Where would the world be without movement?
Neuroscientist Daniel Wolpert once said: “We have a brain for one reason and one reason only – that’s to produce adaptable and complex movements. Movement is the only way we have affecting the world around us…I believe that to understand movement is to understand the whole brain. And therefore, it’s important to remember when you are studying memory, cognition, sensory processing, they’re there for a reason, and that reason is action.”
Movement
The benefits of movement are countless, so it's imperative that we all have healthy habits to sustain a prosperous life. Health is wealth, and we're focused on investing time into building and maintaining your body temple. You have more than 600 muscles in your body that contribute to about 40% of your total body weight. Movement helps build more durable, denser bones.
By doing activities such as Qigong, tai chi, dance, and yoga, you are strengthening your muscles; which improves stability, balance, and coordination. Yoga is all about body awareness, so you’re compelled to pay attention to each movement. By being aware of how you move, you can increase coordination and balance, be mindful of the positioning of your joints, and relax. Plus, yoga encourages flexibility and range-of-motion, which boosts joint flexibility and joint function. While also keeping your heart rate up which improves your cardiorespiratory endurance at a comfortable pace.
Our classes and workshops can be as effective as medication and psychotherapies. Regular exercise may decrease depression and boost mood by increasing a brain protein called BDNF that helps nerve fibers grow. In addition, a recent study found that when you try to move in synchrony with someone else it improves your self-esteem. Your mind and body are intimately connected. While your brain is the master control system for your body’s movement, the way you move can also affect the way you think and feel. When you are too exhausted to use thought control strategies such as focusing on the positive, or looking at the situation from another angle, movement can come to the rescue. By working out, going on a meditative walk by yourself, or going for a synchronized walk with someone, you may gain access to a “back door” to the mental changes that you desire without having to “psych yourself” into feeling better.