Ambidextrous to success - a fascinating experiment

Well, this book is not stingy with sensational promises - and sometimes it's a bit too much of a good thing. Nevertheless, I think the basic idea for comprehensible and fascinating, and which can be described in simple terms: ". Your Hands Grow Your Brain" - Your hands grow your brain.

No other part of the body is so closely connected to the brain, such as the hands; an altered way of using our hands, so can also increase the performance of our brain. This refers especially the ambidexterity in daily and sporting activities and the regular writing by hand - both the right and the left.

Extensive excursions in the Neurobiology remain the reader in explaining these relationships not spared: The brain works on the biochemical communication between two neurons via the synapses (contact points). The part of the synapses, which is responsible for relaying information, is Axon. Its performance is largely determined by the surrounding layer, the myelin. One can imagine it as an electrical wire: The thicker the plastic casing surrounding it, the stronger may be the pulsating through the wire power.

One of the most important findings of neuroscience of the last 10-20 years is the "plasticity" of the brain: It is malleable, changeable and regenerated - and indeed throughout the entire lifetime. Thus, although the brain potential decisive influence myelin sheath is degraded with age - hence the typical age-related complaints such as forgetfulness to Alzheimer. But this process can be prevented by proper training or at least slowed down.

After presentation of the author, the exercise of the hands leads due to their close connection with the brain functions in an increased formation of new neurons, synapses and produced by the body itself vital hormones and vitamins, especially up the myelin (neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, steroidogenesis). The brain is the "greatest pharmacy of the world"! As a specific exercise program are consistent inclusion of the left hand in everyday processes and especially the repeated as often as possible "Auftitschen" a hammer on a golf ball surface proposed. This (of course also ambidextrous) Training of cursive is also included, most with a simultaneous look into a mirror.

Concern value is his indication that the gradual disappearance of handwriting by the ubiquitous keyboard use is currently still could have incalculable consequences for our mental abilities - for example, the increase in chronic lack of concentration such as ADHD. The cursive namely the areas would, among other things trained in the brain that are responsible for impulse control.

Ambidexterity is literally for Lavery the "holy grail of full brain power": The actual receipts fall at first sight of a bit poor; about the study by the University of Regensburg, which has proved to a 90-day juggling exercise an increase of brain cortex by a whopping 4%. The layman can hardly appreciate what these numbers mean exactly; says she will not also. After all, we know that many great geniuses in human history, Leonardo da Vinci, Dante, Michelangelo, ambidextrous painted and wrote. That the non-habitual use of both hands, the interconnection of the two halves of the brain favors, each responsible for logical-linguistic and figuratively-emotional thinking, is now in any case almost a commonplace.

The presentation will be supplemented by the warning against harmful influences on brain power. These include in particular poor diet and adrenaline-heavy films and computer games that you can put the devastating chemical reactions in motion: including the stunning of brain regions and the overproduction of glucose, Glutatamat and called GABA proteins that slow synaptic communication..

By the way, reading is strongly suggested to be highly brain-friendly alternative to television.

The book can be described over long distances is not necessarily as readable. Part one gets the impression that here was one page at a depreciated from neurobiological encyclopaedias; partly it is reversed bothered with quite banal and the basic pattern repetitive success stories. Without evaluate it scientifically times can, I think, however, that the main ideas presented here are convincing enough to be tested in practice. I think you should his little shirt-sleeved "American" type look to the author and get involved with him.

I cut for three months my bread with his left hand. Whether I can think better now, I do not know. But now it feels like I've gained a new hand that I yet did not know. Fascinating!

More reviews on training & coaching: [...]