The Benefits of a Vibration Plate

 

Look what Santa brought me for Christmas this year! It's a vibration plate that I've been researching and wanting to try. I have been using it daily for a couple of weeks. Slowly I've increased the vibrational frequency and experimented with the different foot position: walking, jogging, running. I've added squats in the different positions and tried knee lifts. Balance is still a challenge for me on the plate.

 

What are the benefits of a vibrational plate?:

• Increased muscle strength;
• Improved balance;
• Increased circulation;
• Improved lymphatic circulation (lymph needs movement);
• Possible weight loss with increased metabolism;
• Healthier endocrine system;
• Decreased stress levels;
• Increased cerebral spinal fluid circulation;
• Pain relief (My low back pain has decreased and some days I have no pain).

As always, you may want to check with your doctor, physical therapist or any practitioner who is supporting your health, to determine if this is right for you. There are risks with any exercise depending on your current health status.

For someone who needs to increase circulation and is challenged with walking or balancing, the vibration plate can be used while sitting. I've tried this technique and I can definitely feel the benefit!

 

Keep It Simple Silly!

 

As the holidays get closer and closer and stress escalates, take time to focus on simple tools for maintaining better balance - body, mind, spirit. Here are a few ideas:

1. Take a 5 minutes break, three times a day to just BREATHE. Notice your muscles relaxing, your brain clearing and your breathing getting deeper with each breath.

2. Water, water, water. Add a lemon or lime for some flavor if necessary.

3. Hourly, walk around in your house or apartment or just move your body.

4. Stay focused on the task at hand. 

5. Tune in frequently to what your body and your "little voice" is telling you. Let it be your guide.

6. Don't forget the benefit of laughing. Release some of that stress.

7. There are at least 5 channels playing Christmas movies 24/7. What better way to drift off to sleep. Spoiler Alert! There is always a happy ending!

8. If possible, go out in nature and leave any troubles with Mother Nature.

9. Keep some Bach Rescue Remedy at hand for those moments when you need a few drops of calm.

10. What are you grateful for this year? Give thanks for the positive in your life.

 

Releasing Stress with Neurographics

Neurographic art was created by Pavel Piskarev, PhD, professor and founder of the Institute of Creativity. One interpretation of this fascinating process comes from MORA (Ann Morrallee) - www.neurographica.net

 Neurographica Art, founded by Russian psychologist Pavel Piskarev in 2014, merges the principles of psychology with artistic creation. The fundamental concept behind this art form lies in the interplay between the conscious and subconscious minds. By tapping into the brain's neural network, artists can express their emotions, thoughts, and experiences in visually striking ways.

I have recently been introduced to this modality and have decided to incorporate it into my healing process. I am still a beginner and I look forward each day to creating another drawing. One of the "rules" is to create without interpretation. I love the lesson of flow that I am getting from this process. 

The course I am taking is with www.mindfulline.com . There is so much information on this website and I encourage you to check it out and see if you are ready to change beliefs, fears, patterns, etc. From the website:

BY DRAWING WITH UNIQUE ALGORITHMS, YOU CREATE NEW NEURAL PATHWAYS IN YOUR BRAIN THAT LEAD STRAIGHT TO YOUR ASPIRATIONS.

 

 

Ear Massage Health Benefits

Ear massage or ear reflexology or auriculotherapy has many health benefits. First, it is important to know that you think with your ears, therefore, under stress it is often difficult to comprehend verbal information. Massaging all of the points on your ears can begin to relieve stress because the external part of the ear can be viewed as a microsystem representing the entire body.

Benefits of ear massage could be:

Reducing pain in the body with the release of natural painkillers;

Releasing positive endorphins creating a feeling of happiness;

Relaxing the body by activating the vagus nerve;

Activating nerves associated that resonate throughout the body;

Enhancing the immune system by stimulating the senses;

An article in The Institute For Integrative Healthcare website states: "Auriculotherapy is used throughout the world to reduce substance cravings and assist in the detoxification of addictive substances"

How to massage the ears:

Gently pull, extend, massage and roll all areas of the brain. Make this an enjoyable experience. Get all of the nooks and crannies.

Also spend time massaging behind the ear to stimulate the vagus nerve and move into the Parasympathetic state of rest and digest.

 

Below is a chart from Vibrant Blue Oils showing where to use essential oils on your ears. For more information: www.vibrantblueoils.com 

Figure 8's for the Brain and Learning

In the field of Kinesiology - Applied Kinesiology, Behavioral Kinesiology, Brain Gym - figure 8 exercises are used in many ways to reduce stress, relax the mind, integrate the brain hemispheres and make life and learning easier.

Paul Dennison, Ph.D. and creator of Edu-Kinesthetics and Brain Gym developed exercises to enhance whole-brain learning and empower learners. Many teachers incorporate these simple tools, especially figure 8's, into the classroom curriculum.

My first course at Three In One Concepts was called One Brain - Dyslexic Learning Correction and Brain Integration. Figure 8 exercises and the theory behind them were an instrumental part of the course. 

Years ago, I had the opportunity to teach brain exercises to teachers who included them in their morning meetings with students in grades K - 3. Many reported back that the students asked to do the exercises again after lunch!

There is no wrong way to "play" with figure 8's. Just doodling an 8 or infinity symbol activates the integration of the brain hemispheres. A simple exercise to incorporate more movement is below. Add music to make it more enjoyable.

• 
  Standing, use your arms (or one arm at a time) to sway with your body while creating a sideways figure 8.

• Go up and over on the right, circle down, then up and over on the left, circle down and then again up and over to the right. Repeat as often as you like.
  

Find a flow that feels comfortable for you. If standing is too difficult, do the exercise sitting. Your brain doesn't really care! 

If you have shoulder discomfort, grab a big piece of paper and doodle figure 8's. Follow the tracing with your eyes. Reverse the flow and see if one is easier than the other.