The Brain Gym Circuit is a series of stationsarranged in such a way as to increase brain function. Stimulating communication in areas of

the brain, whether you are focused on eyesight, hearing, or various motor functions, brings about the necessarycellular environment for repair and rebuilding of the surrounding cells, in this case, brain cells. As MichaelLesser, MD, the author of The Brain Chemistry Diet,reminds us, “What’s good for our brain cells is alsogood for the rest of the body.”

First, let’s review two approaches used locally forthe stimulation of the visual cortex, then we’ll discussour options for improvement of the auditory channels as well.

Dr. Don Funke practices wellness-oriented, holistic,chiropractic care at Advanced Spine and Wellness inBozeman. He regularly uses visual therapy with hispatients. “Dr. Don” discovered the effectiveness of visualtherapy under the tutelage of Dr. John Brimhall, a sage chiropractor who presided over a wellness clinic in Mesa, Arizona.

There are two types of visualtherapy used by Dr. Don. The firstand most common is Color Therapy,which uses specialized eyewear as ameans of directing color and itsenergy into the body. The eyes con-vert light and color into electricitythat travels through the nervous system, and thus, into every systemand function of the body. When colors enter the eyes, each frequencyis directed to the area of the bodythat recognizes (resonates with) thatparticular frequency, causing cellularand hormonal changes to occur, thusbringing the body into synchroniza-tion, into balance with that color.

During color therapy, simplemuscle testing is used to determinewhich color the patient’s body ismost receptive to. Each color repre-sents specific regions, organs, andemotions. Once the correct color isdetermined, the patient wears thatcolor of lenses throughout the ses-

sion. During the treatment, the richly innervated facetjoints of the spinal column are stimulated using the gently rhythmic thrusts of an ArthroStim® instrument. This improves the effectiveness of the color therapy byincreasing the nervous-system input.

The second type of visual therapy uses Eyelights™,which are specially designed glasses with tiny LED lightsembedded in each lens. These lights flash at specific places

within the field of vision to stimulatespecific areas of the brain.

Research suggests that our nerv-ous system, like our vascular system,may have two functions. It not onlyputs out and receives nerve impulses,but also may serve as a channel forthe streaming of energy. Light ignitescellular metabolism. It enters the eyeand goes to the body’s power distribu-tion center, the hypothalamus. Thereit is converted into electro-chemicalimpulses (signals) that are sent toimportant endocrine glands, such asthe pituitary and the pineal. Theseglands, in turn, distribute hormonalmessages via the body’s nervous sys-tem to virtually every cell in the body.

If you would like to learn moreabout how light and color therapymay benefit you, please contact Dr. Don Funke at (406) 585-0388.

When working with the auditorycortex of the brain, located on

both the right and left sides of the

The BrainGym Circuit for the

Visual & Auditory Cortexes

Marlenea La Shomb

The Brain Gym Circuit for Eyes, Ears & Brain

1) Health Bounce with eye exercises

2) Musically-lively Chair Massage

3) Body maps for Footzone Therapy

4) Auricular Therapy on the ears

5) Eyelights™ (eyewear) to stimulatematching areas of the brain

6) Colored lenses, for use with eye exercises

7) Tuning Forks use sound to tunethe human instrument

8) Ear Candling to clean the ears

9) Breathwork & Breathing Work

10) Pure Oil & Gemstone Essences

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head where the ears are located, it’simportant to know that the head,skull and spine are all filled withfluid—our very own human instru-ment. Over 30 years ago, I read awonderful book called, The HumanInstrument, which gave me my firstintroduction to how powerful musicand sound is for the body by way of its vibrations that travelin, through and around every cell,literally bathing us in music. Thisstarted in the womb as we heard thesounds of our mother’s heartbeat.

We have all experienced thepower of the sounds of nature tosoothe or energize us, as in thewaves of the ocean or the song of amorning dove that wakes us. Ourancestors intuitively embracedsound as the very essence of the life-force. In fact, in every corner of the globe, the ancients have puttheir stories and poems to musicusing sound to commune with theinfinite creative force. Simple humming or whistling a tune alsoactivates and energizes us within aswell as without. Another powerfulbook to read for more informationof this subject is by Mitchell Gaynor,MD entitled, Sounds of Healing: APhysician Reveals the TherapeuticPower of Sound, Voice, and Music.

So, we know we were born withthis human instrument. It is power-ful and it works. When we lose vary-ing degrees of our hearing, we alsohave less brain function in the audi-tory cortex, a major part of our brain communication andfunction. Can this be turnedaround? Of course!

Where to start? Come and takeyour paces through our Brain GymCircuit specifically designed to stim-ulate the auditory cortex:

1) Cleaning the Ears. Ear Candlingcan be helpful but there aremany options in this area.

2) Helicrysium. This is a pureessential oil that can be applied specifically for hearing,along with other oils such as

frankincense. 3) Health Bounce! Get circulation

with adequate blood supply andoxygen to the brain cells. Onegreat way of doing this is usingthe force of gravity on arebounder.

4) Drink Plenty of Pure Water.Very important—stay hydrated!

5) Tuning Forks. Just as you needto tune your guitar before youplay it, you can use tuning forksto tune your human instrument.This impacts all the cells in the body.

6) Musically Lively Chair Massage.Relax on a specially designedchair that has the vibrations ofthe music pumping through itand also use headphones as agreat way to enjoy the benefits ofsoothing or stimulating music.

These are just a few of the stations we have in our circuit

for brain function relating to theauditory cortex, with additional stations designed specifically forimprovement of visual cortex andmotor function. For a free introduc-tory session, call Jump Start YourHealth at (406) 224-5425. Changethe way you see and hear, while youbenefit all-over brain function! �

(My next article will highlight |the Brain Gym Circuit for stimulating and strengthening the motor cortex, especially balance, coordination rhythm and timing.)

Marlenea La Shomb, developer ofthe Brain Gym Circuit, is a certifiedNCSF personal trainer and licensed massage therapist with a certifiedPilates background in movement therapy. Call Marlenea at (406)224-5425 for a free 1/2-hour brain-health consultation. She will design a plan made just for you. Send e-mail to jumpstartyourhealth@gmail.com.

29November–December 2013