29th December 2009
Try becoming a left hander!
Wisdom is merely knowing what to do next.
Anonymous
The way we grow and carry on our activities has a bearing on our abilities. We need to develop our various skills and faculties. We are conscious about developing some of the skills and we devote time and effort for the same. For example we join a yoga class or a computer class. We set aside specific time for these developmental activities. However, there are skills that we can develop without setting aside specific time for the same. One such is developing the right side of our brain. These exercises are called `brain gym' exercises.
You may perhaps know that our brain has two halves- the right and the left. These two sides have their own functions to perform. While the right side of the brain is visual, the left side of the brain is verbal. The right side of the brain makes us to think holistically, the left side of the brain makes us to think about the details and specific issues. We need to balance both these activities to be effective in our life. For doing this people do brain gym exercises.
The basic principle behind brain gym exercises is to activate the right side of the brain and integrate the left and the right side of the brain. The left side of our body is controlled by the right side of the brain and the right side of our body is controlled by the left side of the brain. This is an accepted neurological fact. We can use this configuration to our advantage. Since the left side of our body is triggered by the right side of our brain, we can activate the right side of our brain by engaging the left side of our body such as our left hand and the left leg.
From our birth we become a right hander or a left hander. This is mostly a genetic factor. We don't change this pattern and it is advisable not to do so. But we can purposely engage our non dominant hand. For example, if we are a right hander, we can use our left hand and vice versa for carrying out small activities. For example, we can add sugar to our tea cup, hold the cup, hold the telephone etc through the other hand. Try having a shave with the other hand. Initially we will find it difficult and messy. But slowly do this exercise in your normal day even as you carry on your daily activities. By this you can develop the other side of your brain.
Try this in a small way and you find a difference.
N C Sridharan
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