[GJM] Brain Dominance

[marguerite hampton]

 One of the foremost researchers on "brain dominance" 

is Dr. Carla Hannaford and her work is based on the work

of both Paul MacLean, author of "The Triune Brain in 

Evolution, 1990" and that of Dr. Paul Dennison and Dr.

Gail Dennison, authors of the Dennison Laterality Profiles.

Paul Dennison is also proficient in "Educational Kinesiology. 



Dr. Hannaford's work is detailed in two books:  "Smart 

Moves --Why Learning Is Not All In The Brain" and "The

Dominance Factor: How Knowing Your Dominant Eye, Ear, 

Brain, Hand and Foot Can Improve Your Learning".  Her work,

gained from extensive knowledge in neurosciences, with regard 

to how body movement, emotional expression, nutrition, and 

social and physical environments influence learning is ground-

breaking.  



There are actually thirty-two different dominance profiles.  DPs   

are assigned by determining which of your eyes, ears, hands,

feet and brain hemispheres are dominant.  Lateral dominance 

is basically innate and influences the way one's body and mind

initially process information.  The innate or basal dominance 

patterns influence behavior throughout life -- particularly when one C

is learning something new or is is under stress.  



When taking in new information or when under stress, an individual 

has greater access to those senses that are directly linked to the

dominant brain hemisphere.  "More specifically, our sensory intake 

is facilitated when the dominant eye, ear, hand and foot are on the 

opposite side of the body from the dominant brain hemisphere."

(Hannaford - 1997- p.17 - 18.) , 



Our brains are composed of two different hemispheres connected 

in the middle by the corpus callosum, a bundle of nerve fibers. It acts

asa "super highway allowing quick access to both linear detail in the 

logic hemisphere (particle) and the overall image (wave) in the gestalt

hemisphere.  While the logic hemisphere is generally located on the left

and the gestalt on the right, in some individuals, the hemispheres are 

reversed.  



In order to be maximally proficient at anything, it is necessary to use both


hemispheres of the brain.  However, in The Biology of Transcenence, 

research reported by John Childton Pearce, concludes that approximately 

75% of the present population is left-brain dominant. And, it is impossible
to

manage reality from this particalized point of view, or for that matter from
a 

gestalt perspective as one may be unable to decipher the details and 

interpret them correctly.  



Research by Paul McLean, indicates that not only must both hemispheres of 

the brain be entrained (integrated) but they must also be integrated with
the 

heart brain and the immune system brain to be maximally operational and
fully

functioning.  



Research studies show that brain entrainment and integration may be
dramatically

enhanced (at any age) through cross-lateral physical movement. 
Cross-lateral 

movement improves the nerve communication between the two sides of the brain
 

We all know the value of crawling in childhood and how crucial it is for
setting up 

neural links between the two brain hemispheres. Now reserach shows that this


activity also facilitates learning (and health) throughout life as it
stimulates neural 

pathways. Walking, incidentally is one of the best activities for
stimulating the brain. 



So, there is a a great deal of hope for left brainers.  Holodynamics, was
designed by 

Dr. Vernon Woolf to remediate this condition, and there are other courses
available

such as Brain Gym designed by the Dennisons. Then there is the wonderful
Heart

Math Institute.  The martial arts are an excellent means of getting oneself 
centered". 

No need for anyone to get "left behind" unless they so choose.  Lots of
seniors in my 

community learning TaiChi and QuiGong.  Qui Gong has proven so effective a 

transformational agent in China that it has been banned there. 



There is also a great deal of evidence that balance may be restored by the
use of 

certain types of music and different imbalances may respond to different
colors of

light.  It all has to do with subtle energy vibrations and the "body
electric".    



Written in response to: 



Issue of left brain dominance 

Posted by: "David A Goodman" davegoodman at juno.com 

to the Centre for Change list originating in Australia and hosted by Dr.

Michael Ellis. 

Fri Dec 15, 2006 8:55 am (EST) 

Dear George:



We have tens of millions of people who believe that they have discovered

the truth. And as they grow older they became more fixed (that is more

conservative)in their ways.



The massive shift occurring from right brain to left brain information

processing that takes place between age 45 and 90 causes the extinction

of such simple statements as:



1. I admire your work.

2. What can I do to help you?

3. Would you like to come over for dinner?

4. If I can't help you, I have friends who can.

5. How are you protecting your life's work from theft?

6. My God, you must be some kind of high IQ type of genus

7. I love your scholarship because it is so original.

8. Can you come over and spend a day entertaining my kids?



Since these statements are so rare as to be nonexistent (with a few major

exceptions including Michael Ellis and Bill Ellis) to what can the almost

total left brain dominance be attributed? The answers: Loss of religious

faith; replacement of faith with complex analytic thought; drug history

that depleted frontal lobes; Prozac-like drugs that strongly inhibit

right side of brain; linear communication using Internet; accumulated

pains from reaching out in past to help insensitive people; and the role

of electronic media generally in feeding data directly to the left brain

without need for evaluation by the right brain.



How except competitively and blindly can these people act when their

financial world soon disintegrates. Keep a stiff upper lip, dear George.

The left-brainers are going to have to adapt to an impending meltdown.

God help them George. 



With Respect,



David



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