Execution attention network in mindful movement: The “oh #*$%” moments
Alerting Attention Network Part 1
Orienting Attention Network Part 2
The execution network is sometimes called the “0h #%^@” network because it detects errors and monitors conflict. If your Pilates teacher overcounts the 100s (an abdominal exercise with one hundred arm pulses), you will notice and might call out “We’re not doing the 200’s, are we?” During Z-health ® exercises, you might notice that you are moving your left eye much farther to the right than your left while training in the vision gym. Execution network will also alert you to engage your abdominals to support your “popping ribs” when you see the teacher coming over to correct you.
Execution Attention Network
Importantly, in most mindful movement techniques you utilize all three attention networks. The alerting network is ideally attended to by the teacher at the beginning of class to help you get to an optimized calm yet alert state. The orienting network is activated when you choose to focus on the teacher’s cues instead of your laundry list. And the executive network is triggered when you notice mistakes. So next time you attend your mindful movement class, know that with a skillful instructor you are not just benefiting your body, you also are engaging the attention networks in your brain!
Attention Network Series 1-3:
Alerting Attention Network Part 1
Orienting Attention Network Part 2
Learn more about attention and mindful movement:
Good, Better, Best: How attention and specific cues can optimize Yoga & Pilates performance
Learn more about brain-based cues:
How to Sort Out if New Brain-based Approaches can Improve Yoga and Pilates
Learn more about the mindful movement and how to improve robotics:
Turn thought into action: Improving Brain Gate Study 2
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