Su Jok Korean Acupuncture and therapy

Su Jok - Korean hand & Foot Acupuncture

In understanding the anatomy of the human body as a whole, the hands and feet themselves represent a smaller, but nevertheless true, mirror image of the whole body. Within this view, the thumbs and large toes represent the head. Also, in addition to serving their normal functions as appendages to the four limbs (legs and arms), the hands and feet are endowed with an exquisite "remote control" function which can cure diseases throughout the whole body. Knowledge of the principles through hand and foot acupuncture will provide an impressive vehicle for personal and family health care. THERE IS A PRINCIPLE IN HAND AND FOOT ACUPUNCTURE WHICH SAYS THAT WHEN BODIES ARE SIMILAR THEN THE WAY THEIR CORRESPONDENCE REACTIONS WORK MUST ALSO IS SIMILAR. One of the characteristics of the human body is existence of a certain correspondence system between the whole of the body and some of its parts. Through this system the whole of the body is represented in many places all over the body. Correspondence works in such way that the whole of the body and its representations are interactive. Thus if a part of the body is affected with a disease it is also reflected in the place which represents the affected part. And on the other hand a stimulation of a place which represents a particular part of the body raises a reaction in the represented part. A general idea of existence of this type of body correspondence has already been proved by anatomy and physiology. A new type of therapy which Prof Park Jae Woo, have generally named Hand and Foot Acupuncture (Su Jok Acupuncture) is a method of curing diseases by stimulation of the hands and the feet with a combined use of acupuncture, medical treatment aids like Moxibustion, finger pressure therapy and others. Research has already established correspondence between the body and the hand led me to a discovery of a new system of correspondence, in which the thumb represents the head. In addition to that, He was also able to confirm the fact that the foot has the same type of correspondence as the hand. Presuming that an autonomous system of therapy will also be possible through the foot I approached it with acupuncture and Moxibustion. This way an application of the domain of Oriental Medicine - acupuncture - exclusively to the hands and the feet developed a new and unique method of treatment and the same established the birth of Su Jok Acupuncture. Hand and Foot Acupuncture may be classified as a pluralistic system of treatment which has several levels. The first level, which is based on physical science, utilizes for treatment a simple stimulation of the following body correspondence reaction, body corresponding areas on the hands and the feet. Since a part of the body where sickness appears has its counterparts - corresponding areas- on the hands and the feet, stimulation there yields results in therapy. If only there is an understanding of the relation between the body and related to it correspondence structure on the hands and the feet, a practical application of this type of therapy is possible and easy for anyone. Treatment results obtained from stimulation of the corresponding areas of the hand and the foot is tremendous. This popular way of treatment can successfully relieve almost all the complaints. The other levels of treatment differ from the described above Correspondence Therapy as they utilize distinguished in the Classical Acupuncture and established by the pathways of metaphysical Energy, the Twelve Classical Meridians, the Eight Extra Meridians (Ki Kyong P'al Mek) and belonging to them Points (Hyol). More over it also utilizes a reduced form of those which exist as a result of body correspondence on the hand and the foot in organized flow and branches of Byol Meridians and Byol Points. Thus on this level we have for disposal a particular system of treatment in which it is possible to utilize experience accumulated from the Classical Acupuncture and to apply its theory just as it is also to link it with the art and the theory characteristic for the newly researched Hand and Foot Acupuncture. Since these two differing from each other systems of treatment are independent no matter which one we will allows to use it will yield a positive result. However they also manifest a flexibility which allows to adjust them to the conditions of the disease and also to use them jointly in order To obtain the best results when efficiency of treatment i.e. its duration is taken in to consideration THE STRUCTURE IN WHICH THE THUMB CORRESPONDS TO THE HEAD CONSTITUTES A NATURAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BODY AND HAND.  By using the pit of the human stomach as the center point and rotating the head 140 degrees, the parts of the hand will correspond to particular parts of the body. The thumb identifies the head and the neck; the chubby part of the palm under the thumb is the chest and the palm as a whole refers to the abdominal region. The middle and ring fingers are legs while the index and small fingers correspond to the arms. From the structural point of view, it is the hand which has the closest resemblance to the whole human body. The principles of body correspondence structure which apply to the feet are the same as those of the hands: the big toe to the head and neck, the round shaped pad under the big toe to the chest and the palm of the foot to the abdominal area. Respectively, the third and the forth toe correspond to the legs, while the second and the fifth toe to the arms. The correspondence structure of the toes is more particular. On the left foot: the second toe to the left arm, the third toe to the left leg, the fourth toe to the right leg and the fifth toe to the right arm. The right foot is reversed: the second toe to the right arm, the third toe to the right leg, the fourth toe to the left leg and the fifth to the left arm. THE MOST POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE BODY CORRESPONDENCE IS FOUND WITH THE FOOT BODY CORRESPONDENCE CHART OF THE HAND AND FOOT (DORSAL SIDES) The parts of body related to the Yang (places which naturally are exposed to the sunlight), i.e. the outside parts of legs and hands, the buttocks, the back of head and others are represented in the Yang sides: back of the hands and the top of the feet. Consequently, the treatment of more areas, especially the shoulders, spine and waist yield excellent results when undertaken on the Yang sides of the hand and foot. THE PRESSURE PAIN REACTION POINTS IN THE CORRESPONDENCE AREA OF THE HANDS AND FEET ARE JUST THE CORRESPONDENCE TREATMENT POINTS. STIMULATE THOSE PAIN REACTION POINTS FOR TREATMENT OF DISEASE.  Importance of the Su Jok Therapy The hand's anatomic likeness to the body is too evident to be just incidental or coincidental. This likeness bears proof of the profound internal relationships between the hand and all of the body; it explains the high therapeutic effect noticed by specialists when influence is applied to the correspondence points of hands and feet. The law of the fastest and strongest Homo-interaction is in effect between the hand, foot and the body. Existence of the numerous signs of the likeness proves irrefutably that the thumb and big toe are in correspondence with the hand, the third and fourth fingers and toes are in correspondence with the legs, the second and fifth fingers toes with the arms, and the hand's palm - with the trunk. Since the time the Su Jok therapy principles were made public, many people in Korea and other lands, both with and without medical background, have learnt the theory of the method and applied it in practice with remarkable success. One of man's most cherished dreams is to live a life in perfect health. Person’s diseases are not only his or her misfortunes of fate but just as much are a consequence of conditions of work, social environment and economic situation. It follows from this that dissemination of the simple, inexpensive and at the same time effective method of cure meets the interests of all countries and peoples. Two levels of knowledge are best to be marked out in the Su Jok System; one for people without a medical education and the other for medical practitioners who are apt to employ the therapeutic potentialities of this method more profoundly. If the population gets trained in basics of the treatment to a level that would enable everyone to help oneself when necessary, many people would not need apply to medical institutions in cases of minor indispositions or * benign * diseases. Such people would get rid of inconveniences; loss of time and many apprehensions caused by indispositions and so could live a happier life. Every person has the right to learn and master the simple methods of self cure. Su Jok Therapy is a synthesis of natural treatment methods and is based on certain philosophical principles; some of these methods can be used by every person for self - cure by acting on one's hands and feet. We have mentioned above that hands and feet house special curative correspondence system. These are so simple and understandable that they cannot but be seen as a proof of the Creator's love for mankind. In the spirit of the lofty Love embodied in these curative systems the author strives to bring the knowledge of these systems to the people of the world so that every person could learn and use them. The system of curative correspondences of hands and feet is quite simple and can be achieved even by a person having no specialized medical background. There is no particular need of special medical instruments to work with this system. The target can be achieved with the help of natural stimulators such as grains, thorns, small pebbles, etc. Any disease is basically caused by disturbances of the energy balance in the organism or in a part of it. Hands and feet are more than just miniature copies of the physical body. They carry also the likeness of the energy system of the body and its components; meridians and chakras. It has been proved by experience that comparatively simple methods of stimulating different links of the energy system can produce remarkable curative effects. Various micro magnets are used widely for this purpose. The principles of magnetic stimulation of miniature projections of the meridians (byol meridians) and chakras (byol-chakras) on hands and feet are relatively simple and can be learned and mastered in little time. Thus, the second step in Su Jok treatment is non-invasive treatment by byol-meridians and chakras.   Treatment via correspondences of hands and feet is the principal method of the Su Jok therapy that can be used by all people of the planet to provide first aid. I am sure that the dissemination of the method will play a major part in building a healthy society. Translated from Korean words < SU > means < Hand >, and < JOK > means < FOOT >. Thus this method is one using hands and feet for medical treatment. Hands and feet carry specific curative systems that follow the principle of likeness; the shapes of the hand and foot resemble the human body. These curative systems are given the name of correspondence systems of hands and feet. Much time had passed the therapeutic effects produced empirically could be related to the likeness of hands and feet to the body and proved the possibility of existence of such correspondence systems. But are the correspondence systems exclusively located on the hand and foot Ancient physicians knew that there are some parts of the body that reflect the whole of the organism. Quite a few methods are known that use certain areas of the human body as correspondence systems; craniopuncture treats the points of the hairy portion of the head, rhinoacupunture makes use of points on the nose, etc. Ancient Chinese treatises described the correspondence of a person's face to his body that made it possible to make an adequate diagnosis of afflictions of different organs. Methods of diagnosis by eye iris were known an ancient Egypt. Methods of diagnosis by the tongue are used by Indian and Chinese physicians to this day. These treatment methods are largely empirical, that is, it took millennia to accumulate the knowledge of what point corresponds to what organ or body part. So called maps of face, nose, tongue, eyelids, etc were drawn up. French physician Nogier advanced and perfected the ancient method of treatment by points on the floor of the auricle. He noted that the shape of the ear resembles the human embryo. The likeness made it much easier to learn the method and was a big qualitative leap in the development of auriculotherapy. But that was not the end. Suffice it to recall the resonance effect of tuning forks; when one of them is made to sound another tuning fork of a closest tone would sound, too. A weaker sound may be generated by other tuning forks that are less like the first one. The fact is the likeness ensures the fastest interaction with a least loss of energy. It would be logical to assume that the fastest and the most effective treatment can be one that is produced by influencing the parts of the body that are most similar to it in shape. The human ear does look like the human embryo. However, a thorough study of other body parts reveals that the hand manifests the greatest likeness to the body; the hand has a palm and five fingers; the body likewise has the trunk and five protruding parts, namely, the head and the four extremities. More over, fingers do have three each; likewise, the human body's extremities also have three parts each while the head and the neck two parts. Thus, a simple observation provides information what part of the hand corresponds to what body part. However, the likeness has another aspect; if hands are shaped so much alike to the shapes of the human body, men should have noticed this likeness and used it in treatment. That is, the Power that has created man also took care to provide mechanisms that keep him in health. Such mechanisms manifest the Creator's love for man. Sometime in 1953 as I was scrutinizing my hand I was struck by the thumb's likeness to the head. By 1974 I had developed a clear idea of the constitutional likeness of human hand and body. In 1984, Prof Park made a complete description of the curative correspondence system, which included hands and feet. Because of the likeness of hand and feet; He came to the conclusion that they carry similar systems of correspondence which are in a Yin-Yang relationship. The correspondence systems of hands and feet were for the first time presented officially in the press in 1987, the delay being due to the needs of other research. In October of 1987 was printed, and in December of that year. The manual (August of 1988) outlined the fundamentals of the Su Jok theory and also presented the therapeutic correspondence system in the hand and foot and all the metaphysical principles of this curative system. Signs of the Hand's Likeness to the Body Inherent in the hand and foot correspondence system is the possibility of an accurate, directional and specific influence on a specific part of the body. This possibility is materialized through the evident likeness of hands and feet to the body, and through the structural Specificities of hands and feet. Of all the human body parts the hand possesses the utmost likeness to the body as is evident from the specifies of its structure. The hand resembles the body in: The number of protruding parts; The level of location of the protruding parts; The directions of the protruding parts; The proportions of the protruding parts; The level of location of the protruding parts; The positions of the protruding parts relatively to the symmetry line; The likeness of the thumb to the head Likeness in the number of protruding parts One can distinguish five protruding parts in the human body; the head with its neck and four extremities. The hand, too, has a palm and five protruding parts - the fingers. Hands and feet are the only areas of the human body that have five protruding parts. This is one of the principal likenesses of hands to the body. Likeness in the levels of location of the protruding parts When one looks at a person in a natural upright position that persons head is uppermost; legs are the lowest as they are on the ground; arms are located in an intermediate position. When one's arms hang down freely the thumb is uppermost. It corresponds to the head. The location level of the second and fifth fingers corresponds to that of the arms, while the location level of the third and fourth fingers corresponds to the legs. Of course, the correlations will change when the hands are positioned in a different manner. So the likeness between the human body and its hands must be studied when they are in the natural position.  Likeness in the directions of the protruding parts There are certain spatial parallels of the body's protruding parts with fingers. In the natural upright position the head faces upwards, and the extremities are parallel and point down. Similarly, the thumb faces in a direction different from that of the fingers.  Likeness in proportions of the protruding parts The body's shortest and broadest protruding part is head with the neck. Similar to these on the hand is the thumb. The body's longest protruding parts are the legs; the hand's longest fingers are the third and fourth ones. Being shorter than the legs the arms are in an intermediate position. Similarly, the second and fifth fingers are shorter than the third and fourth ones. This supports the notion that the thumbs is in a correlation with the head and neck, the third and fourth fingers with the legs, and the second and third fingers correlate with the arms.  Likeness in the number of segments and joints of the protruding parts In the human body the uppermost part consists of two elements, the head and the neck. As to the hand, only the thumb has two phalanxes. Each of the body's extremities consists of three functional parts. In the arm one distinguishes the shoulder, forearm and hand joined by the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints. In the leg such are the thigh, shin and foot joined by the hip, knee and ankle joints. Each of the four fingers has three phalanxes with joints connecting them to each other and to the metacarpal bones.  Likeness of the protruding parts relatively to the symmetry line The body's left and right sides are alike to each other in appearance, anatomical structure and equal numbers of bones, and are symmetrical by the median axis. On the hand one can also draw a line of symmetry, the only one that divides the hand in an ideal symmetry both in the anatomical structure and in the number of the hand bones. The line starts from between the third and fourth fingers, crosses the middle of the wrist joint distal fold and from there extends towards median point on thumb top. Relatively to the symmetry line the body's protruding parts and the fingers take similar positions. The head is located exactly on the body's central symmetry line. The thumb is located right on the symmetry line, with the second and fifth fingers, similarly to the arms, most remote from the line. The third and fourth fingers are next to the symmetry line. Likeness of the thumb to the head The definition of the thumb as corresponding to the head is the major prerequisite for understanding all of the body's system of correspondence on the hand. The thumb has a shape that is more similar to that of the head than the shape of any finger. Evidently, functionally the head is the most important and perfect part of the body that controls all of its functions. In the hand the thumb is apart from the fingers and, thanks to its mobility, can freely reach every finger. The thumb's specific group of muscles and ligaments ensures it a much greater range of movement compared to the fingers, thus providing the human hand with the possibility to grasp and hold objects and to do work. If a thumb is amputated a person suffers an irreparable loss of many professional and routine abilities. When we consider the functional value of the thumb we must draw the conclusion that, like the head, it plays the part of controlling all fingers. Great as the hand's likeness is to the body it is not a full one. The human head is pointed in a different direction compared to the extremities. Likewise, the thumb's direction differs from those of the fingers. Had the thumb been positioned to point in a direction opposite to the fingers and not at an angle to the hand, the hand's likeness to the body might have been discovered much earlier. The thumb's partial turn relatively to the palm is the contemporary man's adaptation to performing diverse work. This fact somewhat concealed the hand's evident likeness to the body and delayed the discovery of the perfect curative system. Such position of the thumb notwithstanding, the hand's likeness to the body is quite evident to notice. Specifies of the Likeness of the Foot Of all the body's parts the foot is second to the hand in the likeness to the structure of the body. The five toes correspond respectively to the five protruding parts of the human body. Consequently, the foot, like the hand possesses the fundamental structural elements of correspondence. This likeness of the foot to the body, however, is more difficult to spot. It is simpler to begin with learning the correspondence of the hand to the body, then the structural similarity of the foot and the hand, and so finally to understand the correspondence of the foot's structure to the body. The correspondence of the hand has been described in detail previously. But how does the foot correspond to the hand? Animals have no basic distinctions in the structures of the front and back extremities, because originally the two pairs of extremities belonged to the same category and performed similar functions. This statement can easily be seen when one compares the anatomy of the bone structure of the hands and feet. It follows from this that the original correspondence system of the foot is similar to that of the hand: the big toe corresponds to the head, the second and the fifth toes - to the arms, the third and the fourth - to the legs. In general terms, the foot correspondence system is alike to the correspondence system of the hand. If one takes certain principal points as references one will have no problems with understanding the correspondence of the foot Anatomically, the principal difference between the foot and the hand is that the big toe is not separated noticeably from the other toes. It may be due to the fact that the feet generally belong to Yin and perform much simpler functions compared with the hands. Because of this Specificity the body's line of symmetry is projected onto the foot in a somewhat different manner than onto the hand. Compared to the hand the foot's structural resemblance to the body is not as evident. However, the foot gets stimulated more frequently and much more strongly than any other part of the human body. It follows that the correspondence system developed in the foot must be more effective. The fact that's human organism is maintained in good health is probably due to the continued process of physiological stimulation of the foot correspondence systems, though the process of stimulation is not noticeable to us. The problem to resolve is how the potentialities of this curative system can be used to maintain and fortify the health of people. Simple Application: Your hand and your knowledge are always with YOU. And you will have no difficulties in finding a suitable material for treatment. So far there has never been a treatment method so easy to master and produce such significant and rapid effect! Su Jok Therapy method has been evolved by a South Korean scientist Professor Park Jae Woo who was able to make a substantial contribution to the traditional approaches to acupuncture. Professor Park Jae Woo is a man of profound knowledge and lofty spirituality. He works hard always without self-interest. His work is dedicated to people, and filled with desire to help them, to convey them the thought that they are loved, and to make them happier. Knowledge received from such a man is Great Knowledge. You will see it by yourself when you master this uniquely simple and effective system.

Treating Neurological Disorders with Acupuncture

A neurological disorder refers to a problem with the nervous system, which is a complex, sophisticated system that regulates and coordinates the body’s activities. Nerve pain can arise from trauma, inflammation, stroke, disease, infection, nerve degeneration, exposure to toxic chemicals, and nutrient deficiencies.

Nerve pain is usually a sharp shooting pain or a constant burning sensation. Typically occurring in the same location with each episode, it can often be traced along the nerve pathway. Sometimes weakness or impaired function in the affected area occurs and the skin may be either overly sensitive or numb.

Some common neurological disorders acupuncture treats include:

Peripheral Neuropathy - damage to the peripheral nervous system, which transmits information from the brain and spinal cord to every other part of the body. Neuropathy caused by diabetes often affects the feet.

Trigeminal Neuralgia - facial pain, sometimes called Tic Douloureux, affects the trigeminal nerve which is responsible for impulses of touch, pain, pressure and temperature sent to the brain from the face, jaw, and gums.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - also known as median nerve entrapment, it occurs when swelling or irritation of the nerve or tendons in the carpal tunnel results in pressure on the median nerve.

Headaches - Headaches that can be treated with acupuncture include migraines, tension headaches and headaches occurring around the menstrual cycle, sinus headaches and stress-related headaches.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine have been found effective as a conjunctive therapy for neurological disorders and in treating pain and inflammation. Visit our center to learn more about how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can be integrated into your neurological health plan!

Acupuncture for your Cardiovascular Health

The cardiovascular system consists of the heart and blood vessels and is responsible for carrying nutrients and oxygen to the tissues and removing carbon dioxide and other waste from them. Heart disease includes conditions affecting the heart, such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease.

Despite dramatic medical advances over the past fifty years, heart disease remains a leading cause of death globally and the number one cause of death in the United States.

By integrating acupuncture and Oriental medicine into your heart healthy lifestyle, you can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease by as much as 80%. Steps to prevention include managing high blood pressure and cholesterol, quitting smoking, eating healthy, maintaining a healthy weight, physical activity, reducing stress and improved sleep - all of which can be helped with acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

1. Manage High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure makes the heart work harder, increasing its oxygen demands and contributing to angina. This excessive pressure can lead to an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly), as well as damage to blood vessels in the kidneys and brain. It increases the risk of heart attacks, stroke and kidney disease.

Acupuncture has been found to be particularly helpful in lowering blood pressure. By applying acupuncture needles at specific sites along the wrist, inside the forearm or in the leg, were able to stimulate the release of opioids, which decreases the heart’s activity and thus its need for oxygen. This, in turn, lowers blood pressure.

2. Quit Smoking
Most people associate cigarette smoking with breathing problems and lung cancer. But did you know that smoking is also a major cause of coronary artery disease? In fact, about twenty percent of all deaths from heart disease are directly related to cigarette smoking.

Acupuncture has shown to be an effective treatment for smoking. Acupuncture treatments for smoking focus on jitters, cravings, irritability, and restlessness; symptoms that people commonly complain about when they quit. It also aids in relaxation and detoxification.

3. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Obesity is associated with diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease, all of which increase the risk of developing heart disease, but studies have shown that excess body weight itself (and not just the associated medical conditions) can also lead to heart failure. Even if you are entirely healthy otherwise, being overweight still places you at a greater risk of developing heart failure.

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine are an excellent tool when it comes to losing weight. They can help to energize the body, maximize the absorption of nutrients, regulate elimination, control overeating, suppress the appetite, and reduce anxiety.

4. Reduce Stress
Stress is a normal part of life. But if left an managed, stress can lead to emotional, psychological, and even physical problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pains, or irregular heart beats. Medical researchers aren't sure exactly how stress increases the risk of heart disease. Stress itself might be a risk factor, or it could be that high levels of stress make other risk factors worse. For example, if you are under stress, your blood pressure goes up, you may overeat, you may exercise less, and you may be more likely to smoke.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of stress, anxiety and mental health. In addition to acupuncture, Oriental medicine offers a whole gamut of tools and techniques that can be integrated into your life to keep stress in check. These tools include Tui Na, Qi Gong exercises, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, meditations and acupressure that you can administer at home.

5. Improve Sleep
Poor sleep has been linked with high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart failure, heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, and obesity. Researchers have shown that getting at least eight hours of sleep is needed for good heart health and getting less than eight hours of sleep can put you at a greater risk for developing heart disease.

Acupuncture has shown great success treating a wide array of sleep problems without any of the side effects of prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids. The acupuncture treatments for problems sleeping focus on the root disharmony within the body that is causing the insomnia. Therefore, those who use acupuncture for insomnia achieve not only better sleep, but also an overall improvement of physical and mental health.

Foods to double your brain power

It's a well-known, stated fact: "Healthy mind, Healthy body: Healthy body, Healthy mind."

So in the same way that a proper diet is good for your body, so it is for your brain.

And the foods that you consume, whether "good" or "bad" can possibly influence your brain power.

Your brain is the greediest organ in your body, with some quite specific dietary requirements. So it is hardly surprising that what you eat can affect cognitive function.

And like any other organ in your body, your brain also needs the correct fuel to perform well.
Unfortunately, proper nutrition for the brain is often overlooked by a fast paced lifestyle and often having to eat "on the go".

Take for example, the effect of simple carbohydrates (such as processed flour and sugary foods) on your brain and body.

These foods can cause a rush of sugar into the bloodstream, causing Insulin to be released. Insulin works hard to "mop up" all the excess sugar in your blood; the trouble is, Insulin is a bit too efficient, and can cause blood sugar levels to plunge. This is known as Hypoglycemia.
But it doesn't stop there. Hypoglycemia can cause the release of Adrenal Hormones: these hormones squeeze stored sugar from the liver, sending blood sugar levels back up. This is known as a "sugar high".

So the body goes on a blood sugar roller-coaster, with "sugar highs" and "sugar blues." But it still doesn't stop there, because the ups and downs of blood sugar and adrenal hormones may stimulate brain neurotransmitter imbalance, causing irritability, inattentiveness, and even sleepiness.

And after all, people work hard to conserve their body in the desire to look good for as long as possible, so why not do the same for the brain?

Here is a list of my top five foods, which may influence, and possibly, double your brain power!

1. Omega-3 Oils
Perhaps the number one food for brain health, the case for Omega- 3 oils is overwhelming.
Omega-3 oils, (or Omega-3 Fatty Acids) are essential fatty acids necessary for human health. They are termed "essential" because they cannot be produced by the body, and so must be obtained from the diet.

Omega-3 oils are beneficial because they provide fluidity to cell membranes and improve communication between brain cells. They may help to boost learning power, but also greatly enhance mood.

Foods rich in omega-3 oils include oily fish such as sardines, salmon and mackerel.

Maybe fish is a "brain food" after all!

2. Vegetables and legumes
Unlike processed flour which contains simple carbohydrates, vegetables and legumes contain complex carbohydrates which can supply your brain with a steady source of energy.

Foods which contain complex carbohydrates would include soybeans, kidney beans, chick peas and lentils.

3. Soya
Soya contains natural plant Oestrogens called Isoflavones.

These are thought to act on Oestrogen receptors in the human brain, particularly those in the hippocampus, which we know is a crucial area for memory.

As a result, new nerve connections may form more readily. Medical trials have revealed that persons fed a high Soya diet showed improvements in verbal and non-verbal memory and in mental flexibility.

Good sources of Soya include Soya milk and tofu.

4. Berries
Fruit such as blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, strawberries and raspberries contain anti-oxidants, helping to rid the body of harmful free radicals produced during body cells converting oxygen into energy.

Scientific studies have shown that a good dietary intake of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables will significantly reduce the risk of developing "Cognitive Impairment".

5. Chocolate
Good news for all lovers of chocolate!

Studies have hinted that eating milk chocolate may boost brain function. Substances like Theobromine, Phenethylamine and Caffeine present in dark chocolate, can act as stimulants that may lead to increased mental performance.

Steps to Healthier living

Health is not merely absence of disease. Health is being established in the *Self. It is the dynamic expression of life. One can be said to be in a perfect state of health when one is physically fit, mentally calm and emotionally steady. So how does one achieve this state of all-round health in today's fast-paced life? As we get ready to ring in 2012, here are a few steps we can take to help improve our health and the quality of our lives.

Know About Your "Self"

We need to know a little bit about the different layers of our existence -- body, breath, mind, intellect, memory, ego and the self. When we understand that the body and mind are connected through the breath, we are in a better position to manage our thoughts and emotions. The awareness that everything changes -- the body undergoes changes and so does the mind -- brings a sense of equanimity within us. The mind is the sense of perception in your consciousness and the thoughts that change all the time. Likewise, the intellect, memory, and ego also change with time. But there is something within us that does not change -- it is the point of reference through which we are able to recognize that everything else changes. This subtlest, unchanging aspect of our existence is the self. The ancient science of Ayurveda deems that a person cannot be called truly healthy, until one is in touch with this subtlest aspect, and there is harmony among the different layers of existence. This knowledge of the self helps one live in the present moment and be in a state of perfect health.

Spend some time to learn about your self. Take a week off one to two times a year and align yourself with nature. Wake up with sunrise, practice yoga, eat light food, and spend some time creatively.

Make Meditation a Part of Your Life

Use meditation as a vital ingredient for personal development. It provides deep rest. The deeper one is able to rest, the more dynamic one will be in activity. For sustainable good health, meditation is key.

What is meditation? It can mean different things to different people. It is anything we can do to achieve a mind without agitation, hesitation, or anticipation. It can be a hundred times more refreshing than sleep because it helps us live in the present moment and frees us from anger about the past and worry about the future. It gives us depth and stability.

Spend 20 minutes in the morning and evening in meditation, and make it a part of everyday life.

Learn About the Breath

Our first act in this world is to take a deep breath in, and our last act will be taking a deep breath out. Breathing is life. Yet, we are typically not taught -- at home or at school -- about the importance of the breath and its impact on the mind and body.

Observe how you breathe. There are different patterns that relate to different emotions. Just as your mind influences the breath, you can influence the state of your mind through the breath as well. Breathing techniques like can help us calm our minds and emotions. We can control negative emotions like anger and fear, and manage stress levels using the breath.

Eat Right

The type and amount of food that we consume has a direct impact on the state of our physical body, and consequently our mind. Observe what you eat. Fresh fruits and vegetables have more prana (life force), while frozen and canned foods have very little prana.

Eating the right types and amounts of food promotes all-around wellbeing and can increase energy levels that can help us manage stress more effectively.

Make Time for Yourself

In this modern age, we all seem to be constantly engaged in gathering information, or performing some mental activity all the time. We seldom take time for ourselves to think and reflect. As a result, there is information overload, and we can feel dull and tired.

The moments of stillness in our mind are the moments of creativity and innovation. Silence heals and rejuvenates our minds. Sometime during the day, sit silently for a few minutes with your eyes closed and reflect upon the meaning and purpose of your life.

Come to Amita Center for meditation sessions.