You mean all I have to do to move better is stare at my finger?

I'm teaching my third "Brains and Balance Training with Coach Kelly" session at The Retreat in a Del Webb community.  As with all my classes, I love getting to know the participants, their struggles, their strengths and mostly watching their balance improve.

In this class, I'm blessed to have an older couple in their early 90s.  My youngest participant is 66.  That's quite an age span as well as a difference in ability levels but that's the challenge facing older adult fitness instructors like myself.  Having different ability levels in one class is definitely a challenge but this is a manageable class size and overall, everyone is near the same ability.

Brain-based training is definitely trending right now; anything "neural" is a hot item due to the science of neuroplasticity.  Neuroplasticity proves that the brain can change and adapt to become more efficient.  The question is HOW do I train the brain's neuroplasticity?    As an Exercise Therapist and Brain Practitioner, I use proven methods to 'reduce threat' to the brain for improved performance.

After two weeks of brain-based training, the entire class is doing amazing, especially the older couple.  I love when people come to my presentations and are 'dis-believers"or 'naysayers'.  I love it because change happens at the speed of the nervous system (immediate) so when I have them do a vision drill and then reassess, they cannot believe the difference!

The other day in class,  Bob, my 91-year old participant, said rather loudly, you mean to tell me that all I have to do to move better is stare at my finger?  We all laughed and said, yep!  The power of  visual input is beyond amazing.  My tag line, "it's not magic, it's neuroscience" is true.  It's absolutely amazing to see how the body responds after a 'high payoff' drill.

Another gentleman, age 66, chimed in, "I was a total disbeliever until we did the pencil push-ups; now I believe what you're teaching".  Another gentleman, age 83, said, "I consider myself logical, even linear in thought but I do not understand how this is happening so I"m just going to trust you Kelly" and then he smiled.

That's golden to me!  Trust me friends, this is good.  This is real good.  I've pretty much dedicated my entire life to improving balance and reducing falls among older adults because there is hope; movement is life.  As an evolving neuro-practitioner, I am even more passionate about sharing the techniques I've learned about the brain and improving movement, balance and vision while reducing pain.

I'm not going to change who you are.  Brain training doesn't make you a different person but it does help you gain control over your body and mind which only helps you live better longer!

Pain Is Your Brain's Way of Saying Stop

Nothing will stop you from doing the things you love quicker than pain.  In fact, pain has been identified as the biggest obstacle to any behavior change.  For example, no matter how much you want to start exercising, if your knee hurts with every step, you cannot and will not exercise.

In order to understand pain, you must know how the brain works.  The brain is divided into two sections, the "old" brain located in the 'back' of the brain and the "new" brain, located in the front.  The only thing "old" brain is concerned about is your safety.  Is this movement safe?  Is this situation a threat to my safety?

The old brain determines if something is safe through input data from billions of sensory receptors and prior experiences in similar situations.  The old brain is only concerned about survival.  If the old brain does not feel safe, the brain elicits an output; something that will stop you from current behavior so you remain safe and are not killed.   Pain is a protective output of the brain to force a change for your safety.

Please understand that I am in no way diminishing any pain that you feel but rather, I hope to explain pain in such a way that gives you hope; a way out of the misery of dull aching and constant pain.  

Neuroplasticity proves that a person can "train" the input systems and train the interpretation of data to improve prediction and thus improve performance while reducing pain.  The more safe your brain feels, the better your movement and the less your pain.

In a prior blog,  I explained that the nervous system is a loop of input, interpretation/decision, and output.  This constant feedback process determines how we move through life.  Our sensory systems provide data about the environment and the brain (aka, cerebellum) monitors how the body is interacting within the environment.  Based on input data and prior experiences, the brain initiates a motor response.  The quality of the response is determined by the quality of the inputs, speed of interpretation and accuracy and timing of motor response.

If all systems say "safe", movement is smooth, fluid and pain-free.  If prior experiences in same situation were 'safe', movement will be strong.  Conversely, if the brain does not feel safe, the brain's  output is going to be PAIN, nausea, poor movement, decreased strength or flexibility or even a loss of balance; anything to get you to stop what you're doing.

How do you make your "old" brain feel safe?  You practice drills that improve predictive capability. In other words, you practice the Brains and Balance class drills regularly with accuracy and coordination.

The pain theory is outdated.  Listen to your body.  Train your brain.  Don't fall down.
The better the input, the better the output!

The Fall Prevention Lady, aka, Your Neuro-Performance Coach!