Refresh Your Brain Daily

Pilates on one of my machines is like the wake-up call that says, "no, don't do it that way...do it like this instead." It is the re-programming of old patterns and the relearning of new ways to move, employing the correct muscles and reducing the burden on the others.

It has been found that stress shuts down every part of our system. Under stress we lose who we are and become instinctive animals determined to survive at any cost. How about a simple series of movements that will remove the stress and refresh the brain?

We know that movement is the key to learning. Brain Gym, developed by Paul Dennison, has been shown to help us recover from stress, enhance attention, facilitate better communication and improve our feeling of well-being.

Perform these simple steps every morning and watch you and your children change:

1. Drink a glass of water.

2. Put one hand on your belly for grounding, the other is used to rub under the collarbone. This will send blood and oxygen to the brain and helps to focus the mind.

3. Lift the right knee and touch it with the left elbow. Repeat on the other side. This links the right and left brain hemispheres to help integrate information and think more creatively.

4. Cross your feet and hands in the same direction, clasp your hands and rest them on your chest. Let the tongue rest on the roof of your mouth and breathe. After a moment ( I know I am done after I yawn) uncross hands and feet and and touch your fingertips together lightly. This drains away all tension as it calms and relaxes the spirit.

Now, have a great day!

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