Cross-Crawl
Within minutes, this simple routine will integrate the left and right brain /body function from top to bottom, left to right and front to back; to give us better concentration, move lymph, reduce dyslexia and improve coordination, focus and energy. The Cross Crawl movement is made when we move the opposite arm and leg together.
As an infant, we first started crawling. We had to get from one place to another. We didn't have to think how, we just started moving. This process began to develop brain function so we could gain greater coordination and better thought form. Once we stood on our feet and quit crawling we were unstoppable. Time has passed, we sit more, walk less and really when was the last time we were on the floor crawling willingly? Few of us dance or even exercise. Life has piled up on us have tos, gottas and shoulds. Our brain has been overloaded, our emotions have been taxed and our overall well-being has been compromised. We stumble in our walking and talking. This all can change.
WHY IT WORKS
There is a cross over effect in brain/body coordination. Approximately 80% of the motor neurons of the muscles on the left side of the body are associated with the motor areas of the right cerebral cortex, and vice versa. More neurons of the brain are involved in muscular activity than in any other function. When we simultaneously activate the large muscles of the upper and lower limbs, we require a complex coordination of the two hemispheres of the brain. This integration increases concentration, fine motor control, alertness, and greater access to intellectual processing and creativity.
MAKE IT FUN WITH MUSIC
Find some music with a steady beat. Make opposite arm and leg movements, ensuring that the arms swing freely from the shoulders and the elbows bend. The head should remain still. Variations that are equally beneficial include backward cross crawl and side cross crawl. This exercise will help to restore the brain and nervous system. It's great for pre-test jitters, when you have "brain fog" from working too long or too late and general calming and soothing.
As an infant, we first started crawling. We had to get from one place to another. We didn't have to think how, we just started moving. This process began to develop brain function so we could gain greater coordination and better thought form. Once we stood on our feet and quit crawling we were unstoppable. Time has passed, we sit more, walk less and really when was the last time we were on the floor crawling willingly? Few of us dance or even exercise. Life has piled up on us have tos, gottas and shoulds. Our brain has been overloaded, our emotions have been taxed and our overall well-being has been compromised. We stumble in our walking and talking. This all can change.
WHY IT WORKS
There is a cross over effect in brain/body coordination. Approximately 80% of the motor neurons of the muscles on the left side of the body are associated with the motor areas of the right cerebral cortex, and vice versa. More neurons of the brain are involved in muscular activity than in any other function. When we simultaneously activate the large muscles of the upper and lower limbs, we require a complex coordination of the two hemispheres of the brain. This integration increases concentration, fine motor control, alertness, and greater access to intellectual processing and creativity.
MAKE IT FUN WITH MUSIC
Find some music with a steady beat. Make opposite arm and leg movements, ensuring that the arms swing freely from the shoulders and the elbows bend. The head should remain still. Variations that are equally beneficial include backward cross crawl and side cross crawl. This exercise will help to restore the brain and nervous system. It's great for pre-test jitters, when you have "brain fog" from working too long or too late and general calming and soothing.
The Left BrainThinking (logic and rationality)
Language and talking Numbers Counting/calculating Judgement Time (awareness of) Alertness Worry Effort- ‘trying’ Competition Shallow Breathing New Learning - Short Term Memory Right side of the Body |
The Right BrainImagining
Images/visualizing Music & rhythm Intuition Timelessness (meditation etc) Peacefulness ‘Just being’ Relaxing and doing my best’ Deep Breathing Long Term Memory- Habits (body memory) Left side of the body |
Left eye
Seeing in the distance Relaxing or ‘lengthening’ of muscles Movement through space (the whole body) ‘The big picture’- overview Spaciousness Calmness, ‘letting go’ Letting everything come |
|
Right eye
Seeing up close Tightening or ‘shortening’ of muscles Details Accuracy Staying alert ‘in control’ Trying and straining to see |
Electrical impulses pass between the two hemispheres of the brain. They must get back and forth to coordinate body functions. When this energy becomes blocked, the female and the male are not flowing in sequence together. When this energy is connected and equally balanced within each individual, we will have equality between the sexes.
The reflex observed in action while walking is not always totally functional. Inadequate development is associated with poor crawling techniques or experiences during infancy. The nervous organization to coordinate the balanced walking movement is a learned behavior pattern related with cerebral connections that affect other fields of activity, such as language, reading, hand-to-eye coordination. It even affects the perception and conceptualization of sidedness. The perception of sidedness is required to tell mirror images apart, such as the "b" from the "d" in the alphabet, and this ability is dependent upon the strength of your cross-crawl integration. It is also very important in education and communication.
In today's high tech world, dyslexia (seeing or saying words backwards) is a common problem, especially for children. The ability to read is essential, but the person with dyslexia sees things backwards and cannot read. One literally cannot tell right from left.
Cross-crawl dysfunction is associated with the following:
- Learning disabilities
- Lack of coordination
- Inability or difficult to read
- No concept of balance
- Clumsiness
- Stuttering
- Seeing or saying words backwards
- Dropping objects
- Tripping a lot
Correction
The correcting procedure is an education program to improve nervous system organization. The exercise causes the brain to send the signal down the correct channel to reorganize and re-pattern the energy of the brain by activity. It affords the opportunity to go back to the crawling stage to lock in the correct pattern of energy in the brain. The more a person needs cross-crawl, the more difficult it will be to perform.
- This brain-eye exercise can most easily be done in a supine position. Put both legs straight and place both arms down at the sides. This technique may also be done standing or sitting.
- Raise and elevate the right arm above the head, at the same time raise the opposite leg, bending the knee.
- Re-pattern by turning the head towards the raised right arm. Then straighten the head as the arm and left leg come down.
- Repeat procedure with left arm & opposite right leg, turning head towards the raised left arm.
- Breathe in as the arm and leg raise, exhale as the arm and leg come down. Do in series of l2 right and 12 left for a total of 24 movements. Visualize marching.
Walking, even in place is a good way to understand the reflex and to tone it. When you identify with any of these associated conditions it is suggested that the re-patterning procedure be repeated 50 to 100 times daily. This is a perfect opportunity to practice discipline.
What to expect when the cross-crawl is balanced
- Improved learning and reading abilities
- Better coordination
- More confidence
- More balance in your life