Improve Psychological, Physiological, and Epigenetic Markers of Type 2 Diabetes with Mind-Body Practices By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Diabetes, like many other chronic diseases, can also affect the mind. Similarly the mind has great power to influence the body.” – Diabetes UK Diabetes is a major health issue. It is estimated […]
Mindfulness and Exercise Reduce Depression in College Students By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Mindfulness is as popular at colleges nationwide. It’s someone giving themselves uninterrupted mental space. . . It’s a time to stop and refocus your purpose. Studies show the practice may be an antidote to the high levels of stress […]
Movement-Based Therapies are Affective for Rehabilitation from Disease By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Tai chi is often described as “meditation in motion,” but it might well be called “medication in motion.” There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in China as a martial art, has value in treating or preventing […]
Reduce Anxiety with Mindful but not Non-Mindful Exercises By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Yoga brings together physical and mental disciplines that may help you achieve peacefulness of body and mind. This can help you relax and manage stress and anxiety.” – Mayo Clinic Anxiety at low levels is normal and can […]
Improve Autonomic Nervous System Function with Yoga By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Among its many beneficial effects, yoga has been shown to increase strength, flexibility, and balance; enhance immune function; lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels; and improve psychological well-being.” – Timothy McCall There is an accumulating volume of research findings […]
Change the Brain to Improve Fibromyalgia with Tai Chi By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “tai chi appears to be as effective or better for managing fibromyalgia . . . and patients are more likely to attend tai chi classes than aerobic exercise sessions.” – NCCIH Fibromyalgia is a mysterious disorder whose […]
Mind-Body Skills Training Improves College Student Mental Health and Well-Being By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “By focusing on and controlling our breath, we can change how we think and feel. We can use the breath as a means of changing our emotional state and managing stress.” —Tommy Rosen There is an […]
Improve Low Back Pain with Walking and Mind-Body Practices By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Mindfulness training teaches us to be aware of, and accept, moment-to-moment physical sensations of discomfort, while letting go of our usual negative reactions. So instead of spending hours each day thinking about how much we hate our back […]
Reduce Inflammatory Responses and Reduce Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms with Yoga By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “yoga practice significantly decreases the severity of physical and psychological symptoms in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.” – Science Daily Arthritis is a chronic disease that most commonly affects the joints. Depending on the type of […]
Improve Autonomic Nervous System Function and Well-Being in Cancer Survivors with Mind-Body Practices. By John M. de Castro, Ph.D. “Tai Chi and Qigong are ancient forms of exercise that fit the bill for helping patients with cancer get moving and improve their overall sense of well-being. Tai Chi practice can help with pain […]