It all starts in your...

It was so sad last week to hear the news of Junior Seau, former San Diego Chargers football player. Here's someone who could have benefited from some positive imagery and brain training as we have been exploring.  Did you know that he is one of three former NFL players who committed suicide since February, 2011?  It all starts in the brain...  Experts connect depression to traumatic brain injury and concussions. The latest report is Seau's family is donating his brain to be studied by scientists. Well how many people have had concussions?  That would be ME after years of flying head first off horses and motorcycles! Trust me, it is no "accident" I "landed" on this career path... Stuff like this makes you THINK! Think about what you are thinking about and know there is help for people whose brains are stuck in patterns that don't work! It's about a decrease in brain activity, which has been demonstrated on fMRI. Remember my background is in medical imaging, hence, I think about these things. Now, instead of scanning body parts and giving bad news, I show you how to tune up brain activity...so you can think better and feel better! The point is that thoughts lead you in a direction...positive or negative...mental and physical. And it all starts in different parts of your brain, running at different frequencies and just like with muscles, we can train it to be stronger. Through neurofeedback or "EEG Biofeedback" we show you where your brain is at (like looking in a mirror) and where it needs to go to do better. It's really that simple, and without the side effects of medication. How many people do you know who take meds and STILL don't feel better?  For a free consult just give me a call at 928-486-5414 or check in with my affiliates serving Az. in Lake Havasu City by clicking here.  There is hope, folks...through training, lifestyle change, supplementation, and proper nutrition, there is hope and here is some research to prove it! Stay tuned... next we will take a look at how FOOD affects your moods... Think healthy, eat healthy, and stay well!

think better

No Worries!

We have been working on positive thoughts and imagery to relieve anxiety, stress, and prepare for upcoming events. It's no secret that thoughts lead to feelings which lead to actions. Thoughts and imagery can even bring forth physical manifestations. Check out this reply that came in from my friend Jack Miller, a Certified Traditional Naturopath. http://www.naturalhealthsciencesofarizona.com/     "Very good info Becky. The opposite is true also. A non-recovering chronically ill person came to see me who perpetually lives in unhappy places. It doesn't even seem that the things this person and some others have gone through are horribly bad but they can recount those bad events in detail, which they do frequently. They live in a place of bad mental imagery and feel sorry for themselves that they had to go through something bad. Bad things are a part of life. I had some pretty rough things happen to me in my life. I won't get into that but the point is that I moved on and choose to focus on good things and a positive future. A few of these patients work on themselves constantly with emotional release therapies but they have been doing so for years and to me it becomes just an excuse to recall bad events over and over. There seems to be a need to do so. I need to learn more about what you do because I may want to send you some people. Do you ever do these sessions in LHC?" Above is an example of someone who ruminates on negative outcomes to the point of physical disease. PTSD is an example of flashing back to traumatic events. Once again, this has its roots in the brain. One of the first things I do with my clients through EEG Biofeedback AKA  neurofeedback is to help them calm down mentally...this offers tremendous relief from stress, anxiety, insomnia and eventually leads to improved focus and attention. Did you know you can train your brain to calm, reduce perception of pain, sleep better, and focus? Really! That's good news! Like Jack, do you want to learn more? Here's some good news... I'm offering a FREE consultation! That's right, you can call, schedule an appointment or even Skype and we can determine how neurofeedback can help you or a loved one. There's also a bushel of information on my websitewww.edgeneurofitness.com so you can get answers now. Need a consult in Arizona? I'm there from time to time, but just send me a reply and I will forward you to my affiliate in Lake Havasu City. http://www.affordablecounselingsolutions.com/braintraining Think healthy, eat healthy, and stay well!

Imagine Success!

In the last email, my colleague Dr. Hillel Mazansky, M.D. offered us a road map to find our "Happy Place" to relieve stress and anxiety.  Have you ever stressed out over an upcoming event or performance?  Well the good news is you can use imagery in preparation and rehearsal! Did you know that athletes use imagery?  It's all about getting into "The Zone"... Allowing yourself to run through the event SUCCESSFULLY       in your mind... Now here are more pearls of wisdom from Dr. Mazansky, our guided imagery expert: Aside from allowing you to rehearse mentally, imagery also allows you to practice in advance for anything unusual that might occur, so that you areprepared and already practiced in handling it. This is a technique used very commonly by top sports people, who learn good performance habits by repeatedly rehearsing performances in their imagination. When the unusual eventualities they have rehearsed using imagery occur, they have good, pre-prepared, habitual responses to them. Imagery also allows you to pre-experience achievement of your goals, helping to give you the self-confidence you need to do something well. This is another technique used by successful athletes. Wow! Now that's the competitive EDGE! When I was studying Exercise Physiology at CSUF years ago, we covered this in Sports Psychology. Because the game starts in your MIND! There is a mind-body connection. It all starts in your brain...that's the point of mental or NeuroFitness training to "Unlock Your Brain's Potential" and I'm here to share with YOU all the tools I have learned! In my next post, I'll share with you a response that came in from another colleague about what can happen to you physically with continued rehearsal of negative thoughts and imagery... For more information on Dr. Mazansky and his work, you can check out his website http://www.gianinc.com

Imagine This!

We've all seen or experienced what happens when people get too stressed out. Does that ever happen to you? Today's topic is about how to get to that "happy place" if even for a few minutes...to take a little mental time-out for restoration, stress management, or healing!  "But I just can't get there!"    Mental imagery is powerful and if you can THINK, you can do it! Here are some tips (first in a two-part series) for "Imagery in Relaxation" from one of my colleagues, Dr. Hillel Mazansky, this is his specialty! Directions to the Happy Place, LOL One common use of imagery in relaxation is to imagine a scene, place or event that you remember as safe, peaceful, restful, beautiful and happy. You can bring all your senses into the image with, for example, sounds of running water and birds, the smell of cut grass, the taste of cool white wine, the warmth of the sun, etc. Use the imagined place as a retreat from stress and pressure. Scenes can involve complex images such as lying on a beach in a deserted cove. You may "see" cliffs, sea and sand around you, "hear" the waves crashing against rocks, "smell" the salt in the air, and "feel" the warmth of the sun and a gentle breeze on your body. Other images might include looking at a mountain view, swimming in a tropical pool, or whatever you want. You will be able to come up with the most effective images for yourself. Other uses of imagery in relaxation involve creating mental pictures of stress flowing out of your body, or of stress, distractions and everyday concerns being folded away and locked into a padlocked chest. Ahhh... I feel better already, do you? I want to go there! For more information on Dr. Mazansky and his work, you can check out his website http://www.gianinc.com  Stay tuned...next up in this two part series is: How to use imagery in preparation and rehearsal...  To give you a competitive EDGE... Instead of worrying...because worrying is actually mental preparation for impending doom! Well we don't want to go THERE!

Stress 1, Mel Gibson 0

Stress 1, Mel 0! http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/04/19/harrowing-mel-gibson-rant-released-by-screenwriter-joe-eszterhas/    Stress won! OMG, do you think Mel lost it or what? Judging by the above video footage (click on link) it appears so... Here's an example of what can happen when stress is allowed to build up...it was the last straw for him.    Have you ever blown your top? I have! It's been a while though, because I paid attention to my body's cues that stress was getting to dangerously high levels (just go have lab work done!) I think Mel skipped this part. Have you?    Besides predisposing us to inappropriate behavioral outbursts such as the latest by MG, stress predisposes us to many health issues such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, depression, and even speeds the progression of HIV/AIDS. Exactly how stress causes and contributes to disease is a question of particular interest to researchers. There are two likely pathways: One is behavioral -- people under stress sleep poorly and are less likely to exercise; they adopt poor eating habits, smoke more and don't comply with medical treatment. Stress also triggers a response by the body's endocrine systems, which release hormones that influence multiple other biological systems, including the immune system. Effects of stress on regulation of immune and inflammatory processes have the potential to influence depression, infectious, autoimmune, and coronary artery disease, and at least some (e.g., viral) cancers. Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071009164122.htm This video (link below) demonstrates how quickly, even at a young age, a person can become stressed. This also speaks to attachment issues.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apzXGEbZht0&feature=youtube_gdata_player Stress increases your risk of developing disease but does not mean that just because you are exposed to stressful events you are going to get sick. I'm just pointing out that it behooves us to manage stress before it manages us! So what's the take home here? Take care of yourself Manage your stress to prevent illness and/or raging, embarrassing outbursts of emotion! Consider the effects of stress on interpersonal relationships My gift to you today is a list of 101 Ways To Reduce Stress    And, of course, one of the most powerful ways to deal with stress and anxiety is by neurofeedback training! Check out my newly remodeled website... I put stress at the top of the home page because it is SO PREVALENT and SO CONNECTED to other health issues!  (There are some way cool testimonials on there, too)    Cheers!

Does Your Pet Have Issues?

In my last post, I let you in on my secret brain tool...the p.ROSHI Neurodynamic Activator.  A pair of glasses (there are four to choose from, actually) that flashes lights in a pattern that mimicshealthy brain activity.                Don't we all want to think better, feel better, and work better?       How about a little mental relaxation and being able to fall asleep easily at night?  Well guess what? This device is not just for people,              it's even being used to help pets who have issues... Does your pet have an issue? Like anxiety, stress, nervousness, PTSD, separation issues, aggression? Does your pet keep you awake at night? Check out this amazing story of a woman who used the glasses to help her dog after it had a stroke... http://www.healthharmonyvistas.com/strokeprotocol.htm    Now here are a couple of my pet stories:   Meet Hobie, an 8 year old Boxer I adopted when he was 11 months old from the Western Arizona Humane Society in 2004. He had been abused and abandoned. He was quite edgy and highly distrusted any men, very skittish and would not go near strangers until he became very familiar with them over repeated visits. He made ME nervous because HE was always so nervous, pacing about the house in hypervigilance, even at night. So one day I had the idea that if these glasses could get ME to relax, maybe they would work on Hobie Dog. I put the Magstim glasses over the top of his head. He gave me strange looks, then within minutes I felt his muscles relax. He sat down, heaved a sigh of relief, then laid down at my feet, closed his eyes, and rested peacefully for about 20 minutes! I did it again the next day, only he kept them on his head, I didn't have to hold them on...he liked it!    Well fast forward...now he is more relaxed, sleeps through the night, only takes a few minutes to warm up to new people! Everywhere I take him (just because I CAN now) people tell me what a great dog he is.Before, it was "What is wrong with that dog?" I even took the glasses with me to the vet in case he got nervous, he settled right down! The vet was amazed and now wants to try them on her own patients.    I also used them to help settle the horses. Last sumer Bo had a colic issue and was saved by emergency surgery. Ever since his return from the hospital he's been spooky and gets agitated easily, not like him. On advice from the p.ROSHI inventor, I put them in his stall at night and let the lights strobe on high so it looked like a disco in there. Lo and behold, both horses just stood and stared at the lights, heads hung low and relaxed, it put them to sleep! Well no more freaking out at stuff on the trail and they are getting along with one another much better now, whew!    There are a couple of funny cat stories, too...  I will post on my blog as soon as my friend sends me the photos we took (on her camera)...of this wild kitty taking a nap after being "Roshified!"    Well enough Dr. Doolittle stories!  Sorry for the diversion, I just get so excited when I find things that make life better...I love to make a difference! Next time I will get back to nutrition and how it affects your brain health and all that stuff!  HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR TOPICS YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO COVER???  Also, please let me know if you have a pet who wants to try the glasses...or if YOU want to try them! Or your kids? My daughter's teacher called me a recently (Trust me, that old feeling came back, like, "oh no, what is it this time?" Have you ever gotten those bad calls from your child's teacher?) Only this time it was to ask me what we were doing because she is doing so much better in Spanish class! Her grade came up 10 points! Been getting A's on everything turned in since we tuned her up with the glasses and a couple more neurofeedback sessions. Life is good:) Like a GPS for the brain, let the P.Roshi direct you to the  meditative state of a Zen guru effortlessly!       For more info check out www.roshi.com See the stars trying them at the Golden Globes Gifting Suite! Stay tuned for upcoming news from the Natural Products Expo... including GMO, How do you know? Herbal Pharmacology, Andrew Weil's new book Be Happy Now, the latest from Dr. Michael Murray on stress, anxiety, and insomnia, and the hottest healthiest foods we found this year at the show!

My Secret Tool

In my last post, I promised to let you in on my secret brain tool...this is it!

Do you wish you had a secret tool, like for when your brain is foggy and you need to think better? 

Or how about when your brain is going a hundred miles per hour thinking about all kinds of stuff when what you really need to do is get to sleep and stay asleep all night? 

     Imagine THIS...

A pair of glasses (there are four to choose from, actually) that flashes lights in a pattern that mimics healthy brain activity. Really! Your brain just follows the light and within a minute or two you experience a Zen-like state of mental clarity, effortlessly! 

Sounds crazy, eh? I didn't believe it either until someone in a workshop put them on my head while I was BLINDFOLDED. I could FEEL the shift and even saw it for myself as my EEG was being recorded!  

I want to share this experience with you!

This is your invitation to come in for a

FREE DEMONSTRATION of our

p.ROSHI "Neurodynamic Activator"

It's the latest addition to our Edge NeuroFitness program...

Come in and see for yourself through the p.ROSHI Glasses how we can show your mind healthy brain waves and let it follow along, guiding you to a calm, focused state within minutes! 

"See the light!"

My daughter wears them during homework and says she can

finish in HALF THE TIME with increased focus and concentration!

Like a GPS for the brain, let the P.Roshi direct you to the meditative state of a Zen guru effortlessly!

     

For more info check out www.roshi.com

See the stars trying them at the Golden Globes Gifting Suite!

http://www.edgeneurofitness.com/events.html

  

Call 928-486-5414 today!

Stay tuned! Coming up next: p.ROSHI is not just for people...find out how it is helping pets!