We all have a side that's stronger than the other. We write with the same hand, kick a ball with the same foot, we even open our door and answer the phone with the same hand. Our routine and habits limit the brains abilities and prevents us from utilizing it's full potential. It is like any muscle in our body, if we don't use it, it gets stiff. Our brain needs stimulation to in order to increase it's abilities.
When we are born we begin developing and learning an enormous amount of info rmation. Our brain processes this info rmation and functions by connecting the neurons inside and developing a network. This network is the foundation and main factor in the quality of the brain's functions.
It's never too late to continue connecting the brain's neurons and there are many ways to stimulate the brain. Each one of our senses stimulate the brain:
-Touch- Which is why it's so important to hug, pet or even massage your loved ones.
-Hearing- Why the right music is important to achieve the right stimulation for dancing, relaxing etc...
-Taste- We have all had the urge for something salty or sweet, that is to fulfill a need or to maintain a needed balance.
-Smell- Good smells make us feel good. You can recall the feeling you get after the first rain or walking on the beach. No need to elaborate on bad smells
-Sight-Colors and visual images and their intensity are very brain stimulating which is why we need to protect our children from to much TV and computers. Even if Programs have been approved by you, it is the intensity and flashing pictures of prolonged watching that is harmful. There are many studies done about the psychology of color. There are colors that are relaxing, energizing, aggravating etc…
-Exercise- Movement and mainly yoga has the many effects we talk about throughout this site. The difference between Brain Connection and other exercises is that Brain Connection focuses on balance between the right and left brain. They enhance our coordination and balance.

Since this site is about yoga we will be mainly touching (no pun intended) on the exercises that are aimed mostly at coordination and balance. We can't stress enough the importance of balancing every yoga exercise you do, meaning anything you do on one side, do the same on the other side too. This seems obvious but the same amount of effort and same counting should be put into both sides.
It is best to start by you, the parents and teachers, paying attention to yourself. Try for about a week to do your daily habits with your weaker side. Change the hand you hold your fork with while eating, The hand you hold your glass with, answer the phone and open the door with the opposite hand etc…I'm sure that you will find how unbalanced you really are and worse, how hard it is to actually reverse or teach ourselves new habits.

This is a great way to realize how important yoga and brain connection is for our children. It's all based on habits, the earlier we start teaching our children the right habits the better.

Most of these exercises are hard for younger children as their coordination is not fully developed yet. I would generally do these exercises with ages 6 and up, although many younger children have surprised me before. Know your kids and see what they can do. Practice makes this fun for younger children and they get a great sense of satisfaction when they succeed.

Funny faces:
Make funny faces-Simple! Stretch your mouth up, down to the sides make the biggest smile you can. Stick your tongue out as far as it can go, up, down and to the sides.
The point of this is to use muscles that are usually not in use and we are not used to doing. This stimulates the brain more than you can imagine. You will even feel refreshed after this!

Swimming:
Stand up straight, put your arms straight in front of you and start moving one arm in a big circle, Down, back, up and to the front again. Then the other and the other…try to make a perfect circle, go about 10 times and stop! Try your back stroke and reverse the hand movements to the back this time.
Now that you have learned the movements, this is the brain connection exercise: do the same with one arm going back and one going forward. Change sides.

Tap and Rub:
Place both hand on your chest, one hand with a fist and the other one opened. Start tapping your chest with the fist and rubbing your chest with the opened hand at the same time.

Change hands.

*Check back soon for more Brain Connection exercises.