The brain is not only the seat of consciousness but also the meeting point of two opposing yet complementary forces—the left and right hemispheres. The left hemisphere is the realm of analysis, rationalization, and language; like a diligent architect, it constructs logical structures and patterns that allow us to function in the world. In contrast, the right hemisphere is the space of intuition, holistic perception, creativity, and connection with others. Despite their interdependence, modern society often emphasizes the activity of the left hemisphere at the expense of the right, leading to a loss of bodily connection, a diminished ability for deep experience and connectedness, and consequently increased internal tension and stress.
The philosophy of the AEQ Method is based on establishing a harmonious balance between the hemispheres. If the right hemisphere represents deep feeling and understanding of the whole, and the left analytically dissects fragments of reality, it is essential that they maintain a mutual dialogue. When the left hemisphere takes too much control, we become rigid in our thinking, lose touch with bodily sensations, and get trapped in thought patterns that prevent flexibility and adaptability. On the other hand, if the right hemisphere does not function optimally, the individual loses the ability to interpret social signals, falls into illusions, and cannot manage reality effectively.
Experiments have shown that the right hemisphere plays a key role in self-recognition. In one study, participants who viewed images with the right hemisphere identified their own image as more recognizable, while those who processed the same information with the left hemisphere recognized the image of a famous person. This confirms that the right hemisphere serves as the foundation of inner self-awareness, while the left hemisphere organizes information through socially accepted concepts and learned interpretations. The AEQ approach builds on this, as a method that, through conscious sensorimotor integration, enables greater alignment between internal feeling and external expression.
In cases of left hemisphere damage, individuals often lose the ability to express themselves through language but retain the capacity to feel emotions and understand nonverbal cues. This means the capacity for deep perception and emotional integration enabled by the right hemisphere remains intact, though the individual may be trapped in frustration and internal chaos due to impaired logical processing. Conversely, damage to the right hemisphere causes individuals to lose a sense of wholeness, fail to recognize facial expressions and context, and behave rigidly and inappropriately. A practical example of this is anosognosia patients, who, despite clear paralysis, deny that anything is wrong.
From the AEQ Method perspective, it is essential that individuals reestablish the connection between the hemispheres (horizontal integration) through consciously guided movement and emotional expression. Conscious breathing, releasing muscle tension, and restoring natural movement patterns allow the left hemisphere to relinquish complete control over bodily functions and reestablish a connection and balance between conscious control and the body’s intuitive responses. Through AEQ exercises, individuals gain a heightened ability to perceive bodily sensations, which in turn enables deeper emotional regulation and improved adaptability to environmental changes.
Balance between the hemispheres is crucial for the proper functioning of the autonomic nervous system. When the left hemisphere is overactive, the body’s sympathetic response intensifies, leading to chronic tension, fatigue, and reduced regenerative capacity. Conversely, dominance of the right hemisphere without sufficient left-hemispheric modulation can lead to hypersensitivity, disorientation, and an inability to maintain a stable internal state. The AEQ Method, with its approach to reintegration and development of sensorimotor pathways, helps establish optimal regulation, improving both physical and psychological functioning.
In addition, the AEQ Method also addresses long-term consequences of emotional and physical trauma, which often result in functional dissociation between the hemispheres. In individuals who have experienced trauma, reduced interhemispheric activity is observed, manifesting as diminished emotional expression, reduced sensory perception, and rigid muscular tension patterns. Relearning coordinated movement, conscious breathing, and deep body awareness enables the gradual breakdown of these dissociations, allowing individuals to regain the ability to feel and express themselves holistically.
Thus, in the brain, it is not about hierarchy between the hemispheres, but rather a continuous modulation process that allows optimal interaction between conscious control and intuitive perception. The right hemisphere functions as a window into the world of emotions, connection, and bodily experience, while the left organizes these experiences into meaningful patterns. The AEQ Method, with its philosophy of learning through the body, reestablishes this balance, enabling a deeper connection with the body and thereby greater wholeness in experiencing the world. As a result, the individual not only gains more freedom of movement but also a better ability to perceive their own needs and emotions, leading to greater inner stability and coherence.
From the AEQ textbook on hemispheric function, by Aleš Ernst.
