Cook's Hookups

Presentation

Cook's Hookups are the most iconic centering and calming exercise in the Brain Gym program, developed by Paul Dennison, Ph.D. This exercise draws its name from the work of Wayne Cook, an American researcher specializing in the human body's electromagnetic fields, who demonstrated in the 1970s that certain limb-crossing postures create a closed bioelectric circuit with a profoundly calming effect on the nervous system.

Cook's Hookups are practiced in two distinct phases. Phase 1 (Hookup 1) involves crossing the ankles (right ankle in front of left or vice versa), then extending the arms forward with palms facing outward, crossing the wrists (right over left or vice versa), interlacing the fingers, then folding the hands toward the chest by passing them under the crossed arms. In this position, the tongue is placed against the palate, behind the upper incisors. The patient breathes deeply for 2 to 5 minutes with eyes closed.

Phase 2 (Hookup 2) involves uncrossing the ankles, separating the hands, and touching only the fingertips of both hands in front of the solar plexus ("steeple" or "cathedral" position). The tongue remains on the palate. The patient continues breathing deeply for 1 to 2 additional minutes. This second phase allows integration and grounding of the first phase's effects.

Cook's Hookups correspond to the "P" (Positive) step of the PACE protocol and are systematically used at the end of the warm-up sequence to create a state of emotional centering and optimal cognitive availability.

Creator: Paul Dennison, Ph.D. (1941–), based on Wayne Cook's research on body electromagnetic fields

Fundamental Principles

Cook's Hookups rest on the principle of the closed bioelectric circuit. According to Wayne Cook's work, crossing the ankles, wrists and fingers creates a closed circuit that allows bioelectric currents to flow in an orderly, harmonious manner, restoring the body's energetic balance.

The second principle is parasympathetic nervous system activation. The crossing posture, combined with deep breathing and eye closure, creates optimal conditions for switching from sympathetic mode (stress, fight-flight) to parasympathetic mode (rest, digestion, recovery). The folding posture instinctively mimics the fetal safety position, sending safety signals to the limbic brain and amygdala.

The third principle concerns linguo-palatal reflex stimulation. Placing the tongue against the palate activates a neuromuscular reflex that stimulates the vagus nerve (X) nucleus, the main parasympathetic nerve. This increases vagal tone, slows heart rate, deepens breathing and promotes profound calm.

The fourth principle is multimodal sensory integration. The total crossing posture sends massive proprioceptive information from all body extremities simultaneously, providing a stable sensory anchor that paradoxically calms the nervous system, particularly useful during sensory or emotional overload.

The fifth principle concerns midline crossing in all three dimensions. Cook's Hookups are the only Brain Gym exercise that simultaneously integrates all three learning dimensions: laterality (right-left through limb crossing), centering (top-bottom through standing posture with diaphragmatic breathing), and focus (front-back through the Phase 1 to Phase 2 transition).

Technical Sheet

Full Name

Cook's Hookups

Brain Gym Category

Deepening Activity

Creator

Paul Dennison, Ph.D., based on Wayne Cook

Target Dimension

All three dimensions simultaneously (laterality, centering, focus)

Position

Standing, sitting or lying down

Recommended Duration

Phase 1: 2 to 5 minutes; Phase 2: 1 to 2 minutes

PACE Protocol

Step "P" (Positive)

Primary Effect

Parasympathetic activation, emotional centering

Minimum Age

From 4 years (with crossing assistance)

Equipment Required

None (optional: comfortable chair)

Main Indications

• Situational anxiety and panic attacks (exams, interviews, presentations)
• Hyperactivity and motor restlessness in children
• Emotional overload and overwhelm (anger, sadness, frustration)
• Sensory overload (hypersensitivity to noise, light, textures)
• Stress and anxiety-related sleep disorders (practiced at bedtime)
• Mild post-traumatic stress (complementary to psychological follow-up)
• Stress-related concentration difficulties
• Chronic pain management (emotional component)
• Preparation for stressful situations (competition, medical exam)
• Emotional regulation in children with autism spectrum disorders
• Stage fright and performance anxiety reduction (artists, athletes)

Session Procedure

Cook's Hookups can be practiced independently or integrated into a complete educational kinesiology session. In the PACE protocol, they constitute the final step (P — Positive), performed after Brain Buttons and Cross Crawl.

The practitioner begins by assessing the patient's baseline emotional state: perceived stress level on a 0-10 scale, posture observation (raised shoulders, clenched jaw, shallow breathing), and possibly a kinesiological muscle test to evaluate neuromuscular reactivity under stress.

For Phase 1, the practitioner guides step by step: "Cross your ankles, right in front of left. Extend your arms forward, palms facing out, thumbs pointing down. Cross your right wrist over the left. Interlace your fingers. Now fold your hands toward your chest, passing them under your crossed arms. Place your tongue on the palate, just behind your upper teeth. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth." The patient holds this position for 2 to 5 minutes.

For Phase 2: "Gently uncross your ankles. Separate your hands and bring them in front of you, right fingertips touching left fingertips, forming a small dome. Keep your tongue on the palate. Continue breathing deeply for 1 to 2 minutes."

At the end, the practitioner asks the patient to reassess their stress level. The reduction is typically significant and immediate (2 to 4 points on the 10-point scale).

Cook's Hookups are prescribed for self-practice: at bedtime for sleep difficulties, before stressful events, during anxiety episodes, and whenever emotional centering is needed.

Variations and Sub-techniques

• Classic standing Hookups: standard form as described, standing, eyes closed
• Seated Hookups: same posture seated, feet crossed at the ankle, suited for classroom or office
• Lying Hookups: performed supine, ideal for sleep onset and deep relaxation
• Hookups with visualization: during Phase 1, patient visualizes a safe, soothing place, reinforcing parasympathetic effect
• Hookups with positive affirmation: patient mentally repeats an affirmation ("I am calm and centered") during breathing
• Express Hookups (1 minute): shortened version for rapid use during acute stress, 30 seconds per phase
• Positive Points: complementary technique — lightly placing fingertips on the frontal eminences (above the eyebrows) to defuse emotional stress associated with a memory or anticipation

Contraindications

• Severe joint limitations preventing limb crossing (adapt posture)
• Acute carpal tunnel syndrome making finger interlacing painful
• Severe arthritis of wrists, fingers or ankles (adapt or replace with Positive Points)
• Severe claustrophobia that may be triggered by the closing posture (use Phase 2 only)
• Acute dissociative disorder — eye closure and introspection may be counterproductive (keep eyes open)
• Advanced pregnancy with postural discomfort (adapt seated, without tight leg crossing)