Left Brain + Right Brain: How to Activate Both Together?
What you will learn in this article
- How the left and right brain work — and the cross-wiring connection
- Live brain yoga exercises — Thumb-Pinky Switch & Victory-Pointer Switch
- The RRR Memory Formula — Registration, Retention, Recall
- Dr. Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory
- Mobile phone impact on children's brains — and what parents can do
- Brain training for special-abled children — Padma Shri Dr. Shyama Chona's work
- No age limit for brain training — from age 3 to 85
- Gurnandan Singh's Shark Tank India journey
Watch the full conversation with Gurnandan Singh on The Sarvesh Mishra Show
In this episode of The Sarvesh Mishra Show, host Sarvesh Mishra sits down with Gurnandan Singh (Founder, Head and Heart | Shark Tank India fame) for a fascinating conversation on brain optimization and brain training — specifically, how to activate the left and right brain together. The episode covers live brain yoga demos, memory training techniques, and practical parenting insights.
How Much of Our Brain Do We Actually Use?
The conversation opens with a compelling question — how much of their brain do most people actually use? According to Gurnandan Singh, the average person actively uses only a small fraction of their brain's capacity, while the rest remains largely untapped. This lack of awareness, he explains, is why most people never recognize their true potential.
The Hanuman Ji Example — The Power of Awareness
An interesting analogy from the Ramayana is shared — Hanuman Ji lived within limited boundaries until he became aware of his own unlimited powers. The moment he was reminded of his true capability, crossing the ocean became effortless. The same principle, Gurnandan Singh argues, applies to the human brain — until we're aware of our brain's true capability, we can't work on improving it.
Until we're aware of our brain's true capability, we can't work on improving it. Awareness precedes transformation.
How Do the Left Brain and Right Brain Work?
Our brain is divided into two hemispheres — the Left Hemisphere and the Right Hemisphere — each responsible for different functions:
- Left Brain — handles numbers, logic, reasoning, calculation, and analysis.
- Right Brain — governs creativity, art, imagination, emotion, and intuition.
The Cross-Wiring Connection
An interesting medical fact shared in the episode: the left brain controls the right side of the body, and the right brain controls the left side. This is why, in the case of a paralytic stroke, if the right side of the body is affected, the clot is typically found in the left hemisphere, and vice versa.
Dr. Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences
According to Harvard professor Dr. Howard Gardner's theory, the left and right hemispheres are further divided into four sections each — the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe. These eight sections are linked to eight types of intelligence:
- 1Intrapersonal Intelligence
Self-awareness and inner understanding
- 2Interpersonal Intelligence
Understanding and relating to others
- 3Mathematical-Logical Intelligence
Numbers, patterns, and reasoning
- 4Creative Intelligence
Original thinking and problem-solving
- 5Linguistic Intelligence
Words, language, and expression
- 6Kinesthetic Intelligence
Body movement and physical coordination
- 7Naturalist Intelligence
Connection with nature and environment
- 8Musical Intelligence
Rhythm, melody, and sound patterns
Live Brain Yoga Exercises: Activating Both Hemispheres Together
On The Sarvesh Mishra Show, Gurnandan Singh demonstrated two live brain training exercises that anyone can try at home as part of a simple brain optimization routine.
Exercise 1: Thumb-Pinky Switch
- On one hand, extend the pinky finger; on the other, extend the thumb.
- Now switch both hands simultaneously — the hand that had the pinky extended should now show the thumb, and vice versa.
- This feels difficult at first because one brain hemisphere tends to be dominant, but it gets easier with practice.
Exercise 2: Victory-Pointer Switch
- Make a victory sign (✌) with both hands.
- With one hand, switch to a pointer (index finger) and then back to victory.
- Now do the same with the other hand — pointer, then back to victory.
- Repeat this pattern back and forth.
The Science of Memory: What Is the RRR Formula?
"There is no such thing as a good or bad memory — only a trained or untrained memory."
— Gurnandan Singh
He breaks memory down into three core pillars:
-
R
Registration
Information enters our brain through the five senses — sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste.
-
R
Retention
This involves both the conscious and subconscious brain.
-
R
Recall / Retrieval
This is linked to the right brain, which governs emotion, imagination, and music — which is why emotionally significant days or the lyrics of a favorite song tend to stick in memory far more easily than routine daily details.
Live Demo: Memorizing 20 Words Forward and Backward
The episode features a live memory demonstration — host Sarvesh Mishra read out 20 random words (like pot, camera, lens, mic, train, and more), one at a time, and Gurnandan Singh recalled them in order, in reverse order, and even at random positions after hearing them just once.
The Impact of Mobile Phones on Children's Brains
An important topic covered in the conversation: today, children's brain development is being harmed most significantly by mobile phone overuse. Two key reasons were highlighted:
- Radiation exposure
- Shrinking attention span — children's scrolling habits are steadily reducing their ability to focus.
Gurnandan Singh believes parents bear more responsibility for this than children themselves. His suggestion: replace screen time with storytelling, conversation, and outdoor activities to break the habit early.
Replace screen time with storytelling, conversation, and outdoor activities. Parents bear more responsibility than children for breaking the mobile addiction cycle.
Brain Training for Special-Abled Children
A particularly moving example shared in the episode involves Padma Shri Dr. Shyama Chona (former principal, DPS RK Puram), whose Tamanna Foundation works with special-abled children. Twelve of the foundation's teachers, trainers, occupational therapists, and speech therapists were trained in this brain optimization program, after which noticeable improvements were observed in the children's learning and comprehension abilities.
Is There an Age Limit for Brain Training?
According to the conversation, neuroplasticity — the brain's ability to adapt and rewire itself — remains present at any age. The podcast featured examples of participants ranging from a 3-year-old child to an 85-year-old, suggesting that brain optimization and brain training have no strict age limit.
Gurnandan Singh's Shark Tank India Journey
Gurnandan Singh shared that during COVID, he transitioned his offline training programs to an online model. Around the same time, he applied for Shark Tank India Season 1, where roughly 62,000 applicants competed for just 200 finalist spots. Following his appearance on the show, participants from 23 countries joined his programs, leading to significant business growth.
Our brains are capable of far more than we typically realize — it simply requires the right kind of brain training and brain optimization. Left brain and right brain exercises, the RRR memory technique, and consistent daily practice can together help improve concentration, memory, and creativity.