Fibromyalgia Fitness Facts

There are natural ways to manage muscular and joint pain

Jeanie Lerche Davis writing for WebMD explains how home remedies and alternative treatments work . Moderate massage, pressure put on pressure points, acupuncture and application of heat and cold on tender spots are mentioned. Links are provided helping people understand and manage Fibromyalgia. I especially enjoy the chronic back pain videos.

Fit Teenage Boys are Smarter

Cardiovascular fitness positively influences higher cognition

Newswise.com reports research conducted by Nancy Pederson of the University of Southern California and colleagues in Sweden showing how cardiovascular fitness (not muscular strength) correlates with higher cognitive functioning including verbal ability, to logical performance, to geometric perception and mechanical skills.

Over a long term, boys who were most fit at the age of 18 were more likely to go to college than the less fit counterparts.

Once again, Daily Physical Education is scientifically supported to optimize cognitive performance, as seen time and again on this blog.

Cell Phone Tower Health (video)

Protest cell phone towers – is it worth it?

Read the research on this blog, December 2nd to know people’s deep health concerns relating to the placement of wireless cells, towers and facilities close to where they live and work. I took my little song and dance… it’s really a Rhythm and Rhyme routine to the City of Scottsdale, AZ Development Review Board, who were considering the placement of a wireless communication facility within a 100 yards of our homes and future city park and playground.

Other groups have protested cell phone towers with petitions and lawyers… I just wanted them to postpone the vote until they read health related research. The result…within a heartbeat following my strange appeal, the proposed tower was passed. There was no discussion. However, to the surprise of the Review Board chairperson, one council member voted ‘nay’. The chairperson responded with two words… “Really?” “Really!”

Watch my brief routine… read a bit of the research posted on December 2nd… and vote. Is this an issue we need to be concerned about?

Cell Tower Health Risks (video)

Learn the serious health risks of Radio Frequencies!

Strong evidence shows electromagnetic radiation from cell phone towers is damaging to human and animal health according to EMwatch.com. Serotonin and melatonin levels are disturbed affecting brain messaging, mood, sleep regulation and immune system function. Cancer rates are higher. Short term effects include headaches, sleep disorders, poor memory, mental excitation, confusion, anxiety, depression, appetite disturbance and listlessness. Living within 400 meters of the cell phone towers has shown to increase risks. BioInitiative.org provides a comprehensive report of RF health risks. Links to many research-based EMF related websites can be found on LessEMF.com.

An insightful article by B. Blake Levitt on EnviroLink.org explains how laws were passed taking away cities and citizen’s control over cell tower placement. Read about the substantial nonthermal hazards of RFs, largely ignored by the FCC. This article is disturbing to those of us working for wellness.

Learning less than two weeks ago that a Wireless Communication Facility is proposed to be built less than 200 meters from our home, I decided to create the Radio Frequency Rhythm and Rhyme routine to share at the Development Review Board Public Hearing. The video entertains people to take this matter seriously. I am hoping it prompts the public and elected officials to take decisive action -- and not dance around this serious health issue!

Body Laterality and Learning

See what side of your body and brain is in control

Prodigy.net offers a most comprehensive series of articles helping us understand laterality, and crossed or mixed dominance. Find out what eye, ear, hand, foot is dominant within your body. Understand ways to correct faulty dominance when it results in learning problems.

Insist on daily physical education to assure your child builds a strong sense of laterality which leads to midline mastery of the hands and eyes needed for effortless reading and writing. Once again movement prevails as the leading way to achieve academic success!

Rope Skipping and Learning (Video)

Watch this amazing video.



These rope jumpers show astonishing skills that can be directly related to high body/brain function. Think of how their sense of balance, rhythm, coordination, midline mastery and directionality enhance academic performance skills, as well as their sense of self-worth, and eagerness to work with others. Remarkable!

Physical Activity and Academic Performance

How does physical activity influence academic performance?

Leslee Scheuer and Debby Mitchell writing for SportaPolis review several research projects analyzing the effect of physical activity and academic performance. California’s Statewide Study of Physically Fit Kids, and Dwyer’s study of academic performance and fitness in children in Australia is briefly mentioned.

The conclusion stated in this article: “Enhanced brain function, energy levels, body builds/perceptions, self-esteem, and behavior have been attributed to physical activity and to improved academic performance. One cannot make direct correlations from the information offered. However it is obvious that many positive relationships have been suggested. Perhaps instead of decreasing physical activity, school officials should consider developing enhanced physical activity programs.”

Beating Time to Success!

Beat competency can be nurtured and improved

Rebecca Eddy writing for MAD Academy expounds on beat competency linked to physical and intellectual capabilities. Reference is made to BBC News article, Poor rhythm ‘at the heart of dyslexia’. It is surprising how many people are unable to maintain a steady beat. More amazing is how rhythm relates to language and reading development, even mathematical success.

Music and Movement

Instrumental in Language Development

Maryann Harman writes a comprehensive article in Early Childhood News citing research showing how music combined with physical movement significantly boosts reading, writing and language skills. The research of Dr. Alfred Tomatis is cited, including how sounds (phonemes) and movement of the fetus are linked during gestation.

One Amazing Brain Site!

What an absolute delight finding this body/brain-based website!

Christopher McPeck has amassed hundreds of articles and links related to body and brain fitness. What a phenomenal contribution Christopher is making. One of his passions is sharing the addictive nature of the Internet and Television. Take a moment to scan the comprehensive nature of this super insightful website including topics focused on the Brain, Arousal, Hearing, Indoor Air Pollution, Muscle Tension, Posture, Sensory Processing, Sleep, Vision, Research Topics, and Other Suggestions.

Smart Foods

Food Combination and Mental Performance

Joshua has compiled a list of articles that make a great deal of sense for those of us interested in optimizing body brain function. This article on Smart Foods advises us how to eat a balanced diet that both stimulates and relaxes the brain. Check out Joshua's website for other helpful information focused on natural brain fitness. Many articles relate to Avoidant Personality Disorders and Depression.

Auditory Function in Academics

Expanding auditory digit span remediates many learning problems

Kay Ness, MS Neurodevelopmental specialist has written an intriguing article citing the importance of the auditory system for reading, conversational language, understanding complex instructions, learning long words using phonics, solving psychological problems and improving maturity. ADD, ADHD, autism and Down syndrome are mentioned. Much of the article is focused on auditory digit span. This is very interesting.

Kay said, “If I was going to pick the greatest functional problem in our society today, I would choose auditory processing.” Kay definitely made her case.

Body Brain BOOGIE’s Birthday!

Can you believe our outreach is one year old, today!

Thanks to the researchers, authors, websites, and body brain-enhancing practitioners who add joy to people’s lives; I have written over two hundred postings aimed to help people find their inspired work.

Our goal is seeking vibrant living and learning potential… naturally.

All the best to you as we pursue the second year of life-enriching discoveries! Let’s boogie on! Jeff

Steady Beat Improves Academics

Reading and Mathematics are improved with steady beat competence

Phyllis Weikart’s article cites research supporting the use of steady rhythm while moving, talking, singing, and reciting poetry as a way to build reading, vocabulary, math and physical coordination. Children’s behavior, concentration, and understanding of body in space were all positively impacted. Many suggestions are given to parents and teachers wanting to help their children explore and develop their steady beat.

‘Poor rhythm is at the heart of Dyslexia’, an article by BBC news, cited research from the University College of London, finding dyslexic children were less able to detect beats in sounds with a strong rhythm.

Success in Teaching

Visit this comprehensive website for many marvelous ideas

Ronald Fitzgerald’s Success In Teaching website is jam-packed with many exceptional articles related to brain-friendly teaching. Ron’s vast experience in education and his passion, moving schools towards excellence is reflected in his keen writings. Plan to visit this amazing website often and enjoy Ron’s articles including his monthly Classroom Tips Newsletters.

Alternate Nostril Breathing (video)

Soothe chronic pain and promote relaxation

Timothy McCall, MD. writes in the Yoga Journal explaining how yoga breathing practices can quickly relax the fight-or-flight sympathetic nervous system, shifting energy to the restorative parasympathetic nervous system. Pain can be effectively reduced.

Researchers from Nepal Medical College found that alternate nostril breathing can have a powerful calming effect. Other research is reported on CRPS/RSD A Better Life blog, including interesting ways alternate nostril breathing stimulates the brain hemispheres. A video describing this technique is shown.

Why Kids Need Recess

Even the Kids Who Misbehave!

Rae Pica originator of Moving and Learning.com, author of 18 books related to movement and active learning has written a number of excellent articles including, 7 Reason Why Kids Need Recess. Check out her other insightful articles, like Linking Literacy and Movement along with her blog, The Pica Perspective.

All the research Rae Pica reports establishes the need for Daily Physical Education, morning and afternoon recess for children, and frequent use of physical movement teaching classroom concepts in order to optimize the body brain and firmly establish new neural networks that comprise in depth learning.

Recess is Really Important!

Study shows the importance of recess during the school day

Linda Ebbing writing for the Middletown Journal cites how vitally important recess is for elementary students. Burned off energy, better behavior, improved concentration, improved motor skills, enhanced social-emotional skills, and better attention are a few benefits mentioned.

Recess breaks as short as ten minutes improve children’s learning efficiency according to Catherine L. Ramstetter who conducted a comprehensive review of literature regarding recess throughout the United States.

Many schools have dropped recess to devote more time preparing for tests to meet NCLB mandates. If that is true in your school district, go to the school board and insist on Daily Physical Education and morning and afternoon recess! Read the Peaceful Playgrounds blog for more recess-related information.

Physical Education Smarter

Yes! One sort of exercise can make you smarter

Compelling research suggests that aerobic types of exercise benefit brain growth and cognition. Gretchen Reynolds writing for The New York Times Well Blog, cites several interesting research projects supporting aerobic conditioning for students, even the elderly, to gain and maintain improved brain function.

Research and comments by researchers Charles Hillman, Arthur Kramer, C.J. Jen, and Henriette van Praag are mentioned.

Insist on daily Physical Education if your local schools and nursing homes don’t offer it!

Body Brain Boosters MeetUp

Start your own MeetUp group to promote total wellness!

We are bursting at the seams with excitement over body brain science. Now there is an easy way meet up with interested people within your community and advance research-based mindbody enhancing practices. Go to MeetUp.com and start your own group of enthusiasts.

Visit my Body Brain Boosters MeetUp group for ideas. Contact me if you need more information or encouragement.

Get ADD Students Organized (video)

Base your teaching approaches on the brain part affected

Kathie Nunley from Brains.org has posted a short video, Teaching Tip 12, explaining ways to help ADD and ADHD students get organized. She relates methods based on whether the hind brain or pre-frontal cortex is involved.

Remember, low dopamine production can be raised through gross-motor movements, helping boost attention what ever areas of the brain or approach is used. Insist on more classroom activity, recess and daily physical eduction!

Feldenkrais Fitness Comfort

Can a fitness exercise program feel this good?

Sara Reistad-Long writing for ThatsFit.com relates her first experience with Feldenkrais, a series of ‘awareness through movement’ exercise routines developed by Moshe Feldenkrais who studied ways our bodies can function with greater ease and skill.

More articles appear on Feldendrais.com. I have experienced Feldenkrais and need to return to this revitalizing practice.

Top 10 Myths about ADHD

Read this article and decide on the 'real' ADHD myth

The first thing I notice as I am reading this article by Jean Rothman on the EverydayHealth website is the Concerta ad above the article, stating “Manage your child’s ADHD symptoms this school year.” Another ad adjacent to the headline says, “Get a FREE Trial.” Start reading this article and notice how many points are made justifying medication to treat ADHD. Notice how many more drug ads are posted along the side and bottom of this article. Are they trying to sell you something?

Now go back and read Thom Hartmann’s article yesterday and Thomas Armstrong’s previous article on this blog giving a different perspective. You tell me… what approach do you want to take… meds or a natural one, accommodating ADHD giftedness?

Be careful, if you or your child is taking meds, a guided approach needs to be taken before removing the drug. Talk with a specialist working with natural dietary, self-management and movement approaches before easing off.

ADD Isn’t the Problem

Attention Deficit Disorder -- a Different Perspective

Thom Hartmann, author of six books on Attention Deficit Disorder takes exception to the seriousness of ADD and ADHD. He insists that poor science casts a negative image on children, giving them a learning defect, when in reality it is the assembly-line, conveyer-belt schools that are dysfunctional. Take ADD and ADHD students out of this constrained setting and watch their learning genius and self-worth excel. Thank you Whole Family website for offering this article which is strangely absent from leading websites counseling parents about ADD.

Ode to Forgetfulness (video)

Listen, do you want to know a secret… about aging (song)

Mack Dryden sings a fun song about mental decline. This video is real fun for those of us becoming forgetful. Let’s laugh before full dementia sets in. Follow wellness practices on this blog and you will postpone, or reduce premature mental aging. Who needs it? Visit Mack on his website for more humor.

Healthy Brain Aging

Why we need to retool ‘Use it or lose it’

Alvaro Fernandez, co-author of The SharpBrain Guide to Brain Fitness starts his article posted on scribd.com by debunking 10 common myths on brain health, then recommends a brain-friendly lifestyle with an emphasis on novelty, variety and challenge. He challenges all of us to reshape and retool by ‘Using it or losing it’.

My Child’s Delayed Development?

What should I do about my child’s physical development?

Esther Boylan Wolfson in consultation with Ziva Schapiro, OTR offers an insightful article on WholeFamily.com website, suggesting what might be done if you suspect your child has a developmental problem. Check out Esther’s other excellent articles addressing Early Childhood Development.

LD Remedy… We Hold the Key!

Helping People… Unlock their Potential

Living and Learning… Movement is Central!

Neuro-education connecting Neuroscientific research and learning suggests the most effective ways to optimize body brain cells and systems to boost attention, sharpen focus, heighten motivation, enhance learning performance skills, and extend memory.

But what if, despite our good intentions and diligent work, these methods don’t work?

Then take a step backwards and return to the basics, helping the challenged learner retool their sensory, processing and motor systems that may be struggling. One or multiple systems might be involved, including the visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, reflex, tactile, proprioceptive, and vestibular systems.

Let’s explore each of these systems over the next few months. Discover what people are doing to mature the sensory input system, brain processing/memory system, and motor output system called upon to express learning through talking, writing, art, music, sport, and other life-enhancing performance skills – this will be great fun!

Exercise Your Brain with Neurobics

Neurobics works to keep your aging brain fit

Lawrence C. Katz and Manning Rubin offer ‘83 Neurobic Exercises to Health Prevent Memory Loss and Increase Mental Fitness’. Thank you Scribd.com for offering this free e-book packed with practical ideas. Chapters include Starting and Ending the Day… Commuting…At Work… At the Market… At Mealtimes… and At Leisure. Hat’s off to David Suter for his novel illustrations creatively representing this science of brain enhancement.

Pump Dopamine Naturally

Use your body to pump this essential brain-boosting chemical

Good-feeling dopamine is a pleasure/reward neurochemical that boosts attention, raises motivation, and orchestrates the prefrontal cortex – the executive brain that focuses on learning and minimizes impulsivity. Stimulant drugs are sometimes prescribed to help people diagnosed with ADD and ADHD produce more dopamine. Brisk, large muscle movements do the same, especially aerobic exercise.

Daily physical education, morning and afternoon recess, frequent physical activity breaks, and subject matter taught with movement will get dopamine pumping naturally.

This is a great fix for frittering minds!

Note: The Health Care-toon shown above is taken from the Health Care-toon Calendar, 365 Ways to Look and Feel Great by cartoonist Ed Fischer and Jeff Haebig. Visit WellnessQuest.com for a daily Health Care-toon and related wellness ideas.