Follow the therapist to do 6 animal brain exercises

"To live, you must move!" According to a medical study in London, UK, brain scanners detected that taxi drivers have well-developed "three-dimensional space" functional areas in their brains, and violinists have much larger "finger movement" functional areas in their brains than ordinary people. This shows that human brain performance can be reshaped and improved through active training. The therapist specially teaches everyone a set of simple and easy-to-learn "brain exercises". When doing physical activities, it can not only make the mind clear, but also have a better effect on stretching the body's muscles and bones. (Video/Photographer Jiang Minjun)

Physiotherapist Jian Wenren (pictured) personally demonstrates the "Lion Waking Open Mouth" brain rehabilitation exercise. (Photography by Jiang Minjun)

Cathay Hospital therapist Jian Wenren pointed out that this set of brain exercises consists of a total of 6 moves, named after 6 energetic animals, namely "Giant Bear, Golden Monkey, Waking Lion, Chimpanzee, Shenying, and Jade Rabbit". Exercises are performed from head to toe, mainly through physical rehabilitation and stretching of the hands, mouth, legs, and neck, to switch the sleeping body to an active state.

Because the muscles are relaxed during sleep, the body is particularly soft when you get up, but the back is compressed during sleep, so the back is stiff instead. However, the central nervous system that moves the body is in the neck and back. If you don't relax your back and improve blood circulation, it will be difficult for the body's active nerves to wake up.

【6 Animal Brain Gymnastics Moves】:

1. "Giant Bear Claw"

"Giant Bear Palm": Increases blood circulation and can loosen up stiff back muscles. (Demonstration/Jian Wenren; Photography/Jiang Minjun)

Method: Whether you are sitting or standing, stretch your arms straight up, adjust your breathing, do not do it too fast, and practice repeatedly.

Efficacy: It can directly stretch the muscles and bones, increase blood circulation, loosen the stiff back, stimulate brain cells and activate nerves.

2. "Golden Monkey Washes His Face"

"Golden Monkey Washing Face": Facial massage can increase blood circulation. (Demonstration/Jian Wenren; Photography/Jiang Minjun)

Method: Wash your face with cold or hot water, rub your cheeks with your hands constantly, regulate your breathing rhythm, and practice repeatedly.

Efficacy: Facial massage is very helpful for refreshing the brain, especially through the stimulation of cold and hot water, it can increase blood circulation.

3. The Lion Dance

"The Lion Waking Up and Opening Its Mouth" can quickly clear the mind and make stiff facial muscles soft again. (Demonstration/Jian Wenren; Photography/Jiang Minjun)

Method: Open your mouth as wide as possible, breathe deeply, or yell loudly to increase strength and stimulate your brain.

Effect: Shouting with your mouth open is part of a facial massage that can quickly clear your mind and soften stiff facial muscles.

4. Chimpanzee Beats His Chest

"Chimpanzee Beating His Chest": It can indirectly stimulate the heart and achieve the effect of refreshing the brain. (Demonstration/Jian Wenren; Photography/Jiang Minjun)

Method: Beating the chest can wake up the brain. Don't use too much force when doing it. Make a fist and beat gently to increase blood flow to the heart.

Efficacy: The heart and brain are closely related. Beating the chest too hard can indirectly stimulate the heart and achieve the effect of awakening the brain.

5. "Eagle Spreads Wings"

"Eagle Spreads Wings": The soft movement of the hands helps the mind and heart. (Demonstration/Jian Wenren; Photography/Jiang Minjun)

How to do it: Imagine that you are an eagle spreading its wings and flying high. The swing of your hands should be soft and the breathing speed should be smooth and coordinated with the swinging.

Effect: Softly swinging your hands is helpful for the brain and heart, and it makes the blood flow more smoothly by stretching the limbs.

6. "Jade Rabbit Jumps"

"Jade Rabbit Jumping": Jumping the feet can stimulate the nerves in the soles of the feet and indirectly stimulate the brain nerves. (Demonstration/Jian Wenren; Photography/Jiang Minjun)

Method: Do not jump too fast or too high. If you feel discomfort in your feet, stop immediately.

Effect: Foot hopping can stimulate the nerves in the soles of the feet. It can refresh the brain by jumping while standing or by lifting your legs while sitting.