BUILD CONFIDENCE, COMPREHENSION & CONCENTRATION
when Taking Tests, Studying, or Making Presentations
by Gwenn Bonnell
Being afraid that you cannot learn creates stress and causes agitation or exhaustion, which makes it really difficult to get and stay focused. This technique deals with the fear of failure without having to talk about it, and also helps with comprehension and concentration.
This exercise can be used for studying, to help prepare presentations or speeches, or to tap into your creativity by synchronizing both sides of the brain.
PARENTS: If your child has problems staying still long enough to finish homework, this may be a great exercise for the both of you to do together before any homework session.
Figure 8's (or Lazy 8's) have been used in Educational Kineseology* for students with severe learning problems. This exercise helps students to neurologically cross the visual midline, thereby activating both right and left visual fields and integrating both sides of the brain.
Remember, the left side of the brain controls logical functions, such as in science and math. The right brain hemisphere helps us with creativity and the arts. Ideally, you want input from both sides of your brain.
To connect and integrate information from both sides of the brain draw sideway Figure 8's in the air with your hands or with streamers. You can also draw or trace sideway Figure 8's against any surface such as a blackboard, a piece of paper or a wall.
This figure 8 movement improves the student's reading mechanics, symbol recognition, and comprehension.
Take up to 5 minutes to do the following:
- Put on pleasant background music and sway to it. Move your hips in a natural figure 8 pattern. This will strengthen all energy crossovers in the body, all the way up to and through the brain.
- On a blackboard or a large piece of paper taped to the wall, draw large sideways figure 8's over and over with the right hand, the left hand, and both hands. If you don't have access to paper, do the drawing motion in the air.
- The larger the figure 8 drawing, the more completely the body incorporates the crossover. The brain and eyes are involved more intricately by drawing smaller Figure 8s. Start drawing really large Figure 8's and continue making the figure smaller and smaller until you are drawing really tiny Figure 8's. You are then ready to begin homework, or any work that requires concentration.
- If during your studies you find yourself losing concentration, take a break and do the Figure 8 exercise again!
STEALTH TIP: If you're in the classroom or boardroom and need to boost your concentration, simply close your eyes and imagine drawing the different sized Figure 8's!
ALSO USEFUL: THE ZIP UP*
Usually, taking an exam or giving a presentation is stressful on its own and you don't want to pick up other people's stress when walking into the room because their thoughts and emotions can influence how you feel and think.
Especially if you are really sensitive, other people's thoughts and emotions can affect you mentally and physically. The Zip Up is a very powerful exercise to protect you from either your own stress or other people's emotional and mental upset.
The ZIP UP can be used BEFORE studying, taking exams, giving a presentation or speech, going to work in a busy office or store, or anytime you feel uncomfortable or not in control.
It's wonderful to do AFTER a Figure 8 session to really cement in the hemispheric crossovers and make sure you continue to access both sides of your brain even when those around you are stressed or upset.
CLICK HERE to Learn how to ZIP UP! You'll be so glad to have this in your tool box!
* Adapted from ENERGY MEDICINE by Donna Eden and David Feinstein
and BRAIN GYM: Teachers Revised Edition by Paul and Gail Dennison |
