Brain Gym to enhance focus and calm the nervous system

When Skye was in junior school her teachers started the day with Brain Gym to help ground the children and prepare them for a day of focus and learning.

As an adult I still perform these exercises often.

It is proven that stress shuts down every part of our system, especially affecting our brain.

Under stress we lose who we are and become instinctive animals determined to survive at any cost. Fight and flight under those conditions will save us but in day to day life ,chronic stress is killing us.

How about a simple series of movements that will remove the stress and refresh the brain?

We know that movement is the key to learning. Brain Gym, developed by Paul Dennison, has been shown to help us recover from stress, it enhance our ability to learn and focus, it helps to facilitate better communication and improves our feeling of well-being.

Perform these simple Brain Gym steps every morning and watch you and your children change.

1. Drink a glass of water.

2. Put one hand on your belly for grounding, the other is used to rub under the collarbone for a minute. This will send blood and oxygen to the brain and helps to focus the mind.

3. Lift the right knee and touch it with the left elbow. Repeat on the other side., 10 times This links the right and left brain hemispheres to help integrate information and think more creatively.

4. Cross your feet and hands in the same direction, clasp your hands and rest them on your chest. Let the tongue rest on the roof of your mouth and breathe. After a moment ( I know I am done after I yawn) uncross hands and feet and and touch your fingertips together lightly. This drains away all tension as it calms and relaxes the spirit.

Now, have a great day!

written by Marjolein Brugman

Marjolein Brugman is the founder of lighterliving and Aeropilates. “lighterliving is a movement and lifestyle choice we can all make. Let’s make it simple – make one decision a day to be better and watch the small steps lead to big changes. Eat smart, stay active, and you’ll live to feel a lighter life."