Here is a link to a keynote presentation that I created and am available to present via zoom or in person.
Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope After Brain Injury and Stroke Keynote Presentation
Brain Injury, Neuroplasticity and Personal Gains 2015
Empowering one’s life after a brain injury through the use of repetition in creating new and ongoing neural pathways and brain reorganization.
Through out my life time I have had an interest in the martial arts. I have examined many disciplines and have trained diligently in a few. Before I heard about the concept neuroplasticity I had unknowingly been using repetitive movement to create new neural pathways and brain reorganization. During the past 17 or so years I have been using drills in muay Thai kickboxing to train large muscle and motor skills in my hands, elbows, knees and kicks. For 8 years I trained at a martial art school that helped me to develop as a martial artist. Due to several meniscus tears in my right knee I made the decision to stop training at the martial art school a little over 5 years ago. After rehabbing my knee for 8-9 months I was able to resume training, on my own; through different martial art discipline — using the principles of neuroplasticity.
By doing so I have continued to engage small and large muscle groups, gross and fine motor skills, balance, body awareness, agility and coordination on both my dominant and non dominant sides of my body. Through engaging in endless repetitions, by mirroring drills and skills on both sides of my body; I have been able to create new neural pathways and brain reorganization. Over time I have subsequently been able to combine and polish these skills / skill sets in such a way that has enabled me to be able to accomplish things that I never dreamed possible. Because I have seen gains made through endless repetitions I want to encourage you — if you have not already — to begin to create a program for yourself that will help you to mirror skills on your dominant and non dominant sides of your body. And as I have found, by staying committed to your process; you will begin to create new neural pathways and brain reorganization. Through being and staying committed to your process, you will begin to see significant gains — over time — in your gross and fine motor skills, balance, body awareness, agility, poise and coordination.
Through beginning and staying committed to your process — over time — you will accomplish what you never dreamed possible.
Below are links to video presentations uploaded to YouTube showing the progress made using repetitive mirrored movements during 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Neuroplasticity through Martial Arts Disciplines August 2013
Neuroplasticity Demonstration August 2014
Brain Injury, Neuroplasticity and Personal Gains August 2015
Balance and Coordination through Repetitive Mirrored Movement 2016
Brain Injury Recovery and Repetitive Mirrored Movements 2017
Improving Our Brain and Body’s Ability to Excel after Brain Injury 2018
In August 2013 a friend of mine filmed what I had gained over time using the principles of neuroplasticity through various martial art disciplines. In August 2014 another friend filmed me showing how I had continued to create new neural pathways and brain reorganization since 2013. In August 2015 a friend filmed me showing the ongoing gains that I had made in my ability to use both my dominant and non dominant sides of my body in a coordinated fashion through increased hand-eye coordination, balance, body awareness, agility, poise and coordination of gross and fine motor skills. Above are links to each of the three taping in my personal development using the principle of neuroplasticity to create new neural pathways and brain reorganization. I would invite you to watch each of these short video presentations by clicking on each year represented. I share these presentations to encourage you in your own ongoing brain injury recovery process using the principles of creating new neural pathways and brain reorganization.
Sgt. Roy says
Great article. Good work.
Second Chance to Live says
Thank you Sgt Roy!!!