Play Air Guitar And Let Your Imagination Soar!
Posted By Jasper Longfellow on March 1, 2010
The brain is split down the middle into two halves. Only narrow bridges connect the two halves of our brains. These two brains rarely even communicate with each other. The one we use the most is our left brain.
Most of us are only acquainted with our left brain. That is the one that does all the linear thinking and verbalizing. Our language centers are on that side of the brain. If you, like most people, spend your time listening to or creating an inner dialog and only think spatially and in pictures when you sleep, you are living in your left brain.
The right brain is the brain of the feelings and the imagination. As a society, we have become so language centered that only musicians and artists remind us that we even have a right brain. Strange as it may seem, many psychologists suggest learning to play air guitar or do some other right brain activity in order to reawaken the creative, feeling side of the brain. Activating the right hemisphere is like taking off a black helmet that has kept you trapped in the small world of the chattering left brain.
If air guitar does not appeal to you, then you can choose another media for your right brain imaginary journey. In this example, however, we are going to choose a Dreadnought acoustic guitar. Music is the ‘language’ through which the right brain expresses itself and so is the perfect choice.
If you prefer, choose a Takamine acoustic guitar instead or any other brand that you like. All you need is an air guitar that you can identify with. Now, for starters, close your eyes and visualize that guitar. Run your fingers over it and pluck the strings. Admire it. Feel how good it feels to hold it. Now start playing whatever music comes into your mind. You may even start spontaneously composing your own tune!
Can you hear the music playing in your mind? Good! That means you have just activated your right brain. You will probably not play for long before you return to your habitual left brain thinking. A good way to stay in the right brain longer is to fill in the experience with pictures. Imagine yourself playing to an appreciative audience. Fill in the picture with details.
You will know that you have had a successful imaginary journey when you open your eyes and feel lighter and happier. The right brain is not restricted by time or space and you will feel the weight of the world fall off your shoulders. Go on, get to know your right brain. You will be happier for it!