{"id":811,"date":"2015-12-07T21:22:20","date_gmt":"2015-12-07T19:22:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/p3098-63-4957.s63.upress.link\/en\/?p=811"},"modified":"2015-12-07T21:22:20","modified_gmt":"2015-12-07T19:22:20","slug":"mindful-movements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iaec.org.il\/en\/mindful-movements\/","title":{"rendered":"mindful movements"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Sandy Stoub and Mushi Harush<\/h2>\n

\"screenshot_2015-12-13-21-25-09\"Everyone knows the power of the mind.\u00a0 It controls all of our body processes through a series of electrical responses traveling through the central and peripheral nervous systems.\u00a0 There is a significant complexity related to neuro-transmission and for as much as medical science knows about the function of the human body, much of the complex functionality of the brain still remains a mystery.\u00a0 Mind\/Body programs have become a popular trend in fitness and aquatics over the last few years and many organizations are creating mindful movement programs and incorporating yoga, Tai-Chi, Pilates, and Ai Chi into classes for all ages. This article looks beyond what is traditionally considered the mind and body linkage in fitness programs and considers the complexity of the brain and how cognitive retention can be achieved in the presence of exercise.\u00a0 It is important to \u201cexercise\u201d both the body and the mind, and in tandem, the potential for improvement is significant.<\/p>\n

One of the two largest health concerns expressed by seniors and baby boomers is forgetfulness.\u00a0 As people are living longer, issues of dementia and Alzheimer\u2019s disease is more prevalent.\u00a0 Longevity has certainly shown these issues to be more evident. \u00a0During the course of normal aging, a particular type of memory, episodic, is lost.\u00a0 While procedural memory (the how to) and semantic memory (what is) are both retained in the course of normal aging, episodic (where did I leave my keys, or who was in that movie?) seems to slip away.<\/p>\n

Within our brain, billions of neurons send electrical and chemical signals that create memories.\u00a0 Over time, the signals weaken, and the brain shrinks by about a half percent per year after the age of thirty, although the impact is not noticed for years.\u00a0 Episodic memory relies on the frontal lobes, which starts shrinking first. Although people will accept an age-related decline in physical activity, mental decline is more frightening.<\/p>\n

The study of brain \u201cpower\u201d and brain \u201cfitness\u201d has emerged as a hot topic within the medical and gerontology community.\u00a0 Research-based memory enhancement programs are being developed and marketed to retirement communities and other agencies who service persons who are aging.\u00a0 In 2003 a study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine found that if a person participates in board games, crossword puzzles, reading, or playing a musical instrument were less likely to develop dementia than someone who did not engage in mentally challenging activities at all.\u00a0 New products and services are being developed to enhance memory, some with staggering results.\u00a0\u00a0 The term \u201cuse it or lose it\u201d applies to more than the body, it applies to the mind as well.<\/p>\n

Since cardiovascular activity increases blood-flow to both skeletal muscles and the brain, one might ask if cognitive improvements could be enhanced when a brain power program was integrated into a physical fitness class.\u00a0 Fitness professionals already know that when a person is both physically and mentally engaged during activity that the physical outcomes are improved.\u00a0 In relaxation-based activity, a person can elicit a great relaxation response if they are quiet and mentally engaged, or are present in the moment.\u00a0 How many of our participants seem to be going through the motions in a group setting, almost having an \u201cout of body\u201d experience.\u00a0 Their body is in the pool, but their brain left the building.\u00a0\u00a0 Not only does distraction increase the risk of injury during exercise, but it also diminishes the return on their physical investment.<\/p>\n

So, how do we incorporate mind and body coordinated activity into our programs?\u00a0 As we combine the engagement of cognitive tasks during physical activity it trains a participant to muti-task, systematically, thus challenging the mind and body through stimulation of both systems simultaneously.\u00a0 It coordinates the use of the procedural memory with semantic memory.\u00a0\u00a0 Drills and progressions enhance outcomes and games allow people to use their creativity and \u201cinner child\u201d. Here are a couple of simple games than can be easily incorporated:<\/p>\n