Cross Crawl Sit-ups from Brain Gym – for more information about Brain Gym have a look at www.braingym.org

Cross Crawl Sit-ups are one of my favourite crossing the midline movement because they take a good amount of focus to do them well. They also help keep your tummy trim – always a bonus after holidays! You may have done these at the gym, read carefully for little variances that turn it into a focusing movement.

You will need to lie down for this movement. There are different levels of difficulty with this – make sure you stay at each level until it feels really easy before you proceed onto the next. By feeling easy I mean you should be able to do the movement precisely and with ease and carry on a conversation. Your core is staying switched on. The aim of each level is to feel the connection between the opposite shoulder and hip through the movement. Your internal X. Don’t move to the next level until this feels very clear.

First level. Lie down with your knees bent. Put your hands towards your ears but don’t hold your head. Reach your right elbow towards your left knee and vice versa, lifting your upper body as needed. Once you can do this movement comfortably and hold your upper back and head off the ground with ease you are ready for the second level.

Now, start lifting the knees towards the elbows as the elbows are reaching for the knees. Once your elbows and knees are meeting comfortably you can move onto the next level.

When you are working at this level of integration you will start, still on your back, but with your lower legs lifted and parallel to the floor. As your knees and elbows touch and activate your internal X you will be doing a rhythmical bike movement. Make sure you can keep talking and that your core muscles (tummy muscles) are nice and tight (not bulging).

Once you are feeling nice and focused then you can get back to work! Or play!

Have fun!