Compound the positive effects of your chiropractic care plan with these four brain gym exercises.
- How do you think the problem you are seeking care for started in the first place?
- A lot is happening in your body behind the scenes, even when you are at rest. How well do you think your brain is connecting to, and running your body right now?
- What do you notice that your body ‘likes’ and ‘doesn’t like’? For example, you may feel energized, strong and free in your body after a yoga session, but tight, sore and slow after running.
- How deeply can you breathe? How often do you breathe that deeply, and why do you think it is important?
The brain gym exercises are aimed at strengthening the connection between the master controller of your body (brain and nerve system), and your body. It’s like going to the gym to build strong muscles, but for your brain. These brain gym exercises, if practiced frequently, will aid your recovery and help to compound the effects of your care.
Brain Gym Exercises
Breathing
Sitting up straight and comfortably, place the tongue just above the two front teeth on the ridge of the roof of the palate. Close mouth and inhale through your nostrils, fully expanding your lungs and hold for the count of seven. Exhale through your mouth, at your own rate, also keeping the tongue touching the palate.
Do this for 7 breaths twice a day.
NOTE: This is considered the most important of the brain gym exercises.
Arm Raising From Standing
A) Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, with arms extended out to the sides at shoulder height.
B) Left palm should face upward and the right palm should face downward.
C) Hold this position for as long as possible, breathing full deep breaths. The ideal length of time is 5-10 minutes.
D) At the end of the exercise, keeping the arms straight, slowly raise them up and above the head, not letting the arms come forward. Then lower the arms.
Hip Twist
A) Lie on your back with your arms stretched out to your side at shoulder height, with the left palm facing up and the right palm facing down.
B) Bring the feet together with the knees straight.
C) Lift the left leg off the floor, keeping the leg straight and roll the left leg over the right leg.
D) Keep both shoulders on the floor and breathe fully, while holding the position for up to 5 minutes, or until you feel pain. Do this until you are able to hold for 5 minutes without pain.
E) Bring the leg back to its original position and also repeat the same procedure for the right leg.
F) Hold the position on each side, for 5 minutes or until you feel pain. Repeat the exercise once per day. Ideally the exercise should be done without experiencing pain.
Spinal Stretch
A) Sit in an upright chair so that your thighs are parallel with the floor and the lower part of the leg is perpendicular to the floor.
B) Bending over, place your elbows on the inside of your knees.
C) Turn your palms away from each other and also tuck your fingers under each arch of the foot while placing thumb over the top of the foot. Let your spine fully stretch in this position.
D) Breathe slowly and fully for up to 5 minutes. Repeat once per day.[/fusion_text][fusion_text]We hope you’ve enjoyed this brain gym exercises video series and you’ve also taken away some key learnings! Contact us for further information.
