Cross-Lateral Exercises for Brain Power
I was at the gym working out to the coach’s mega amplified call-outs, layered over a base of pulsating techno beats. She introduced an exercise I’d never heard of called the Bear Crawl. I almost missed this point thanks to the loud music, but here’s what I could make out: it’s a great move for connecting the left and right sides of the brain. “Why is that important?” I thought, so when I got home, I looked it up. Indeed! There’s science behind the notion that the two sides get separated too often. They’re meant to work together. And darnit sometimes they miss seeing each other.
"When you cross your midline in exercise, you get a boost in brain alertness, creativity and memory!" -Alison Beaver
In our device-driven age, people aren’t doing as many things that cross the midline. So the brain’s left and right sides stop computing in tandem with each other, causing all sorts of issues like forgetfulness, lagging cognition, and lack of focus. There are physical exercises that can force the left and right to talk with each other for a plethora of benefits. So take a moment to try some cross-lateral exercises that will intersect left with right and boost your thinking and your creative prowess in the process.
Bear Crawl. Get on all fours on a mat or a yard (something soft). Plant your hands on the floor and lift your knees up. Your toes, not the whole foot, need to be touching the floor. Did I mention it feels kinda awkward at first? Now take one hand and the opposite foot and move them forward simultaneously. Then alternate to the other hand and the other foot, and so forth as you “crawl.” It takes some concentration. https://youtu.be/Dp-zoscUCRA
Tom Thumb. Put the right thumb and left forefinger together while the right forefinger touches the left thumb. Hello, nice to meet you. Now swivel them as if walking, just like itsy bitsy spider.
The Kung Fu. This one you stand up for. Put both arms up in the air so your hands are above your head and shoulder width apart. Touch your right hand to your left knee. Return to the hands-up position. Do the same thing with the opposite elbow and knee. Repeat. https://youtu.be/FzH5nGwYQMA
The Grapevine. Doing the grapevine is low-impact and easy to do but achieves the same effect as the others. Stand. Cross your right foot behind your left leg, and move your left leg to the left. Now plant your left foot behind your right leg and move your right leg to the left. Repeat. https://youtu.be/vrZ9evvksgA
Hand Clap Games. Find a child. Hand clap games involve two people, and two adults doing it is less socially acceptable than an adult and a child. They’re fun and a brain booster to boot. Patty Cakeis the go-to classic. But for more advanced folks, there’s Long Legged Sailor, Miss Suzie, A Sailor Went to Sea… Check out this video: https://youtu.be/QXJsX7T8fYM
Learn to Juggle. Nuff said. https://youtu.be/Ddp_1mPm2qs
Play an Instrument. We discuss the benefits of playing a musical instrument in this other American Spark post. From a cross-lateral perspective it’s an obvious choice. You’re combining both sides of your brain to make music. The left side counts rhythm and tallies measures while the right fills in those rhythms and measures with improvised notes and chords. Playing an instrument works wonders in connecting both sides.