Catswatch: Exercise Your Brain (Part

Exercise Your Brain (Part – 1)

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Do you know that most of us, even geniuses, use only about 10 percent of brain’s capacity? Can’t we do something about this? B. Alexis Castorri, a mind coach, thinks we can. The Book “Mental Aerobics: Exercises for a stronger, Healthier Mind” by B. Alexis Castorri and Jane Heller was written how to sharpen one’s mind just as you do your body. The format of these exercises will seem very familiar: Warm-ups, Strengtheners and Cool-downs. You don’t have to do every one of them; just pick the ones you need the most at any particular stage of your day, or of your life. They can be done in minutes (most take about three minutes), and just about anywhere. You don’t need any equipment, and most of the time no one will even know what you’re doing.

Warm-up:

You already know the advantages of warming up your body; the same principles apply to warming up your mind. It will allow you to perform counts. How often do you not fully wake up until you’ve been at the school for a few hours? Imagine if you could gain an hour or two of sharp, focused thought each day. These exercises are meant to help you prime specific mental functions: list-making, memory, and word visualization and comprehension.

Getting Your mind in gear:

· Time: Five to ten minutes upon awakening

· Body position: Sitting comfortably or lying down. All seven steps are recited aloud.

Step 1: Count down from 100 to 1 as quickly as you can.

Step 2: Recite the alphabet, giving each letter a word partner (“A, apple; B, basket….”), as quickly as you can. If you hesitate for more than 30 seconds, skip that letter and go on.

Step 3: Recite 20 men’s names as quickly as you can, numbering them as you go (“1, Phillip; 2, Joe; 3, Robert….”).

Step 4: Repeat, using 20 women’s names.

Step 5: Name 20 types of food as quickly as you can, numbering them as in steps 3 and 4 (“1, banana; 2, hamburger; 3, Jell-O…”)

Step 6: Choose one letter of the alphabet and name 20 words that begin with that letter as quickly as you can number them as you go (“1, morning; 2, mother; 3, message…”)

Step 7: If your eyes were open during the exercise, that’s fine, but close them now. Count to 20, and then open them. Your mind is now ready for the day.