Michael Gonzalez-Wallace's Blog, page 27

5 Tips to make your Memorial Weekend Barbecue healthy plus Free Recipe: Marinated Filet Mignon with grilled asparagus and a crushed yukon gold potato

 

Michael Gonzalez-Wallace shows to  make your Memorial memorable

5 SIMPLE STEPS TO KEEP YOUR MEMORIAL MENU SUPER HEALTHY

1. Use small bread buns for hamburgers or hot dogs ( you may be saving 500 kcal at the end of the meal)

2. Use small portions such as small hamburgers (not full ones), hot dogs bites

3. Use plenty of grilled vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, celery, carrots (don’t grill them to much, otherwise you would lose the vitamin power

4. Eat slowly, it is not  a race!

5. Drink plenty of water and keep the alcoholic drinks to 1-2, If you drive remember you CAN’T DRINK: it is for your family safety and other drivers.

Firing up some neurons in a Barbecue? Absolutely!: Come up with great conversation and topics that requires thinking…..such as what do you think about that issue? sports? intellectual conversation is the best one to fire powerful cognitive neurons!

HAPPY MEMORIAL WEEKEND!

Filet Mignon recipe: Memorial
Weekend Recipe –
Marinated Filet Mignon with grilled
asparagus
and a crushed yukon gold potato

filet mignon recipe- From Super Body, Super brain book. Image from Bigstockphoto

FROM SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN BOOK-CHAPTER NUTRITION-HEALTHY RECIPES

Memorial weekend is one of my favorite holidays since we get to honor all of our soldiers and enjoy some free time next to our beloved ones. When i was writing my book Super Body, Super Brain I wanted to develop a book that would be extremely useful to the reader and also life changing. Therefore in the third chapter of my book I partnered with a great chef in NYC to develope together unique recipes that will be healthy, tasty and also that would be great for your body and your brain. Here I am presenting one: Marinated Filet Mignon with grilled asparagus and a crushed yukon gold potato

Why is this recipe a SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN RECIPE?

-Rich in Vitamin B12, Iron and zinc which helps healthy neural tissue

Asparagus:

-Rich in folic acid which is essential for the metabolism of long chain fatty acids in your brain

Certain spices have powerful antioxidants properties. A Latest study shows how dried oregano has incredible antioxidant properties. In several studies this powerful antioxidant spice has shown 40 times more antioxidant properties than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges and 4 times more than blueberries or strawberries.

INGREDIENTS:

2-4 Ounces filet mignon steaks, trimmed of outer fat

2 teaspoons chopped rosemary,divided

2 teaspoons chopped parsley, divided

1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

1 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided

3 teaspoons olive oil divided

1/2 bunch of asparagus

1 medium lemon, cut in half

2 small yukon potatoes

1 tea spoon of spiced dried oregano

Nutrition Facts: Per Serving: 490 calories; 27g fat (9g saturated fat); 75mg cholesterol; 

1230mg sodium; 34g carbohydrates; 7g fiber; 5g sugar; 28g protein. 

to see the preparation of this recipe and 20 more delicious recipes click here

to buy my book SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN BOOK CLICK HERE

5 SIMPLE STEPS TO KEEP YOUR MEMORIAL MENU SUPER HEALTHY

1. Use small bread buns for hamburgers or hot dogs ( you may be saving 500 kcal at the end of the meal)

2. Use small portions such as small hamburgers (not full ones), hot dogs bites

3. Use plenty of grilled vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, celery, carrots (don’t grill them to much, otherwise you would lose the vitamin power

4. Eat slowly, it is not  a race!

5. Drink plenty of water and keep the alcoholic drinks to 1-2, If you drive remember you CAN’T DRINK: it is for your family safety and other drivers.

Firing up some neurons in a Barbeque? Absolutely!: Come up with great conversation and topics that requires thinking…..such as what do you think about that issue? sports? intellectual conversation is the best one to fire powerful cognitive neurons!

Happy Memorial Weekend and Happy Barbeque!

to buy my book and enjoy this and 20 delicious recipes click here SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN BOOK 

Super Body, Super Brain in Europe! Speaking Engagement in Spain!

To all those I met at the International Forum of Personal trainers in Santiago.

What a phenomenal time in the wonderful city of Santiago de Compostela. To my surprise i was stunned by all the great interest from many of the Personal Trainers in Spain! They followed with great interest my presentation and my learning experience.

Since you were not able to follow me I wanted to share with all of my readers my presentation (in spanish) and my strong message on how the brain relates to exercise through specific movements.

Michael Gonzalez-Wallace in Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Here is the presentation I hope you like

PAPER SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN PART 1 – PERSONAL TRAINERS INTERNATIONAL FORUM-Compostela

Paper Super Body, Super Brain Spain

The First Forum of Personal Trainers Super Body, Super Brain made its premiere. In this first part of my speech I  will focus on my experience as a personal trainer in New York, my background and how I came to develop a program called Super Body, Super Brain

In these slides I  talked of personal communication, body language and how to reach the customer. Then I discussed  issues related to the brain and the neuromuscular system and how there are strcutures in the brain responsible for movement especially in the area of the brain called “The Cerebellum”that packs  50% of all neurons.

Knowing better the structures of the brain repsonsible of movement we will be able to develop better exercises optimizing brain muscle function for our clients and our community. AT the end of this first part talks about the biomechanics and how complex it is to move with balance and coordination. Finally a trailer for my program Super Body, Super Brain.

In the second part I discussed issues related to neurophysiology as more important concepts of neurogenesis, neuronal plasticity, or biogenesis. After talking about concepts of hormones, neurotransmitters and the impact when you move

Neurophysiology

Then addressing muscle strength issues and trends that exist in the United States about the ACSM personal training where called muscular strength training program the most important time to train people.

Discuss how to train the brain of 5 different forms with movements of strength training and relations between the body and brain.

My segment in Minnesota Local Television and my work in schools and autism videos.

PERSONAL TRAINING INTERNATIONAL FORUM: SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN IN SPAIN!

I finally made it to Spain with the Best Personal Trainers in Spain!! So many exciting conferences and the absolutely best brain stroming health trainers discssing trends, new equipment and all that in fron of lucky 50 people that have signed up in advance!! So happy to fly from NYC for this incredible opportunity!

I will be speaking about the connections between Neurophysiology and Fitness and my field of research: how to develop strength training movements incorporating physiological movements incorporating more neural and muscular activity.

Santiago the Compostela is a beautiful city in the North of  Spain with profound historical background:  The city has its origin in the shrine of Saint James the Great, now the city’s cathedral, as destination of the Way of St. James, a leading Catholic pilgrimage route originated in the 9th century. In 1985 the city’s Old Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Breakthrough Workout That Boosts Brain Power While Creating a Leaner, Stronger Body

While many fitness programs target the body, Super Body, Super Brain is the first workout that combines physical movement with cognitive stimulation. By challenging the body to coordinate multiple movements at once, these innovative exercise circuits actually create new neural pathways—all while delivering maximum cardiovascular and muscle-strengthening benefits. The result: a leaner body and a noticeably sharper mind. Best of all, this incredibly efficient workout packs hundreds of precise movements, and these extraordinary benefits, into as little as 10 minutes a day!”

SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN TIP Inspirational, Motivational

Six Pack abs pic

SUPER BRAIN Quote:

Believe in your own potential. It is up to us to define our potential. See where you are at now and envision where you want to be in the near future. Then make sure you have a successful plan to accomplish your potential.

Fitness for the Brain and the body:

Monday plan: Coordination & Multi-tasking strength training.  Pick up two bottles of water, then form a standing position start tapping (with your feet) at the same time you are raising your arms. It is a phenomenal multi-tasking exercise. Every time you raise your arms is one repetition. DO it 20 times.  This is one set. Do it three times. Please make sure you are allowed to exercise

Inspirational Quote:

Whenever I get a little money I buy books; if any is left over, I buy food and clothing.”
- Desiderius Erasmus (hunch.com)

Wisdom around the Globe

Set a thief to catch a thief. French Proverb (trackle.com)

Brain Fitness Quote:

Friday Fun Game!… I love this game!  This is a great way to mentally stimulate your neurons, especially the ones responsible for memory!. Want to fire those neurons Click here

Nutrition Quote:

Antioxidants are essential for a youthful skin. You can find antioxidants in blueberries, strawberries, berries, broccoli or tomatoes.

JCC The Jewish Community Center offers “Super Body, Super Brain”

 

Very excited with my upcoming Class Series at one of the best and most respected Health Centers in USA, the The JCC in Manhattan ! When? This coming Wednesday at 7:30. I will be conducting a series of classes and teach how  your brain works with specific and targeted movements. If you are around this Wednesday  stop by here is the linkResults? Listen to Cathy who took my Class Super Body, Super Brain at Englewood Hospital:

Exercise makes you feel better, you probably have heard that before but why? One of the most incredible aspects that we tend to not pay too much attention is how our brain controls our body. There are specific areas that control movement, the more challenging the better. More brain areas are involved but also different neurotransmitters associated to those neurons.

Brain activity and movement

Biomechanics and physical movement

CHECK THE LAST SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN CLASS AT ENGLEWOOD HOSPITAL!

JCC Wellness

Englewood Hospital 2013 Black Tie Gala. Englewood Hospital honors my Godfather Miguel Sanchez MD and Richard J. Kurtz

Medical care, Perseverance, vision and humanity are maybe some of the most important qualities that any hospital should have but what if  there is one doctor that comprises all of them and more? Well may i say that clearly I am biased is my Godfather, my friend but also a spectacular doctor that saves lives every day  Dr Miguel Sanchez MD from Englewood Hospital

 

The Honorees this year have been my Godfather, Dr Miguel Sanchez MD and Richard J. Kurtz.

Englewood Hospital  has become one of the best Medical centers in the country. When someone visits the hospital and awaits the results of a biopsy they wait just less than an hour when in most places you need to wait for weeks! In addition the treatment, recovery and care are absolutely outstanding leading Englewood Hospital  to earn on of the best Hospitals in United States!

Miguel Sanchez MD from Englewood Hospital Honoree this year at Black  Tie Gala at the Giants Stadium

Before I finish I wanted to remind you
about my incredible experience
designing a program for patients with
breast Cancer


Breast Cancer and Exercise.

October is a phenomenal month especially because it raises awareness for one of the most devastating conditions called Breast Cancer and how we as a society we can help in many different ways through research, treatment and recovery. I am still so intrigued by this condition also because my Godfather Dr Miguel Sanchez MD is one of the most important pathologists in the country. He works at Englewood Hospital changing lives every day. I visit him to New Jersey almost every weekend to watch Spanish soccer  and since I am hungry for knowledge I love asking him questions about his incredible work!.I like discussing with him about the condition and how physical activity and exercise can help improve patients mental and physical feel being. That is why when Englewood Hospital offered me to run An individualized Super Body, Super Brain Pilot for Breast Cancer Patients i was thrilled. I did extensive research and started designing an exercise program that will help mainly with energy levels, balancing hormones, recover mobility and improve strength especially conditioning. 6 Months have gone by and I still get emails from the attendees asking me what are the exercises that they need to incorporate to their life. I am now discussing with Englewood Hospital how to make it permanent and start really monitoring improvements in Breast Cancer patients

BREAST CANCER EXERCISE PROGRAM-Michael Gonzalez-Wallace Author of Super Body, Super Brain offers an individualized exercise program tailored to patients with Breast Cancer atEnglewood Hospital

BREAST CANCER and Exercise

BREASTCANCERFLYER

Really excited that TODAY starts my Program for BREAST CANCER patients Englewood Hospital and Medical Center! This Program has been a dream for me to convince such a prestigious institution to offer an individualized SUPER BODY SUPER BRAIN program for Breast Cancer Patients and I will be sharing results of this 10 week program-Expected results in: -Improve blood pressure and resting heart rate

-Feel more Energized

-Improve Strength and Mental Alertness

-Mental Sharpness and Focus

-Cardiovascular Activity

-Joint flexibility and muscular strength

-Increased functional capacity

-Increased postmasectomy mobility and Range of Motion

-Decreased of Body Fat

-Increased Lean muscle mass

-Reduced loss of bone mineral density

-Decreased nausea and fatigue

-Improved mood- self esteem and control

 

 

Parkinson Awareness Month: Parkinson and Exercise: Super Body, Super Brain for Parkinson disease at Capistrant Center for for Parkinson Disease

parkinson and exercise

capis

Parkinson and Exercise: New exercise program targets motor skills and strength training

Dear friends

This month we need to pay attention to one of the most devastating  neurodegenerative diseases: Parkinson Disease. There is so much we can do and guess what: Exercise can play an important role in life quality for patients for Parkinson Disease.

I am so excited and thrilled to share these incredible news with you!

After 4 years of meetings, phone calls and exhibitions with experts in Parkinson Disease I finally got my first official grant to implement my  program with Parkinson patients. The program will take place at the Capistrant Parkinson Center in Bethesda Hospital St Paul, Minnesota.

I modified my program and designed specific exercises aimed to improve in the following areas: Motor skills, balance, hand eye coordination, posture, stamina, flexibility and meditation. My program is based in strength training combined with motor skills leading to a phenomenal physical workout and numerous health benefits. I can’t wait to get started with patients in Parkinson and show how this program can be extremely beneficial.

1.OVERVIEW

Parkinson has become the second more common neurological disease in United States. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a brain disorder that affects about 1.5 million individuals in the United States, with over 60,000 new people diagnosed each year.  It affects both sexes in equal numbers, and while PD usually occurs after the age of 65, 14% of those diagnosed are under the age of 50.

According to the experts  Neurons in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra produce a neurotransmitter called dopamine to control movement. With Parkinson’s, these neurons die off.

The progressive loss of dopaminergic cells located in the basal ganglia leads to  Parkinson patients be very sensitive to the loss of motor functions through a progresive loss of balance and coordination

SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN bases its approach in the following variables:

2.EXERCISE AND PARKINSON

The powerful effects of exercise are normally understimated with Parkinson patients. Since the patient is diagnosed in the early stages it is neccesary to implement a powerful and effective physical exercise program with the goal in mind to improve motor functions, a gradual increase of balance, coordination and range of motion.

 

Previous research, however, has identified certain exercises that stimulate the damaged area. By subjecting patients to workouts based on that data, researchers think it may prevent further degeneration of the substantia nigra, and stimulate dopamine production, says Quincy Almeida, director of WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY ‘s fledgling Movement Disorders Research & Rehabilitation Centre in Waterloo.

Other succesful treatments rconnecting physical exercise and parkinson is the Science behind de LSTV/LOUD program. Following a study of over 15 years the program has shown interesting results from the connection of physcla exercise, oral treatment and Parkinson. For more information you can visit their website at

SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN Program stresses the importance of two powerful concepts:

-Intense brain activity and the effects of multitasking (raising heels and arms at the same time)

-Neural Plasticity (changing constantly the program). The program will consist of over 350 exercises structured in 9 progressive levels.

-Voice combined with a coordinated movement. Following succesful studies of LSVT/LOUD, where patients improved voice quality and many other important factors such as motor movement, swallowing or limb functioning.

PARKINSON AND STRENGTH TRAINING -BIBLIOGRAPHY

The effects of a balance and strength training program on equilibrium in Parkinsonism: A preliminary study

Journal        NeuroRehabilitation

Publisher     IOS Press

ISSN 1053-8135 (Print) 1878-6448 (Online)

Issue  Volume 14, Number 3/2000

Dibble LE, Hale T, Marcus RL, Gerber JP, Lastayo PC. The safety and feasibility of high-force eccentric resistance exercise in persons with Parkinson’s disease. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2006 Sep;87(9):1280-2.

Dibble LE, Hale TF, Marcus RL, Droge J, Gerber JP, LaStayo PC. High-intensity resistance training amplifies muscle hypertrophy and functional gains in persons with Parkinson’s disease. Mov Disord. 2006 Sep;21(9):1444-52.

Hass CJ, Collins MA, Juncos JL. Resistance training with creatine monohydrate improves upper-body strength in patients with Parkinson disease: a randomized trial. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2007 Mar-Apr;21(2):107-15.

Silverman EP, Sapienza CM, Saleem A, Carmichael C, Davenport PW, Hoffman-Ruddy B, Okun MS. Tutorial on maximum inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressures in individuals with idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD) and the preliminary results of an expiratory muscle strength training program. NeuroRehabilitation. 2006;21(1):71-9.

Today I am visiting The Autism Think Tank for possible future collaboration with schools in Autism in the Area of NJ

 

Today i am taking the train and pack my bags and my documents to visit one of the best Organizations for Autism: The Autism Think Tank NJ is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to facilitate the medical and psychosocial stabilization of the child and family. Bringing together a team of world-renowned medical specialists via telemedicine, this innovative outpatient medical center is designed to provide a multidisciplinary team approach to the identification and treatment of the complicated medical co-morbidities of autism. The Autism Medical Center is committed to improving the lives of children and families in the home, school and community through comprehensive case management, community outreach and education.
 
Through onsite video-conferencing, the Autism Think Tank brings together five world-renowned medical experts from major teaching centers across North America including;


 
*Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School


*Mattel Children’s Hospital /David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA


*Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles


*And more!


 
Our Think Tank Doctors are specialists in the fields of;


 
*Neurology


*Gastroenterology


*Allergy/Immunology


*Pain Management


*Psychiatry


*Psychopharmacology


*Developmental Pediatrics

For more information please visit The Autism Think Tank NJ is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to facilitate the medical and psychosocial stabilization of the child and family


Autism and Exercise: Today is the World Autism Awareness Day- My experience training a kid with severe Autism. This is my story
APRIL 2, 2013


tags: autism, autism and exercise, autism fitness, autism spectrum, autism therapy, exercise and fitness special needs, michael gonzalez-wallace

Autism and Exercise: Autism Therapy. Image Purchased: Bigstockphoto

As a Physical trainer we approach new clients in a very methodical way. We are experienced in program design to deliver the most optimal results in the minimum amount of time being highly cost efficient. In other words, we tend to see a perfect world where we bring our clients through motivation, specific progressive exercises and optimal nutrition programs. Unfortunately my approach with a new client three years ago with severe autism did not work. Her mother insisted me please to not leave, to keep trying some exercises, some movements something. The mom was frustrated cause the kid because of her condition was suffering important aggressive behaviors being not able to cope with functional and social challenges. So I decided to stay and ask myself this question: what if my approach of envisioning a perfect world for my clients was wrong? What if my client with Autism has a perfect and wonderful world that I was not being aware of and “Home run” that was exactly the problem my approach was wrong I needed to be part of her world not her being part of mine! So I started trying to get close to her, whenever she said a word “muffin” “dinner” I would repeat it right after fast and I remember she looking at me maybe wondering: ” what is this guy trying to do? Is my friend? Well it is not going to be that easy I am a tough cookie” And through constant mirror and imaging I tried to get close to her trying to break into her perfect world. She let me in, I found some exercises that she loved like bouncing in a stability ball, some others she didn’t like walking with closed eyes or maintaining certain intensity in the treadmill but for sure one that she loved was lying down in pitch black room after engaging in a treadmill aerobic exercise. It has been an incredible journey of personal reflection, discovery and understanding on a condition that I was not aware of till I met her. Now she is my best client: I see her 4 times a week and she engages in quite intense structured progressive exercise program that has left me speechless on how well she adapst every time and how great she feels after helping her to use exercise as a “medicine” for maladaptive behaviors, better sleep and strength especially keeping an optimal weight. However what i feel it is more important is that feel part of a process where I am helping her to be successful and not only her but her parents as well.

Somatosensory Difficulties in Autism

By Child Psychiatrist Dr Gregory Lombardo MD

Gregory Lombardo MD

Dr Lombardo is board certified in adult, child and adolescent psychiatry and is a diplomate of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology. He is the author of “Understanding the mind of your bipolar child”

The severity and the range of symptoms seen in children grouped under the diagnosis of autism can vary.  However, one of the most common is difficulty with motor coordination and difficulty integrating movement with perception of space.  Some clinicians believe that stereotyped movements (such as flapping, spinning, or head banging) are attempts on the part of autistic children to locate themselves in space or to manage the anxiety resulting from profound spatial disorientation.  An important source of this disorientation is poor coordination of the left and right cerebral hemisphere.  Poor coordination of the left and right brain affects three dimensional vision, balance, motor coordination (both fine and gross), and the ability to maintain concentration while moving or while having to distinguish details in three dimensional space.

These difficulties stigmatize autistic children and profoundly affect peer relationships:  tasks that other children manage without any conscious effort–such as judging another child’s personal space, managing complex spatial environments, and interpersonal contact in a group–can be extremely difficult for these children.  Joining in aggressive or athletic play is most often quite beyond their reach.  Consequently, these handicaps profoundly affect self esteem and social development.  They also affect these children’s relationship to their own bodies–their ability to enjoy their physical self.

Super Body, Super Brain improves integration of the right and left hemispheres.  Using a series of exercises that gradually build coordination, balance, and strength, the program addresses this crucial handicap which autistic children suffer.  One of the beauties of the program is its adaptability to almost any level of competence.  Another special strength is the capacity of the Brain Muscle Workout to address these crucial handicaps without specifically identifying them. Instead the exercises can be made into a game that uses the magic of play to empower a child’s learning with fun.  A child’s self esteem is protected and ultimately strengthened while their enjoyment and control of their body increases.

Importance of improving balance, coordination and social interaction.

To watch the clip of the school program please click in the following link:

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/health&id=6617436

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 88 children in the United States has been identified as having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a new study. Autism spectrum disorders are almost five times more common among boys than girls — with 1 in 54 boys identified.[image error]

Among my daily clients include  Athletes, bankers, editors in chief, actresses, models, lawyers, doctors and special needs children. Training these kids it has been an incredible experience but especially working with a girl with severe autism has reported me so much satisfaction that I can not express in my own words.

These three last years has been an incredible journey for me, I keep learning every day and me and my client are working as a team since we got started, 3 years ago. The capacity these kids have for success and their willingness to give their best still leaves me speechless even today.  I have been working for the last two years in devising a specific program for them where they will improve the brain plasticity with movement, multi-tasking, sensory system, balance, hand eye coordination and confidence.

Meditation is really important for kids with Autism and everyone else. I practice with my client lying down in a dark room and relax for 5 minutes teaching breathing and a better sense of self awareness. Very excited that my client is responding so well to my program.

From PARENTS.COM Exercises for Kids with Autism – And Everyone

by Diane Debrovner from Parents.com

A smart mom friend of mine who used to be a reporter at The New York Times told me about the new book, Super Body, Super Brain, by Michael Gonzalez-Wallace. He is a personal trainer who has collaborated with neuroscientists to develop a series of research-based exercises that encourage connections between different regions of the brain. Says neurobiogist John H. Martin, Ph.D., in the book’s Foreword: to keep reading click here

Super Body, Super Brain DVD 90 Day Plan!

Here we go! I just wanted to share the first Covers of my Upcoming DVDS “Super Body, Super Brain. I worked really hard to come up with great 4 phenomenal workouts from Central Park in what i want to call your SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN 90 day FITNESS PLAN! I will be offering these 3 DVDS free only in my website for a 3month subscription, so at the end is like a win win for you that you will get these 3 dvds and also you will get me as your private personal trainer no matter where you are in the world. I will be there for you!

 

For more information go to to my site www.superbodysuperbrain.com 

This 90 day plan will start in May get ready!

As a priority loyal reader I wanted you to be the first one to check the dvds and Let me know what you think!

[image error]

DVD fitness “SUPER BODY, SUPER BRAIN” BY MIchael Gonzalez-Wallace

Brain Fitnesss 2

90 DAY FITNESS PLAN

 

Autism and Exercise: Today is the World Autism Awareness Day- My experience training a kid with severe Autism. This is my story

Autism and Exercise: Autism Therapy. Image Purchased: Bigstockphoto

As a Physical trainer we approach new clients in a very methodical way. We are experienced in program design to deliver the most optimal results in the minimum amount of time being highly cost efficient. In other words, we tend to see a perfect world where we bring our clients through motivation, specific progressive exercises and optimal nutrition programs. Unfortunately my approach with a new client three years ago with severe autism did not work. Her mother insisted me please to not leave, to keep trying some exercises, some movements something. The mom was frustrated cause the kid because of her condition was suffering important aggressive behaviors being not able to cope with functional and social challenges. So I decided to stay and ask myself this question: what if my approach of envisioning a perfect world for my clients was wrong? What if my client with Autism has a perfect and wonderful world that I was not being aware of and “Home run” that was exactly the problem my approach was wrong I needed to be part of her world not her being part of mine! So I started trying to get close to her, whenever she said a word “muffin” “dinner” I would repeat it right after fast and I remember she looking at me maybe wondering: ” what is this guy trying to do? Is my friend? Well it is not going to be that easy I am a tough cookie” And through constant mirror and imaging I tried to get close to her trying to break into her perfect world. She let me in, I found some exercises that she loved like bouncing in a stability ball, some others she didn’t like walking with closed eyes or maintaining certain intensity in the treadmill but for sure one that she loved was lying down in pitch black room after engaging in a treadmill aerobic exercise. It has been an incredible journey of personal reflection, discovery and understanding on a condition that I was not aware of till I met her. Now she is my best client: I see her 4 times a week and she engages in quite intense structured progressive exercise program that has left me speechless on how well she adapst every time and how great she feels after helping her to use exercise as a “medicine” for maladaptive behaviors, better sleep and strength especially keeping an optimal weight. However what i feel it is more important is that feel part of a process where I am helping her to be successful and not only her but her parents as well.

Somatosensory Difficulties in Autism

By Child Psychiatrist Dr Gregory Lombardo MD

Gregory Lombardo MD

Dr Lombardo is board certified in adult, child and adolescent psychiatry and is a diplomate of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology. He is the author of “Understanding the mind of your bipolar child”

The severity and the range of symptoms seen in children grouped under the diagnosis of autism can vary.  However, one of the most common is difficulty with motor coordination and difficulty integrating movement with perception of space.  Some clinicians believe that stereotyped movements (such as flapping, spinning, or head banging) are attempts on the part of autistic children to locate themselves in space or to manage the anxiety resulting from profound spatial disorientation.  An important source of this disorientation is poor coordination of the left and right cerebral hemisphere.  Poor coordination of the left and right brain affects three dimensional vision, balance, motor coordination (both fine and gross), and the ability to maintain concentration while moving or while having to distinguish details in three dimensional space.

These difficulties stigmatize autistic children and profoundly affect peer relationships:  tasks that other children manage without any conscious effort–such as judging another child’s personal space, managing complex spatial environments, and interpersonal contact in a group–can be extremely difficult for these children.  Joining in aggressive or athletic play is most often quite beyond their reach.  Consequently, these handicaps profoundly affect self esteem and social development.  They also affect these children’s relationship to their own bodies–their ability to enjoy their physical self.

Super Body, Super Brain improves integration of the right and left hemispheres.  Using a series of exercises that gradually build coordination, balance, and strength, the program addresses this crucial handicap which autistic children suffer.  One of the beauties of the program is its adaptability to almost any level of competence.  Another special strength is the capacity of the Brain Muscle Workout to address these crucial handicaps without specifically identifying them. Instead the exercises can be made into a game that uses the magic of play to empower a child’s learning with fun.  A child’s self esteem is protected and ultimately strengthened while their enjoyment and control of their body increases.

Importance of improving balance, coordination and social interaction.

To watch the clip of the school program please click in the following link:

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/health&id=6617436

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 88 children in the United States has been identified as having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a new study. Autism spectrum disorders are almost five times more common among boys than girls — with 1 in 54 boys identified.[image error]

Among my daily clients include  Athletes, bankers, editors in chief, actresses, models, lawyers, doctors and special needs children. Training these kids it has been an incredible experience but especially working with a girl with severe autism has reported me so much satisfaction that I can not express in my own words.

These three last years has been an incredible journey for me, I keep learning every day and me and my client are working as a team since we got started, 3 years ago. The capacity these kids have for success and their willingness to give their best still leaves me speechless even today.  I have been working for the last two years in devising a specific program for them where they will improve the brain plasticity with movement, multi-tasking, sensory system, balance, hand eye coordination and confidence.

Meditation is really important for kids with Autism and everyone else. I practice with my client lying down in a dark room and relax for 5 minutes teaching breathing and a better sense of self awareness. Very excited that my client is responding so well to my program.

From PARENTS.COM Exercises for Kids with Autism – And Everyone

by Diane Debrovner from Parents.com

A smart mom friend of mine who used to be a reporter at The New York Times told me about the new book, Super Body, Super Brain, by Michael Gonzalez-Wallace. He is a personal trainer who has collaborated with neuroscientists to develop a series of research-based exercises that encourage connections between different regions of the brain. Says neurobiogist John H. Martin, Ph.D., in the book’s Foreword: to keep reading click here