Increase Brain Activity with Brief Exercise and Meditation By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Meditating for a few minutes might help rein in those wandering thoughts and help you stay focused throughout the day. But meditating can have an even bigger impact. Some studies show that it affects the brain in various ways, […]
Combined Meditation, Yoga, and Ethical Education have Additive Effects on Well-Being By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “When practiced together, yoga and meditation strengthen the connection between mind and body, thereby improving overall fitness and wellbeing.” – Peaceful Dragon Mindfulness training has been shown to improve health and well-being in healthy individuals and those with medical and psychiatric conditions, Similarly, yoga […]
Improve Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms with Loving Kindness Meditation By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “You probably know that symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often include anxiety, unwanted memories, anger and avoidance. But did you know that meditation may be able to help? Meditative practices have been linked to decreases in […]
Meditation Alters the Brain in Conjunction with Alterations of Awareness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “meditation nurtures the parts of the brain that contribute to well-being. Furthermore, it seems that a regular practice deprives the stress and anxiety-related parts of the brain of their nourishment.” – Mindworks Mindfulness training has been […]
Reduce Pregnancy-Related Anxiety with Mindfulness By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Mindfulness practice provides an opportunity for the discovery of previously unrecognized inner resources of strength and resilience. By the time the workshop is over, women’s confidence levels increase and their fears begin to dissipate. They realize that even if giving birth is […]
Reduce Anxiety Around Cardiac Surgery with Yogic Breathing By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Anxiety is the physical, mental and emotional reaction to stress. Both can be calmed through the practice of yoga breathing, also called pranayama.” – M. Patino Patients scheduled for major surgeries usually experience anxiety. This is thoroughly understandable, but this […]
Alter the Genes for Better Health with Meditation By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “meditation practices seem . . . promote endocrinal, neuronal, and behavioral functions. This suggests that the achievement of a state of inner silence through the practice of meditation can prevent or reverse the detrimental effects of a stressful environment.“ […]
Better Mental Health During the Covid-19 Pandemic is Associated with Exercise and Meditation By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Introducing a mindfulness and meditation practice during this pandemic has the potential to complement treatment and is a low-cost beneficial method of providing support with anxiety for all.” C. Behan Mindfulness training has […]
Increase Relaxation with Focused Meditation while Increasing Activation with Open Monitoring Meditation By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Mindfulness meditation consists of focused attention meditation (FAM) and open monitoring meditation (OMM), both of which reduce activation of the default mode network (DMN) and mind-wandering.” – Masahiro Fujino Meditation training has been shown […]
Improve Well-Being During Covid-19 Lockdown with Yoga and Meditation By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Practicing mindfulness and meditation may help you manage stress and high blood pressure, sleep better, feel more balanced and connected, and even lower your risk of heart disease.” American Heart Association The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged the […]