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.
The left brain is the one that houses the speech and language centers. We have become so conditioned to rely on speech, logic and other left brain functions that many of us are not even able to easily access the right brain except in our dreams. We even think in words, constantly engaging in an inner dialog with nobody but oneself!
The right brain is where are emotions and imagination express themselves. We have been conditioned by our society to predominantly use only our left brains and many psychologists believe that it is important for us to break out of that habit by consciously learning to use our imagination. Learning to play air guitar is a great way to do that. Learning to use your right brain is like taking off a heavy black helmet that has been keeping you captive in your left brain’s speech and logic centers.
It does not matter what media you choose to express yourself with, as long as it is not primarily language based. Music is the language of the right brain and so is an excellent start. Let us take a Dreadnought acoustic guitar as our example and put it to use as a tool for right brain activation.
If you like, go into an imaginary guitar store and choose another brand, like a Takamine acoustic guitar. We’re not trying to promote a particular brand, here. The idea is to choose an instrument that you can identify with to use as your air guitar. Once you have chosen it, feel it in your hands and look at how beautiful it is. Now start strumming on your imaginary guitar. See what comes into your head. It may be a favorite riff or you might even find yourself playing your very own original composition.
Try to hear the music playing in your mind. If you can, you are doing well! Your right brain has been activated. Before long, you will probably find the images and music fading and being replaced with words. You have used your left brain only for so long that it is going to try and take over just by habit. A good way to prolong your right brain journey is to fill in the experience by seeing yourself standing in front of an audience and playing for them.
If you have been successful in your imaginary exercise, you will feel refreshed and enlivened after you open your eyes. The right brain is limitless. Give it a chance to speak to you and you will be astounded by what a change it can make in your life!
