A week ago I introduced an article Improving Balance and Coordination. In that article I shared a 3 minute video presentation. In the video presentation I encouraged individuals reading the article to start a program to improve their balance and coordination. In my experience, I have used a program using repetitive mirrored movements on both sides of my body. By doing so, I have used both sides of my brain. By using both sides of my brain and body my balance and coordination has improved.
I have used repetitive mirrored movements on both sides of my body to help me overcome a learning disability. Because I have a difficulty learning and remembering sequences of information, what comes easily for others takes a lot longer for me. Knowing this about myself, I know that in order to become more proficient in my abilities I need to put in a lot more work. Consequently, as I put in time and repetition into learning sequences of information I develop the muscle memory, which makes me more proficient.
Over the years I have used different martial art disciplines to develop muscle memory on both sides of my body. I have used muay Thai (the art of 8 limbs) to develop skills using large muscle groups on both and left sides of my body. Both sides of my body using my hands, arms, elbows, legs and feet. I have used western boxing to work specifically on my hand and eye coordination. I have trained using single and double rattan sticks over the course of the past 3 years to work on developing fine motor skills, as well as agility on my feet. I have used other martial art disciplines.
Yesterday, a friend kindly captured how I have learned how to use both sides of my brain and body. I asked him to capture my use of my brain and body through the skills that I have been working on for the past 18 years. I have not arrived at all I am working to accomplish, but I have made huge strides. I am glad that I stuck with the process and did not give up when I was not making specific gains. The time and commitment that I have put into working on sequences of information — through repetitive mirrored movements — has helped me to accomplish what I never dreamed possible.
I will be 59 years old in a month and a half. I share this bit of trivia with you to encourage you to start and keep moving forward, regardless of your age. Don’t put limits on yourself and don’t let anyone else put limits on you. We succeed by not giving up.
Encouragement
Several years ago I had no idea of what I could accomplish through running my own race and staying committed to my own course. If you have not already started a program, I would encourage you to start today. As in my case, I developed a program and added on to the program over time. So don’t be discouraged if you think your progress is slow. It seemed slow for me too. By staying committed to and adding to my program, I made consistent gains. Using repetitive mirrored movements has improved my muscle memory, which has helped overcome my learning disability.
My encouragement to you my friend is to run your own race and stay committed to your own course. You do not have to compete with anyone. Over time you will be amazed. You will see yourself accomplishing things you thought were out of your reach. You will experience abilities that you never dreamed possible. Your hard work and dedication will pay off for you. Your ability to remember those sequences of information will improve as you use both sides of your brain and your body. You will see consistent gains, as you engage both sides of your brain and body; by not giving up.
Through engaging both sides of our brain and body, through repetitive mirrored movement; we create hope in our lives.
To watch the 2:26 minute presentation, made earlier today; click on following picture.
To gain insight into my process and journey living with a brain injury and an invisible disability read my series, Finding Craig.
Below are links to the 8 parts of the series.
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7 and Part 8
You have my permission to share my articles and or video presentations with anyone you believe could benefit, however please attribute me as being the author of the article (s) video presentation (s), and provide a link back to the article (s) on Second Chance to Live. In the event that you have questions, please send those questions to me. All questions are good questions. Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you. Copyright 2007-2015.
Leave a Reply