When Left and Right Unite!

We know that the brain is divided into two hemispheres connected by a bundle of fibres (the corpus callosum) which sends messages back and forth between the hemispheres – otherwise dubbed as the super highway of the brain. Each side of the brain controls different types of thinking, and people are said to prefer one type of thinking over the other. For example, a person who is ‘left brain dominant’ is often said to be more logical, analytical and objective, while a person who is ‘right brain dominant’ is said to be more intuitive, thoughtful and subjective.

In a nutshell, the left and right hemispheres of our brain process information in different ways, and we tend to process information using our dominant side. Yet, a dominant side simply points to a preferred side. It is not the absolute. It has been shown that when we experience a stressful situation, our brain goes on an ‘auto pilot’ mode which gears towards the dominant side. However, learning process is enhanced when all of our senses are used. This includes using our less dominant side of the brain.

The development and usage of both hemispheres of the brain are essential to almost anything and everything we do. We can and must use and develop both sides of the brain. We draw upon specific sides of our brain for a variety of daily functions, depending on things such as our age, education and experiences.

Left Brain Functions	Right Brain Functions
Uses logic	Uses feeling
Detail oriented	‘Big picture’ oriented
Facts rule	Imagination rules
Words and language	Symbols and images
Math and science	Philosophy & religion
Can comprehend	Can ‘get it’ (i.e. meaning)
Knowing	Believes
Acknowledges	Appreciates
Order/pattern perception	Spatial perception
Reality based	Fantasy based
Forms strategies	Presents possibilities
Analytic	Intuitive

In general, schools tend to lean towards left-brain modes of thinking and learning, while little attention is given to the right-brain activities. Left-brain subjects favour logical thinking, analysis, and precision. Right-brained subjects, on the other hand are more artistry, feeling and creativity inclined. Yet of late, educational researchers have shown that lessons that encompass a balanced involvement of both sides of the brain can produce surprising learning expansions in the students and concluded that learning can advance remarkably when teachers advocate integration of both sides of the students’ brains in a lesson.

Let’s face it. The brain, often related to as a muscle, works on the ‘use it or lose it principle’— the more you use it, the better it gets.

Some fun activities to delight both the left and right brain:

Picture This, Picture That

Look at a picture and alternate between zooming into the details of every inch of the picture and shifting your vision to view the picture as a whole. Tips: you can also look at scenery, your desk, your pet, etc.

Being Handy

Simultaneously draw a picture with both hands. With ample of practice, you can even draw with one hand and write with the other at the same time!

Strategize and Create

Think of something that you would like to create (eg: a pair of bouncing shoes?!) Plan and prepare the materials needed and let your intuition (and hands) do the rest. Beautify your project and think of at least 10 other ways that you can make use of it!

Move Your Body

Touch the right hand to the left toes, release and touch the left hand to the right toes. This can also be done while walking where one will resemble an exaggerated marching movement. Then, try doing it while going backwards!

Nosing In and Out

Cover the right nostril and breathe in through the left nostril, then release the right nostril and cover the left nostril to breathe out through the right nostril. Then reverse it by breathing in through the right nostril (while still maintaining the covered left nostril), and release the left nostril and cover the right nostril to breathe out through the left nostril. Repeat a few rounds.

This article was featured in YogaMail Apr-Jun 2013 issue.