Defined as the linkage of differentiated components of a system, integration is viewed as the core mechanism in the cultivation of well-being. In an individual’s mind, integration involves the linkage of separate aspects of mental processes to each other, such as thought with feeling, bodily sensation with logic. In a relationship, integration entails each person’s being respected for his or her autonomy and differentiated self while at the same time being linked to others in empathic communication.
Entrainment is a process through which independent systems interact with each other. When two signals are close to each other in frequency, they fall into a single frequency. The “entraining” signal could be from inside the body or from outside. For example, an external signal, optical or acoustic, derived from electroencephalogram could drive the brain rhythms (such as α waves) to optimum values.
Network Spinal Analysis care is an evidence based approach to wellness and body awareness. Gentle precise touch to the spine cues the brain to create new wellness promoting strategies. Two unique healing waves develop that are associated with spontaneous release of spinal and life tensions, and the use of existing tension as fuel for spinal re-organization and enhanced wellness. Practitioners combine their clinical assessments of spinal refinements with patient’s self assessments of wellness and life changes. Greater self-awareness and conscious awakening of the relationships between the body, mind, emotion, and expression of the human spirit are realized through this popular healing work.
Functions of Prefrontal cortex
Neuroplasticity – What does it mean?
“It used to be thought that the brain was like a mechanism, and if one part broke, then that bit simply wouldn’t work anymore.“
“Scientists considered the brain to be ‘hardwired’, or fixed. Now they’re beginning to understand that the brain isn’t like that at all; that the brain can change its structure and the way it works. It’s actually more like a plant than a machine. The science of neuroplasticity explores the concept that the brain is ‘plastic’ in the sense that it is adaptable, malleable. I define neuroplasticity as that property of the brain that allows it to change its structure and its function. It changes in response to the actions that we commit ourselves to; in response to sensing and perceiving the world; and even, quite fantastically, to thinking and imagining.” Dr Norman Doidge
Neuroplasticity is a term so general that sometimes it’s confusing, so here we’ve broken it down into specific categories:
Synaptic plasticity refers to changes in the strength of connections between synapses, the chemical or electrical connection points between brain cells. As a rule of thumb, nothing changes in the brain without changes in the synapses.
Synaptogenesis and synaptic pruning refers to the creation and removal of whole synapses or groups of synapses which build or destroy connection between neurons.
Neuronal migration is the process where neurons extend from their ‘place of birth’ to connect to far reaching areas across the brain.
Neurogenesis is the creation of new neurons. It largely occurs in the developing brain although over the last decade or so we’ve realised that limited neurogenesis occurs in the adult brain.
Heart Rate Variability
Heart rate variability, the change in the time intervals between adjacent heartbeats, is directly related to the body’s interdependent regulatory systems and ultimately, their efficiency and health. “An optimal level of HRV within an organism reflects healthy function and an inherent self-regulatory capacity, adaptability, or resilience,” McCraty and Shaffer write.
Although generally the greater the HRV, the better, they note that too much variability, or instability “such as arrhythmias or nervous system chaos is detrimental to efficient physiological functioning and energy utilization… “Too little variation indicates age-related system depletion, chronic stress, pathology, or inadequate functioning in various levels of self-regulatory control systems.”
Wheel of Awareness
Van Der Kolk