Page 54 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 147
P. 54
54 Issue #147 April 2025 www.sportsenergynews.com
understanding of yoga and the just completed a 4 week series at everyday individuals alike.
many colours it truly embodies. our studio on “Yoga for Brain Not all yoga is the same when
It has become very clear that Balance,” for individuals living
the gifts of yoga are numerous with the challenges associated it comes to brain health. Gentle,
and expansive. We are only just with brain health and concussion. mindful movement, breathwork,
The Many Colours of Yoga beginning to fully appreciate its and meditation are key to
role in countless areas of health Yoga is well known for optimizing cognitive function.
improving flexibility and reducing
and wellbeing – both individual stress, but its benefits go much Practices like Alternate Nostril
and collective. Each month it is deeper—right into the brain. Breathing, Restorative Yoga, and
my hope to bring one of these slow Vinyasa flows help calm
Research continues to show that
gifts and facets forward. At yoga and mindfulness practices the mind while improving focus,
By Jill Hodgson our yoga studio, New Mindset can enhance brain function, memory, and mental resilience.
Yoga, we are blessed with some support mental clarity, and even Other key benefits in terms of
remarkable yoga instructors promote healing after injury. yoga and brain health include:
deeply committed to the
Whether you’re looking to boost
journey of yoga, and to ongoing • Calming the nervous system
Yoga and Brain Health education and learning. One of cognitive function, recover from – Slow, controlled breathing
a concussion, or simply improve
ne of the deeply held our teachers is currently living overall well-being, yoga offers a (pranayama) shifts the body from
Ointentions within “The Many with the challenges associated science-backed approach to brain fight-or-flight mode into a state of
Colours of Yoga” is to accept with concussion and brain health. health. Scientific studies show that rest and repair.
the invitation begun by so many Witnessing the gifts of yoga in yoga influences brain function by • Restoring balance and
others in the yoga community to her own healing journey, she strengthening neural pathways, coordination – Gentle poses
build bridges, carve pathways, obtained certification in Yoga for improving neuroplasticity, and retrain the brain-body connection,
and remove barriers in our Brain Health and Balance and has balancing activity between the aiding in vestibular rehabilitation
Brought to you by Ming & Associates left and right hemispheres. The for dizziness and instability.
breathwork
of
combination
Athlete of
Athlete of the Month (pranayama), movement (asana), blood flow – Deep breathing
• Increasing oxygen and
the Month
and meditation (dhyana), helps
Quinn Grant regulate the nervous system, and mindful movement enhance
circulation,
helping
deliver
reducing stress hormones like
Age: 14 Grade: 9 oxygen and nutrients critical for
cortisol while boosting feel-good
School: SJCSS brain repair.
neurotransmitters like serotonin
Hometown: Cornwall and dopamine. This shift supports • Reducing stress and emotional
Sports Energy’s April Athlete of the Month for dysregulation – Yoga decreases
2025 is a young St. Joe’s Panther who earned a cognitive clarity, emotional cortisol levels, alleviating post-
stability, and resilience—critical
spot on the school’s varsity boys’ hockey roster as a freshman. concussion anxiety, depression,
“I’ve been practicing hockey for about ten years now,” says Quinn Grant. components for athletes and and brain fog.
“What I love about hockey is how fun it is to play with friends, and how
Continued from page 54
it can be super competitive at times. My sports goals are to make it further enough at hockey so that he can get • Enhancing neuroplasticity
in my hockey career and get a lot better.” This defenseman’s plans for – Meditation and movement
paid play at a high level.
work in the long term include getting good stimulate new neural connections,
Continued on page 54 “My most notable accomplishment
while playing hockey,” Quinn says, promoting cognitive function and
‘is probably making a school hockey memory.
team with a bunch of older guys that The brain is constantly
play higher levels then me.” evolving, adapting, and healing.
Quinn feels hockey is important With regular yoga practice,
Maxwell Ming - P.Eng, CFP ® to Canadians because they love
Financial Planner watching and playing hockey, and you’re not just strengthening
Financial Planning • Investments • Insurance it’s also entertaining as well as your body—you’re nurturing
613-932-7526 • Max@mingassociates.com enjoyable, for not just Canadians, your mind, brain, and soul for
but other people too. long-term well-being.
