Meditation to Cure Alzheimer’s?

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How has Kirtan Kriya helped those with Alzheimer’s?

“The reason an integrated medical program works is simple: the brain is flesh and blood, just like the rest of the body. Like your heart or any other part of your body, your brain requires the proper nutrition, blood flow, and energy to perform well. Simply put, “What works for the heart, works for the head”-Dr. Khalsa

The Study: Following studies, which found the Kirtan Kriya meditation program to increase cognitive function and cerebral blood flow, a study was conducted to test the integrative meditational medicine on those with Alzheimer’s and memory loss. The study on Kirtan Kriya measured the results of the meditative practice over an 8-week study testing variations in the stress, sleep, mood, and anxiety of 15 subjects with memory loss in the median age range of 62±7 years old and their caregivers.

The Method: In order to test the results of Kirtan Kriya the research team in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation in Tucson, AZ prepared preliminary and post-study testing including neuropsychological tests, photon emission scans, and measures for mood, anxiety, and spirituality. “Major outcomes included measures of perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), sleep (General Sleep Disturbance Scale), mood (Profile of Mood States), memory functioning (Memory Functioning Questionnaire), and blood pressure.”

The Results: The 8-week study produced positive results! Subjects spending 12 minutes a day meditating with Kirtan Kriya were found to have “positive changes in mood, anxiety, and other neuropsychological parameters, and these changes correlated with changes in cerebral blood flow.” See the study.

The study also observed, “an improvement across measures of mental health and cognitive functioning, psychological distress, and telomerase activity in caregivers performing daily Kirtan Kriya compared with the relaxation group.”

Is Integrative Medicine a Good Approach to Alzheimer’s?

According to Dharma Singh Khalsa, MD, Integrative Medicine techniques like Kirtan Kriya and other meditation techniques help to cure memory loss that could be related to stress, cognitive decline, or due to mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is a specific type of memory loss that is, in fact, a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease.” Dr. Khalsa creates a vivid picture of integrative medicine by asking us “to imagine two rivers: a river on the left as conventional medicine, including drugs and surgery, and a river on the right as alternative, or complementary, medicine, consisting primarily of treatments people can apply themselves.”

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Color, Light and Endorphins.

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After earning a Bachelors degree of Art and Design, I understand that color and light play a vital roll in our world. Color and light can affect mood, change actions, sway thinking and suppress appetite. Color is a powerful form of communication, color is everywhere in nature and color is irreplaceable. Since I have always used fitness as my equilibrium for creativity I embrace all of the positive effects that color and light have on you especially while enjoying a great workout outdoors. Something about the mixture of a great workout on a beautiful colorful day really leaves you feeling recharged. Here are a few observations that may expound this…

First, nature’s colors can profoundly influence our minds and ways of thinking because they are pure and electrifying. I have found that it is an effective and inexpensive solution to use the lovely colors of nature for stress reduction. Such shades as the blueness of a clear sky, the greenery of the grass, the deepest shades of red in a sunset as well as the grayness of an overcast day can have a considerable influence over our state of mind. Research has shown us that specific colors bring balance to our physical and emotional systems. Chromotherapy (color therapy) is now being used as an alternative to Chinese acupuncture, achieving the same results in unblocking meridians without the discomfort of needles used in acupuncture.

Secondly, light is just as important as color. If there was no available light, we would not be able to see color since it is created by the reflection of light on an object. The Earth, our continents, oceans, in fact every living thing depends on light to be able to exist. Recent scientific evidence suggests that light is in fact emitted by every cell in our bodies called (biophotons). We live in a sea of energy where light is working within us. It shines with in our divine self, and radiates upon us from the sun.

Next, allow us to take a moment to shift our focus to endorphins. Serotonin and endorphins are the chemicals which give us a natural high. Serotonin also regulates sleep and appetite while endorphins act as a natural pain reliever. With these benefits it’s not surprising you might want to increase your serotonin and endorphin levels. The great news is that with exercise you can increase these chemicals naturally without any side effects. Exercise is one of the best natural ways to produce both serotonin and endorphins.

Note* I suggest somewhat vigorous exercise since it puts stronger physical demands on the body and increases the release of endorphins. For best results, train for at least 40 minutes and alternate between high and low intensity circuits or intervals — I recommend outdoors, of course.

Now we can make sense of natures perfect mix, color, light and endorphins. If countless studies show that exercise increases the production of Serotonin in the body, color and light can recharge us, it just make a lot of sense to spend some time exercising outside in the sunlight. Meanwhile, don’t forget to take a moment to enjoy the colors of nature, while exercising outdoors. I encourage you to be conscious of all the beautiful hues and grays will help keep The “ch’i” or (life force) energy flowing in our bodies’ energy channels or (meridians). We can talk a little about “Ch’i”, energy channels and meridians later. For now, step outside, enjoy a great workout
and raise your vibration.

©2013 | Christopher Vlaun

Electrify Your Soul. Workout Barefoot.

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Why is it that as soon as I get to the beach for a workout its time to kick off the sandals and sink my bare feet in the sand? It just feels good, right? True, but there is a little more to it.

Significantly over the last 7 years I have been training myself as well as most of my clients on Miami Beach barefoot. I have somewhat habitually urged that my clients/guests join me by being barefoot throughout the experience. Intuitively, I sensed that this was something they needed. I have often mentioned that studies have shown that lightning gives us approximately 20 flashes to the ground per second globally and therefore 1,728,000 flashes to the ground per day. This seems like a huge number, but it is necessary to maintain an electrical balance between the Earth’s surface and the atmosphere. Does this mean that we get charged up from this as well? I would say “yes”.

According to a new book called “Earthing” by Martin Zucker,  you were experiencing the flow of the earth’s electric energy connecting to your physical body, which has been scientifically proven to promote healing and create a deep sense of well-being within us. Grounding is simple and it is free. You simply connect your bare feet directly to the earth and enjoy the organic healing benefits.

Throughout generations cultures around the world have honored the connection to the earth. In Chinese Medicine it is called Chi or “Life Force”, Native Americans love the soil. They found that it has a mothering while soothing power that is all healing, cleansing and strengthening while walking sitting or running barefoot on her surface.

Dr. Daniel Chong states “The surface of the earth is teaming with a continuous supply of electrons. Unfortunately, standard shoes stop the necessary flow of electrons into our bodies. This separation can have a devastating impact on our health. When we’re not insulated from these electrons we literally quench the free radicals that accumulate in our bodies. Where do these free radicals come from? Everything from stress and manmade electromagnetic fields to toxins, infections and poor diets — all which contribute to chronic fatigue and inflammation”

How to experience the connection…

You do not necessaraly need to live on beach. Go barefoot outside for half hour and see if you notice your stress level begin to diminish. Begin to move, stand walk even sit on the grass, sand, gravel or unpainted concrete. Wood, vinyl or asphalt won’t work.

If you do live near the beach I suggest to step out on the sand and begin to connect to the earth’s life-force.

Chris Vlaun | Founder V Art of Wellness

Training your muscle groups daily.

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There is no need to target all your muscle groups in one session.
If you are the one to come up with your own workout program, take note that there is no need for you to target all the muscle groups each day. If you workout every day, then see to it that certain muscle groups are given ample time to rest before targeting them again. By doing this, you are giving time for your muscles to recuperate and get developed.