Mind-Body-Spirit News: Studies have shown that a discipline of consistent meditation improves immune system response. Now, new research suggests that tai chi and qigong practice may offer similar immunity-enhancing characteristics: older adults who did tai chi and qigong regularly for 5 months had a superior positive reaction to a flu vaccine compared with individuals who… [Continue Reading]
Effective Coping Skills Increase “Good” Cholesterol
January 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Mind-Body-Spirit News: People who deal effectively with stress may enjoy not only greater peace of mind and spirit but also better physical health. In the Normative Aging Study, older Caucasian men with more effective skills for coping with stress had higher levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol than their more hostile or socially isolated peers. [Click... [Continue Reading]
Stress and Neurodegenerative Diseases
January 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Mind-Body-Spirit News: Offering body-mind techniques to help cope with stress may be particularly beneficial for clients who have chronic neurodegenerative diseases. Unmanaged stress is detrimental to the health of all people. However, new research suggests that for those with neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), stress may have an even greater negative impact, causing… [Continue Reading]
Exercise Combats Depression
January 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Mind-Body-Spirit News: Exercise improves depression. In fact, some studies even show that exercise is more effective than prescription antidepressants in preventing depression relapses (see Psychosomatic Medicine [2000; 62, 633–38]). To date, however, scientists have been unable to identify the causal mechanisms that would clarify how exercise helps. Now, a study published in Neuropsychopharmacology (2006; 31,… [Continue Reading]
Qigong Helps Neck Pain
January 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Mind-Body-Spirit News: Qigong is as effective as exercise therapy for alleviating long-term, nonspecific neck pain, according to a small study published in the October 15 issue of Spine (2007; 32, 2415–22). A wellness practice from Chinese medicine, qigong uses slow movements, breathing exercises and meditation to improve the flow of qi, or life energy. The… [Continue Reading]
Becoming a Certified Feldenkrais Teacher
January 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Mind-Body-Spirit News: The Feldenkrais Method® of Somatic Education, developed by Moshe Feldenkrais (1904–1984), continues to grow in popularity. The purpose of Feldenkrais training is to improve movement and enhance functionality. The two main programs consist of group classes known as Awareness Through Movement® and private sessions referred to as Functional Integration®. [Click here to read... [Continue Reading]
Short-Term Meditation Offers Benefits
January 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Mind-Body-Spirit News: One of the barriers to consistent meditation practice is that people feel they do not have enough time. A small study conducted in China has shown that meditating as little as 20 minutes daily over a 5-day period can improve both attention and mood. [Click here to read full article]
World’s Largest Tai Chi Class
January 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Mind-Body-Spirit News: More than 20,000 individuals participated in a 20-minute tai chi class on the grounds of the former Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to The People’s Republic of China, according to an article on The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games (http://en.beijing2008.cn)…. [Continue Reading]
Mindfulness Practice Reduces Binge Eating
January 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Mind-Body-Spirit News: Practicing mindfulness reduces stress. Could it be helpful for other issues like binge eating or weight management? A small, preliminary study published in Complementary Health Practice Review (2006; 11 [3], 133–43) has shown that a modified mindfulness program with a special focus on eating can help adults reduce binge eating, anxiety and depressive… [Continue Reading]
Americans Are Stressed-Out!
January 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Mind-Body-Spirit News: Body-mind fitness professionals may gain more clients by promoting the stress-relieving benefits of mindful exercise, rather than focusing on its physical conditioning effects. One-third of all Americans are living with extreme stress, and 48% believe that their stress levels have increased over the last 5 years, according to the 2007 Stress in America… [Continue Reading]
