Sarasvate

A few scenes from our 2019 workshop at Yogaville. Looking forward to a summer visit this time!

Care to join me Aug 7-9 at Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville for Clarity of Minds: Essentials for Brain Longevity? Sign up here: https://www.yogaville.org/yoga-programs/11827/clarity-of-mind-essentials-for-brain-longevity-2/

Cliff notes:

1. Fatty fish like salmon.
2. Blueberries
3. Avocado
4. Walnuts
5. Dark chocolate 😋

These are all good things to include but read the article for details.

Eat These 5 Foods to Improve Your Brain Health Hungry? Don’t forget to feed your brain. Science says these yummy options can make a real difference in your brain health.

Learning new things is one of the best things you can do for your brain. So my latest "new learning" is Mahjong. My neighborhood friends have been playing for years and they are very patiently teaching me.

And I thought Canasta was hard!

Not only does it make you think but it's a great social activity. I'm loving it.

What are you learning new?

How Playing Mahjong Can Boost Brain Health and Support Healthy Aging, According to Experts Like most hobbies, mahjong offers a wide range of health benefits, like fostering a sense of community, in addition to keeping our minds sharp. Learn more about the positive effects the game has on aging.

I was looking up an NIH study about Bees Breath, a form of breathing where you hummm out the exhale (very calming!) ...and read this:

"Pranayama,* by continuous practice reduces the dead space ventilation and decreases the work of breathing. Entire lung is ventilated in contrast to the shallow breathing which only refreshes the base of the lung. Practicing pranayama regularly has a positive impact on cardiovascular,and respiratory functions,improves the autonomic system towards parasympathetic (vagal tone) dominance. This in turn reduces the effects of stress and strain on various systems. Hence the overall physical and mental health improves."

-- From the National Library or Medicine, NIH

In other words, HOW you breathe matters. It certainly matters to your brain health.

* Pranayama = breath manipulation

Effects of Bhramari Pranayama on health – A systematic review Pranayama, a branch of yoga practice is extremely beneficial to mankind in maintaining sound physical and mental health and this article aims to attain an insight on the studies conducted on the effectiveness of Bhramari Pranayama (Bhr.P) on health. ...

Happy birthday to the Sarah in Sarasvate - my mom. She was beautiful, honest, strong-opinioned, and devoted to her family. She ate lettuce and mustard for a snack when she came home from teaching her elementary school students and introduced me to yoga and meditation when I was very young.

Sar-as-VAH-te´as it's pronounced, is inspired by the Hindu goddess of learning and wisdom. It felt just right.

This was from a 2019 workshop attendee. Thanks Lucy!

I hope you'll join me THIS summer, August 7-9.

Learn more and book it now: https://www.yogaville.org/yoga-programs/11827/clarity-of-mind-essentials-for-brain-longevity-2/

Just a reminder of how powerfully nature supports our brains 😀🌳🌸

Noticing colors, textures, and scenery is genuinely good for cognitive health. And when you layer in physical movement with mental engagement - like mimicking nature or calling out every flower you see, or naming plants that start with the letter L - you're giving the brain a remarkable workout.

Take a walk today and try it. I bet you'll feel energized and mentally stimulated. Let me know.

Here's why this is important:

1) Cortisol is a stress hormone.

2) It's GOOD for certain things...getting us up and going in the morning and during those "fight or flight" situations you may need to escape from danger.

3) It's BAD when we're under chronic, long-term stress and it's in your body too long - like when we're constantly worrying about big things like the state of the world, our health, finances, etc. It causes a lot of damage that can affect the brain (cardiovascular issues, inflammation) and it literally kills brain cells.

We cover cortisol and ways to lower your levels in my workshops and many of the things listed here to lower your levels. Worth a read.

11 Natural Ways to Lower Your Cortisol Levels High levels of the stress hormone cortisol can cause various problems. Learn 11 diet and lifestyle tips to help lower your cortisol levels naturally.

Introducing: "friction-maxing" 😀🧠

Doing things that are little more challenging. Our brain is designed to protect us and make things easy. So we fall into routine or take the easy way out. Adding more "friction," like following a recipe to cook, or doing a puzzle that you're not good at, or learning something new can help build new neural connections.

It's the "use it or lose it" philosophy.

So, what kind of friction can you make today?

5 ways to add a little inconvenience to your day — and improve your brain Making life harder sounds deeply unfun, but it might be good for your cognitive function.

TBT
This was the lovely group that joined me at Yogaville in 2019 for a weekend workshop on brain longevity. We had so much fun in between yoga, meditation, hiking, healthy eating and just being at this beautiful retreat in the Virginia countryside.

And now we're going back! August 7-9. Join me? You can learn more at the link below.

CLARITY OF MIND: Essentials of Brain Longevity
https://www.yogaville.org/yoga-programs/11827/clarity-of-mind-essentials-for-brain-longevity-2/