain exercise because it is designed to boost communication between right and left brain hemispheres, through the corpus callosum. To do the cross crawl, touch your left knee with your right hand, and then do the same with the left hand and right knee. If seated, touch the opposite knee with your elbow. Repeat for 2 minutes or approximately 25 times each side.
In adults, it is said to help integrate the functioning of the two sides of the brain, speeding communication through the corpus callosum, improving dyslexia and boosting the immune system, amongst other benefits. It involves alternately touching the right hand (standing) or elbow (seated) to the left knee and vice versa, 25 times each or for 2 minutes.
Lazy Eights (Infinity Sign)
Lazy Eights are said to exercise both sides of the brain, with benefits including enhanced attention, hand-eye co-ordination and emotional wellbeing, as well as reduced stress. With a pen and paper, using first your dominant, then your non-dominant hand, draw the infinity sign (the number eight lying on its side) for 1-2 minutes daily.
An alternative that doesn't require pen and paper is Rhythmic Eights. Also derived from kinesiology principles of rhythmic movement, Rhythmic Eights consist of drawing figures of eights in the air for up to a minute daily. This movement is said to balance the two hemispheres of the brain.
Other Exercises
All these different activities add up to a gymnastics session that can keep your whole brain fit. - 16890
About the Author:
Ready to find your own balance? Deborah Lindholm is a Serenity Empowerment Coach that shows you how to awaken your Inner Power Source to live an empowered life every single day. Download free pre-recorded telecasts, grab your 5 Simple Steps To Get What You Really, Really Want report and more here: Free Stuff at SerenityMatters.com
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