
Today I’m here with Alex Geniesse and we’re talking about how to build better brain habits with kids in just 5 minutes a day. Instead of Sudoku and word searches though, we’re doing it through a form of martial arts that kids enjoy (and may even recognize!). Alex was certified to teach these by a highly ranked martial arts instructor who taught various forms of martial arts. You may have seen this style in popular action movies, including the Marvel series. Alex spends his time expanding his fighting knowledge and how to apply it to neuroscience.
While martial arts may seem like a slight deviation from my normal podcast episodes, it’s actually right on target. These movements are a fun way for kids to activate brain boosting benefits. Even better, they don’t have to leave the house in the evening to go to a dojo and learn it. This at home learning program uses patterns in the form of computer games with physical activity to activate the brain.
For the last several years I’ve been learning the form of martial arts these games are based on and I’ve personally seen huge benefits in my own life. Alex and I discuss how these crossbody movements help increase safe feelings to calm the nervous system. This results in better focus and sleep, all backed by scientific studies. And I love that kids can safely do this without parental supervision, freeing us up for other things and helping teach them responsibility.
Today’s episode was a fun one to do and I hope you’ll join me and listen in as we talk about brain health and martial arts!
Episode Highlights With Alex
- How martial arts benefit the brain, what this particular type is, and why it’s especially beneficial
- Ways martial arts can teach self regulation and calm for kids
- The rare forms of martial arts we are talking about and why there are only a few instructors in the world
- The body keeps the score, and how martial arts helps untangle some of these things
- How these forms of martial arts lead to more oxytocin and less aggression
- Crossbody movements benefit the nervous system and body
- How these forms of martial arts can increase feelings of safety in the body and help the nervous system shift into parasympathetic
- The core principles of these forms of martial arts and how they are beneficial to children
- How kids can learn this approach at home with no driving required for parents
Resources We Mention
- Homdojo
- The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
- TED Talk: Cognitive Kali
- What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada
- A course in Miracles online handbook
- Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender by David R. Hawkins M.D. Ph.D
- Red Rising Series by Pierce Brown
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