Exploring Lazy 8s

This is an article I originally wrote for my own newsletter, which was then published in the Brain Gym® Journal, both titled "Refining Lazy 8s." This is the version I included in my book, Educate Your Brain1.

Exploring Lazy 8s

In a conversation with Paul Dennison, I learned some very important information about Lazy 8s, one of our most frequently used Brain Gym® movements. 

First, just what is Lazy 8s? 

The Lazy 8s Pattern

The Lazy 8s movement is done by tracing a lateral 8, or “infinity” sign, over and over, sweeping across the lateral midline of the body again and again, activating both brain hemispheres and encouraging them to work together. The Lazy 8s movement looks so very simple, yet many people find over time that reading and writing are easier after doing Lazy 8s for just a few minutes, even reducing or eliminating letter-writing reversals.

I invite you to experience Lazy 8s for yourself. Draw a large lateral 8 figure on paper, either flat on a table or vertically on a wall, and place it so that the center of the
8 is directly in line with your midline.

Drawing Lazy 8s

Now, trace the 8 with one hand: begin at the center of the 8 and follow
the line, flowing first up the middle and to the left, then up the middle and
around to the right, again and again. Holding your head still, allow your
eyes to follow your hand. Trace this pattern for a while with one hand,
then the other, then with both hands together. Each time you switch hands 
or begin anew, start in the middle and flow up and to the left. Notice your
ability to follow the flow of the Lazy 8; more importantly, notice any areas of resistance, as these will illumine areas where your brain is experiencing “glitches” in how your two brain hemispheres work together, or how your eyes and hand work together. As you continue to use Lazy 8s, it will become much easier, and you will likely find certain aspects of reading and writing easier as well.

New information from Paul Dennison about Lazy 8s
For a long time, we encouraged learners to trace the Lazy 8 pattern only in the “up the middle” pattern. Any learner who was inclined to trace “down the middle” was gently guided in the “up the middle” pattern. For some learners, this was quite a challenge and resulted in more than a bit of frustration.

Paul Dennison now recommends allowing learners to trace Lazy 8s in whichever direction they are most inclined, especially at first. He says that learners inclined to trace Lazy 8s “down the middle” are helping themselves to experience their body more fully, to feel more grounded. Once learners are able to more fully experience their body this way, they will easily make the transition to the “up the middle” pattern.

The Elephant

So—the new Lazy 8s guideline is this: Allow learners to trace Lazy 8s in whichever direction they are inclined, at least at first. Regularly model the “up the middle” pattern; invite learners to notice which direction their body feels like flowing, while encouraging eventual movement to the “up the middle” pattern.

Alphabet 8s

This guideline can also be used with The Elephant, which is essentially a whole-body Lazy 8; however, the original “up the middle” pattern is always used when doing Alphabet 8s, which rely on that flow for correct letter formation. In fact, Paul Dennison states that the Alphabet 8s and letter formation should not be attempted until the learner has integrated Lazy 8s in both directions, up and down.

No matter which form of 8s the learner is doing, it is still optimal to start at the center and move first to the left, so he or she is activating the “ease” aspect of the gestalt hemisphere.

I have been playing with this new information and have had very interesting experiences. When I trace Lazy 8s “down the middle” I’m much more aware of my body — my feet even feel more connected to the floor. Then, when I trace “up the middle,” I’m less aware of my body and very aware of my mind — I can almost feel the hemispheres of my brain switching on!

Paul Dennison explained, “Thirty years ago, I worked with delayed learners who basically had a good sense of their body but needed more integrated brain function. Typical Lazy 8s were quite effective, and we didn’t realize that they might ever need to be done another way. Now, many of us are working with learners who do not have a good awareness of their body. We need to support these learners in developing body awareness so their experience of brain integration will be more appropriate and complete.”

I love this new information, because it helps me understand why learners might be inclined to trace Lazy 8s the way they do! Now my job is simply to notice direction of flow the learner is using, continue modeling the “up the middle” flow, and notice change as it occurs (sharing with the learner, as appropriate) with appreciation for the process. 

Here are previous articles I've written about the Lazy 8s pattern:
Backing Up to Move Forward into Lazy 8s
Alphabet 8s for Reading
Learning As a Force of Nature

With warmest regards,

Kathy 

Kathy Brown, M.Ed.
Educational Kinesiologist
Licensed Brain Gym® Instructor/Consultant
Author of Educate Your Brain
WEB: www.CenterEdge.com
BLOG: www:WholeBrainLiving.com
BOOK: www.EducateYourBrain.com

[1] Brown, Kathy. Educate Your Brain. Phoenix: Balance Point Publishing LLC. 2012. 112-115. 
Brain Gym® movement photographs Copyright© Laird Brown Photography. All rights reserved

©Copyright 2017 Kathy Brown. All rights reserved.

Brain Gym® is a registered trademark of the Educational Kinesiology Foundation  •  Ventura, CA  •  www.braingym.org

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