Hello and welcome back to Second Chance to Live my friend. In today’s article, I would like to share something with you that is helping me to develop fine motor skills. As I have shared with you in the past, I am a student of the martial arts. I train in the martial arts for various reasons, of which is to increase neuroplasticity in my brain.
Here is a link to a Keynote presentation that I created and am available to present at coming conferences
Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope After Brain Injury and Stroke Keynote Presentation
Neuroplasticity
According to MedicineNet.com definition,“neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. Neuroplasticity allows the neurons (nerve cells) in the brain to compensate for injury and disease and to adjust their activities in response to new situations or to changes in their environment.”
Martial Arts
Martial arts and western boxing have helped me to work on specific muscle memory drills to fine tune coordinated movements through repetition. In my training and drilling, I have spent countless hours and endless repetitions to develop and hone specific technique using hands (jab, cross, uppercut, hooks and overhand punches) with both my right and left leads.
Practice and Hope
I also drill elbow strikes, knees and thai kicks with both my right and left lead a bazillion times. I work on wing chun center line strikes on both sides (leads) as well as jeet kune do blocks, trapping and strikes. Recently, I resumed my training in modern arnis/kali — with single and double sticks — to work on / develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, muscle memory and agility. My goal is to be equally agile on both sides of my body.
In all my training I spend time executing drills and skills to activate muscles, ligaments, and joints to develop muscle memory, coordination, and agility. I spend extra time drilling my non-dominant side of my body, by mirroring my dominate side. Through time and repetition, I have found that I create hope for myself.
In my opinion, training using weapons is not about the weapon itself – although the weapon is a tool – but about the movement incorporated using the weapon. Since I resumed training — using single and double sticks – I have noticed that my fine muscle memory, hand-eye coordination, agility, and speed have all increased in my non-dominant and dominant body leads.
Update
In August 2013 a friend of mine made a video presentation of the progress that I made using the principle of neuroplasticity. Other friends have helped me to make video presentations of my progress in each year since 2013. Below are links to YouTube presentations of the progress made using repetitive mirrored movements. To watch the progress made using the principle of neuroplasticity over the past 5 years, click on the below links.
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
Below is a link to a Keynote presentation that I created and am available to present at coming conferences
Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope After Brain Injury and Stroke Keynote Presentation
Below is a link to the slideshow presentation that I created surrounding the topic of neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity, Small Successes, and Learning/Relearning Skills and Skill Sets Slideshow Presentation
Today’s Thought
I share the above with you to encourage you to engage in activities – whatever activities that you enjoy and have fun doing — to develop muscle memory, coordination, and agility. By doing things that you enjoy you will create fun for yourself. In the process of creating fun for yourself, time and repetition will be seen as an opportunity to work on and develop muscle memory, coordination, and agility.Through time and repetition, you will find that you create hope for yourself.
In April of 2017, I created a Keynote presentation to share with groups and organization through zoom or at conferences. Updated February 17, 2024. Click on the following link to open the outline of the presentation: Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope After Brain Injury and Stroke Keynote Presentation
You have my permission to share my articles and or video presentations with anyone you believe could benefit, however, I maintain ownership of the intellectual property AND my articles, video presentations, and eBooks are not to be considered OPEN SOURCE. Please also provide a link back to Second Chance to Live. In the event that you have questions, please send those questions to me. All questions are good questions. I look forward to hearing from you. More Information: Copyright 2007 –2018
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