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[H139]Health And Fitness Program

by Alvaro Fernandez, Alv

By now, you surely are aware that our brains retain the ability to generate neurons and change over our lifetimes, breaking the scientific paradigm prevalent during the 20th century. And you have read about the growing number of brain games and brain fitness programs offered. Now, you may wonder, why is all this happenning now?

To understand that, let's review 10 important events that took place in 2007, a seminal year for the field.

1.In January, many mainstream media publications, such as Time Magazine and CBS News, started to publish major stories on neuroplasticity and "brain exercise", following the publication of the ACTIVE study, in the Journal of the American Medical Association in December 2006, where significant percentages of the participants age 65 and older who trained for five weeks improved their memory, reasoning and information-processing speed. Even more impressive, when tested five years later, the participants in the computer-based program (for information-processing) had less of a decline in the skill they were trained in than did a control group that received no cognitive training, and the results were more clear and consistent than in the non-computer-based programs (for memory and reasoning). In all programs, though, the payoff from mental exercise seemed far greater than we are accustomed to getting for physical exercise as if 10 workouts at the gym this month were enough to help keep you fit five years from now.

2.January: two superb popular science books, Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain (Ballantine Books) by science journalist Sharon Begley, and The Brain That Changes Itself (Viking) by psychiatrist Norman Doidge, make neuroplasticity research accessible to a general audience, exploring the research and rationale behind a variety of structured "mental exercise" programs, both computer-based and not (like meditation).

3.May: A 10-question Checklist is released to evaluate the growing number of programs making brain-related claims, at an event co-sponsored by the American Society on Aging and SFSU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

4.June: The Journal of Gerontology publishes a special Summer Issue fully devoted to Cognitive Training research studies.

5.June: Nicole Kidman becomes the face of "Brain Training", highlighting the commercial success of Nintendo Brain Age in the US and Europe, following the previous success in Japan. Brain Training becomes a household expression.

6.June: The Center for Disease Control and the Alzheimer's Association release a Cognitive Health Roadmap to guide the growing research and improve public health education in order to "To maintain or improve the cognitive performance of all adults."

7.September: Susan Greenfield, neuroscientist and Director of the Royal Institution in the UK, endorses MindFit program, which trains 14 different cognitive skills.

8.November: At the Gerontology Society of American meeting in San Francisco, Dr. Elizabeth Zelinski of the University of Southern California Andrus Gerontology Center, who led the IMPACT study based on Posit Science's program that trains auditory processing, reports very positive initial (not yet published) results.

9.November: The Brain Resource Company, specialized in developing cognitive assessments for clinical trials, signs a multi-million dollar contract with an insurance company to develop more sensitive diagnostic brain "markers" and assessments to enable wider adoption of cognitive assessments.

10.December: PBS releases an special program on neuroplasticity, featuring Michael Merzenich's research and Posit Science Brain Fitness 2.0 program.

Now you see why this field is growing so rapidly. Please stay tuned!

Joseph Pilates created this amazing fitness program as an effective way to keep fit and stay healthy. The fitness community has been eager to embrace this form of program due to its ease and simplicity. Every movement in Pilates has to be performed slowly but with maximum of attention. It always focuses on how well you carry out a particular movement rather than how many you eventually managed to perform.

In Pilates, the body only moves with instructions from the mind. Every instructor must explain to all students the ultimate goal is to improve the physical appearance while achieving body balance at the same time. So a possible Pilates performer should be informed from the start that he is not supposed to increase the muscle mass. When the domains of the mind is mastered, the body will react by moving freely and accurately.

There are many varieties of Pilates movements, you can either use a machine to support you or you can choose to move freely according to the movements set by the program. These are the main focus of the philosophy behind it - from focus through to centering, concentration and control.

Every Pilates movement has its own significance and it has to be performed exactly how your trainer demanded. This type of regime is becoming increasingly popular as people turn to this fitness program to fulfill the need to maintain their health and achieving a peaceful state of mind. Any form of practice that can redefine inner balance is very much sought after in this turbulent and stressful time. It is so easy to practice, simply order a DVD and start using it in the comforts of your own home.

This is a very unique fitness program that is designed to meet the requirements of any age group and body conditions. For instance, even pregnant women and little children can join a class without any problem. Initially, the moves of Pilates become great aides to people who are recovering fro illnesses or specifically dance injuries. That is how she met Romana Kryzanawska who is one of Joseph Pilates disciples. She introduced Moira to this sport and Moira's interest and dedication for Pilates made Stott Pilates a reality.

Pilates actually created a revolution on the way people view sports and had created awareness on the idea of using these gentle moves to sculpt the body. People have to understand that this concept has nothing in common with competition. This is about being your best and achieving inner balance and harmony.

Article Source : Fitness Workout Program

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Both Alvaro Fernandez & Carol Bell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Alvaro Fernandez has sinced written about articles on various topics from Aging, Brain and Aspen Travel. Alvaro Fernandez is the CEO and Co-Founder of SharpBrains.com, which covers the and. Alvaro Fernandez's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.

Carol Bell has sinced written about articles on various topics from Skin Care, Credit Cards and Vitamin and Mineral Supplement. For More Information Visit Our Website Or Our Blog. Carol Bell's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.