Ambidextrous And Ambisinistrous
October 26th, 2009
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Yes, this guy looks really creepy. But don’t judge him because he’s different. Perhaps we just don’t know beauty when we see it.
Notice the unmistakable look of utter serenity on his face. His left and right sides are brought together in perfect harmony, forming a new being that knows no limits, united with the oneness of the universe.
OK, that’s about all I can say with a straight face. 
Anyway…
After my initial post on mixed handedness got some attention, I began a deep exploration into the mysteries of handedness: left, right, and especially mixed. I wasn’t just looking for trivia; I wanted to know how we can use both sides of our brain and body to our best advantage.
Seven months later, that search now culminates with the release of my new ebook, which comes in two versions:
Ambidextrous: A Right-Hander’s Guide to Developing Two Dominant Hands
Ambisinistrous: A Left-Hander’s Guide to Developing Two Dominant Hands
The word “ambidextrous” sounds balanced but it’s actually a very biased term, being Latin for “right on both sides.” Its counterpart, “ambisinistrous,” is Latin for “left on both sides.”
I’m using these terms to refer to a right-hander or left-hander who has made their weak hand into a strong hand. These people are more formally called Penwald ambidextrous, and I’m now one of them.
Why two versions of the ebook? Because I’m so sick of books that explain how to do something right-handed, and expect left-handers to just reverse everything! They deserve something specifically for them.
Also because these are really two different audiences. For example, left-handers and right-handers learned to write differently and they have different motivations for writing with the other hand, so you can’t treat them exactly the same.
(To keep things simple, both versions are included together in one download for one price. Read the version for you, and ignore the other.)
After a lot of research and personal experimentation, I’ve learned that:
1. You can change your natural handedness. I learned to do many things with the other hand, and even went from -0.2 (mildly left-handed) to +0.2 (mildly right-handed) on the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (whose scale goes from -1.0 to +1.0).
2. There are cases where it’s very practical and beneficial to switch hands, but also cases where it’s not. That’s why I explain how to know when it’s worth it, and also how to practice efficiently and effectively.
3. Two hands are way better than one.
If you want to boost your physical prowess, balance your brain and body, and awaken your sleeping half, check out the right-handed sales page or the left-handed sales page. Any questions? Ask away.
Photo by striatic.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:12 am
What if I was born left-handed but raised right-handed? Do I read the right-handed version, since that’s my current dominant hand?
October 27th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
@ Pace, yeah, the right-handed one is for you. Wow, it must have been tough growing up like that!
October 27th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
I didn’t learn to tie my shoes until I was 10! My parents, who were both left-handed, kept trying to show me the reversed way. (:
October 28th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Just read the e-book, and it answered a lot of questions I’d had – such as why so many of us lefties hook our hands when we write, what sides of the brain we’re actually probably using, etc.
I enjoyed reading about mirror writing because I have always had a great party trick of being able to quickly read upside down writing. This is great when standing at a boss’s desk during times of employee fear and uncertainty. I can quickly see that there is no document on his desk with a note to himself to downsize me today.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
@ cb, a few people (usually lefties) have a natural ability to read upside-down or backwards writing. While some would say that there’s no practical use for this, you’ve just shown us one!
November 11th, 2009 at 1:36 am
Hm, interesting… i’m predominately right handed. however, out of necessity, i began writing with my left hand when i broke my right. and also because i WANTED to be a penwald ambidextrous. and i was pretty devasted when i read a website telling me that i had spent 2 years of almost perfecting my left hand, that i made myself brain damaged! but does that only refer to those born ambidextrous? some things in that article made me believe that it didn’t matter WHAT kind of ambidextrous you were, just as long as you, well, were.
but it’s not going to stop me! there are so many advantages of being ambidextrous. especially in exams and sport, and eating. now i don’t, and won’t hit my boyfriend’s arm while we eat, and, i WILL hit my sister’s arm while we eat!
November 12th, 2009 at 1:10 am
@ Timmy, I’ve read the brain damaged article too. I can believe that certain kids of brain damage lead to ambidexterity, but I don’t believe for one second that becoming Penwald ambidextrous causes brain damage. No way.
Congrats on the progress you’ve made. It sounds like you’ve discovered a good way to eat, depending on whether you want to bump arms or not!