Two Halves = One Whole
Right brain controls the left side body. Left brain controls the right side body.
We need both sides of our brain and body to function well. Through movement we can bring both sides of the brain and body into a united whole.
The Short Practice - cross crawl1
know your body
respect your limits
modify where needed - a key yoga practice
If balance is unsteady, practice seated first
simply cross opposite hand to opposite knee
tap right hand to left knee
than, tap left hand to right knee
lift the knee to meet the hand
repeat sequence 10 to 12 times
Explore the Movement
notice what you notice with kindness - another key yoga practice
You might have found the above practice confusing at first or not. Either way is fine. Sometimes our energies from left to right and vice versa are off for a number of different reasons. To help re-set energies explore performing the Homolateral March first and then try the above Cross Crawl again.
Homolateral March - same hand to same knee
tap right hand to right knee
than, tap left hand to left knee
lift knee to meet the hand
repeat sequence 5 to 6 times
than, repeat Cross Crawl 10 to 12 times
notice what might have changed from the first Cross Crawl
Cross Crawl Brain Gym Version2
This version has you tap opposite elbow to opposite knee.
tap right elbow to left knee
than, tap left elbow to right knee
lift knee
torso can bend forward slightly to have elbow tap knee
Schuhplattler Version
Growing up I would watch our local Bavarian Schuhplattler of Edmonton dance. Always thought the men had the fun part slapping their knees and feet. This version has you connecting with your feet behind you.
bring left foot behind and tap with right hand
than, bring right foot behind and tap with left hand
repeat sequence 5 times
be a Schuhplattler! give a few whoops and hollers while doing it 😂
Yoga Practice & Discover Amazing & Everyday Living
Hatha Yoga is the yoking (yoga) of the sun (ha) and the moon (tha). This is represented in our bodies as the right side (ha) and left side (tha). Our brain also has two halves. The right creative side which controls the left body and the left logical side which controls the right body. One explanation as to why this cross over from brain to our body happens is to provide accurate vision.
The crossing over in our brain and body begins as babies when we learn to crawl. As adults we continue this crossing over through walking, swimming and running. The Cross Crawl practice is a fundamental movement keeping our brain and body functionally well as a whole unit.3 It improves vision, communication, reading, writing, coordination and movement.
Ideally it is recommended you practice the Cross Crawl daily. If you have had a brain injury, a stroke, feeling down and/or learning difficulties, it is recommended to practice it three times a day.
Discover amazing yourself and put the Cross Crawl into your daily routine.
Namaste, the Light in me honors the Light in you
keep moving — health is movement and movement is health
Disclaimer: Be safe and move wisely without causing harm. Information provided in this newsletter is for you to explore and discover how your body works. It is not to diagnose any medical condition. Please consult with a physician or physiotherapist if you have concerns.
Donna Eden, Energy Medicine, pages 80 to 84
Paul Dennison and Gail Dennison, Brain Gym® Teacher’s Edition, pages 30, 31
Donna Eden shares in her book, Energy Medicine page 83, a story about a Mom who lifted her eight year old son’s arms and legs in a cross-crawl movement from the time of his accident and almost daily during his six month coma. One day the Mom went to Cross Crawl him, he woke up and Cross Crawled for himself. He survived the accident and his mental functioning returned. Donna Eden also writes that she has seen the Cross Crawl perform lesser neurological marvels dozens of times.