The human brain is a complex system of electrical components, where stimuli are converted into electrical signals and relayed along nerve fibers to the rest of the body. Brain Gym exercises are part of the Brain Gym International learning system, claiming to re-establish neural connections and improve cognitive abilities. There are 26 foundational types of Brain Gym exercises, all based on the principal that "moving with intention leads to optimal learning."
Brain Buttons
Located in the soft tissue under the collarbone and to the left and right of the breastbone are the "brain buttons." Massaging these buttons may stimulate and focus the brain for fine motor skills and new learning. The company that markets the Brain Gym system also claims that stimulating these brain buttons activates the brain to send messages from the right hemisphere of the brain to the left side of the body and vice versa, enhancing your energy level, and increasing your level of oxygen. To perform this exercise, massage the brain buttons with one hand for 20 to 30 seconds while holding your navel with the other hand, releasing any tension. While the brain buttons may be tender at first, the tenderness should subside after a few days.
Balance Buttons
Stimulating your balance buttons may improve brain function and inner ear balance, thus activating the brain for better fine motor skills and new learning, according to the Brain Gym system. One such energy exercise is the balance button exercise, which is said by Brain Gym to quickly restore balance to all the dimensions of your body: left/right, top/bottom and back/front. This may improve alertness, concentration and reflexes. The balance buttons are located just above the indentation where your skull rests on your neck. To perform this exercise, hold your navel with one hand and your balance buttons with the other hand for about 30 seconds. Keep your chin tucked under throughout the exercise.
Cross Crawl
According to the Brain Gym system, the cross crawl exercise uses both brain hemispheres at the same time, stimulating receptive and expressive brain hemispheres. This is a contra-lateral exercise that is purported to use both sides of your brain to improve concentration and whole-brain learning and to increase energy. To perform this exercise, sit up straight and move your opposite arm and leg simultaneously. To vary the exercise, you can alternately touch each hand to the opposite knee or you can do a slow motion crawl to improve your focus.
Lazy 8s
This type of brain exercise may integrate the right and left hemispheres of the brain in order to bring balance. Begin with a piece of notebook paper in landscape orientation and placed in front of you. Start at the center of the paper and move your pencil upwards, then to the left as you circle up and over, down and around, then back up as you cross the midpoint. Repeat for one minute.
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