HPI
A simple devotional action performed by Hindus in front of Lord Ganesha from time immemorial is now being researched and enthusiastically promoted in the West as “Super Brain Yoga.” Students, Alzheimers patients and adults trying to stave off memory loss are saying it has improved their mental faculties.
Dr. Eric Robins, a medical doctor in Los Angeles, calls it “a fast, simple, drug-free method of increasing mental energy” and prescribes it for his patients. He speaks of one student who raised his grades from C’s to A’s in the space of one semester.
Denise Peak, a high-school teacher of students with learning disabilities, including autism and Aspergers Syndrome, has had very encouraging results. She says, “I think this might be the key to help unlock these children.”
Occupational therapist Raina Koturba says the effect on one autistic seven-year-old boy was immediate and dramatic. Before learning the exercise, the boy had frequent episodes of violence, including kicking, biting, punching, and head-butting; “but since he started the exercise, he has not had one outburst.”
Yale neurobiology researcher Dr. Eugenius Yang, Jr. says the practice stimulates neural pathways in the brain by activating acupuncture points on the earlobes–and synchronizes the right and left hemispheres of the brain, as demonstrated by EEG (electroencephalograph) scans. “I do it every day,” he says.
A Hindu family notes, “We do this front of Sri Ganesha. We used to do this as kids…as prayer or even as punishments. …. countless times! We called it ‘thoppukaranam’ . Today they call it ‘brain yoga’… why not? Our ancestors did not know marketing.”
For the experts’ comments on “Super Brain Yoga,” please view this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSwhpF9iJSs