Mind-Body-Spirit Articles

Recent scientific findings suggest that people with diabetes have a significantly higher risk of developing dementia. Fitness and wellness professionals therefore have more reasons than ever to emphasize the importance of healthy lifestyle changes, including regular physical activity, in the role of diabetes management.

Are you or your facility offering yoga, Pilates, tai chi or other mind-body classes specifically for older adults? If yes, do you have older-adult role models leading these classes or offering personal training? If yes, please share information about these role models, the services they are offering and how clients are responding to their leadership. Share your responses with editor Sandy Todd Webster, swebster@ideafit.com.

Demonstrating the growing popularity and acceptance of integrative therapies, the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles now offers the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program developed by fashion designer Donna Karan and facilitated by the Urban Zen Foundation. According to Gillian Cilibrasi, Urban Zen’s program director, UCLA medical professionals will be trained in yoga therapy, Reiki, essential oil therapy, nutrition and contemplative care.

Mind-body wellness professionals will benefit from keeping up with current research on the use of mind-body approaches for pain management. One of the most common reasons people turn to complementary and alternative therapies such as yoga, massage and relaxation therapy is for pain relief. One-third of American adults suffer from chronic pain; therefore, discovering nonpharmaceutical methods for pain management is a public health priority.

Brief training in relaxation and guided imagery techniques may help surgical patients experience faster healing, according to a study conducted at the University of Auckland, in New Zealand. Prior studies have shown that high stress levels can impair wound healing and that mental preparation of patients before surgery can reduce distress, pain, and time in hospital. Given this background, the University of Auckland researchers wanted to investigate whether a stress management intervention could improve surgical wound recovery.

As winter wanes and the year picks up speed, New Year’s resolutions typically peter out and eager new exercisers often disappear from the gym. For fitness and wellness professionals, this can be a frustrating time. But if we recognize this phenomenon and engage our clients early with tools that keep them motivated, we can help people stay on track.

Did you know that your brain is incredibly dynamic? It can change its structure and function by adding new neurons, making new connections between neurons and even creating brand-new blood vessels, all in response to exercise. Jeffrey A. Kleim, PhD, associate professor in the Arizona State University School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, shares the following insights on how exercise impacts the brain. newsletter_teaser: Did you know that your brain is incredibly dynamic? It can change its structure and function by adding new neurons, making new connections between neurons and even creating brand-new blood vessels, all in response to exercise.

When 18-year-old K. attended an Insight Meditation Teen Retreat, she was seeking answers, reaching for help, trying to make sense of her pain and suffering. A college-bound Caucasian student from a comfortable middle-class suburban setting, K. had begun self-harming. Knowing it was wrong and starving for guidance, she immersed herself in an intensive 4-day residential mindfulness meditation program.

Are you or your facility offering personal training with an emphasis on the mind-body connection? An approach that taps into the mind-body link is not limited to activities like yoga, tai chi or Pilates personal training; it includes any type of mindful personal training. If yes, what types of mind-body personal training are you offering, what seems to be the most popular and how are you marketing it?