The Backbone of Trauma-informed AI is Trauma-informed Care AI and Holistic Recovery
The Backbone of Trauma-informed AI is Trauma-informed Care AI and Holistic Recovery
How I Use Neuroplasticity & Mirrored Movement to Reorganize My Brain
Hello and thank you for visiting Second Chance to Live.
Over the years, I have learned that neuroplasticity is a powerful gift. It shows us that our brains can change and adapt, even many years after a traumatic brain injury. Neuroplasticity allows us to create new neural pathways and reorganize how our brain works to improve skills, abilities, and confidence.
You can also visit my Recovery Toolbox for additional articles and tools to support your journey.
Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope After Brain Injury and Stroke Keynote Presentation
Neuroplasticity, Setting Goals and Creating Hope After Brain Injury and Stroke Keynote Presentation
Empowering Ongoing Brain Injury Recovery
A Question from a Mom
Several years ago, I received a comment and a question from a mom asking how her son could use neuroplasticity.
“How could my son go about this process?”
The comment and question were in response to this article:
➡️ Neuroplasticity, Small Successes, and Learning/Re-learning Skills and Skill Sets
To Improve My Brain and Body Connection
In my experience, I needed to engage in repetitive mirrored movements on both sides of my body. I needed to create new neural pathways and brain reorganization one movement at a time.
I did so by mirroring movements on both the affected and unaffected sides of my brain and body.
I needed to mirror (repeat) every movement I made with my unaffected side with the affected side. Watch my demonstrations below to see what I mean.
What Helped Me to Progress in My Ongoing Brain Injury Recovery
In my experience, I needed to engage in nine habits to gain the benefits of repetitive mirrored movements.
9 Habits to Be Successful in Developing New Neural Pathways and Brain Reorganization – One Repetition at a Time
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Hard-work
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Commitment
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Determination
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Drive or Motivation
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Discipline
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Fortitude
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Persistence
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Tenacity
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Courage
For a more detailed explanation of these nine habits, click here:
➡️ Nine Habits to Benefit from Using the Principle of Neuroplasticity
Demonstrations of My Development Using the Principle of Neuroplasticity
Scroll down to watch 11 short demonstrations of my progression and improvements using the principle of neuroplasticity.
My Background Training in Different Martial Art Disciplines
I started training in Muay Thai kickboxing in 1996. I began training in International Martial Arts and Boxing in 2000. In February 2008, I had meniscus tears in my right knee. After nine months of rehab, I resumed training in 2009 through different martial art disciplines.
Video Taping of Yearly Improvements
In 2013, I spoke at an international conference and included the benefits of neuroplasticity in my keynote presentation. A friend helped me create my first video demonstration in September 2013 in advance of my presentation in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“Research your own experience. Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless and add specifically your own creation.” – Bruce Lee
How I Use the Principle of Neuroplasticity
In 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2024, I was fortunate to have several individuals record these presentations.
Because of a shoulder injury and Covid-19, I was not able to record in 2019 and 2020.
These presentations show my development using the principles of neuroplasticity to create new neural pathways and brain reorganization through repetitive mirrored movements.
Scroll down to watch each of these short presentations.
“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” – Bruce Lee
“Research your own experience. Absorb what is useful. Reject what is useless. And add specifically what is your own creation.” – Bruce Lee
Proof of the Pudding is in the Eating — Walking the Talk, not Just Talking the Talk
In preparation of a keynote presentation that I asked to give in 2013 at the Southwest Conference on Disability, Albuquerque, New Mexico a friend helped me. Helped me by video taping a demonstration of my skill development using the principles of neuroplasticity. To document the progress that I was making in creating new neural pathways and brain reorganization. In subsequent years I have asked other friends to use cell phone cameras to document demonstrations of my improved skills.
Skills using western boxing, escrima, Filipino stick fighting, Kali and jeet kune do principles through crossing over the center line. The center line of my body by engaging balance, coordination, body awareness, hand eye/foot eye coordination, agility, speed, dexterity, fine and gross motor coordination, focus, persistence and concentration. Below are links to demonstrations documented during the years represented. They show the progress made through endless repetitions and a commitment to not giving up.
Documented Demonstrations — Click on the link (s) to observe
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
Due to a shoulder injury and then Covid, I was unable to create a demonstration in 2019 and in 2020.
Stick Fighting, Knife, Western Boxing muay Thai &Wing Chun Drills Created September 2, 2021
Hand Eye Coordination and Precision Drills using Fine Motor Drills Created September 12, 2021
Upper/Lower Body Coordination Drills to Improve Focus, Balance and Agility Created February 14, 2022
Brain-Body Connection –Craig J Phillips MRC, BA, Second Chance to Live March 2024
I will be 69 years old in 3 weeks, so my encouragement to you is that age does not need to stop you or me. Stop you or me in our journey of developing new neural pathways and brain reorganization.
The Goal – Being a Work in Progress
My goal has been to improve my ability to mirror the same abilities on both the non-dominant (left) side of my body and the dominant (right) side. As you will see in the demonstrations, I engage both sides of my body – hands, arms, elbows, legs, knees, and feet – to:
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Improve gross and fine motor skills and muscle memory
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Enhance dexterity, hand-eye coordination, agility, balance, stamina, precision, focus, and awareness
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Improve my skills and abilities to enhance the quality of my life and well-being
I engage both sides of my brain and body to create and sustain hope and purpose in my daily life.
Create Your Own Program
If you have not yet begun, I encourage you to create a program that empowers you to build new neural pathways and brain reorganization.
Engage in repetitive mirrored movements on both your dominant and non-dominant sides to improve and enhance your quality of life and well-being.
Final Thoughts
I share these demonstrations not to boast, but to show you that recovery is possible. Creating new neural pathways through neuroplasticity takes time and effort, but it opens up possibilities for growth and purpose that we may never have imagined.
If my journey has encouraged you, please share this article with someone who may need hope today. Remember – you are not your brain injury. You are so much more.
With kindness and gratitude,
Craig J. Phillips, MRC, BA
Creator and Founder: Second Chance to Live
Creator and Founder: Second Chance to Live Trauma-Informed Care AI Collaboration Model™
Creator and Founder: Second Chance to Live Trauma-Informed Care AI — A New Class of AI™
