Exercise on the Eightfold Path By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “it’s possible to merge awareness and physical exercise together as one. This allows you to experience the present moment during your physical activity.” – Adam Brady We often think of meditation or spiritual practice as occurring in quiet places removed from […]
Reduce Blood Pressure in Patients with Noncommunicable Diseases with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “mindfulness practice can be an effective way to reduce blood pressure (and along with it, the risk of stroke or heart attack).” – NICABM High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) is an insidious disease because there are no […]
Mindfulness Improves Physical Health By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “mindfulness benefits our bodies, not just our minds.” – Jill Suttie Mindfulness training has been shown to be effective in improving physical and psychological health and particularly with the physical and psychological reactions to stress. Techniques such as Mindfulness Training, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based […]
Reduce Physiological Indicators of Stress with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Learning how to accept your present-moment experience is really important for reducing stress,” – Emily Lindsay Mindfulness training has been shown to be effective in improving physical and psychological health. One reason for these benefits is that mindfulness training improves the […]
Reduce Distress and Increase Pregnancy in Women with Fertility Problems with Mind-Body Practices By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “mindfulness becomes the perfect antidote for the paradoxical land mines infertility presents. Mindfulness starts from the perspective that you are whole and complete already, regardless of flaws or imperfections. It is based on the […]
Improve Cardiovascular Function with Qigong By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure and rate-pressure product were significantly decreased during Qi-training. From these results, we suggest that… Qi-training has psychological effects that indicate stabilization the of cardiovascular system.” – Michelle Fletcher Cardiovascular disease is the number one […]
Improve the Aging Brain and Well-Being with Mindfulness Training By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “On average, the brains of long-term meditators were 7.5 years younger at age 50 than the brains of non-meditators, and an additional 1 month and 22 days younger for every year after 50.” – Grace Bullock The […]
Improve Type 2 Diabetes with Mindful Movement By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Living with diabetes is a major life stressor, from the physical and psychological aspects of managing blood sugar and medications to the eating challenges. A great deal of what we go through in life is beyond our control. The diabetes […]
Improve Autonomic Nervous System Function with Yogic Breathing By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “The Bhramari pranayama breathing practice . . . .. is beneficial and instantly calming down the mind. It is one of the best breathing exercises to free the mind of distress, anxiety, or frustration and get rid of anger […]
Improve Health and Cognitive Ability in the Elderly with Tai Chi By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Tai chi is a gentle exercise that helps seniors improve balance and prevent falls. Studies have found that tai chi also improves leg strength, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, immune system, sleep, happiness, sense of self-worth, and the ability to concentrate […]