JEFFERSON TWP — The key to memory retention could be as easy as brushing your teeth with your left hand or washing the windows using a counterclockwise hand stroke.

That's what Slippery Rock University student Sara Zeno is teaching a group of 12 senior citizens at Concordia Lutheran Ministries. The seniors are participating in Cranium Calisthenics, a therapeutic recreational class geared toward keeping the brain active with age.

"When you get into a rut, your brain gets lazy," Zeno explained. "When you break that routine, it helps open things up a little. Performing tasks that are new and different stimulates different parts of the brain."

Zeno has performed extensive research on memory retention for her therapeutic recreation major. She hopes teaching Cranium Calisthenics will give her hands-on training to begin her careener after she graduates this year.

According to Zeno, cells in the brain cannot regenerate, but with consistent stimulation, pathways that carry messages within the brain and to the rest of the body can multiply.

"The cognitive system is all linked together," Zeno said.

"Research has shown you can't grow new brain cells, but you can grow new pathways. So the more paths you have for a message to travel, the better off you are. I tell them all the time: You want your brain to look like a city map, not a map of country roads."

In order for Concordia classmates to keep building fresh pathways, Zeno has them performing new activities weekly. Language, sensory and visual special activities tie together with practices of yoga and tai chi to keep the brain constantly learning and working hard as people get older.

Last week, members in Zeno's class made an extra effort to tap into their other senses, hoping to stimulate that portion of their brains.

"If you think about it, our entire contact with the outside world is made with our hearing and our sight," Zeno said.

"Those are the senses we are most in touch with. But associations based on odors can form quickly and last longer than those of other senses. We're moving beyond description and we're actually connecting one of our senses to memory."

Class members last week developed a list of their favorite and least favorite scents and connected those smells to a particular memory. Another class was dedicated to stimulating the portion of the brain that controls the sense of touch. In that class, participants attempted to identify objects just by feeling them in a paper bag.

"The key really is just to do new things," Zeno said. "The brain really hates ruts. This class is just a preventive, proactive way of maintaining the current levels of brain function."

Cranium Calisthenics student Mary Koelmel is pleased with everything she has learned during the class, which meets twice a week.

"I think it has made me try to remember more,"she said. "Before I think Ireally wasn't paying attention and it has really taught me to focus on everything Ido."

At 100 years old, Bess Higgins knows the class is helping her maintain her brain.

"It makes you think about things you haven't thought about in a long time,"she said. "When you live alone, you get into a rut. But just trying to think about how much you can remember helps."

Zeno said those wishing to maintain their brains can try these exercises:

• When first meeting someone, repeat the person's name as many times as fits naturally into a conversation, then write it down in a little notebook.

• Notice something distinguishing about the person or associate a new person's name with another person who has the same name.

• Try daily activities like combing your hair, buttoning your shirts and using the TV remote using your opposite hand.

• When you set the table, arrange the dishes in a different way each time.

• Fix your hair a new way.

• Wear jewelry you forgot you had.

• If you walk, take a different route.

• Call someone you haven't called in a long time.

• Plan a surprise for someone.

• Visit a place you've never been.

• Try using various senses to perform daily activities. For instance, look for items in your pockets, drawers or purses by touch only or hold your nose when you eat, paying attention to the taste and texture of your food.