Can Meditation Make your Brain Stronger?

If we want to build up strong muscles, we assume we've got to hit the gym and lift some weights. But what if we want to strengthen our brains? Try meditation, according to a recent study.

In the study, published in the journal NeuroImage, UCLA neuroscientist Eileen Luders and her colleagues compared the brains of 22 people who had practiced various forms of meditation—for anywhere from five to nearly 50 years—with the brains of 22 people (of similar ages and education levels) who had never practiced any kind of meditation. Using a brain imaging technique that allowed them to view changes across the entire brain, the researchers looked to see if any particular brain regions were bigger in one group or the other.

They found that two brain regions were bigger in the meditators than in the non-meditators, while non-meditators showed no advantage in any brain region. The regions that had greater volume in the meditators have both been linked to our ability to manage our emotions; one of them, the hippocampus, located in the temporal lobes of the brain, near the ears, has also been found to play a role in our skills of attention. Additionally, the authors found evidence that meditation may actually improve the hippocampus' ability to grow new neurons into adulthood, which may be particularly important to keeping our brains sharp as we age.

Previous studies have shown that an active meditation practice is associated with a stronger ability to regulate one's behavior and emotions, and with reductions in physical and psychological symptoms of illness. With this study, Luders and her colleagues have found further evidence for these links, down to the neural level. They note that more research in this area is necessary before they can draw any definite conclusions. But they argue that if effects of meditation are linked to the particular brain changes they observed, then meditators are strengthening the brain regions necessary for the "singular abilities and habits to cultivate positive emotions, retain emotional stability, and engage in mindful behavior.

By Madeline Goodkind

Being Present in the Presence of all those Presents

So here we are smack dab in the middle of the holiday season, celebrating all manner of spiritual, religious and cultural activities, drawing families and friends together to eat, drink, and be merry. But when the last of the leftovers have found their way into your lunchbox, and all the gift wrapping has been recycled, what’s next? There will no doubt be digital media footage to look at, pictures to post on facebook, perhaps a video on youtube, and maybe some thank you cards to write. But when that second flurry of after the holiday-madness occurs before you return to your life as it was before we began celebrating merry christmahanakwanza, what will your remember about the holidays in 2010?

I for one intend on focusing on the time spent with my family. Knowing more then ever that the giggles, belly laughs, snorts and guffaws  shared while making Christmas dinner will long be remembered more so than the gift card I give as a present. That sitting down with the aunt or uncle that I see once a year, (if I’m lucky), and asking them what’s happening in their lives and then listening to their answer will be more meaningful then hoping they like the socks I got for them is.  I intend to be present for my family this year. Not in a hurried flustered let’s get this over with type of present. More in the way I treat my friends. Meaning, I am going to try not to take them for granted. I want to learn who they are, what they like, and share those things about me with them. I want in short to create a loving Christmas with joyful moments where I just am, and we are simply just together.  

So whatever brings you and your loved ones together this season, cherish the little things. Take time out for you. Set boundaries as needed. And breathe. When you are ready to create a day just for you, to thank yourself for doing your best and being your best- we’ll be here. Our massage tables patiently waiting to create another loving joyful moment where you are free to just be. 

INFRARED LOVE

Bergamot has an infrared sauna. It's a bit hidden behind the nail lounge and in it's own cabana, but it's there....waiting to detoxify you. We did our research and found a highly reputable company called Sauna Ray that builds their saunas with integrity, using cedar and no glue or stain in the construction. They are built in Canada and brought over the border without the use of any chemicals (unlike the saunas built in China that must be fumigated when entering the country ...beware). 
We are very excited to offer Infrared sessions as part of menu offerings. Let me entice you with the BENEFITS of theINFRARED LOVE:FAT-BURNER: whoot! whoot! during your relaxing and rejuvenating infrared sauna session, your body sweats and burns calories.DEXOTIFICATION: the deep penetration of the infrared rays into your body and the resonance with your body tissue cells ensure quick removal of body toxins. Your body's natural sweat reaction in the infrared sauna ensures that your skin is deeply purified and that toxins find their way out efficiently.PAIN-RELIEVER: increased blood circulation improves nearly any condition. The delivery of oxygen-rich blood to all muscles and joints stimulates the healing process for all joints and muscle related ailments.STRESS RELIEF: the warm soothing effect of the radiation will provide immediate benefit to tightened and knotted muscles leaving you feeling refreshed and invigorated.CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS: use of the sauna enhances blood circulation, stimulating the perspiration process and in turn increasing the body's heart rate and overall cardiac output. This achieves similar cardiovascular conditioning as vigorous exercise.BOOSTED IMMUNE SYSTEM:the infrared heat strengthens the body's immune response,resulting in increased resistance to disease by raising your white blood count.
Heal thyself from the inside out.
Lots of Love.

Mercury Retrograde- Get your gift buying done early this year

So a day or so ago Bergamot blogged about Mercury retrograde. The main issue is it is easy to lose focus and communication around the web and technology in general can and will breakdown. In addition Mercury retrograde can create personal misunderstanding generally because a piece of critical information has gone awry. When we experience Mercury retrograde it is time to slow down, be non-committal to observe and review our patterns, thereby creating a space to release what no longer serves us. In our day to day lives now is a good time to do your Christmas/Holiday Shopping but Astrologers warn the typical black Friday shopping is to be avoided if possible. If you can't do much purchasing before Thanksgiving, you can avoid some snafus by carefully planning where you will buy, for whom you will buy and when you will buy. Last minute running around will likely result in frazzled nerves, and unhappy gift giving. Per astrologist Susan Miller, it's a good year to purchase gift certificates as we may likely misinterpret what people really want. This couldn't be better news for those in the retail or spa industries. We have a special running through December 10th. Buy $100 or more in gift certificates, receive $10 in spa credit for yourself. Get on this my friends. Stay sane, stay safe- and give the gift of love!!

Mercury Retrograde During the Holidays... but what does it mean?

The third Mercury retrograde cycle of 2010 will occur on December 10th and last through December 29th. The prankster Mercury is up to it's old tricks again as we enter another lengthy retrograde cycle. Like Murphy's law, whatever can go wrong has a tendency to do just that during this time. Unexpected glitches around communication can occur including machines breaking down, software& hardware can fail, traffic jams, & slow mail service are just a few examples of what can be affected when Mercury goes retro.   When you factor in the emotional roller coaster that is often associated with the holiday season,  annoying and frustrating scenarios can abound. If knowledge is power and forewarned is forearmed, what can we do to prepare and make this time of year run more smoothly? Tune in tomorrow when we offer some choice words of wisdom that will allow you to navigate the holidays without losing your mind! xo
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Bergamot now offers Kai!

We are very happy to announce that we now offer Kai Fragrance Products just in time for the Holidays!

Now in the Bergamot Spa Boutique is : Kai Perfume Oil, Kai Eau de Parfume, Kai Body Lotion, Kai Body Polish and Kai Fine Linen Wash...