Rethinking Learning: The Power of Movement and Multisensory Engagement

In today’s world, many of us spend an overwhelming amount of time sitting at desks, in classrooms, on couches, convinced that stillness is the price of focus and productivity. From a young age, we’re taught to sit still to learn. School demands it, work reinforces it. But what if this long-held belief isn’t serving us?

Beyond the widespread back pain and discomfort that often come with a sedentary lifestyle, what if stillness itself is the real barrier? Prolonged sitting has been linked to muscular imbalances, spinal compression, reduced circulation, and weakened core stability—all of which contribute to chronic back problems over time. It’s not just a physical issue; discomfort and pain can erode our ability to concentrate and fully engage with learning. What if, instead, movement, not stillness, is the natural foundation for deeper learning?

We Didn’t Evolve to Sit and Study

Human beings evolved in motion. For most of our history, we learned not by sitting at desks, but by exploring, observing, and physically interacting with our environments. Learning was sensory, dynamic, and embedded in everyday life.

Modern neuroscience supports this idea. Research suggests that when we engage multiple senses while learning—sight, sound, touch, movement—we create richer neural networks. These multisensory experiences help the brain encode information more deeply, leading to better memory and understanding.

Dr. John Medina, molecular biologist and author of Brain Rules, reinforces this with two key principles:

“Exercise boosts brain power.”
— John Medina, Brain Rules

Physical activity increases oxygen flow to the brain, improves attention, and stimulates the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)—a protein associated with memory and learning.

He also states:

“The more senses recruited at the moment of learning, the more likely you are to recall it later.”

This supports the idea that multisensory input—combining visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and written methods—helps encode information more robustly in the brain.

The Power of Multisensory Learning

The brain thrives on variety. When we engage more than one sense while learning, we activate multiple regions of the brain. This diversity strengthens our understanding and increases the chances of recall later. Using multiple senses can:

• Improve memory and comprehension
• Boost attention and focus
• Foster creativity and critical thinking
• Create more meaningful connections with the content

Integrate Learning into Your Life

Rather than reserving “learning time” as something that only happens at a desk, consider how to blend it into your everyday life. Here are some practical ways to do that:

• Listen while you move: Audiobooks and podcasts are perfect companions for walks, workouts, cleaning, or cooking.
• Watch while you cook: If you enjoy video content, prop up your phone or tablet while making dinner and absorb new topics visually. (Obviously, if what you’re cooking requires complete focus, then this has a limit… Multitasking isn’t the same as multi-sensory learning).
• Bike and learn: Use stationary bikes or treadmills as an opportunity to learn—whether it’s a lecture, a course, or an inspiring talk.
• Take notes on the go: Use voice memos or mobile note apps while walking or standing.
• Use your hands: Doodle, build, or act out concepts—anything that adds physical engagement to the learning process.

Movement Is Not a Distraction—It’s a Learning Tool

The idea that movement distracts from learning is outdated. In fact, moving your body while you learn can enhance your ability to focus and retain information. The goal isn’t to eliminate seated study sessions, but to diversify the way we engage with information, and to take advantage of the brain’s preference for variety and motion.

So next time you think you need to sit down to “really focus,” consider standing up instead. Take your learning with you on a walk, a drive, or a workout. Let your body move, let your senses engage, and let your learning deepen naturally.

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