Ambidexterity

     I honestly think that all people are not only capable of being Polymaths, but that we do more work stifling that ability then we do cultivating it.  There are many things we can do to increase our ability to exceed our expectations in life and lots of little steps that bring us closer to being a polymath and sharpen our life tools.  One of these necessary skills is being ambidextrous. 
    
       With the limitations of space impeded by the steady increase of human population, we can no longer afford our artifacts to be only single use tools.  The rising trend of housing is to create spaces that can be used for different tasks throughout the day.  This necessity is no less true of our bodies and our minds.

     I am not sure why we settle with having one dominant hand, or why more parents don't help their  kids develop both arms equally during the formative years.  I am also appalled by the practice of some religions that stigmatize left hand use.
   
        Unless you began at an early age, learning to have full use of both sides of your body is a steep road, but it can be achieved!  As with all things though, it takes commitment, patience, and practice.
All the things you habitually do with your dominant hand, just switch when you are in an environment to do so.  I find that I have the most chances for this when I am doing things around the house. 

Here is a list of some ways to improve the use of your non dominant parts:

Stretching and exploring - at least once a day it is helpful to your health to do a good stretch, during this activity you can and should be exploring the limitations of your joints.  Starting at the tip of the fingers on your non-dominant hand explore each joint and section till you get to your shoulder, doing this daily and with each part of your body will, over time, make you more dexterous and agile and give you a much keener awareness of your body.

Eating - It is fun (and entertaining to onlookers) to try eating with the hand you typically leave resting on the table.  Next meal you have, put the fork in your weaker hand.

Throwing rocks - If you have space enough to do it is helpful to throw rocks, learning the mechanics of your arm.  Take turns throwing with your dominant arm then your non dominant.  When I use my right for example, I study the way it moves to generate force, how I move it toward a desired target, how I cradle the weight of the rock, when in the arc I release the rock from my hand, then in slow motion I replicate the mirror of those movements in my left arm.  (I still look really silly and have no aim with my left arm, but I am improving)

Showering - If you typically wash with your right hand, try washing your whole body with your left, take your time and learn the physical limitations and range of your left arm.

Dishes - I often take the time to wash my dishes by hand and this is a great chance to practice ambidexterity. I simply put the wash rag in my weaker hand.  This helps not only the small motor skills but having to pay attention to actually cleaning the dish helps form the links in your brain, concentrating builds and strengthens neuron bridges to your hand that were not there.

Any form of weight/strength training - While holding anything with weight (books, a child, some dishes, dumbbells, medicine ball etc.) fully extend your non-dominant arm with the object in your hand, do this for as long as you can before your arm gives up.
If you can't do this with objects, all you need is a door frame or wall.  Just place your non-dominant hand against the wall and lean into it till all of your weight is upon it, or put your hand on the opposite side of a door frame from your body and lean away, both are examples of using your own weight resistance to build strength


     I have been practicing these and other techniques for many years and still my left arm is not as strong as my right, but it is almost as dexterous.  In normal every day activities my left arm can keep up and is severely helpful.  I have noticed a large increase in my productivity because of my ability to use both of my arms freely.

     It takes a bit of work and rewriting your mindset, but the payout is infinite. 
So, let me know if any of you are already ambidextrous, what type of activities can you do with both sides?
What type of exercises do you do to strengthen your non-dominant side?
Can you right legibly with doth hands?

until next time: fight against stagnation, adapt or die.