YOGA for BRAIN GYM

INTRODUCTION:

The human brain is divided into right and left hemispheres. Each side has different traits. It is common to be dominant on one side. This is called hemispheric dominance.

One of the many benefits of yoga is that it helps to balance the right and left sides of the brain. This enables us to more emotionally and mentally balanced, and hence more at peace with ourselves.

Right brain dominance indicates feminine qualities of intuitive, spiritual, flowing, and emotive personality traits.
Left brain dominance indicates male qualities of logical, scientific, structured, and controlling personality traits.
Dominance in either of the hemispheres is something that is developed through life’s experiences or life coaching. In this way, we are not bound by our inherited personality characteristics. The interpretation of left and right brain dominance adds another dimension to understanding our basic personality type or inherited emotional constitution.
The paradox is that even though we are born with a select personality type, we tend to also develop or learn traits that are opposite to our inherited type. Emotional personalities will start to show left brain dominance as they learn to be more logical and controlled. Mental types learn to develop right brain characteristics as they develop their intuition and emotional sensitivity.

LEFT BRAIN DOMINANCE

The following are general characteristics of left brain dominance:

A better relationship with father and men. ; Difficulties with mother.

• Oldest or most dominant child in the family is male.
• Masculine energy: logical, factual, practical, rigid, traditional, now-orientated.
• Represents the self as centre, the conscious thoughts, and the present
• Makes practical decisions, with attention to detail, organized action and enjoys taking on responsibility
• They bring action to the dreams of right-brained personalities.
• In conversation are direct, questioning, interruptive, or contradictory. Prefer verbal communication
• Uses logic and control and has specific material goals
• Prone to cynicism, skepticism, and arrogance.
• Value formality and tradition because it adds stability and structure
• Needs to learn to foster their creativity and imagination, to accept change, and to access or release their own emotions, all without suppressing their unique analytical talents.
• Fears criticism and being alone
• Chooses a partner who is much older, and more secure.
• In the partnership, their partner is the one who talks the most.
• Physical appearance is rigid, erect, aggressive; skin tends to be course or rough
• Left upper eyelid droops more
• Left thumb is on top of interlaced fingers
• Sleeps on right side with partner on the left
• Right thumb half moons higher  (opposite)
• Right leg is on top when legs are crossed

RIGHT BRAIN DOMINANCE

The following are general characteristics of right brain dominance:

• Closest to mother; Problems with father.
• Oldest or most dominant child in the family is female.
• Feminine energy: creative, intuitive, imaginative, spontaneous, accepting, compliant, future-orientated
• Represents the collective conscience, social consciousness, the subconscious, and the past
• Avoids responsibility
• Freely expresses emotions and feelings
• Spiritual and philosophical  pursuits
• Dislikes structure
• Fear of abandonment and rejection
• Life lessons: responsibility, focus, consistency, organization, practicality, and discipline.
• In conversation, often tend to agree but then don’t commit.
• Partnerships tend to be younger, with left brain dominance, and probably had difficulties with their mother
• Right brain types are the more talkative ones in the relationship.
• Physical appearance: thin, angular with flowing movements and gestures; smooth, glossy skin
• Right upper eyelid droops more
• Right thumb is on top of interlaced fingers
• Left thumb half moons higher (opposite)
• Left leg on top when legs are crossed (opposite)
• Sleeps on left side (opposite), with partner on the right

Matsyendrasana; Cross legged twist, rotation

One fine example of a pose that reconnects the activities of the left and right brain hemispheres is Matsyendrasana.

From Sukhasana (cross legged sitting), place the right hand 12 inches behind the back on the floor, and the left hand on the right knee. Inhale, lifting the chest with an arch to the mid back. Exhale and twist around to the right. Hold the spine tall, lifting from the crown of the head. Imagine your spine as a cork screw. One of the common errors done in this pose is to attempt it by leading with the chin. This can put undue strain on the neck. Instead, lead the twist with your chest, and let your neck follow.

Repeat in the other direction, drawing your breath up through the ribs of the expanded side of your trunk. As you turn your eyes to the extreme right, visualise yourself perceiving the world through a different perspective, seeing both sides o the story, and hence using both hemispheres of the brain.

Deirdre Parkinson N.D.,

Cert. Yoga Teacher and Naturopath.

 Mob 0410410295     Email: deirdre@chakrayoga.com.au

Chakra Yoga Classes at:

• Mudgeeraba Federation Centre, 7 School St. Mudgeeraba: Fridays 6.30pm
• Currumbin Beach House Gym: Mondays 7pm and Sat 10am