Do You Know What Kinesthetic Bodily Intelligence Is?

In our cultural tradition, a separation has been made in the relationship between body and mind, of which many of us have not been aware until now. Intelligence that encompasses and addresses logic, mathematics, and verbal language has been considered better than kinesthetic bodily intelligence for years.

Kinesthetic body intelligence is the ability to use our own body with great precision, helping us to promote the execution of our personal goals and objectives. The body is the main active part that provides us with the necessary impulse and directs us to move from intention to action.

Likewise, it should be noted that this competence is part of the well-known theory of Multiple Intelligences of Howard Gardner. The well-known Harvard professor popularized this model in the 1980s, revolutionizing in some way the field of education and, in turn, the classic unitary concept of intelligence.

According to this principle, beyond the classic logical-verbal dimension, there are those areas that make human knowledge richer and that, in turn, we can enhance. Thus, Gardner distinguished up to 8 types of intelligence, such as linguistic, musical, artistic, mathematical, spatial, natural, intrapersonal, and kinesthetic bodily intelligence.

Let’s see more data below.

What is kinesthetic bodily intelligence?

The University of Athens conducted an interesting study in 2016 to investigate the benefits of kinesthetic intelligence in preschool children. The results could not have been more significant: starting the little ones in the knowledge and control of their body very early also has an impact on their brain development.

This is so due to a whole series of advantages and exceptional processes with which this type of intelligence enables us:

• Body intelligence favors the coordination of the mind with the rest of the body.
• Improves cognitive processes by improving, for example, hand-eye coordination.
• Improves fine and gross motor skills.
• Optimizes control of your own body, our strength, speed, balance, precision …
• A coordinated body in turn improves brain connectivity and its natural potential.

Likewise, an important aspect that we must consider is the following: kinesthetic intelligence, together with spatial and musical intelligence, makes up that trio with which to maximize our artistic intelligence in addition to mathematics. Thus, your brain functions are strengthened and create better connections in areas such as the basal ganglia, the cerebellum and the motor cortex, the cerebellum and the basal ganglia.

Logical intelligence and body intelligence

For our own physical and psychological well-being, such a balance must exist: the union between logical and bodily intelligence. Our development depends on it, moreover, being able to reach the maximum of all our physical and psychological resources also depends on it. The “reflective” or brain part is just as necessary as the “active” part or body.

Therefore, it will be of great help to watch and reflect on the following video. It explains the different types of intelligences, classified by psychologist and researcher Howard Gardner, and information about what exactly is kinesthetic bodily intelligence, also known as Kinesthetic.

As you have heard in the previous video, within this type of intelligence we talk about coordination, balance, ability, speed, strength, dexterity … In short, it is about relying on tactile mechanisms and human movement to get information. Knowing that our body is the main tool to be effective and productive in all areas of life.

Also, as we mentioned earlier, this type of intelligence allows us the expression of ideas and feelings, by producing a great development in the ability to use our hands to transform elements.

We can find it in athletes, dancers, surgeons, artists and craftsmen, where precision when controlling  body movements as a form of expression is its main characteristic.

Caring for kinesthetic bodily intelligence

It is important to bear in mind that to keep our kinesthetic intelligence at optimal and healthy levels we have to avoid harmful habits, which lead us to lose quality in our activities.

A healthy diet and  exercise  will be the main points to work positively for it. Many times, the movements of our body are proof that what we think or what we say involuntarily. Due to this, it is advisable to have control over it and be aware of what the signals and messages it sends us mean.

All of us can improve the development of this intelligence and keep our facet of “inventors”. A good exercise that will allow you to work on it and keep it in tune can be to come up with things to cover a need.

No matter how simple these may be: objects that help you streamline your day-to-day habits such as a bookmark, a shelf made by you to sort your clothes … The secret of carrying out these tasks lies in the fact that think about it and intend to start it.  

Any exercise that has to do with using your body and mental creativity will become an effective ally  to develop this type of intelligence and connect with your body and your mind. Thus achieve the full balance and awareness that we deserve!