Mind-Body-Spirit Articles

How does music affect exercise—and the exerciser?

If you feel that “nothing is going your way” and “everyone is against you,” maybe what you need is a few minutes of exercise or relaxation. Either option can reduce the tendency to view new circumstances negatively, according to a study published in PLOS ONE (2014; 9 [7], e99902).

In the weeks after the birth of their first child, many women struggle with poor sleep. New research suggests that Pilates practice may improve subjective sleep quality for women during this important period.

Electronic gadgets are essential to most of our lives; however, if unmanaged, they can undermine our ability to pay attention to one task for more than a few minutes. For wellness professionals, whose livelihoods depend on helping clients achieve results, this makes it more difficult to accomplish objectives. The task of motivating people is enhanced by biofeedback devices and programs but, on the other hand, complicated by the need to capture the attention of an increasingly fragmented and inattentive clientele. newsletter_teaser: Electronic gadgets are essential to most of our lives; however, if unmanaged, they can undermine our ability to pay attention to one task for more than a few minutes. For wellness professionals, whose livelihoods depend on helping clients achieve results, this makes it more difficult to accomplish objectives.

Brief mindfulness meditation practice—as little as 25 minutes per day for 3 days—can reduce the perception of stress during nerve-wracking tasks, says a study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology (2014; doi: 10.1016/j.jpsyneuen.2014.02.007). This is good news for those discouraged by lengthier recommendations—such as the 45 minutes of daily practice recommended in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program popularized by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD.

In another study exploring the mind-body relationship and how mental training can affect our ability to cope with stress, Creswell and associates found that self-affirmation can reduce the negative effects of stress during problem solving. Self-affirmation is a process in which a person reflects on his or her own personal values and why he or she holds those values. Studies show that people who engage in this process reinforce their sense of self-worth, which in turn buffers the impact of stress on their health and on their problem-solving abilities.

Educating yoga instructors about eating disorders and offering yoga classes as part of eating disorder prevention programs may help avert these illnesses, according to the author of a review article published in Advances in Eating Disorders: Theory, Research and Practice (2014; 2 [2], 136–45).

Many mind-body movement professionals have encountered clients who have experienced a strong emotional release after holding an extended stretch or after moving the spine through forward, backward and/ or side-bending movements. Some people think these responses are related to fascia, the layer of tissue surrounding muscles, muscle groups, blood vessels and nerves.

Tai chi has the reputation of being an age-friendly mind-body practice. New preliminary evidence suggests that consistent long-term practice may even promote longevity.

How many times do you design your yoga class in your head on the way to the studio? While you may get by with this approach, it can’t always prepare you for the unpredictable variables you may encounter in class. On the other hand, you don’t want to fall into the template trap, which can water down your instruction and potentially harm students. To reinvigorate your passion for teaching, educate yourself on a regular basis. newsletter_teaser: How many times do you design your yoga class in your head on the way to the studio? While you may get by with this approach, it can’t always prepare you for the unpredictable variables you may encounter in class. On the other hand, you don’t want to fall into the template trap, which can water down your instruction and potentially harm students.