There are many inexpensive ideas to help you or your students cross the midline.  In this latest episode, Sally demonstrates how to utilize home made streamers and paper plates to engage the brain with some more fun cross the midline activities.

Another way to activate your brain is to use manipulative objects to toss across the midline.  In this video, Sally demonstates how she uses scarves, beanbags and balls with both children and adults to activate the brain.  These cross the midline activities help with eye/hand coordination and also work on getting the eye muscles strengthened for young children and for adults with visual impairments or issues with tracking objects.

Brain gym is a series of exercises to get your brain energized and activated.  In this brain based tip, Sally show you the cross crawl and some other ideas to cross your midline.  These actions are great for children or adults and can  be done for short bursts or extended into an aerobic workout.

Stress can cause many significant changes in our bodies physically and emotionally.  Specifically, stress elevates blood pressure and causes the major stress hormone, cortisol, to rise.  A rise in cortisol signals the body to go into the "flight or fight" response which is good natural alarm system in an emergency.  But, long-term stress and a rise in cortisol can cause long-term issues for your body which may include anxiety, heart disease, sleeping issues, memory and concentration impairment, digestive issues and mood.  So, finding quiet and  serenity as well as adding exercise and laughter to your daily routine can help your body lower elevated cortisol and return to state of peace which helps your brain as well as  your body. Check out my latest "Brain Based Tips" vlog to see how you add more peace to your life.

-Did you know that you can do cross the midline exercises while seated?  Check out these ideas that are good for children through senior citizens

Laughter yoga exercises have been around since 1995 and were created and started by Dr. Madan Kataria from India.  Dr. Kataria discovered that our bodies and brains don't know the difference between laughing at something we find truly funny and faking a laugh.  You still get the same great benefits. These laughter exercises combine deep breathing with some pretty silly actions along with laughing out loud.  Laughter can produce wonderful health benefits for your brain and body.  Here are just a few of the health benefits you may experience from participating in laughter yoga exercises:
1.  Decreases the stress hormone, cortisol, in your body.  This in turn helps your brain to think more clearly!
2. May help to decrease depression.
3. Increases oxygen flow to your brain.
4. Helps increase your immune system.
5. Gives you a burst of energy and joy

I have been a certified laughter leader since 2005 and regularly share these exercises with groups.  In the video below my Mrs. Anita Chuckle character leads a group in three different laughter exercises- The greeting laugh, the circle laugh and the lawn mower.   There are many more of these fun, interactive  and silly laughter yoga exercises that I can facilitate and lead with your group.  Are you ready to do life well?  Try some laughter yoga exercises!