"Right Brain vs Left Brain" Optical Illusion
The Right Brain vs Left Brain test ... do you see the dancer turning clockwise or counter-clockwise?
If clockwise, the theory is that you favor the right side of the brain and vice versa.
Apparently, most people initially see the dancer turning counter-clockwise. I initially saw her spinning clockwise, but with a little practice, I was able to change the direction of the spinning at will. What is your experience?(via The Daily Telegraph)
posted by Leslie Kaminoff @ 10/11/2007 01:15:00 AM
6 Comments:
Good morning Leslie and the e-sutra community.
Thank you for sharing this "illusion".
I initially saw this spinning clock wise.
However, i found that if closing my eyes and then opening them with a diffuse gaze would lead to different directions of spin. Hmmmm-
The next inquiry involved directing my gaze through either my right or left eye. This focused gazing led the perception of the spin changing depending on whether i focused right or left eye. To do this I actually turned my head.
The last inquiry came to mind as a result of working with Victor van Kooten earlier this year. Victor had us making inquiries into our "inner vision" in Virabhadrasana 2.
As a yogi and bodyworker, this exercise leads me to an increased appreciation for noting the direction of the rotation of the head in standing posture.
Thanks for starting the day off with a smile-
Carrie Gaynor
Oh my, Leslie, this was mind-blowing! (Good to have one's mind blown open, thank you!) Thanks to Carrie's guidance, by squinting I was able to immediately reverse the direction to counter clockwise after first only being able to see the figure spinning clockwise. Now I'm working on being able to change directions at will, which I guess will take a little more practice as right now the direction changes but not yet under my control, only randomly when I look away & look back again.
By turning my head to the right & squinting through my right eye, & vice-versa for the left eye, the figure turned directions as I was watching it, rather than when I looked away or closed my eyes.
Crazy stuff! How on earth does this work? Should I be rethinking everything I perceive as reality?! (... And that, of course, is Yoga!) Oh boy, quite a start you've given to my day, Mr. Kaminoff! Thank you for your service, after many years of subscribing, this is my first comment post to your wonderful blog.
Lokah Samastah Sukhinoh Bhavantu
May ALL beings be happy, at peace, & free from suffering ~ no exceptions!
Love & Light to all friends in community,
Kamaniya
I wanted to add also that this comes at an interesting time for me, as I've recently started using my left hand more for my computer mouse, simply to give my right wrist a break (repetitive stress syndrome - no fun!) I literally felt my brain tingling initially as I started to get used to the strangeness of using my non-dominant hand, but it's now easier. Now I'm trying to remember to use my left hand for actions that I would generally automatically use my right hand for. Simple actions, such as opening a door, even brushing my teeth. It's an interesting experiment which I encourage readers to try. It's also a great experiment in mindfulness. My right wrist & arm feels a lot better for it! Perhaps others might also have such experiences to share?
Hari Om Tat Sat,
Kamaniya
When I first looked at this I saw the figure spinning clockwise. Seemed to corroborate what I believe to be true of myself--that I'm right brain dominant. As I looked at it I couldn't imagine how anyone would see the pirouette going counterclockwise.
I hate to admit it but I was multi-tasking: dinner's on, went to quick check email as I checked in with my mother on the phone. I was trying to convince her to try homeopathy for pain she's experiencing and got irritated with her when she, again, worried that it would interfere with "what the doctors give her."
As I tensely tried to explain to her how homeopathy works--doesn't add anything, works with what's already there to bring the body into balance--a spiel I've given her several times, I noticed that the dancer had begun spinning counterclockwise! I was fascinated, because my whole body had tensed up too, and I'd definitely lost her. She seemed to feel pushed and I did feel like I was pushing her to think like me.
I wonder if it's just more for me that being in left brain mode is more tense, less natural. I think I tend to feel more in flow when I'm being creative not analytical.
Be well-
Milissa
I saw the figure change feet, hence changing from rotating in a clockwise direction, to a counter-clockwise direction.
By "strobing" my eyelids (rapid open and closing) I found that not only could I "make" the figure change direction repeatedly and quickly, but that I could also see it swing from side to side like a little pendulum, and not revolve at all.
Alison West
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