Three powerful practices to integrate the left and right aspects of yourself
Why balancing the left and right sides of the brain is important in the journey toward wholesomeness
Our right and left brain hemispheres experience the world very differently. Both sides of the brain together are necessary to perform most tasks, they just handle them differently.
From a scientific view, the two hemispheres seem to work semi-independently and take different approaches to view and solve the same problem. And this seems to be a good strategy for the brain to function efficiently.
How the 2 sides see the world
Our right hemisphere lives in the present and experiences each moment individually through our senses. It sees the world as a whole, it sees the bigger picture. It is also more connected to the natural rhythms of life and the state of flow, fluidity, presence experienced in creative activities or sport. It is more involved with new and original experiences, events and things. And it is more capable of recognizing relationships between objects and people.
Our left hemisphere, on the other hand, takes all those moments, breaks them down into manageable bit of information and organizes them, analyses them, compares them, evaluates them. The left brain likes things which are predictable, familiar and known. The left hemisphere models or maps the world to be able to make sense of it, as a representation of reality. It also defines the concept of self or identity or persona and keeps track of who you think you are, where you live, what your credentials are. It is where that voice inside your head resides, the one that compares yourself to others, that inner critic that analyses where you fit in the world.
Living with strong left and right sides
I have strong left and ride sides of my personality. It might be coming from the fact that on my mom’s side of the family pretty much everyone is an artist whereas on my dad’s side we have many engineers. For many years I had put a lot of emphasis on my left side, as in the society bubble I lived in, it seems more valued and safer as a path to follow.
I have studied math and science extensively, I have a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, a couple other math degrees and an MBA. I have spent 20 years in the medical device industry. Today I am a director in a med-tech start-up. And I enjoy it very much.
I have also spent pretty much the same amount of time on a spiritual journey, asking myself what we, humans, are here for, on this earth. I have practiced and studied yoga, meditation, Neuro-linguistic programming, reiki, pranic healing and I have been teaching some of those approaches and coaching people for a living for a few years now, in parallel to my work in the Medical Device world.
Both sides of myself have always co-existed, but very independently, almost secretly until a few years ago. My left side, the engineer, the professional, analyzing, strategising side had always been curious but a bit doubtful of my experimental side that felt unscientifically based. The left side judged that the right side was definitely not to access or reveal in the corporate world I worked in and created a very professional, “left side” mask or persona.
My softer, yoga teacher, musician, healer side had often be put on the side burner, as a hobby, as it was a side that was not valued in the bubble I lived in. Perhaps too, because of the frequent skepticism of my “left side persona.”
Reinstating balance
Finding balance for me meant seeing the value of my creative, fluid, emotional, sensual side, that had been demeaned for years. And as I allowed this side to emerge, safely, being acknowledged and appreciated, I started to expand my reality, to be able to sit with myself, my emotions without judging what was coming up for me. I started to release a lot of past hurt and let that right side of me take the place it derserved. I started to heal past trauma. I started to welcome presence, vulnerability, letting go of expectations and judgment, being kinder to myself and others, letting go of that inner critic. I started to reconnect deeply with parts of my heart, the compassionate, courageous, kind side and expanded it widely to others, included people I did not know much or people that might have hurt me in the past. I started to allow playfulness and joy to come back in my life, I started to let sensuality back in too. Welcoming and softening to my fluid feminine self, enriched my life in so many ways. And the life of people around me.
The truth is that both sides bring so much value and complement each other in a very beautiful way.
My scientific side helps my creative side to be grounded, strategic and precise in what I offer my clients and what I practice. It helps me deliver on my yoga and coaching programs and courses, it helps me change direction if the data shows this is not working. And my “creative or fluid or right brain” side helps my left side to be present, joyful, grateful and peaceful even in the potentially stressful corporate or med-tech environment I am in.
How to balance those sides?
There are many ways to balance left and ride sides of our brain, here are three that have had a big impact in my developmental journey and that I practice and teach frequently:
- Movement / yoga
Each hemisphere of the brain has sensory and motor control of the opposite side of the body. Therefore moving both sides of the body at once with rhythm and flow facilitates integration.
Yoga involves cross lateral and mid line crossing movements that helps integrate both sides. The intention we set at beginning of practice is also very powerful way to switch our state from a more strategic thinking state to a more fluid creative one, or vice versa (depending on which side of your personality you would like to cultivate).
Check out my “Reconnect to your higher self” signature yoga series here. In this series we focus on different aspects of Self and work at balancing all those aspects including the left and right sides. Those are my favorite practices to integrate and love each part of ourselves.
2. Alternate nostril breathing / Nadi Shodhana
Did you know that at any given moment, one of your nostrils is more open than the other? And this cycle alternates in a rhythmical fashion, every 30 minutes to a few hours. And when the left nostril is more open, the right side of the brain is more active and vice versa. Which may indicate that doing alternate nostril breathing helps balance out the activity of the two hemispheres.
In one study, researchers found that alternate nostril breathing technique could induce a balance in ANS (autonomic nervous system) activity.
Check out my free “7 day breath and meditation challenge” here. Different breathing techniques are included in the challenge, including the Alternate nostril breathing or Nadi Shodhana.
3. Activate the “withdrawn” side
If your “fluid/creative” side is a bit withdrawn, reserved or unexpressed:
- Start creating! Maybe sign up for painting lessons, pottery, singing, music classes. Try something new and exciting!
- Give yourself permission to feel and deeply listen to your emotions, to be vulnerable. Stop denying, repressing, or unvalidating your feelings. Watch this video.
- Watch your inner critic and work on releasing that constant judgment of yourself or others — read this blog.
- Welcome your feminine side — and this blog here.
And so many more.
Needing support along your integration journey, check out my 12-week transformational program here or book a call with me. I would love to support you in this journey to wholesomeness!
With love and gratitude to all.
Dorothee Marossero, Msc, MBA, is a transformational coach, creator of Fearlessly Yourself and Dottyoga. She uses Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Yoga, mindfulness, somatic and self-care approaches to bring sustainable and deep transformation to women around the world.
