DailyOM: We would love to know what inspired you to create this course.
Lisa: I was so excited to create and share this course because of my love of neuroplasticity and my deep reverence for how much it has benefitted my health, my relationships, my mental well-being and my clients' well-being. I feel like if we all had this natural technology taught to us from an early age we could change the trajectory of our own aging process.
DailyOM: What is neuroplasticity, and does everyone have the ability to use it? How does it improve our brain function?
Lisa: Neuroplasticity is the scientific term for "states of learning," which is another way of saying adaptability. The brain is designed to be adaptable for learning and evolution, in regard to experiences, thoughts, and sensory stimulation. If we are not in a state of learning, we cannot be fully formed humans. Imagine if you couldn't learn language or learn how to walk as an infant or child. One must be in active states of neuroplasticity to accomplish these things. So, neuroplasticity is built right in, and everybody has it!
But over time, if we do not learn how to stimulate those neuroplastic states, our brain can easily become rigid and less adaptable. The more we intentionally exercise this capacity, the more resilient and sharper the brain becomes. By doing particular brain exercises, and I share several in the course, we can grow new neural connections, improving its processing speed, and increasing focus.
DailyOM: What if your brain is already older and declining a bit. Can neuroplasticity still help?
Lisa: The gift of neuroplasticity is that it lasts a lifetime! The challenge is that once we pass childhood, it begins to take intentional effort to spark these neuroplastic states. As we age, we have to give more effort to develop new neural connections. So, the great news is — yes, we can remain neuroplastic. The challenge is that we have to make it part of our daily routine, especially as we age. Any neuroplastic exercise has brain protective and age-reversing potential.
DailyOM: How long does it take to see brain improvement using neuroplasticity practices? Do we have to devote a lot of time to see results?
Lisa: There's really no telling how long it takes to make neuroplastic change. Some exercises, depending on their challenge level, might have a greater impact than others. One thing we know from studies and research is that it takes about 400 repetitions of something to create new learning pathways in the brain unless the learning is done through play. In that case, it only takes 10-20 repetitions of that same exercise. So, if you want to learn and adapt faster then make the learning playful and silly, and you will accelerate that learning. In this course, we are going to learn some fun ways to help us make our brain more resilient.
For instance, if I'm stuck in my old pattern of "I can't learn, and I want to sharpen my brain," then I push pause for 10 seconds. I say to myself an outlandish invitation like, "I wonder what the world would look like if I walked on my hands for the rest of the day." Now, I know some of you are thinking: How could something so ridiculous or outlandish sharpen the brain? Well, it absolutely does. I have news for you. Simple doesn't mean it doesn't work. Einstein actually said anyone can make things more complicated. It takes real genius to simplify.
The brain, particularly the front of the brain, loves novelty, wonder, curiosity, and humor. And if you use your mind to invoke and evoke any of those things while an old pattern comes up, you will for a brief second snap out of the pattern and into possibility. The key to neuroplasticity is not long periods of time, the way you might cram for a test for eight hours. Instead, it's about short bursts of playful complete attention, followed by consistent repetitions of that exercise. Short duration and high frequency is the key.
DailyOM: How have you structured your course? What kinds of tools and practices do you teach?
Lisa: I've structured the course to make these concepts as simple as possible. More importantly, I teach actual exercises, so you can start the daily practices right away. Concepts are nice, but practice is where the magic happens with neuroplasticity work. Each section of the course will give you powerful but simple daily practices. I've loaded the course with both physical and mental practices, so you can choose what works best for you.
In this course, you are going to learn practices to sharpen your brain — fun, playful, non-meditative practices that you can use in real time in your busy life to sharpen your brain and increase your memory.
DailyOM: What kind of feedback have you received from people who have done this work?
Lisa: After just about 20 years teaching this and running a private practice, I've seen it all! We've used neuroplasticity work successfully with clients who have a range of issues, including anxiety and depression, memory and brain fog, chronic pain, inflammatory issues, emotional addictions, traumatic brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, seizure disorder and general stress-related issues. I have yet to meet a human with a brain who cannot benefit in some way from neuroplasticity work.
DailyOM: Lisa, thank you so much for sharing this brain-improving course. Throughout your lessons, you share practical, fun, and engaging exercises that will help us boost our brain power. Your work and this course will change lives. Until next time, be well.
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