In a world full of mental distractions, the simple ability to remember things clearly might feel like a gift. But memory isn’t just a function of the brain; it’s very much connected to the body. That’s where we would need somatic exercises. These movements bring awareness to the body and help reconnect the mind with the physical self.Certain somatic practices have shown potential in improving memory and brain function by calming the nervous system and improving body-brain communication. People mostly link memory only with puzzles and books, science now offers something deeper, body-based memory work.Here are 5 somatic exercises that may play a key role in strengthening memory by rebalancing the nervous system and awakening internal focus.
Pandiculation
Pandiculation is mostly mistaken as just a fancy stretch, but some claim it helps ‘retrain’ the brain-muscle connection.Unlike passive stretching, pandiculation involves a conscious contraction followed by a slow release, which activates sensory-motor awareness. This process wakes up dormant neural pathways, especially in the cortex, the part of the brain involved in memory and learning. Neuroscience research supports the idea that muscle tension, if chronic, can block signals from the brain to the body, leading to foggy focus. Pandiculation helps reset that communication channel.
A simple way to practice it: Clench a body part gently (like the shoulders), hold for a few seconds, and then release slowly with complete awareness of how it feels. Doing this regularly can help in reorganising the brain’s response to stress and memory overload.
Cross-crawl movements
Cross-crawl exercises are said to help ‘balance’ the brain hemispheres and improve coordination.It turns out, there’s truth here. These movements involve alternating motions of opposite limbs, like touching the left elbow to the right knee. This engages both the left and right hemispheres of the brain simultaneously, enhancing communication across the corpus callosum, the bridge that connects the two.Studies in somatic education have shown that rhythmic, bilateral movements can enhance short-term memory, reaction time, and even reading recall. When done mindfully, this can rewire the neural pathways that manage focus and attention.
Pelvic clock exercise
Many somatic practitioners say that releasing tension in the pelvis helps improve mental clarity.The pelvis might seem unrelated to memory, but it sits at the centre of body balance and nervous system grounding. The pelvic clock exercise involves lying on the back and gently rotating the pelvis as if tracing numbers on a clock.
This movement activates the sacral nerves, which send signals up the spinal cord to the brain. When this flow is smooth, the vagus nerve (which influences memory, heart rate, and digestion) becomes better regulated. A calm vagus nerve supports better memory recall, especially under stress.
Spinal wave movements
Some somatic experts believe spinal wave movements can awaken brain fluidity.Slow, wave-like spinal motions, starting from the tailbone and rippling up to the neck, activate the cerebrospinal fluid flow. This fluid cushions the brain and is essential for brain health and detoxification.When the spine becomes rigid, the movement of this fluid gets restricted, which may affect mental clarity and memory. Gentle spinal waves, practised regularly, can enhance this flow and stimulate the brainstem, which is crucial for alertness and memory encoding. Such techniques are also used in Somatic Experiencing Therapy to release stored trauma that interferes with memory retention.
Eyes-closed balance work
Doing balance exercises with closed eyes can sharpen internal awareness and boost memory.Removing visual cues forces the brain to rely on the proprioceptive system — the body’s internal GPS. This system is deeply connected to the cerebellum, a part of the brain responsible for both movement and memory coordination.Balancing on one leg with closed eyes (safely, near support) or walking slowly while focusing on body movement without seeing can awaken inner spatial awareness. According to somatic research, activating proprioception can rebuild pathways linked to episodic memory, the kind that stores personal experiences. It also reduces mental fatigue, which is a hidden enemy of good memory.
