2008 is the Year of the Brain 
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html
2007 may have been a tough one for the global climate, global unrest and global media but whew!… What a year for the global (and local) Brain! With the news of “neuroplasticity” to hit the radio, newspapers and book-stores (it’s already all over the WEB), somatic arts and science will never be the same.
With this in mind, I am dedicating this year of SpaceSuit Yoga blogs to sharing all that continues to come my way from the expanded fields of neuroscience and neuro-aesthetics. The first is a highly suggested reading that dovetails Sharon Begley’s TRAIN YOUR MIND, CHANGE YOUR BRAIN, namely THE BODY HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN, by Sandra Blakeslee and Matthew Blakeslee. Some of you may remember S. Blakeslee’s co-authoring Ramachandran’s 1998 tour guide through the brain. Her new book, written with her son, covers the breadth of neuroscientific research that brings somatics, mythopoetics and the psycho-physiology of human transformation up to date.
In months to come, I will elaborate on these issues and invite colleagues to join me expanding the ways in which we can relate these ideas to real time, creative thinking and action.
For time being, a SSY train your brain/mind tip for faking out the stress of New Year’s resolutions:
1. Don’t make any.
2. Instead, sit down for 5 to 20 minutes, close your eyes and tune inside to your physical, sensual experience of breathing.
3. Next, picture the action, the vitality of performing the goal you have in mind. Picture yourself accomplishing your goal.
4. Continue to be physically “present” with breathing and continue imagining the action you wish to perform.
5. Take one large deep breath, let it out. When you feel ready, open your eyes and go about the business of your day.
This process of contemplation or mental practice is reinforced through repeated practice. For more info, check out the suggested readings or write me at 2docgee@gmail.com
A Happy and Healthy New Year To All!
M. A. from L. A. a.k.a. Doc. G.
Spacesuit Yoga 