Archive for the ‘Coronavirus COVID-19 Disease’ Category

2022 December 1, 15:03;  December 3, 22:20 California USA

Teresa Jade LeYung says:

“World Traveler / Teacher / Researcher / Writer / Photographer SASA SOUTHARD’s referencing Villefranche-sur-Mer leads to Jean Cocteau, La Belle et la Bête, films, movies, and Almost Ginger blog”

Wishes of vibrant health to everyone!

Thank you, Sasa Southard!  YOU inspire turning curiosity into fun research!

https://sasasouthard.com/

Recently while looking at links and photos provided by Sasa … I learned that Villefranche-sur-Mer is a harbour town and Mediterranean resort, in the Alpes-Maritimes département, Provence–Alpes–Côte d’Azur région, southeastern FRANCE.

https://www.britannica.com/place/Villefranche-sur-Mer says: “Villefranche, a picturesque old town, was founded early in the 14th century. Its ancient Saint-Pierre chapel was entirely decorated by the French 20th-century writer and artist Jean Cocteau.”

… which led to finding the 4-part presentation COCTEAU ET LA CHAPELLE DE VILLEFRANCHE : L’EGLISE ET LE POETE – in French language

Here’s Part 1 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s2HLSMVPwU

Thank you, YouTube Channel User Chrétiens à Monaco!

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Then YouTube cued up “Jean Cocteau speaks to the year 2000″  subtitled – 1962 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-x-wNiN4Hk

In 1962 Monsieur Cocteau was addressing a future audience! Wow!   Thank you, YouTube Channel User Camille P-LB!

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Today, I found on YouTube the film written and directed by Jean Cocteau   ORPHÉE / ORPHEUS (1950) with subtitles / subtítulos / Untertitel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IZIwV7c3os

Thank you, YouTube Channel User John Potter!

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Then, while looking up other films written by Monsieur Jean Cocteau https://www.criterion.com/films/610-orpheus, I see that the hauntingly beautiful film La Belle et la Bête was also written by Monsieur Cocteau

https://www.criterion.com/films/177-beauty-and-the-beast  says:

“Jean Cocteau’s sublime adaptation of Mme. Leprince de Beaumont’s fairy-tale masterpiece—in which the pure love of a beautiful girl melts the heart of a feral but gentle beast—is a landmark of motion picture fantasy, with unforgettably romantic performances by Jean Marais and Josette Day. The spectacular visions of enchantment, desire, and death in Beauty and the Beast (La Belle et la Bête) have become timeless icons of cinematic wonder.”

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Then as Sasa Southard would say …  I circled back to “Côte d’Azur région, southeastern France”  and found “Almost Ginger” blog!

TO CATCH A THIEF  filming locations in the South of France https://almostginger.com/to-catch-a-thief-film-locations-cannes/

Almost Ginger is an award-nominated cinema and travel blog aimed at showing film and TV lovers how their silver screen escapes can be a reality by documenting my own travels to filming locations and film festivals around the world.

https://almostginger.com/  says: “Almost Ginger is run by me, Rebecca Sharp. I’m a twenty-something avid cinephile and traveller, as well as a minimalist, optimist, Hufflepuff and proud ginger. Well, almost ginger. Originally from the Lake District in the UK, I split my time between there and everywhere else! I’m a full-time blogger and freelance content creator so as long as I have my laptop, I can work anywhere.”

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Thank you!  World Traveler / Teacher / Researcher / Writer / Photographer Sasa Southard!

I celebrate YOU!

Wishing everyone a safe and peaceful December!

Jade - photo by Sasa Southard

Sincerely,

Teresa Jade LeYung

Story Theme Consultant / Photo Historian / Author / Public Library and Public School Advocate

http://www.OurBeautifulBrains.com goes to Teresa’s Blog

Writing Coach Teresa Jade LeYung says: “I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication. Reach out, not stress out.”

Love Made Of Heart ®

Thank you to my pal Simone for this report:

“The State of COVID & the Triple-demic: A Conversation w/ Your Local Epidemiologist Katelyn Jetelina” https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vu4rK8dAgnU&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email  Thank you, Dr. Robert Wachter, chair, UCSF Dept of Medicine

Master teacher and practitioner of Chi Nei Tsang GILLES MARIN’s blog post: “Detoxifying from Vaccines with Herbs, Fruits and Vegetables”
https://www.chineitsang.com/post/detoxifying-from-vaccines-with-herbs-fruits-and-vegetables

“COVID Raises Risk of Long-Term Brain Injury, Large U.S. Study Finds” by Julie Steenhuysen https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2022-09-22/covid-raises-risk-of-long-term-brain-injury-large-u-s-study-finds

California 2022 September 24, 20:49; September 25, 21:44; September 27, 22:43; September 28, 14:54; September 29, 14:18; September 30, 12:55

[ Addendum 2022 October 2

On YouTube Plum Village channel

“A Regulated Nervous System: An Orientation by Jo-Ann Rosen | #11″

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GOsXEWuPy-4

(Beloved teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, founder of the International Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism, passed away on 22nd January 2022.)

WALKING helps Beautiful Brain produce dopamine, serotonin, etc. for ease of movement.

If you cannot walk… then visualize WALKING.

I, Teresa Jade LeYung, wish everyone wellness, loving kindness, peace and happiness.

Merci beaucoup, Sasa Southard, for the inspiring message on card!

Recovering from illness continues to teach me how to listen to Beautiful Brain/Body and respond with intention. I am so very grateful to everyone who cares about my well-being.

I know now that aftermath of any virus is not for me to dismiss. Living with post Shingles* virus symptoms that impact my nervous system / work life / private life  is sobering and humbling. I am thankful for “healthful” lessons.

[ * Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person has had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near the spinal cord and brain. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles. https://www.mayoclinic.org ]

Our beautiful brains. Our beautiful central nervous system!

THIS WEEK, THE TOPIC OF THIS ARTICLE GRABBED MY ATTENTION –

“COVID Raises Risk of Long-Term Brain Injury, Large U.S. Study Finds”

Sept. 22, 2022  By Julie Steenhuysen

[....]

Compared with the control groups, people infected with COVID had a 77% higher risk of developing memory problems.

People infected with the virus also were 50% more likely to have an ischemic stroke, which is caused by blood clots, compared with the never infected group.

Those who had COVID were 80% more likely to have seizures, 43% more likely to have mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, 35% more likely to have headaches and 42% more likely to suffer movement disorders, such as tremors, compared with the control groups.

Full article: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2022-09-22/covid-raises-risk-of-long-term-brain-injury-large-u-s-study-finds 

[ Addendum 2022 October 19

What this engaging article and many other engaging articles don't offer is a summary of the biology, how this virus is passed around, and what we can all do to decrease spreading this virus and variants.

Inhalation. Exhalation. Outdoors. Indoors. Droplets. Aerosols. Wearing masks. Proper ventilation. Air filtration. Vaccination. Consequences. Getting tested. Isolate. Quarantine. Exposure to people who are exposed to large quantities of other people. Variables. Where is the float plan? ]

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OUR BEAUTIFUL BRAINS

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Danielle Rosenman, M.D. says:

“The brain changes itself constantly throughout our entire lives. All of our experience changes the brain.

“Everything that we experience, think, feel, believe, and learn changes the physical structure of the brain, the chemicals in the brain, and electricity in the brain.

“This ability of the brain to change is called neuroplasticity.

“Neuroplasticity lets us learn through our entire lives.  The more often we repeat a task, the better we learn it. Repetition helps us learn things like reading, adding numbers, or playing a musical instrument. We often call this type of learning ‘practice’.”

During neuroplasticity coaching, Dr. Danielle Rosenman instructs:  “Smile for yourself and talk out loud to your brain. When you learn to talk to your brain, you are opening up a new life.”

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Professor Lorimer Moseley says:

“The mechanisms that cause us to change in a good way can also cause us to change in a way that makes our lives more difficult and more unpleasant….  Our brain produces pain.  Pain is our most sophisticated protective device. Your systems learn how to make pain….” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p6sbi_0lLc

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On page 4 of workbook TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION,

Dr. Michael H. Moskowitz  and Dr. Marla D. Golden enlighten:

“Without your brain, there is no pain. Your brain doesn’t just receive information from your body, but sends directions back out to tell your body what to do.

“Your brain ‘reads’ everything going on in your body 30 times a second for your entire life.

“The adult brain changes throughout our lives based upon the information it receives from our bodies.

“We only experience pain when the electrical signals reach the thinking part of our brains.”

“This is why during surgery, when general anesthesia shuts down the thinking part of the brain, the person doesn’t feel pain.”

And… Dr. Moskowitz and Dr. Golden say: “The more sensation each part of your body has, the bigger the image of that body part in your brain (page 4 of workbook) … Shrink the pain map by flooding the brain using:

…thoughts, images, senses, memories, soothing emotions, movement, beliefs.” (page 13 of  their workbook) 

http://neuroplastix.com/

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Dr. Norman Doidge’s first book – 

The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science

Dr. Norman Doidge’s second book –  

The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity

https://www.normandoidge.com

Look for Dr. Doidge’s interviews on YouTube

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Another book that inspires me to conduct research, collect my data before seeing a doctor, prepare my questions, and trust my intuition –

Victoria Sweet, M.D.’s book SLOW MEDICINE The Way to Healing 

https://www.victoriasweet.com/  Over the years that Victoria Sweet has been a physician, “healthcare” has replaced medicine, “providers” look at their laptops more than at their patients, and costs keep soaring, all in the ruthless pursuit of efficiency.

Victoria Sweet, M.D. is the award-winning author of God’s Hotel: A Doctor, a Hospital, and a Pilgrimage to the Heart of Medicine.

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My deepest gratitude goes to everyone who cares about my well-being, and to all the authors / physicians referenced above, and, since my “adventure” which began in August 2020… to the physicians / healers listed below… in “reverse order of appearance”…

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Stephanie Wilger, NC of HEALTH HAPPENS, LLC says:

“As an internal organ and reproductive organ specialist, I feel the way your internal organs, tissues, fluids, energy, bones are responding, and gently assist to coordinate them for better communication and function.  You relax and let go of tensions, stored emotions, becoming more vibrant, more yourself.  Adhesions and scar tissue:  from C-sections, surgery, accidents, are also released for more energy flow and movement.”  https://stephaniewilgernc.net/

Thank you, Stephanie, for telling me about

Taoist Meditation: The Six Healing Sounds
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7UZa_zhOg9A
YouTube channel: Andrew McCart

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Master practitioner and master teacher Gilles Marin says:

“TaoTouch is the art to help people heal, get rid of pain, and bring back vibrant health by reconciling self, soul and spirit while triggering emotional processing.  This is done through a traditional Taoist monastic healing practice called Chi Nei Tsang, which works with deep and gentle abdominal touch to enhance health and vitality to the internal organs.”

Look for Gilles Marin’s books, lectures, CDs and podcasts.

www.chineitsang.com      http://chineitsang.marin.free.fr/

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Dr. Danielle Rosenman

Dr. Rosenman uses neuroplasticity, imagery, meditation, psychotherapy, and other techniques in her Medical Counseling practice and in the innovative “Tools for Healing” groups.  She counsels people about options, and provides recommendations for standard and complementary/alternative medical treatment, problem-solving, and decision-making, all focusing on how to feel better.

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Dr. Amy Grace Lam says: “Reconnect to your body’s knowing.”

Dr. Lam is a healer, writer and activist committed to supporting diverse global communities for healing and transformation. Through her vibrational energy coaching, Amy creates experiences for individuals to bridge spiritual and physical realities into a magical conversation with each other.

She loves working with individuals to connect to their inner wisdom, step into their leadership and confidently manifest their gifts to the world. Amy’s writing and art have been featured in literary and academic journals and Bay Area performance and artistic venues.  Please visit:   http://amygracelam.com/

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Marie-Christine Cornet (now in France), Chi Nei Tsang and Somatic Experience practitioner, says:

“Connecting to your body and its wealth of intelligence and wisdom is the portal to living Life deeply and authentically.” http://www.mariechristinecornet.com/

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Stephanie Doucette, M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. OM,  California Licensed Acupuncturist and Clinical Herbalist is

nationally certified as a Diplomate in Oriental Medicine and practices integrative orthopedic therapy, bringing together acupuncture, deep tissue massage and manual orthopedic techniques to treat neuromuscular injury and chronic pain.  http://www.stephaniedoucette.com/

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A thousand thanks to “Country Doctor LaH” and her petite Gracie for taking excellent care of me during Shingles outbreak in  2020. Your loving kindness was a powerful medicine.

To everyone who wished me wellness and extended your loving kindness, I wish you vibrant health, loving kindness, peace and happiness always!

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Then, there’s the author whose book taught me how to show respect and particular appreciation to everyone when I am in beloved City of Light.

The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World’s Most Glorious – and Perplexing – City 

by David Lebovitz  https://www.davidlebovitz.com/

Merci beaucoup, Monsieur Lebovitz!

Merci beaucoup, author and photographer Margie Yee Webb, for gifting the book in 2016!

Merci beaucoup, world traveler, teacher and author Elisa Sasa Southard www.SasaSouthard.com, for introducing me to the city my heart calls Home!

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Thank you, gardener extraordinaire and world traveler Nan Noonan (mama to Gracie and Kiki), for letting me visit your “wellness center” as often as I need.

Thank you to my sister Maria Kawah Leung (author of LITTLE HEROES OF BAY STREET) and Happy Dog and ALL precious friends, clients, colleagues, mentors, family members, and readers and writers.

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Thank you for reading my blog post:

“Beautiful Brain Body, Nervous System, Viruses, Wellness, Neuroplasticity Throughout Our Entire Lives”

I wish you vibrant health, loving kindness, peace and happiness always!

Sincerely,

Story Theme Consultant / Photo Historian / Author / Public Library and Public School Advocate

http://www.OurBeautifulBrains.com goes to Teresa’s Blog

Writing Coach Teresa Jade LeYung says: “I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication. Reach out, not stress out.”

Love Made Of Heart ®

Teresa Jade LeYung’s Blog post number 612

2022 March 10, 20:01 California USA

Amended 2022 March 12, 19:14; amended 2022 March 19, 13:09

A thousand bows to Dr. Amy Grace Lam for the two statements that contain words to awaken a new healing path in me:

“My body gets attention when it is sick.” “My body gets ignored when it is well.”

That behavioral pattern (giving/receiving care; NOT giving/receiving care) was the norm in our family – my father would turn off his rage and my mother would turn off her anguish when one of us kids got sick – getting sick meant receiving quiet and caring attention.

Ever since the outbreak of Shingles* virus on my body in 2020 … my Brain has been “overprotecting” body tissue by sending pain (in the initial months) and then other unpleasant sensations (since 2021) as a way of getting my attention, thus, reinforcing the pattern “my body gets attention when it is sick”.

I have created a new pattern to practice: “My body gets my attention in health and in sickness”

(Interesting … my Body deserves the vows spoken on one’s wedding day:  ” … from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part ….”)

[ * Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person has had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near the spinal cord and brain. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles. https://www.mayoclinic.org ]

The word “pray” used to turn on my skepticism. So did other words.

Then I learned how to listen. And to ask questions. And to listen some more….

Now I use some of those words myself – to wish for wellness.

My reaction to words had prolonged illness, again and again. I would get on a healing path, then would fall off the road. It’s only these recent years that I’ve learned to listen to my own Body and the symptoms, and, speak words that inspire radiant health.

The tools came from my dear housemate, friends, sister, certain relatives, mentors, writers, artists, musicians, and, from these extraordinary healers – Dr. Amy Grace Lam (vibrational energy coach); Marie-Christine Cornet (now in France – Chi Nei Tsang and Somatic Experience practitioner); Gilles Marin (master practitioner and teacher, author, director of the Chi Nei Tsang Institute, California) – I am honored to be Gilles’s manuscript consultant for his fourth book; Stephanie Doucette, M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. OM (California Licensed Acupuncturist and Clinical Herbalist); and all the other healers referenced in my blog posts.

Here are some words spoken by healers Dr. Amy Grace Lam, Gilles Marin, Stephanie Doucette that I’ve learned to decipher in my quest for wellness.  I first heard some of these words  from poet / playwright / Black Arts Movement Historian Kim McMillon, Ph.D. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmcmillon more than 35 years ago:

* Five Elements – Earth, Air, Water, Fire, Wood

* Longevity, Vitality, Balance, Harmony

* Radiant Health

* Organs, Organ System – Liver, Kidney, Spleen

* What is Damp Heat, Slippery Pulse, Stagnation

* Chi (Qi), Meridians, Channels

* Yin, Yang, Deficiency, Wind

* Meditation,  Chakras, Inhale, Exhale, Breathing

A thousand bows to Dr. Amy Grace Lam for the two statements that contain words to awaken a new healing path in me:

“My body gets attention when it is sick.”

“My body gets ignored when it is well.”

There is much suffering on our planet – COVID pandemic; everyone in and near the Ukraine.

The vibrant wellness I want for myself is what I wish and what I pray for everyone, near and far.

For Everyone – Total Healing, Radiant Health, Balance and Harmony, Joy and Loving Kindness

Thanks to Dr. Amy Grace Lam … here’s Steve Nobel’s

MEDITATION Golden-Citrine Angelic Light Transmission: Clearing and Uplifting the Solar Plexus Chakra

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=i4K0mfgnhV0

AND

AFFIRMATIONS: Radiant Health https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=weiNscvmKCA

And, thank you to all benevolent Angels!

For other posts related to our Beautiful Brains, Pain, and Neuroplasticity  in my blog  https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog …  If you scroll to top of page, look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”.  Please click on that category to get all my blog posts pertaining to the topic.

Sincerely,

Teresa Jade LeYung

Story Theme Consultant / Photo Historian / Author / Public Library and Public School Advocate

http://www.OurBeautifulBrains.com goes to Teresa Jade LeYung’s Blog

Writing Coach Teresa Jade LeYung says: “I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication. Reach out, not stress out.”

Love Made Of Heart ®

“MIT new study – Time spent indoors increases risk of COVID at 6 feet or 60 feet…”
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/23/mit-researchers-say-youre-no-safer-from-covid-indoors-at-6-feet-or-60-feet-in-new-study.html

2021 December 12, 13:37

Addendum:  The techniques in Dr. Michael Moskowitz’s and Dr. Marla Golden’s workbook helps me “outgrow” persistent unpleasant sensations  including  pain. 

2021 December 9,  15:18 – 16:18;  December 10, 18:00 – 19:58 California

Dear Reader,

I have been watching episodes of The Jack Benny Program (TV series 1950-1965) and laughing out loud; thank you to the folks who post them on YouTube.

Laughing out loud is good medicine – a mighty elixir – for me.

The world continues to be impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. How can I think about laughing?

I am still dealing with a neurological disorder. How can I think about laughing?

Smiling for one’s self; laughing for one’s self; walking; imagining walking; moving to soothing thoughts – are some of the activities which help our beautiful brains produce beneficial chemicals. What I have learned as an advocate for my papa since 2015 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease … and what I’ve learned and continue to learn – as a patient of persistent unpleasant sensations including pain -  is that there are things I can do for myself to feel better.  Even if the sensation of wellness seems ephemeral… I’ll take wellness moments. Thank you very much!

I remember sitting with Vicki Weiland https://vickiweiland.wordpress.com …knowing that it took our dear friend many days (oftentimes many weeks, even months) to prepare herself for visitors. Awful persistent pain was the symptoms.

On two occasions, I witnessed how laughter was a mighty elixir for Vicki.  Someone in the room said something funny; or Vicki herself said something funny and we all laughed … at that moment Vicki’s entire body expressed wellness.

How we all wished that our pal would have millions of wellness moments.

Angel Vicki,

I’ve been watching my favorite episodes of The Jack Benny Program again and again.  Interestingly, several of them feature James Stewart and his wife Gloria. More about that … at the end of my blog post.

This afternoon – Thursday, December 9, 2021 – while organizing my inventory of greeting cards, I found a note I had written to myself. You had called me on October 8, 2012 at 19:00 from your new home. You said “The trees and mountain are glorious. But my pain is not going away….”

Even though you were ill, you gave your time to call and to ask about Sasa Southard  https://sasasouthard.com and other friends at Women’s National Book Association and San Francisco Writers Conference. How I wish a physician with Dr. Michael Moskowitz’s insight about persistent pain was your physician. The workbook that Dr. Michael Moskowitz co-wrote with Dr. Marla Golden was published only three months after your phone call (in January 2013), however, I didn’t know about it until last year (2020) when I was battling persistent pain myself.

I wish you Bliss, mon amie, and humbly ask you to help more people find Dr. Moskowitz’s and Dr. Golden’s workbook TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION

With deep gratitude,

Teresa Jade

TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION 

written by Michael H. Moskowitz, MD  and  Marla D. Golden, DO 

http://neuroplastix.com

Your Brain On Pain

Why doesn’t the pain stop?

Listen to your body talk.

Use your brain to stop your pain.

Below are chapter / section titles of the workbook:

Dr. Moskowitz’s and Dr. Golden’s Instructions for Using this Workbook

“This worbook has been designed to be helpful for practitioners and people experiencing persistent pain. It is a practical, visual guide to neuroplastic treatment approaches for treating persistent pain.”

“Neuroplastic Transformation provides a model that approaches persistent pain where it transforms from a symptom to disease. It also gives the person experiencing  pain’s relentless persistence, a chance to treat it with the same neuroplastic phenomena that created it, restoring balance to pain processing.”

At the end of each section is “Reining in the Runaway Brain” (patients share techniques they use)

http://neuroplastix.com

Sections in the workbook:

pages 4 – 16  Section 1 – Introduction

Brain Facts (page 4);  Brain Change (page 5);

Neuroplasticity Definition

• New Learning Changes the Brain

• The Brain Changes the Body

• The Body Changes the Brain

Neuroplasticity Rules
Workbook page 5

• What Gets Fired Gets Wired

• Use It or Lose It

• When You Break ‘Em You Make ‘Em; When You Make ‘Em You Break ‘Em

• Fight Fire With Fire

• Reverse the Forces That Have Caused Pain to Persist

• Restore Normal Pain Responses

R.A.F.T. (page 9)

–  Rescue

–  Adjustment

–  Functional

–  Transformation

Persistent vs Acute Pain
Workbook pages 10, 11

Counter-Stimulating Pain
Worbook page 11, 12, 13

• Pain Reassigns Brain Cells

• Take Back Brain Cells

• Use Graphics to Counter-Stimulate Pain

• Become Active in Your Own Care

• Counter-Stimulate Your Brain

Shrink the Pain Map by Flooding the Brain (page 13)

• Push Back Against Pain Spikes and Intrusions

• Get Inside Your Own Head

• Always Counter-Stimulate Your Pain

Active vs. Passive Treatment

Practice Makes Perfect

M.I.R.R.O.R. (page 14) MIRROR is:

– Motivation

– Intention

– Relentlessness

– Reliability

– Opportunity

– Restoration

N.O.R.M.A.L  (page 14) NORMAL is:

Neuroplastic Optimization and Reduction of Medication for Adaptive Living

• Rebalance Pain Processing Circuits

• Body and Brain Act Together

• Persistent Pain is a Learned Activity

 People Taking Back Control of Their Pain (page 16)

pages 18 – 24  Section 2 – Touch

Mom the Neuroscientist – It Takes a Mother’s Touch (page 18)

Hands That See (page 21)

Healing Touch (page 22)

pages 26 – 33  Section 3 -  Neuroplastic Brain and Body

NO BRAIN, NO PAIN.   Nociception.  (page 26)

The Brain Learns Pain; Too Smart for It’s Own Good (page 27)

Brain and Body (page 28)

Fire and Wire … Or Not

Cause and Cure for Pain Persistence (page 29)

pages 35 – 41   Section 4 – Pain Gone Wild

Limbic Activation (page 35)

Pain Makes Pain; Making a Bad Thing Worse (page 36)

Unpleasantness – As if the Pain Wasn’t Enough (page 37)

BUT YOU CAN’T HIDE – Over the Edge – Amygdala and Hippocampus (page 38)

IN THE AMYGDALA – Where the Wild Things Are (page 39)

Pages 43 – 52  Section 5 -  Soothing

Oh That Smell; The Nose Knows  (pages 47, 48)

BELIEF IS RELIEF (page 49)

Pages 54 – 64  Section 6 -  Mood and Pain

Pain and Mood Circuit (page 54)

Relax, Calm, Soothe – GABA to the Rescue (page 55)

Limbic Deactivation – Emotional Calm (page 57)

Access the Brain with  THOUGHTS  IMAGES   SENSATIONS  MEMORIES  SOOTHING EMOTIONS  MOVEMENT  BELIEFS  (page 58)

[ This wonderful workbook helps me understand just how awesome the beautiful brain is, however, my initial success was due to the coaching I received from Dr. Danielle Rosenman who was trained by Dr. Michael Moskowitz. The techniques helped me "outgrow" persistent pain. ]

Pages  66 – 74  Section 7  -  Pleasure – the Antidote for Pain

BLISS – Anandamide (page 69)

WELL BEING – Endorphins (page 71)

ALL WE NEED IS LOVE – Oxytocin (page 72)

Page  75  Section 8 – Conclusion – A New Beginning

Below are names of the writers who were credited for these particular episodes of

The Jack Benny Program which brought healing laughter

Written by Sam Perrin, George Balzer, Al Gordon, Hal Goldman -

James and Gloria Stewart are celebrating their wedding anniversary at a restaurant; Jack has invited himself and has brought girlfriend Mildred who sings (loudly) to Mr. Stewart when the band plays the French song “La Vie En Rose” (according to https://frenchmoments.eu/je-vois-la-vie-en-rose-the-story-of-the-song/ the music was composed by Marguerite Monnot and Louis Guglielmi aka Louiguy,  lyrics and also sung by Édith Piaf)

 ”Jack In Paris” (guests: Mary Livingstone, Maurice Chevalier) – according to https://www.imdb.com this show is Season 7, Episode 14  – Oh to see Arc de Triomphe  et la Tour Eiffel!

Written by  Sam Perrin, George Balzer, Hal Goldman, Al Gordon -

“The Income Tax Show” is hilarious! -  Season 15, Episode 4; October 16, 1964

“Jack Directs Film”  Season 14, Episode 6; Oct. 29, 1963  Jack finds out that Gloria Stewart is in James Stewart’s new movie and wants to congratulate her on the set.

Written by Sam Perrin, George Balzer, Milt Josefsberg, John Tackaberry

Jack Benny Program “The Jackie Gleason Show” is hilarious!  Wanting to impress Jackie Gleason, Jack and Rochester are staying in the penthouse suite in the Saint Regis Hotel. Yes, Jack is staying there (at no cost)

Again, thank you to the folks who post them on YouTube.

Thank you for reading Teresa Jade LeYung’s  blog post: “Wellness, Laughter, Writers, Jack Benny Program, Dr. Michael H. Moskowitz, Dr. Marla D. Golden, TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN Workbook”

For other posts related to our Beautiful Brains, Pain, and Neuroplasticity  in my blog  https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog …  If you scroll to top of page, look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”.  Please click on that category to get all my blog posts pertaining to the topic.

I wish you new vitality, total wellness!

Sincerely,

Teresa_Jade_LeYung__photo_by_Nan_Nooanan_and_Mary E. Knippel

Teresa Jade LeYung

(formerly Teresa LeYung-Ryan)

Story Theme Consultant / Photo Historian / Author / Public Library and Public School Advocate

http://www.OurBeautifulBrains.com goes to Teresa Jade LeYung’s Blog https://LoveMadeOfHeart.com/blog

Writing Coach Teresa Jade LeYung says: “I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication. Reach out, not stress out.”

Love Made Of Heart ®

“MIT new study – Time spent indoors increases risk of COVID at 6 feet or 60 feet…”
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/23/mit-researchers-say-youre-no-safer-from-covid-indoors-at-6-feet-or-60-feet-in-new-study.html

To read Chi Nei Tsang Master Healer and Master Teacher Gilles Marin’s tried and true methods to attack viruses and neutralize them
https://www.chineitsang.com/post/prevent-getting-the-flu-and-help-eradicate-covid-19-contagion?mc_cid=186e80f0ec&mc_eid=ad8adb3075

2021 November 12, 13, 14, 20; Nov 21, 07:00-07:30 (wild winds), 13:00-13:40 — Berkeley, California – Blog post #610

What was screenwriter / screenwriting teacher Terrel Seltzer’s mantra? Her simple and powerful question at the beginning of class: 

“What makes a story?” 

The answer:  “Someone we care about wants something badly and is having a terrible time getting it.”

Someone we care about (the protagonist or another character) wants something badly and is having a terrible time getting it.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     * 

As I compose this blog post …  I am thinking about the precious people and  the 4-legged kids in my life, past and present. What do I want in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic?  I want resources to wellness for everyone in this world.  Two books have helped millions of people, including me and the people in my life.

Dr. Norman Doidge’s first book

The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science

Dr. Norman Doidge’s second book

The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity

Chapter titles in both books are in this blog post – below.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

I am thinking about Vicki Weiland  (developmental editor). Women’s National Book Association had brought this vibrant spirit into our lives when we were board members at the San Francisco chapter.

Vicki’s life became severely difficult when illness appeared; diagnosis was not immediate. Guillain-Barre syndrome.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/guillain-barre-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20362793 says:

“Guillain-Barre (gee-YAH-buh-RAY) syndrome is a rare disorder in which your body’s immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your extremities are usually the first symptoms.”  ….   “Although most people recover from Guillain-Barre syndrome, the mortality rate is 4% to 7%.”

What did  dear Vicki want the last ten years of her life? What did we, who loved her, want for her? Restored health!

Victoria C. Weiland - photo by Teresa Jade LeYung

Vicki wanted the pain to go away (often 10 on the scale)… to go away through organic paths. She wanted NOT to suffer other symptoms caused by side effects of prescribed drugs. By the time Vicki tried the healing modalities described in Dr. Norman Doidge’s books (including laser light treatments which alleviated pain in parts of her body) … her system had  already been overwhelmed by the years of prescriptions that only “tricked” her Beautiful Brain (“BB”) for short periods of time while pain pathways hijacked other brain functions -  impacting emotions, problem-solving, memory, creativity ….

Our precious friend died in June this year 2021.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *  

Brain map below is from the workbook TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION 

written by Michael H. Moskowitz, MD & Marla D. Golden, DO

Who is Dr. Michael Moskowitz? He is “Physician Hurt, Then Heal Thyself: Michael Moskowitz Discovers That Chronic Pain Can Be Unlearned” which is Chapter 1 in Dr. Norman Doidge’s second book.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

I am thinking about Dr. Danielle Rosenman who opened a new world to me when she coached me to retrain beautiful brain last year and led me to the workbook written by Dr. Michael Moskowitz and Dr. Marla Golden. Thank you, Steven Falk (Dr. Rosenman’s husband), for sharing wonderful news that Dr. Rosenman’s own health is improving. May Dr. Rosenman continue to get stronger and stronger, on her way to complete wellness soon!

I am thinking about my mentor author Lynn Scott (author of A Joyful Encounter: My Mother, My Alzheimer Clients, and Me) who taught me the meaning of courage and compassion. Lynn says she is experiencing more symptoms in her illness.  I’m thinking about Lynn’s housemate Bob who had a heart attack and is in the hospital; I’m thinking about Lynn’s friend Diana who has cancer.

I am thinking about Maxine Hong Kingston – the author who taught me self-forgiveness through her book The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts  and also inspired me to use the written word to speak up (through the birth of my novel Love Made of Heart ).  Maxine’s words have been godsend every since Dr. Susan Thackrey (San Francisco) advised me to read  THE WOMAN WARRIORaround  1985.

I want for everyone new vitality! That’s what I want!

I am thinking about Kristiane McKee Maas (longhorn cattle rancher and creator of beautiful events),  artist, curator, and founder of A Place of Her Own Cynthia Tom, artist and author Gale Henshel (her book is Dyslexia, My Gift, My Story), Lakshmi Hannah Kerner, author Mahyar A. Amouzegar  (his novels - A Dark Sunny Afternoon; Dinner at 10:32; Pisgah Road), author Geneva “Neva” Dinwiddie (Sister Hold My Hand: Together We Stand) who is primary caregiver to her spouse, and LaH who is grieving loss of precious kittie Gracie.

I am thinking about these dear folks and other friends and other mentors and mentees … who are dealing with loss of health or loss of relationships.

Addendum:

November 22 morning – I just read email from dear Madame Hamou in France. I must tell Madame Hamou about Dr. Doidge’s books – translated into French and other languages. May Madame Hamou continue to get stronger and stronger, on her way to complete wellness soon.

Chi Nei Tsang practitioner Marie-Christine Cornet is now in France http://www.mariechristinecornet.com/

I want for everyone new vitality! That’s what I want!

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

November 12 and 13, 2021 , I am running the movie THE SIXTH SENSE(written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan).  And to think I didn’t want to watch this movie when brilliant screenwriter / teacher Terrel Seltzer polled the class. The mother character Lynn Sear (portrayed by Toni Collette) is the most memorable element for me. What did Lynn want for her 9-year-old son Cole?  What did Cole (portrayed by Haley Joel Osment) want, actually, what didn’t he want? What did Dr. Malcolm Crowe (portrayed by Bruce Willis) want? What did  his wife Anna (portrayed by Olivia Williams) want? What did the other characters (whom only Cole could see) want?

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

I want wellness.  For myself.  For everyone.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

So many great books on wellness.  The two that continue to show me how our beautiful brains are awesome conductors working the orchestras we call “Bodies” are the two books written by Norman Doidge, M.D. https://www.normandoidge.com

Below are chapter titles of both books.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page of Dr Doidge’s website: https://www.normandoidge.com/?page_id=1052

Dr. Norman Doidge’s first book

The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science

Chapter titles -

1.  A Woman Perpetually Falling – Rescued by the Man Who Discovered the Plasticity of Our Senses 2.  Building Herself a Better Brain -  A Woman Labeled “Retarded” Discovers How to Heal Herself 3.  Redesigning the Brain – A Scientist Changes Brains to Sharpen Perception and Memory, Increase Speed of Thought and Heal Learning Problems 4.  Acquiring Tastes and Loves – What Neuroplasticity Teaches Us About Sexual Attraction and Love 5.  Midnight Resurrections – Stroke Victims Learn to Move and Speak Again 6.  Brain Lock Unlocked – Using Plasticity to stop Worries, Obsessions, Compulsions and Bad Habits 7.  Pain – The Dark Side of Plasticity 8.  Imagination – How Thinking Makes It So 9.  Turning Our Ghosts into Ancestors – Psychoanalysis as Neuroplastic Therapy 10.  Rejuvenation – The Discovery of the Neuronal Stem Cell and Lessons for Preserving Our Brains 11.  More than the Sum of Her Parts – A Woman Shows Us How Radically Plastic the Brain Can Be Appendix 1 – The Culturally Modified Brain Appendix 2 – Plasticity and the Idea of Progress

Dr. Norman Doidge’s second book

The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity

Chapter titles -

Chapter 1 Physician Hurt, Then Heal Thyself Michael Moskowitz Discovers That Chronic Pain Can Be Unlearned Chapter 2 A Man Walks Off His Parkinsonian Symptoms How Exercise Helps Fend Off Degenerative Disorders and Can Defer Dementia

(Teresa here to say that this chapter – about Mr. John Pepper -inspired me to be a smart advocate for my papa. Mr. Pepper’s website https://www.reverseparkinsons.net/ )

  Chapter 3 The Stages of Neuroplastic Healing How and Why It Works Chapter 4 Rewiring a Brain with Light Using Light to Reawaken Dormant Neural Circuits Chapter 5 Moshe Feldenkrais: Physicist, Black Belt, and Healer Healing Serious Brain Problems Through Mental Awareness of Movement Chapter 6 A Blind Man Learns to See Using Feldenkrais, Buddhist, and Other Neuroplastic Methods Chapter 7 A Device That Resets the Brain Stimulating Neuromodulation to Reverse Symptoms I. A Cane Against the Wall II. Three Resets: Parkinson’s, Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis III. The Cracked Potters IV. How the Brain Balances Itself—with a Little Help Chapter 8 A Bridge of Sound The Special Connection Between Music and the BrainI. A Dyslexic Boy Reverses His Misfortune II. A Mother’s Voice III. Rebuilding the Brain from the Bottom Up: Autism, Attention Deficits, and Sensory Processing Disorder IV. Solving the Mystery at the Abbey: How Music Raises Our Spirits and Energy Afterword to the Paperback Edition Appendix 1 – A General Approach to TBI and Brain Problems Appendix 2 – Matrix Repatterning for TBI Appendix 3 – Neurofeedback for ADD, ADHD, Epilepsy, Anxiety, and TBI

https://www.normandoidge.com/?page_id=1042  says:

Available, so far, in 22 languages. The Brain’s Way of Healing is now available in over 100 countries, and 22 languages including translations from English into  Bulgarian, Chinese Traditional Characters, Chinese Simplified Characters, Czech, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lithuanian, Polish,  Portuguese, Portuguese-Brazil,  Romanian, Russian,  Spanish,  Turkish and Ukrainian. English Editions: North American Editions, (Viking Penguin U.S.A.) UK Edition, (Penguin U.K.) Australian & New Zealand Edition (Scribe) Kindle Edition, Amazon. Audio books by Brilliance Audio in North America, and Bolinda in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Thank you, dear Loduskia “Dusky” Pierce, MFT,  http://www.duskyswondersite.com/ for displaying Dr. Doidge’s first book on your shelf many years ago.

 *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Norman Doidge: Brain’s Healing Energies on YouTube  https://youtu.be/ifYcE4-eI_s  Dr. Doidgetalks about our brains, pain, Dr. Michael Moskowitz, Moshe Feldenkrais (Physicist, Black Belt, Healer),  electrical circuits, chemistry, light, sound, vibration, brain-body connection.

 *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Thank you for reading my blog post: “Want Wellness; Norman Doidge, M.D.’s books -The Brain That Changes Itself, Neuroplasticity”

For other posts related to our Beautiful Brains, Pain, and Neuroplasticity  in my blog  https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog …  If you scroll to top of page, look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”.  Please click on that category to get all my blog posts pertaining to the topic.

I wish you new vitality, total wellness!

Sincerely,

Teresa Jade LeYung

Story Consultant and Photo Historian

Teresa Jade LeYung shares croissants - in Paris 2019 - photo by plant healer Nan Noonan and author / writing coach Mary E. Knippel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Story Consultant and Photo Historian Teresa Jade LeYung  (formerly Teresa LeYung-Ryan) says:

“I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication. Reach out, not stress out.”

Love Made Of Heart ® is Teresa’s trademark

2021 October 27, 13:42-16:00; 20:28-23:11; Oct. 28, 16:11-16:40; Oct. 29, 21:54-23:12; Oct. 30, 15:01-16:59  Blog Post #609

Dear Reader,

I wish you total wellness.

If not for shingles and postherpetic neuralgia which led to the past 12 months of reading and rereading books and listening to lectures about pain and our brains … I wouldn’t have learned why I experience pain and other unpleasant signals when there is no new injury to a body part.

After receiving COVID-19 vaccine … I experienced occasional pain signals in my right knee and in my right shoulder blade, then, dull headaches, and, my two front teeth felt weak.  The knowledge I have gain about pain signals helped me understand what could be happening and how I could help myself feel better.

 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

I have learned from webinars and the workbook

TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION 

written by Michael H. Moskowitz, MD & Marla D. Golden, DO  http://neuroplastix.com that …

“We only experience pain when the electrical signals reach the thinking part of our brains.”

“This is why general anesthetics work – by separating the thinking conscious brain from the automatic survival brain. During anesthesia, the survival part of the brain stays active, but, the perceptive part of the brain is turned off.”

“The brain doesn’t just receive information from the body, but sends directions back out to tell the body what to do.” (page 4 in workbook)

“The brain ‘reads’ everything going on in the body 30 times a second for an entire life.”

“Acute pain is an alarm going off in the brain that signifies danger and/or damage to the body…. ” (page 10)

“Persistent pain … signals sets up an endless loop between body and brain, inflammatory processes become chronic, anti-inflammatory processes are overwhelmed and the nerve cells dedicated to pain increase up to five-fold.” (page 10)

“Acute pain helps with survival, while persistent pain transforms danger into misery.” (page 10)

I have learned … from Clinical Scientist / Professor Lorimer Moseley  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p6sbi_0lLc that…

“Pain is our most sophisticated protective device.”

“The term ‘neuroplasticity‘ refers to the adaptability of our nervous system. The other side of neuroplasticity is sometimes called ‘the dark side’.”

“You can experience SEVERE pain but have NO damage.”

“You can experience NO pain but have severe damage.”

“Pain depends on how much danger your brain THINKS you are in, not how much danger you are really in.”

 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

As I was saying … after receiving COVID-19 vaccine … I experienced occasional pain signals in my right knee and in my right shoulder blade, then, dull headaches, and, my two front teeth felt weak.

According to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html Updated Oct. 18, 2021

mRNA Vaccines 

According to  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/viralvector.html  Updated Oct. 18, 2021

Viral Vector Vaccines

[....]

In Step 2. Next, the cells display the spike protein on their surface, and our immune system recognizes that the protein doesn’t belong there. This triggers our immune system to produce antibodies and activate other immune cells to fight off what it thinks is an infection. This response is what your body might do if you got sick with COVID-19.

mRNA Vaccines and Viral Vector Vaccines have this in common  – “… activate other immune cells to fight off what it ‘thinks’ is an infection.”

  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

I know that my brain records my experiences throughout my lifetime … and that pain depends on how much danger my brain THINKS I am in, not how much danger I am really in.

Also, I understand why my brain would send me “danger signals” (my knee, shoulder blade)  after vaccination if my immune system “thinks” there is an infection in my body.

Why my two front teeth?   I’ve never sustained injury there.  Have I experienced pain there?  Yes I have!  For three years during my teenage years, my teeth were tortured once a week when the orthodontist tightened the wires. The front teeth needed the most “straightening” (they did sustain “injury”).  Even though that was 45 years ago, my brain remembers the pain!

To communicate to my teeth, my knee, my shoulder blade, and my temples …  that I have not sustained new injuries …  I put my hand on each body part and also tell my Brain “I have not injured myself.”  Voila!  Pain signals go away.  Beautiful Brain (I call “BB”) wants to protect Body, therefore BB occasionally sends signals, and, it’s up to me to “talk back” (communicate).

Today (October 31, 2021), while enjoying my walk, I felt an itchy stinging pain on left elbow, then the signals flowed down my arm. I applied firm comforting squeezes on those areas with my right hand. The pain went away.

Then today (November 3, 2021, 13:44) I felt a sharp pain on LEFT upper arm where vaccine would have entered BUT I had received the vaccine on my RIGHT arm.

Beautiful Brain sending me  “false alarms”.

In no way am I saying that retraining my brain is easy work.  I am still a newbie.  I am happy to report that I’ve developed a new attitude — I look forward to each new day. For me, this is BIG

I am forever grateful to everyone who cares about me and encourages me to continue helping myself heal.

   *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

My “Get to Wellness Kit” is growing

Norman Doidge: Brain’s Healing Energies on YouTube  https://youtu.be/ifYcE4-eI_s  Dr. Doidge talks about our brains, pain, Dr. Michael Moskowitz, Moshe Feldenkrais (Physicist, Black Belt, Healer),  electrical circuits, chemistry, light, sound, vibration, brain-body connection.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Continue using  Feldenkrais techniques that Naomi Schaeffer Draper, M.S. Physical Therapist had taught me.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Continue using the workbook TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION  by

Michael H. Moskowitz, MD and Marla D. Golden, DO

Refer to the 10-page guide from Dr. Danielle Rosenman who coached me.

My job is to interrupt pain and other unpleasant signals by using any of the seven modalities or a combination of them.

Dr. Rosenman adds: “Smile for yourself and talk out loud to your Brain.”

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * 

Continue practicing techniques I learned from Dr. Amy Grace Lam  http://amygracelam.com 

Recently Dr. Lam  gave me links to demonstrations of “tapping” to rid pain and other unpleasant symptoms.

Professor Lorimer Moseley says: “Brain is the most trainable we’ve got!”  https://people.unisa.edu.au/lorimer.moseley

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

(Addendum November 4, 2021)

Continue using the 2 books written by Norman Doidge, M.D. for inspiration (Thank you, dear Loduskia “Dusky” Pierce, MFT, for having Dr. Doidge’s book on your shelf many years ago)

The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science (translated into 26 languages)

Dr. Doidge’s second book – The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity (translated into 19 languages so far)

https://www.normandoidge.com/

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

About shingles and postherpetic neuralgia

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postherpetic-neuralgia/symptoms-causes/syc-20376588  says:

“Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common complication of shingles. The condition affects nerve fibers and skin, causing burning pain that lasts long after the rash and blisters of shingles disappear.

The chickenpox (herpes zoster) virus causes shingles. The risk of postherpetic neuralgia increases with age, primarily affecting people older than 60. There’s no cure, but treatments can ease symptoms. For most people, postherpetic neuralgia improves over time.”

I am forever grateful to the excellent care that “Country Doctor LaH” and her precious Gracie gave me during my illness.

I am forever grateful to everyone who cares about me and encourages me to continue helping myself heal.

 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

As I write … I am running the movie ONLY WHEN I LAUGH (screenplay by Neil Simon; starring Marsha Mason, Kristy McNichol, James Coco, Joan Hackett; continuity by Joan Samson).  I love stories about the protagonist’s taking control of her/his own life, in spite of . . . .  The mother-daughter storyline – Wow!

ONLY WHEN I LAUGH is based on the play THE GINGERBREAD LADY by Neil Simon.

Taking control of one’s own life!  Taking control of one’s own body!  Taking control of one’s own thoughts!

  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Taking control of my own life!  Taking control of my own body!  Taking control of my own thoughts!

Thank you for reading this blog post: “Beautiful Brain remembers old pain experiences, relays signals after shingles, after vaccination,” says author Teresa Jade LeYung.

For other posts related to our Beautiful Brains, Pain, and Neuroplasticity  in my blog  https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog …  If you look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”.  Please click on that category to get all my blog posts pertaining to the topic.

I wish you total wellness!

Sincerely,

author Teresa Jade LeYung in Paris 2018, photo by Sasa and Nan

Story Consultant and Photo Historian Teresa Jade LeYung says: “I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication. Reach out, not stress out.”

Love Made Of Heart ®

2021 August 14, 21:08  California

Dear Reader,

I hope you are well.

Several people I care about are struggling with illnesses and side effects of medications. This blog post is to share what Dr. Danielle Rosenman has taught me – to retrain Beautiful Brain to wellness.

Dr. Rosenman herself needs our prayers and well wishes right now.  She needs her “bag of tricks”.  I hope Dr. Rosenman’s family members have photos of her in every room, in her field of vision, so that her Beautiful Brain can “register” her own vibrancy. “Seeing” one’s vitality helps Beautiful Brain relearn wellness.  May Dr. Rosenman enjoy complete wellness soon.

[When we don't have photos or when we have weak or no eyesight  or when no one is around to help us - we send our thoughts to memories of our vibrant selves. ]

During neuroplasticity coaching, Dr. Danielle Rosenman instructs:  “Smile for yourself and talk out loud to your brain. When you learn to talk to your brain, you are opening up a new life.”

A thousand thanks to Dr. Rosenman for the coaching sessions, and to Dr. Michael Moskowitz and Dr. Marla Golden for their magnificent workbook and webinars, to Professor Lorimer Moseley for his wonderful presentations (find him on YouTube), to Dr. Victoria Sweet for instilling appreciation of “slow medicine”, to Dr. Norman Doidge for his books (find him on YouTube), Dr. Amy Grace Lam for extraordinary healing, and, of course to all the dear hearts who care about my well-being.

Thank you, Loduskia “Dusky” Pierce, for leading me to Dr. Doidge’s books. Thank you, Linda Harris, for remembering that Dr. Rosenman uses Dr. Moskowitz’s techniques.

Prior to August 2020 . . .  “Shingles”  “chickenpox reactivated”  “postherpetic neuralgia”  “persistent pain”  “neurological disorder” “keloid scars”   were just words to me.

When Shingles rash broke out, and the pain, oh the acute pain  (thank you dear Linda Harris and GH for your loving care) . . . my primary care physician prescribed Gabapentin, in addition to Tylenol and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.  After the rash began to heal … but the pain would not go away  (persistent pain) and depression set in …. I was in bigger trouble.

In his engaging talks, Professor Lorimer Moseley explains:

“If you have a brain, you will experience pain. If you don’t have a brain, you won’t experience pain.

“We feel pain in our body, and, we feel it in a particular location, but, it is impossible to feel pain without a brain, and, it is completely possible to feel pain without the body part.

“Pain is our most sophisticated protective device.”

“The term ‘neuroplasticity‘ refers to the adaptability of our nervous system. The other side of neuroplasticity is sometimes called ‘the dark side’.

“The mechanisms that cause us to change in a good way can also cause us to change in a way that makes our lives more difficult and more unpleasant.”

Unpleasant sensations?  Pain. Depression. Anxiety. Dizziness. And, what I call “Ick”

 Truths help me persevere in retraining “Beautiful Brain” (“BB”)

From Dr. Moskowitz’s and Dr. Golden’s workbook, from Dr. Rosenman’s guide, from Professor Moseley’s talks, from (Teresa Jade LeYung) my own experiences:

• The brain doesn’t just receive information from the body, but sends directions back out to tell the body what to do.

• The brain “reads” everything going on in the body 30 times a second for an entire life.

• The adult brain changes throughout our lives based upon the information it receives from our bodies

• The brain changes whenever we learn to do something new or when we stop doing something

• The brain stores not only all my experiences, but also, everything I’ve watched and heard, in addition to genetic information

• The adaptable nervous system – adaptability which scientists call neuroplasticity.
  

• Without the thinking conscious brain, I wouldn’t feel any sensation – pleasant ones or unpleasant ones.

• What is the antidote for pain, depression, anxiety, and other unpleasant symptoms?  PLEASURE.

• Beautiful Brains (doing their jobs to protect Body Tissue) can make mistakes, mistakes that deplete vitality.

• Thank goodness BBs (even when stubborn) can be retrained!

• The simple act of smiling for myself  helps BB’s natural production of chemicals that include GABA, Anandamide, Endorphins, Oxytocin.

• My BB is THE expert of my experiences; however the expert can and does make mistakes; I can retrain BB to gain wellness

I was successful retraining Beautiful Brain (“BB”) to stop sending pain signals.  My troubles were over . . . so I thought.

Gradually, pain morphed into another unpleasant symptoms / awful sensation. It even spread to parts of the body that never had Shingles rash.

[2021 August 15, 12:03pm Addendum –

Also, Beautiful Brain reactivates pain signals from past injuries (in my hand and in my knee). BB’s wanting to protect body tissue, so BB sends signals to grab my attention, except grabbing my attention this way saps my energy.  It’s like an alarm clock’s “snooze” setting in malfunction, going off at random.]

Remembering what Professor Moseley said -  that “Pain is our most sophisticated protective device” – and what my mentor (author Margaret Davis) said to me: “Teresa, can’t you apply the very same techniques you used to retrain your brain on pain to rid this undesirable sensation?”

YES, I can.

Through their workbook, Dr. Michael Moskowitz and Dr. Marla Golden instruct: ” … harness the power of our brains.”   On the last page of their workbook, they leave us with plenty of hope: “Neuroplastic Transformation opens a new approach to treating people living with persistent pain ….   The overarching message is that persistent pain can be challenged and defeated  by using the same principles that have created it.”

Interrupt unpleasant signals with pleasurable …

- THOUGHTS

- IMAGES

- SENSATIONS

- MEMORIES

- SOOTHING EMOTIONS

- MOVEMENT

- BELIEFS

Dr. Michael Moskowitz and Dr. Marla Golden http://neuroplastix.com/

My February 11, 2021 blog post “Brain / Pain Scientist Professor Lorimer Moseley uses humor to help us understand Dark Side of Pain” is at:

https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/brain-pain-scientist-professor-lorimer-moseley-uses-humor-to-help-us-understand-dark-side-of-pain/

which highlights  “Getting a grip on pain and the brain – Professor Lorimer Moseley - Successful Ageing Seminar 2013?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p6sbi_0lLc

I am convinced that one safe place is my own thoughts. However the same place could be my enemy, so, it’s up to my will power to go to safe thoughts, beautiful thoughts, healing thoughts. The words in my thoughts hold much power.

I am one of the fortunate ones – to live with housemates who care about me, in a pleasant environment, and in a position to shelter-in-place during this pandemic.

Other folks are not so fortunate – their external world could be chaotic, even traumatic …  The only safe place could be their beautiful thoughts.

I remember Dr. Danielle Rosenman telling me during neuroplasticity coaching:  “Smile for yourself and talk out loud to your brain. When you learn to talk to your brain, you are opening up a new life.”

Also I remember how she taught me to create my unique “bag of tricks” to retrain Beautiful Brain (small items to look at, to smell, to touch…to recall pleasure, vibrancy, peace).  But, what about when there is no physical “bag of tricks”?   I have my thoughts! Thoughts of Beauty!  No no can take that away from me.

This blog post has taken many hours over many days – this is what it’s like to work while retraining Beautiful Brain with a neurological disorder

2021 August 4, 02:02-02:38; 15:54; August 5, 18:48; August 6, 14:55, 23:56; August 7, 00:10; 21:57; August 8, 13:56; August 10, 12:58pm; August 11, 17:17, August 12, 13:44; August 13, 17:14; August 14, 20:45  California

Thank you for reading this blog post  “Retraining Beautiful Brain By Rewriting My Personal Truths With Wordplay” by  Teresa Jade LeYung

For other posts related to our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity  in my blog  https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog …  If you look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”.  Please click on that category to get all my blog posts pertaining to the topic.

I wish you and your Beautiful Brain safety, kindness, excellent health.

Sincerely,

Teresa Jade LeYung

photo of Teresa Jade LeYung in Paris by Nan and Sasa October 2018

*****

Thank you, MT et MYW, for masks; Starry Starry Night mask by Dahlynn & Ken of WoodstockAndYarn at Etsy

June 22, 2021 addendum

A dear friend’s 40-something year old niece got infected last year; this young woman is now suffering  “long haul” symptoms – heart issue and lung issue.

What COVID vaccine side effects can and can’t tell you about your body’s immune response

May 30, 2021 addendum

I wish everyone kindness, safety, excellent health.

A dear friend’s friend (a woman in her early 50s, who was asymptomatic) died this month  – May 2021; she collapsed at a bus platform (on surveillance camera record); autopsy performed; Coroner determined cause of death: COVID 19

Related articles:

“About 80% of Asymptomatic People With COVID-19 Develop Symptoms”

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/938195 Damian McNamara, September 28, 2020

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“Fatal pulmonary arterial thrombosis in a COVID-19 patient, with asymptomatic history, occurred after swab negativization”    Italy case report https://thrombosisjournal.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12959-020-00255-6.pdf  by Franca Del Nonno, Daniele Colombo, Roberta Nardacci, Laura Falasca

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2021 May 9, 21:56 Pacific Time; May 15, 15:18;  May 25, 21:29;  May 27, 22:55

Hello, Everyone,

I send you smiles, and, I hope you are well…wherever you are…

Once again I am reminded that Nature and Biology are not to be messed with… as this global pandemic exists. Here in the USA we are more fortunate than many other countries.

In times of calamity, the more facts that are presented to us, the more we can do, individually and collectively, to help ourselves and also others less fortunate.

My mother (who grew up in an orphanage during World War II) understood how diseases spread and that the simple act of opening windows to “let the bad air out and the good air in”  is common sense smarts.   If she were alive, she would be nodding her head . . . after reading this article published by CNBC Health and Science . . .

“MIT researchers say time spent indoors increases risk of COVID at 6 feet or 60 feet in new study challenging social distancing policies”

by Rich Mendez @richmendezcnbc   CNBC Health and Science -  published Friday, April 23, 2021, 12:15 PM EDT; updated Tuesday, April 27 2021, 3:34 PM EDT

For full article  https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/23/mit-researchers-say-youre-no-safer-from-covid-indoors-at-6-feet-or-60-feet-in-new-study.html

( The paragraphs that grabbed my attention are as follow: )

The risk of being exposed to COVID-19 indoors can be as great at 60 feet as it is at 6 feet in a room where the air is mixed — even when wearing a mask, according to a new study by Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers who challenge social distancing guidelines adopted across the world.

MIT professors Martin Z. Bazant, who teaches chemical engineering and applied mathematics, and John W.M. Bush, who teaches applied mathematics, developed a method of calculating exposure risk to COVID-19 in an indoor setting that factors in a variety of issues that could affect transmission, including the amount of time spent inside, air filtration and circulation, immunization, variant strains, mask use, and even respiratory activity such as breathing, eating, speaking or singing.

Opening windows or installing new fans to keep the air moving could also be just as effective or more effective than spending large amounts of money on a new filtration system, he said.

Bazant also says that guidelines enforcing indoor occupancy caps are flawed. He said 20 people gathered inside for one minute is probably fine, but not over the course of several hours, he said.

Small, poorly ventilated spaces where a lot of people spend a lot of time together places people at the most risk, he said.

“Unfortunately, the nursing home is one of those cases. If COVID patients are living together 24/7, in some cases even in the same room, that is the absolute worst-case scenario, especially given the vulnerability of that population,” Bazant added.

Those droplets from a person’s warm exhalation mix with body heat and air currents in the area to rise and travel throughout the entire room and put everyone in a well-mixed room at risk of airborne transmission.

People seem to be more exposed to that “background” air than they are by droplets from a distance, like secondhand smoke, according to the study.

For example, if someone infected with COVID-19 is wearing a mask and singing loudly in an enclosed room, a person who is sitting at the other side of the room is not more protected than someone who is sitting just 6 feet away from the infected person.

This is why time spent in the enclosed area is more important than how far you are from the infected person.

Masks work in general to prevent transmission by blocking larger droplets, therefore larger droplets aren’t making up the majority of COVID infections when most people are wearing masks.

“The majority of people who are transmitting COVID aren’t coughing and sneezing, they’re asymptomatic,” Bazant said.

For full article  https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/23/mit-researchers-say-youre-no-safer-from-covid-indoors-at-6-feet-or-60-feet-in-new-study.html

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excerpts from the New York Times article

Updated  May 15, 2021, 2:35 p.m. ET

The new advice — . . . . Even vaccinated individuals must cover their faces and physically distance when going to doctors, hospitals or long-term care facilities like nursing homes; when traveling by bus, plane, train or other modes of public transportation, or while in transportation hubs like airports and bus stations; and in congregate settings such as homeless shelters, as well as prisons or jails.

[....]

Some fully vaccinated people have been infected with the coronavirus. Dr. Rochelle Walensky said that any who develop symptoms should still use masks and get tested, she said. Asked how the new guidance might apply to businesses and schools, she said that the C.D.C. was working to rapidly issue new recommendations soon for specific settings, including for summer camps and travel.

The move could raise alarms among more cautious Americans, who may be more reluctant to engage in public activities when more people are unmasked. There is no way to know who is vaccinated and who is not, and a majority of the population is not yet fully vaccinated. Dr. Walensky added that immunocompromised people who have been fully vaccinated should consult their physicians before relinquishing a face mask.

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https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/15/health/coronavirus-vaccine-immune-system.html

Many cannot produce enough infection-fighting cells to fend off the coronavirus. But researchers are testing one therapy that may help: monoclonal antibodies.

Dr. Andrew Wollowitz, an emergency physician at Montefiore Hospital and a cancer survivor, didn’t produce antibodies when he received the vaccine, as treatments have wiped out his immune system.Credit…Desiree Rios for The New York Times

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I send extra prayers for folks whose work situations or living accommodations force them to be indoors for long periods of time, with other people (hope your windows can be opened and there are fans to keep the air moving)… 

And the heroes/heroines who work in restaurants where the customers are eating (can’t wear masks when eating)… eaters leave after dining but other eaters arrive…. while the employees are subjected to the stream of customers (eating, talking, not wearing masks) during their 7 or 8-hour shifts.  And the residents in nursing homes – usually 3 residents in a room, and, the folks who work at these environments. Thank you to all Heroes/Heroines (You are everywhere) and all benevolent Angels!

Thank you for reading this blog post “MIT researchers say time spent indoors increases risk of COVID at 6 feet or 60 feet in new study – article by Rich Mendez, CNBC Health and Science”

I am wishing you excellent health and sweet moments with these two songs:

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” sung by Andrea Bocelli  (written by Rodgers and Hammerstein for the musical CAROUSEL)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP1_JQ1VPnw

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Mr. Jim Henson’s Kermit the Frog Sing Along | Rainbow Connection | The Muppets

“Rainbow Connection” sung by Kermit the Frog (written by Paul Williams and Kenny Ascher for THE MUPPET MOVIE)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS5fTzMP_mg

and  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awhyiBv-oQc

* * * * *

Sincerely,

Teresa Jade LeYung

Story Consultant / Platform-Building Coach Teresa Jade LeYung says: “I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication.  Reach out, not stress out.”

Coach Teresa’s workbook -
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW  — print edition and ebook

http://www.OurBeautifulBrains.com   Story Continuity / Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung’s blog - resources regarding our beautiful  brains  / persistent pain / depression  / wellness

Love Made Of Heart ®

2021 March 14, 21:38; March 15, 14:47; March 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27; amended 2021 March 27, 07:44

Teresa Jade LeYung’s Blog Post #604

Last week, I was at a place not far from where I live -  to escape from construction noise (neighbors modifying their house to “age in place”).  While I am happy for anyone who can do that … the persistent noise produced by power tools and hammers reactivated my persistent pain pathways in such a way that I don’t have words to describe the sensations. For sure they are “unpleasant” and “undesirable”.

On March 10, at this place of tranquility, I woke up to the sound of power pruning.  NO!  I thought Am I being tested?

On March 11, another unpleasant incident occupied my thoughts.

On March 12, I read the email from kindhearted mentor author Margaret R. Davis.  Margaret asked: “Teresa, can’t you apply the very same principles you use to reduce pain to block out the irritation of the construction noise?”

Margaret is referring to what I have learned and what I continue to learn from Dr. Norman Doidge, Dr. Michael Moskowitz, Dr. Marla Golden, Dr. Danielle Rosenman, Professor Lorimer Moseley about retraining my brain / practicing neuroplasticity.

Thank you, Margaret! Thank you to ALL the dear hearts in my life who care about my well-being.  I am most grateful!

Soothing thoughts. I thought about LaH who delivered me to this lovely place and how MT, SS, NN individually visited me and brought delicious foods, and, everyone who sent cards, emails, text-messages, voicemail, thoughts, prayers.

On the evening of  March 13,  2021, I wanted to watch the movie PRIVATE BENJAMIN (starring Goldie Hawn) again.

Well, not only did I find clips on YouTube, but also, I was rewarded with https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZsGZZA3LNM  Ms. Goldie Hawn’s inspiring presentation  “Importance of Mindfulness” 

I was overjoyed listening to Ms. Goldie Hawn’s sharing stories of children learning about how their brains work, and talking about their amygdala, prefrontal cortex … what is neuroplasticity, practicing “Brain Breaks” (meditation) with their teachers three times a day in school, using soothing thoughts to quiet their hardworking brains, and, the children going home to share their knowledge with their parents and other family members.

At 19 minutes Ms. Hawn shows the audience a film on MindUP – the signature program for children of the Goldie Hawn Foundation.

At 39 minutes  Ms. Hawn talks about intentions; to witness thoughts, and not get attached to them.

[ Teresa Jade LeYung here…

“Wow, witness my thoughts but not get attached to them. I thought about my lineage….  If as children my grandparents on both sides were given the opportunities to practice this skill, then, as adults they would have passed it onto their children (my parents), and my parents would have passed it onto me and my siblings.

“My parents were young people during World War II; my mother was orphaned; my father had to leave home to find work and send money to support his mother and siblings; then, they experienced colonization . . . such chaotic lives . . . and no one to teach them how to create peace for their beautiful brains.

“Last week, while I was at that lovely place that turned out to be not so tranquil, I said to my pals ‘I am what I think.’  If I am to truly heal from persistent pain and unpleasant sensations (all produced by Beautiful Brain), I must practice detaching myself from worrisome thoughts, and, use soothing thoughts to create pleasant sensations.” ]

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* * * * * * * *

Above graphics of the brain is from TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION workbook

by Michael H. Moskowitz, MD & Marla D. Golden, DO

http://www.neuroplastix.com 

https://shop.neuroplastix.com/Neuroplastic-Transformation-Workbook-92-W8PZ-LIIY.htm

 [ Teresa Jade LeYung here…

“I wonder if Dr. Moskowitz, Dr. Golden or Dr. Danielle Rosenman know about Ms. Hawn’s foundation and that the children in the MindUP program know what their Amygdala, Prefrontal Cortex and other parts of their brains do and how they (the children) learn to develop mental fitness.

“In our family, no one taught us anything resembling mental fitness.

“The adults were inept. In the 1970s, my escape was watching movies from the 1940′s, but, many of the characters in those films were lost souls. Our brother turned to music. Our little sister relied on her imagination; her stuffed animal companion Happy Dog was her loyal and gentle confidant.

“As an adult, my sister always chose careers that involved helping children.  She is Maria Kawah Leung – author of LITTLE HEROES OF BAY STREET: And How They Stay Strong in an Unhappy Home.  The protagonists in her illustrated book are Mia and Happy Dog.   To hear a reading of Maria Kawah Leung’s book by Hannah Yeoh, a member of Parliament in Malaysia, and to hear Happy Dog’s message to children, and Maria’s comforting words to children and adults … watch on Youtube  https://youtu.be/9k8DLcJlvVg

“If MindUP had existed during our childhood . . . I can just see my little sister coming home to show our parents how to “quiet their hardworking brains” ]

* * * * * * *

 https://mindup.org/

The heroes at MindUP announce:  “We are happy to announce MindUP will now be rebranded to MindUP For Life.  Evolving the visual identity to embody its new holistic direction.

We are thrilled to unveil our new brand identity and share with you that MindUP is evolving to become MindUP for Life. After many years as a school-based program for educators, MindUP for Life will now also be available to parents, families, and adults. This rebranding marks an exciting time in MindUP’s history, as we are launching the 2nd edition of our curriculum as well as an interactive online platform projected to launch this spring to support our growing audience. Over the last few months, we have worked with the amazing team at Le Parc Design to create a new image that would accurately depict our growth and helps us impact as many individuals as possible.

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Dear Readers,

Thank you for reading this blog post:  Author and Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “Everywhere I go, I learn about our beautiful brains. This week, MindUP, Ms. Goldie Hawn’s foundation”

I wish you and your beautiful brains – safety, kindness, excellent health, clear water, blue sky, delicious eats, smiles, sweet laughter, soothing thoughts and more soothing thoughts!

Sincerely,

photo of Teresa Jade LeYung by Sasa Southard, world adventurer

Teresa Jade LeYung

Theme Consultant / Platform-Building Coach

Coach Teresa Jade LeYung says: “I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication.  Reach out, not stress out.”
www.TeresaJadeLeYung.com

Coach Teresa’s workbook -
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW  — print edition and ebook

author Teresa Jade LeYung (mask and photo by Emily)

http://www.OurBeautifulBrains.com   takes you to Story Continuity / Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung’s blog - resources regarding our beautiful  brains  / persistent pain / depression  / wellness

Love Made Of Heart ®

Teresa Jade LeYung says “Be kind to our beautiful brains.”

Teresa Jade LeYung’s Blog post #602

2021 Jan. 16, 03:06 -04:29; Jan. 26, 00:19;   Feb. 2, 22:08;  Feb. 15, 00:19-03:24; Feb 16, 20:02; Feb 19, 21:43; Feb 20; 21; 22; 23

The more I learn about our beautiful brains (I call them “BB”s), the more grateful I am to every person who has shown me kindness, imparted knowledge, taught me a skill, inspired me to pursue Beauty.

Unbeknownst to me at the time …  my embracing words from nonjudgmental people and my reading the books listed below (near the end of this blog post)    provided a vital network for my BB to collect new information from precious people in my life, and, from newer books, webinars and training (also listed near the end of this post) as I learn to connect Body with Beautiful Brain.

From all these inspiring people, my BB has deciphered a common message  -  so simple so powerful, yet, not easy to master (it hasn’t been easy for me) — the sweet message is that I hold the power to use my own thoughts to experience bliss during and after illness, wherever I am.

[ from page 4 of the workbook TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION, Dr. Michael H. Moskowitz  and Dr. Marla D. Golden enlighten: “Without your brain, there is no pain. Your brain doesn’t just receive information from your body, but sends directions back out to tell your body what to do. Your brain ‘reads’ everything going on in your body 30 times a second for your entire life. The adult brain changes throughout our lives based upon the information it receives from our bodies. We only experience pain when the electrical signals reach the thinking part of our brains.” ]

Dear Reader, you might have already read in the blog posts preceding this one . . . I am in training – to rid persistent (chronic) pain and other unpleasant signals that began as Shingles last year.

***

**http://www.neuroplastix.com/**

Above graphics is from page 69 of Dr. Moskowitz’s and Dr. Golden’s workbook TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION.  The word “BLISS” is above the word “Anandamide“

Dr. Michael H. Moskowitz  and Dr. Marla D. Golden show us how Anandamide is synthesized and released at synapses – blocking inflammation, shutting off long term potentiation, reverting Microglia.  http://www.neuroplastix.com/

synapses = the spaces between cells where information (through release of chemicals/electrical signals) is passed. Brain has 100 billion nerve cells and 1000 trillion synapses. Every synapse is used to pass information around the brain and the body.

long term potentiation =  persistent strengthening of synapses based on recent patterns of activity

Microglia (on page 30 of workbook) = one of the three types of glial cells – unlike the nerve cells (called Neurons), glial cells do not conduct electrical signals. Microglia are located around blood vessels in the brain (Capillaries) in an inactive form, responding to foreign invaders by activating and changing shape to attack and destroy anything not recognized as belonging in the brain. They also use pinpoint releases of inflammatory chemicals to break old synapses to prepare for the formation of new ones.

[ Global Traveler/Adventurer and Certified Tour Director Sasa Southard will smile when she reads this – Anandamide is present in highest concentrations in chocolate, especially raw chocolate, where two other enzymes slow down its metabolic deactivation.]

Dr. Danielle Rosenman says:

“The brain changes itself constantly throughout our entire lives. All of our experience changes the brain.

• Everything that we experience, think, feel, believe, and learn changes the physical structure of the brain, the chemicals in the brain, and electricity in the brain.

• This ability of the brain to change is called neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity lets us learn through our entire lives.  The more often we repeat a task, the better we learn it. Repetition helps us learn things like reading, adding numbers, or playing a musical instrument. We often call this type of learning ‘practice’.“

Professor Lorimer Moseley says: “The mechanisms that cause us to change in a good way can also cause us to change in a way that makes our lives more difficult and more unpleasant….  Our brain produces pain.  Pain is our most sophisticated protective device. Your systems learn how to make pain….”

Dr. Moskowitz and Dr. Golden say: “The more sensation each part of your body has, the bigger the image of that body part in your brain (page 4 of workbook) … Shrink the pain map by flooding the brain using: …thoughts, images, senses, memories, soothing emotions, movement, beliefs. (page 13 of workbook) “ 

Thank you, Dr. Rosenman, for having  coached me.

My job is to interrupt pain and other unpleasant signals by using any of the seven modalities or a combination of them.

Dr. Rosenman adds: “Smile for yourself and talk out loud to your Brain.”

The techniques work – I no longer have to take analgesics when I feel a headache coming on or pain (out-of-nowhere kind of pain) in my knee.   I use soothing/confident touch. My BB just needs “feedback” from me – “I have not injured myself, there’s no need to ‘protect’ me by sending me unpleasant signals.” I place a hand on my forehead or a hand over my kneecap for a minute – voila!  BB stops sending pain signals.

I’ve come to appreciate talking to my own brain.  I need to practice and be good at it. After all, if BB has been working so hard  all my life, the least I can do is communicate back.

I need to master the techniques to interrupt the new persistent unpleasant sensations in Body;  since Beautiful Brain produces the sensations, I need to give BB “BLISS”.

Right now, BLISS is thinking about walking and gawking in Paris.

On January 11, 2019, in my blog post “We’ll Always Have Paris, Darling Friends,” says Teresa Jade LeYung, Part 2″  I  had written “I shall publish part 3 soon, not two years from now.” Today is February 19, 2021. It has been more than two years.

The photos in the remainder of this post help me remember those times; sending my thoughts to those pleasurable experiences helps me interrupt undesirable signals. As beloved actress Dame Angela Lansbury says in an interview at Studio 10 (Australia): “We live the memories of our lives.”

Thank you to my friends (and their friends) who made my times in Paris that much more memorable. To friends who had scheduled time to be with me last year and this year…but we had to cancel…   When pandemic is really over … we’ll walk and gawk! To friends and mentors who cannot travel, I shall bring back mementos.

I wish everyone and your BBs easy access to BLISS via thoughts, images, senses, memories, soothing emotions, movement, and beliefs.

À bientôt!

Thank you, kind strangers, who helped us captured moments. Boulevard Saint-Michel led us to Rue de la Huchette - aromas from hundreds of eateries! My BB remembers. Walking on cobble stones - author/photographer Margie Yee Webb, global adventurer Sasa Southard, and story-theme consultant Teresa Jade LeYung. Merci beaucoup, Sasa, for giving us a dream tour of City of Light in 2016.

Mere thought of smelling, seeing, savoring fresh bread in Paris brings BLISS

author/photographer Margie Yee Webb, her sister Anna, global traveler Sasa Southard, and story-theme consultant Teresa Jade LeYung -- admirers of The Iron Lady "la Tour Eiffel" (Paris 2017)

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**

author/journalist Scott James (aka Kemble Scott), author/photographer Margie Yee Webb, story-theme consultant/author Teresa Jade LeYung, global adventurer/author Sasa Southard, and, Margie's sister Anna! Avenue de la Republique, 75011 Paris

The Water Lily (les Nymphéas) Pond at Giverny, home village of beloved painter Claude Monet, in the town of Vernon, France

Liste des plantes et des fleurs du jardin de Claude Monet / List of plants and flowers of Claude Monet’s garden  http://giverny.org/gardens/fcm/planjard.htm

Joy is gawking at the architecture in Paris. That's Sasa at the balcony! I was on the street photographing and filming.

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Sasa Southard https://sasasouthard.com/ is a descendant of the Dumas of France. The Dumas Metro station is near Père Lachaise cemetery

Happiness is finding fabric and ribbons in Paris - photo of Teresa Jade LeYung by Sasa Southard

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To ride buses in Paris is to give my eyes pleasure

big windows and views of greenery is bliss

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Postcards sold in shops and at newsstands / kiosks (Presse) in Paris mesmerize me

Global Adventurer Sasa Southard https://sasasouthard.com/ is most fond of the 5th arrondissement and visiting the Panthéon - photo by Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung

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Developmental Editor / Book Doctor Vicki Weiland - Wish you were there!

Kathy et Nan let me filmed them walking on avenue Gabriel, Paris

Teresa Jade LeYung, Nan, Kathy at Opéra Garnier aka Palais Garnier, Paris. I learned "why" ballet performances start at 8pm.

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Global Adventurer Sasa Southard brimming with joy, having been to Institut de Français, Villefranche-sur-Mer

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**Teresa Jade LeYung in front of Bibliothèque historique de la Ville de Paris (BHVP), 24 rue Pavée, Paris 75004 (photo by Nan or Sasa)**

Olga Malyj treated us (her niece Nicole and Nicole’s husband, artist Cynthia Tom, and me) to evening tour on la Seine! Merci beaucoup, chère Olga!

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Seeing pink roses in Madame H's lovely flat is bliss. Merci beaucoup, Madame H! They remind me of my Number One Angel!

Thanks to LaH for wanting to visit le musée du Louvre, I got to see the remarkable painting by Eugène Delacroix, Le 28 Juillet: "La Liberté guidant le peuple". I treasure the memento in the form of a folder. Homelife in Madam H's lovely flat was bliss.

https://www.louvre.fr/en/mediaimages/eugene-delacroix-le-28-juillet-la-liberte-guidant-le-peuple-musee-du-louvre

Merci beaucoup, Sasa! for treating us (Sasa's brother and nephew and friends and Olga and me) to hear jazz singer Isabelle Seleskovitch! So many other experiences... Merci, Sasa!

Merci beaucoup, Madame Hamou, for letting us meet you! I wish you and everyone around you excellent health and bliss!

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Merci beaucoup, LaH et Sasa, for posing for me.

Merci beaucoup, LaH et Sharon, for posing in front of Ladurée, avenue des Champs Elysées

author and writing coach Mary E. Knippel http://yourwritingmentor.com/ near Pont Alexandre III - photo by theme consultant Teresa Jade LeYung, September 2019

Nan et Mary E. Knippel immensely enjoyed Berthe Marisot exhibition at le Musée d'Orsay. Merci, Sasa, for introducing me to this beloved artist!

Nan loves to visit le Musée d'Orsay - photo by theme consultant Teresa Jade LeYung

Paris !

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Margie Yee Webb, Sasa Southard, Teresa Jade LeYung at Nuit Blanche so happy to see Daniel Buren's installation with their own eyes (2019 Paris) - magical photo of magical moment by MYW!

Sasa et Margie at Pierre Hermé, 86 Av. des Champs-Élysées

Paris !

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artist MT and artist Chandra Garsson https://www.facebook.com/butterflybonesandhummingbirdsongs, I just know you would have loved experiencing Vincent van Gogh's paintings projected onto walls and floors at l'Atelier des Lumières Paris https://www.atelier-lumieres.com/en (unique art center presenting classic pieces in immersive music)

La Tour Eiffel, I dream of you!

Paris!

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Teresa Jade LeYung says: "Eating a sandwich in Paris is bliss." - photo by Mary E. Knippel

Mere thought of smelling, seeing, eating quiche in Paris brings BLISS

Cakes at Angelina

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Thank you, Chi Nei Tsang practitioner Marie-Christine Cornet, for showing me Espace des femmes Antoinette Fouque https://www.espace-des-femmes.fr/

Paroisse Saint-Ambroise in 11th arrondissement, photo_by_Teresa_Jade_LeYung 2019_Paris

Looking out Madame Puech's kitchen window is bliss.

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Postcards sold at newsstands / kiosks (Presse) or in shops mesmerize me

Parc Monceau, I dream of you!

Choosing postcards to send to friends is a joyful ritual when I am in Paris

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Mere thought of smelling, seeing, savoring croissant, pain au chocolat, brioche in Paris brings BLISS

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THE BOOKS:

CONSTRUCTIVE LIVING: Outgrow Shyness, Depression, Fear, Stress, Grief, Chronic Pain (by David K. Reynolds),

LOVING WHAT IS: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life (by Byron Katie and Stephen Mitchell),

THE FOUR AGREEMENTS: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom a Toltec Wisdom Book (by Don Miguel Ruiz), 

MY DREAMS: A Simple Guide to Dream Interpretation ( by Angie Choi )

THE BOOKS:

Dr. Michael Moskowitz‘s and Dr. Marla Golden‘s workbook  - TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION (also their webinars and brain graphics)

Dr. Danielle Rosenman‘s 10-page guide “Neuroplasticity: Change the Brain to Heal from Pain, Illness, Anxiety, and Depression”  https://www.medicalcounseling.net/

Dr. Norman Doidge’s first book – The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science (translated into 26 languages)

Dr. Norman Doidge’s second book – The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity (translated into 19 languages so far)

Dr. Victoria Sweet‘s 2 books -  SLOW MEDICINE The Way to Healing   and   GOD’S HOTEL: A Doctor, a Hospital, and a Pilgrimage to the Heart of Medicine 

Thank you to the healers and the people who led me to them, then and now:

Dr. Susan Thackrey! Thanks to my sister for finding my first healer for me!

All the caring physicians who have retired.

All the kindhearted mentors!!!

Loduskia “Dusky” Pierce, MFT  http://www.duskyswondersite.com/

Reiki Masters and authors Kim McMillon, Lakshmi Kerner, Martha Alderson; BrainGym teacher and memoirist Luisa Adams

Naomi Schaeffer Draper, M.S. Physical Therapist, for teaching me Feldenkrais techniques

Dr. Amy Grace Lam, vibrational energy healer http://amygracelam.com/

Artist and Curator Cynthia Tom’s program of transformation A PLACE OF HER OWN https://www.aplaceofherown.org/

Marie-Christine Cornet (now in France) Chi Nei Tsang and Somatic Experience practitioner http://www.mariechristinecornet.com/

Stephanie Doucette, M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. OM, is a California Licensed Acupuncturist and Clinical Herbalist http://stephaniedoucette.com/ 

Dr. Madele Limpahan

Dr. Danielle Rosenman‘s coaching  https://www.medicalcounseling.net

and all the other healers in my life who happen to be precious friends and relatives!

I wish everyone and your BBs easy access to BLISS via thoughts, images, senses, memories, soothing emotions, movement, and beliefs.

Thank you for reading “Story Continuity / Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says ‘Be kind to our beautiful brains.’”

For other posts related to our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity  in my blog  https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog …  If you look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”.  Please click on that category to get all my blog posts pertaining to the topic.

Thank you, MT et MYW, for masks; Starry Night mask by Dahlynn of WoodstockAndYarn

Love Made Of Heart ®

Teresa Jade LeYung, an American naturalized citizen of Chinese ancestry, is a story/theme consultant, author of LOVE MADE OF HEART (daughter-mother novel archived at the San Francisco History Center and used by college professors), BUILD YOUR WRITER’S PLATFORM & FANBASE IN 22 DAYS (a workbook), and TALKING TO MY DEAD MOM Monologues (the first monologue received an award from Redwood Writers Ten-Minute Play Festival), an alumna of artist Cynthia Tom’s A PLACE OF HER OWN, an advocate for public libraries and public schools, creator of http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/ , and, admirer of City of Light. Composing Haiku poems is a new love for LeYung.