“What is MMD?”

MMD (Mirror Movement Development) is the third pillar of human longevity (along with Nutrition and Exercise). Simply put, MMD is working to learn everything in mirror direction. Imagine you were video recorded doing everything you do throughout an average day. Then, take that video footage and horizontally mirror flip it. Your goal of MMD is to work to learn how to do what you see yourself doing in that mirror flipped video. Examples include throwing with your other arm, kicking with your other foot, writing with your other hand (in mirror direction), typing on a mirrored computer keyboard (with the computer screen mirrored and mouse in the other hand with the buttons flipped), lefty handshakes, lefty can openers, lefty scissors, lefty corkscrews, mirrored clocks and calendars, etc., etc., etc…

“What’s the difference between MMD and Ambidexterity?”

Traditional ambidexterity has been our closest cultural understanding to MMD. Ambidexterity is an equal use of both hands in a culturally traditional direction. Ambidexterity lacks, though, the full recognition that our bodies are physically designed for equal, symmetric, mirrored movement on both sides. This can be seen in the body’s symmetric skeleton, symmetric exterior features, and symmetric weight distribution of asymmetrically-placed organs.

“What are the Benefits of MMD?”

Body realignment, increased spatial awareness, balance, memory recollection, creativity, calorie burn, fine motor skills, reaction time, and general longevity. In fact, all activities associated with longevity happen to be MMD. They include walking, running, hiking, cycling, swimming, yoga, and gymnasium workout machines. All other ball, disc, club, stick, board, etc. sports would also increase longevity when practiced switch (MMD). Learn more in the book, BIG3MMD: History’s Ambidextrous and the Benefits of Mirror Movement Development (MMD).

“How can I practice MMD?”

MMD is a lifestyle practice you can begin today with little to no need for special equipment. In most cases, MMD is simply choosing your other hand for daily activities (brushing your teeth, opening the door, shaking hands, using the computer mouse, writing a note, etc). Start small and build up in practice. The article How to Become Ambidextrous explains more. For a lot of MMD you don’t need special, addition equipment. As you progress, though, and want to develop increased brain-body symmetry, certain mirrored items (like mirrored keyboards, clocks, and reading mirrors) are needed. Visit the Ambidex Store for links to these and more MMD products.

“What’s the Science behind MMD?”

The micro- and macro-muscular movements of MMD work to send blood flow to your opposite brain hemisphere and realign the body. This creates new neurons and synapses, thickens the corpus callosum, and increases gray matter growth. More can be understood about MMD, but science, currently, lacks MMD practitioners to even be studied at length. If you adopt the MMD lifestyle longterm and are open to being studied by science, please contact us.

“Who are some famous MMD Practitioners?”

Many of history’s greatest creatives, thinkers, and athletes have practiced, promoted, or showcased MMD. They include the Ancient Greeks, Leonardo da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin, Nikola Tesla, Michelangelo, Albert Einstien, Queen Victoria, Thomas Jefferson, Mahatma Gandhi, Harry Houdini, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Maria Sharapova, Jimi Hendrix, Patrick Mahomes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mickey Mantle, and many more.

“Does MMD make you Dyslexic?”

Much of MMD is based on the common sense physical design of our body for symmetric movement. In fact, most young kids instinctively practice MMD. Young kids often switch hands when grabbing items, throwing balls, kicking with both feet, and even mirror write. It’s only until us well-intended adults come along and tell kids they need to choose just one ‘correct’ side, that dual-directionality is incorrect (contrary to our physical design for dual-directional movement (aka, MMD)). Developmental studies even show the brains of young kids are more symmetric before we learn how to read. This symmetry, though, would remain and grow if mirror writing (along with all MMD) was practiced. Unfortunately, because of our cultural great mistake of choosing just one ‘appropriate’ direction for writing (and nearly all other activities), young kids who instinctively mirror write are labeled with dyslexia. Thankfully, two of history’s greatest geniuses, Leonardo da Vinci and Benjamin Franklin, lacked formal education and were, therefore, free to practice mirror reading and mirror writing for decades.
Great mistake…

“Does MMD prevent Dementia and Alzhemer’s?”

Yes, there are associations with MMD preventing Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Much of the association is related to learning new skills and exercise (to factors that increase with an MMD lifestyle). Another connection may relate to the cerebral symmetry that increases with MMD, but science needs more MMD practitioners to study on a large scale before concluding this.

“Why don’t Schools already teach MMD?”

MMD is the greatest missing piece of general education that we’ve globally missed (for the most part) for thousands of years. There are times and places within history though where MMD has been taught and practiced. Examples include the ancient Greeks, Sythians, Ottomans, Easter Islanders, Great Brittain, USA, and India. Body science understands the importance of MMD when recognizing that all activities associated with longevity happen to be MMD. These activities include walking, running, hiking, cycling, swimming, yoga, and all machines at the gym. Brain science, thouhg, has completely miss this thouhg since micro-movement MMD (mirror reading, writing, and typing) has been historically discouraged across every culture. As a result, the nature of handedness is largely misunderstood by brain science. This can also explain the species-specific preference that humans exclusively have in the 90/10 split of right-handed preference over left-handed (something that would no longer be of question if MMD was taught in schools from a young age).

“Are there any downsides to practicing MMD?”

No! Socially, though, MMD can feel isolating since traditional, cultural norms don’t embrace MMD. Unless you’re taught MMD from a young age, it will likely feel very difficult, especially at first (much like the lifestyle choice of exercise and healthy diet). But the benefits of long-term, lifestyle MMD practice are immense. Considering all this, MMD, for the average adult adopting the practice, can be summed up as “Taking one step back to take three steps forward” in relation to the abilities you acquire compared to your peers.

“Should Kids practice MMD?”

Absolutely! Anyone can practice MMD for profound benefits to their brain and body, but kids can pick it up the quickest. This can be explained by the fact that young brains are still more symmetric (and capable) before traditional edcation and social norms misaligns them via asymmetric, single-sided development (e.g. reading in just one direction, writing with just one hand in one direction, typing in just one lateral format, throwing with just one arm, kicking with just one foot, reading clocks in just one traditional direction, exclusively right-handed handshakes, etc). In fact, young kids instinctively practice MMD on their own without instruction. This often changes, though, when well-intended adults come along and ‘correct’ the young child, telling them that they need to choose just one ‘right’ side. This is considered our cultural great mistake (which has occured globally for thousands of years). It’s important to recognize this when adopting the MMD lifestyle since many adults likely won’t understand why anyone would practice MMD (especially considering MMD is often more difficult to practice the older we get).

“Any helpful links to videos and articles backing up these claims?”

Certainly!…
MMD and Dual-dominance intro
Our Great Missed Connection with Longevity and How to Fix It
Why I Write With Both Hands and What Happened to my Brain by Diego Irigoyen
Training Ambidexterity – for Athleticism, Creativity, and Symmetry
Mirror Reading: A Review of The Literature by Dr. Shelagh Robinson
Mirror Reading – Why and How to Do it
Longevity Activities Explained
MMD Explained and How I Got Into It