Brain Cross-Training…how many hours to get real benefit?

Brain Cross-Training…how many hours to get real benefit?

Fortune magazine had a recent feature about cross-training your brain…but every example they gave involved the cross-training in childhood…particularly in music. So my question is…how much cross training would I need to do as an adult to get real benefit? Would 15 minutes a day help?…and how much help?…1%? 10%? What is the real-world cross benefit to mental cross training.

Wings to Freedom: Himalayan Yoga Neuroscience & Astrophysics

Purchase the full length film here: hamsayogashop.com Wings to Freedom Mystic Revelations from Babaji and the Himalayan Yogis There never has been, nor will be, a time when man’s own nature shall cease to demand his foremost attention. The evolution of human consciousness is the most comprehensive enterprise ever undertaken by mankind, besides which the greatest of human achievements pale into insignificance. In the quiet spaces of our lives we often wonder Where did we come from? Where do …

Super Brain Yoga

Superbrain Yoga® is a simple and effective technique to energize and recharge the brain. It is based on the principles of subtle energy and ear acupuncture. This powerful technique is explained in Master Choa Kok Sui’s latest book Superbrain Yoga®. Pilot studies on the effects of Superbrain Yoga® on school children include children with disabilities such as ADHD/ADD, developmental and cognitive delays, Down syndrome and specific learning disabilities. Children studied showed significant …

YOGA FOR SLEEP, INSOMNIA, OR DEEP RELAXATION

SWITCH YOUR BODY INTO A CALM, RESTFUL AND RELAXED STATE INSTANTLY! GREAT FOR GETTING TO SLEEP. CALMING EMOTIONS AND FOCUSING YOUR MIND. Go to www.SadieNardini.com for more about Sadie and to see her Power Hour DVD, and free Power Hour practice at www.iYogaLife.com!

Super Brain Yoga

 

Cardio; your daily therapeutic dose for feeling better

 

Paramount to any gym workout should be cardio. Although this isn’t life changing news, it can be a life changing realization. Cardio not only helps you to lose weight, but it really does help you to *feel* better — about yourself and about the whole situation you may be facing. And during these uncertain times, we could all benefit from a therapeutic dose of feeling better.

Who hasn’t gone outside for a “walk,” or “air” when facing a difficulty at work? Why does this help? A walk will get our heart rate up and an increased heart rate will get oxygen flowing through our muscles. This is the much needed “air” we are seeking. And when this happens, we begin to feel better.

Now, imagine if we were able to *maintain* this feeling? Cardio, short for cardiovascular exercise will make your heart stronger. A stronger heart, pumps more blood (I know you remember this from high school biology) and blood is the vehicle which carries oxygen from the heart, to all of the organs in our body. And, guess which organ is responsible for processing thoughts? The brain (an A plus in Biology?).

Essentially, it is your *heart* that is getting a workout. And, in order to maintain a strong heart, to facilitate this much needed “air” we need to engage in cardiovascular exercise with a certain amount of daily intensity. Repeat: “daily intensity.”

I often use plants (they convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, by the way), as an analogy for understanding life’s progression. One way to make a plant stronger, with thicker roots and larger blossoms, is to trim it. Trimming forces it to *heal* and once it heals, it grows stronger, thicker. It’s like shaving. What happens when you shave? The hair comes back, with a vengeance — stronger, thicker and greater. We’ve all heard — and affirmed — the saying “that which does not kill me, makes me stronger.” Muscles that are torn during workouts, ultimately become bigger and stronger, and it is only when we put ourselves through a vigorous exercise, that our heart will get the intensity it requires to maintain our clarity and give us that much needed dose of “feeling better.”

Now, it is important that you know what level of intensity you are capable of. It is best to first consult your doctor to determine this. Armed with this knowledge, take 20 minutes out of your day to engage in an exercise that will get your heart rate up. It should be something you can honestly see yourself doing. Sports and other high endurance athletic activities are exceptional cardio workouts. Sports by their nature offer significant benefits as they build self-confidence and camaraderie, additional nutrition for “feeling better” and enhancing our overall outlook.

As always, I am aware of the proverbial lack of time syndrome. If daily cardio is too much (at first!), then three times a week is a fair compromise. Do it for you and for your heart.

A Vegetarian Diet Shrinks the Brain

 

(Our happy hour fact to amaze your drinking buddies with.)

According to a new study, vegetarians and vegans are six times more likely to suffer from brain shrinkage than meat eaters.

The link was discovered after scientists at Oxford University ran memory tests, physical checks and brain scans on 107 people between the ages of 61and 87, and then retested them five years later.

Researchers speculate the loss of brain mass in vegetarians and vegans is due to a deficiency of Vitamin B12, which is found in meat, fish and eggs. This type of brain atrophy is linked to Alzheimer’s Disease and other cognitive failings.

The decision to eat meat is often attacked by veggies, but it now seems as though these kinds of affronts may just be a product of small-mindedness

Dr. Atkins Diet

 

Phase 1:

14-Day "Maximum fat-Burning" Dr. Atkins Approved Ketone-Inducing Foods

The first 14 days of the Dr. Atkins New Personalized "Weight Loss For Life" System is a corrective diet to counterbalance your unbalanced metabolism.

 

During the first 14 days you will

1. Switch your body from a carbohydrate-burning to a fat-burning metabolism!

2. Stabilize your blood sugar (and stop associated symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, brain fog, and weak spells).

3. Stop your cravings through not eating those "addictive" foods.

4. Break addictive eating habits to chocolate, wheat or corn derivatives, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, grain gluten, and other "allergic" or "addictive" foods.

5. Feel your metabolic advantage for yourself.

6. Be amazed by how much fat you can burn off while still eating the foods you love.

The induction diet and 14-Day "Maximum Fat-Burning" foods will also help serve you as part of your long-term Dr. Atkins diet program. If at any time you have broken your Dr. Atkins diet program, for any reason, you will simply return to the "Maximum Fat-Burning" phase for a quick "jump start" to your long-term health program.

The Rules of the "Maximum Fat-Burning" phase / 14-Day Rapid Fat Loss Foods:

1. 20 Grams of Carbs a day is your limit. With this intake of carbs, you can go into ketosis and begin burning your fat!

2. Eat until you are full, not stuffed. When you are not hungry, eat nothing or a small protein snack.

3. Stay only with approved foods. This is essential to your success! Don’t cheat with just a little sugar or chocolate, or any of the other "addictive" foods.

4. Stick with pure proteins, pure fats (butter, olive oil, mayonnaise, etc.), and combinations of protein and fat. No protein and carbs or fat and carbs!

5. Use a carbohydrate gram counter to make certain what the carb content is of the foods you are eating.

Breakfast Ideas

1. Ham, cheese and mushroom omelet

2. Bacon and scrambled eggs

3. Smoked fish with cream cheese

4. Poached eggs and trout

5. Salmon omelet

6. Fried eggs and sausage

7. Soft-boiled eggs with bacon

8. Deviled eggs with sardines

9. Shrimp omelet

10. Scrambled eggs with ham

11. Crabmeat omelet

12. Fried eggs with bacon

13. Medium-boiled eggs with sausages

Lunch Ideas

1. Chef salad with hard-boiled eggs

2. Bacon cheeseburger (no bun)

3. Half a chicken with salad

4. Sole with bed of greens

5. Tuna salad with bacon

6. Chicken salad with radicchio and arugula

7. Turkey breast with cucumber salad

8. Hamburger (no bun)

9. Chefs salad with sliced duck, chicken and turkey

10. Seafood salad on Romaine

11. Stir-fry with beef, celery, mushrooms and peppers

12. Lobster salad

13. Cottage cheese with tuna

Dinner Ideas

1. Rack of lamb

2. Poached salmon

3. Roast chicken

4. Filet mignon

5. Lobster tails

6. Seafood skewers

7. Lamb shish kabob

8. Shrimp cocktail

9. Steamed mussels

10. Roast beef

11. Grilled Tuna

12. Pork tenderloin

13. Venison burgers