I came across a great little video describing the different evolutionary layers of the brain. It's from a site called Global Mind-Shift, which looks like a promising site for those interested in the need and processes for creating a shift in how we all think and feel and act to create a better world.   more »

Not all in your head of course. But it's there.... Surging hormones...dysregulation (or at least a "re-setting" of the system)... And if you've experienced menopause and its hot flashes, you know you feel like your brain isn't functioning on all cyclinders. (Many women say the same thing about being pregnant, but that's a little different story than this one.) I find menopause fascinating from a neurofeedback perspective. Let me share with you an "inside" view of the brain during hot flashes and you'll see what I mean about menopause being firmly in your head!   more »

I haven't really talked on my blog about the emWave personal trainer recently released by the HeartMath Institute. It's handy little device that you can use to practice heart coherence without having to have a computer on and that lets you wander as you practice. I have been using it with my clients and they have found it a useful addition to training sessions. So much so, that several have asked to purchase the extras I have for use in group classes. So what's all the buzz about? I recently saw a great review of the emWave personal heart coherence training tool on a The Gadgeteer. This is wonderful review of the emWave with great pictures and a quick video so you can see its use. The one comment I want to make in clarification is...   more »

There you are....wearing a tiny infrared camera on your head, intently watching a screen with a readout of the temperature of your brain, trying to make it go up. You're hoping it will help your migraines melt, your panic attacks retreat, your attention focus, or your mood stabilize in a good place. But what does it actually Feel Like?   more »

I've had a number of clients with migraines who are trying to understand why there are so many different triggers for migraine headaches and how neurofeedback can help even if they don't stop avoiding those triggers. This is one of the ways I explain the experience of getting migraines.   more »

Lately, I have become more and more interested in what the psychology world calls "positive psychology" -- the research related to what goes right in life and strategies for how to maximize feeling good about one's life instead of psychology's tendency to always be focusing on the negative -- what's wrong with you, what needs fixing, etc. From my perspective, our brains (head and heart!) are just as involved in what goes right. In fact, the more evolved areas of our brain are related to positive feelings and thoughts...   more »

Reading the Toronto Star this past weekend, I was delighted to come across "Brain Art"!   more »

While driving to the office today, I heard a story on 680 News (that's a Toronto all-news radio station, for those of you not in the Toronto region -- I just wanted the weather report....really!) about chronic work stress. It is an increasing problem for many people who are not feeling very satisfied with their work life. Part of the story was an interview with a woman who identified her top work stress as the comumute to get there. And she's not alone, apparently. So what do we do about it?   more »

I saw an article today that emphasized for me why we should always try to look at alternatives to medication for chronic problems such as headaches.   more »

What does the heart have to do with neurofeedback? When most people understand the term "neuro", they think neurologist, neurology, neurosurgery...i.e., related to the nervous system and especially the brain and spinal cord (otherwise known as the central nervous system). What does the heart have to do with nervous systems??   more »

I often am asked about what to expect when people are thinking about or starting neurofeedback training. "How fast does change happen?" and "How soon will I start to notice changes?" are the most frequent questions. I totally understand why people want an answer to this question. Unfortunately, I have to give that all-time number one frustrating answer: "It depends." But I have thought of a metaphor that I think helps to explain why I can't predict what change will be like for any one person. Let me know if this makes sense to you...   more »

1. Start with a healthy amount of Heart. 2. Add one effective and efficient Brain. 3. Mix thoroughly. 4. Let sit. 5. Check occasionally (especially in cases of environmental disturbances); add a pinch more Heart at least every 24 hours to maintain healthy growth. And that's it! Easy, eh? What's that? You're not an experienced Evolution cook? No problem...we'll take it one step at a time!   more »

I've been planning a series of posts on the importance of including the heart in our personal evolution efforts.

"The heart?", you may say, "what's that got to do with neurofeedback??" -- Stay tuned for the answer to that one!

Anyway,  today I came across this quote and thought it miught whet your appetite if I shared it with you.

Mind and heart are only different aspects of us.

- Gary Zukav, The Dancing Wu Li Masters 

In posts to come, I'll be expanding more on the science and practice of learning to really Listen to our Heart.

Sydney got migraines. Serious migraines. Every day. Sometimes she would get a migraine shortly after getting up and it would last until she went to bed that night.You may know what that's like. ... Sydney worked with me using a neurofeedback technique called passive infrared hemoencephalography or pirHEG, for short.   more »

The on-line Discovery Channel has a great little article on what makes people resistant to stress. I'll give you a quick summary so we can go on...   more »