Gray Matter Matters

[Marc Meyer]

Dear All,

I recently read an article in the NYTimes (28 Jan 2011) by Sindya
Bhanoo entitled "How Meditation May Change the Brain." Bhanoo writes,
"M.R.I. brain scans taken before and after the participants’
meditation regimen found increased gray matter in the hippocampus, an
area important for learning and memory. The images also showed a
reduction of gray matter in the amygdala, a region connected to
anxiety and stress. A control group that did not practice meditation
showed no such changes." How in keeping with MindUP's core practice of
focused breathing--our so-called brain breaks.

The article also references the work of B.K. Holzel, et. al. as
published in the scholarly research journal Psychiatry Research:
Neuroimaging (2010), which provides copious data and analysis on this
topic. This article may be accessed on THF web site at
http://thehawnfoundation.org/content/monographs-articles (just click
PDF at the end of the citation).

Do any of you who are implementing MindUP in your classrooms noticing
changes in your students? What do the rest of you think about how a
person can change the brain through mindful practices?

[Zelenak, Victoria]

I attended a workshop at Richard Stockton College, NJ about brain research.
Part of the workshop was devoted to observing the brain scan activity of a
practicing meditator before and after the brain scan. I thought the images
looked very different from a lay person's perspective. After that, I used
the Core Practice breathing exercise with a Kindergarten girl who cried
frequently (and screamed) during the day. Sometimes, we did this nearly 10
times a day. Of course, we progressed to less crying and fewer meetings.
Now, she's in first grade and says, "I know how to calm myself." Victoria
Zelenak

[barbara]

Bravo!. We know it makes a difference because our children thrive on the
practice and attention. Keep it up!
Barbara Yofffee
Expressive Arts/ Mindfulness Educator

--
Barbara Yoffee
Expressive Arts Specialist/Mindfulness Educator
email: kids...@verizon.net