The document discusses the importance of mental fitness and explores studies that show the healing effects of mental and spiritual focus. It provides examples of exercises and practices like yoga and subtle mind training that have been shown scientifically to improve health outcomes. In conclusion, the document argues that mental fitness is an integral part of overall well-being and regular mental fitness practices can increase relaxation, happiness, and decrease stress, anxiety, and depression.

1. HW420-01-JenniferCarmicha5
Jennifer Carmichael
Unit 5 Project

2.  Explore the importance of mental fitness
 Studies that demonstrate the healing
qualities of mental and spiritual focus
 Exercises
 Activities and Practices
 Summary

3. Some of the benefits include:
 Sustained health
 Strong immune system
functionality
 Increased relaxation &
happiness
 Decreased depression,
anxiety and stress

4. Proof in the Pudding
 Greer & Pettingale & colleagues studied breast cancer
patients and found that those who responded with a
“fighting spirit” (in the mindset that they could defeat the
disease) showed a recurrence-free survival rate 5, 10, and
15 year follow ups than those who felt “helpless” (Schlitz,
Amorok, Micozzi 2005, p. 83)
 Braud and colleagues conducted experiments in which
“senders” used imagery and intent to exert direct mental
influence upon the objective psychological activity of the
“receiver” to which they concluded that ones physiology
could be affected (Schlitz, Amorok, Micozzi 2005, p. 270).
 Byrd, a cardiologist conducted an experiment with
intercessory prayer on heart patients to discover that
people that are prayed for have an increase in their heart
health and a decrease in the need for drugs. They also
demonstrated lower incidence of pulmonary edema and
required cardiopulmonary resuscitation less often (Schlitz,
Amorok, Micozzi 2005, p. 317)

5. SVABAHVA: THE BELIEF THAT SVADHARMA: THE BELIEF THAT
EACH INDIVIDUAL HUMAN BEING THERE IS A UNIQUE PATH OF
IS THE RESULT OF A UNIQUE SET DEVELOPMENT, GROWTH AND
OF QUALITIES AND UNFOLDMENT FOR EACH
CHARACTERISTICS THAT ARE NOT INDIVIDUAL THAT MUST BE
REPLICABLE IN THEIR EXACT UNDERSTOOD IN TERMS OF THAT
CONFIGURATION PERSON’S UNIQUE SVABHAVA.
Photo courtesy of
Photo courtesy of http://explow.com/Svabhava
http://www.mmedia.is/odsmal/fyrirlestur05/21OVVNjordurOHL
21/21OVVNjordOHL.html

6.  The translation of yoga is literally “to yoke” the mind, body, and
spirit
 The asanas, or poses, are the physical part of yoga
 It is important to breath continuously while going in and out of
the asanas as holding the breath causes stress and sometimes
panic which is counterproductive to the exercise
 After much practice yoga becomes like any other exercise
routine, often times repetitive and mindless allowing the
connection between the mind, body and spirit to become one
Photo courtesy of http://ultimatebridalmag.com/600/from-bridezilla-to-yogic-bride-5-yoga-poses-for-a-clearer-mind-and-
leaner-body-2/

7. There is a direct relationship between the breath and the mind. Through practice
your breathing will become easy and rhythmic by which your mind will follow.
Peaceful breathing equals peaceful mind. The use of the breath will allow the
mind to be tamed and stabilized and this leads us into the witnessing mind,
replacing grasping and clinging with calm- abiding. The final step of the subtle
mind practice is unity consciousness, where inner self becomes awake and a
witness to all things of our being (Dacher 2006, pp. 74-75). The link on the
following slide is an audio instruction on the subtle mind practice (Retrieved
October 22, 2012 from Kaplan University doc sharing).

8. Subtle Mind
Practice.mp3

9.  Mental fitness is an important part of
integral health.
 Mental fitness practices have been
scientifically proven to improve physical
and physiological health.
 The practice of yoga and the subtle mind
are just 2 exercises that can increase our
well being.
 There are long term physical effects and
benefits of being mentally “fit”.

10. Dacher, Elliot S. (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna
Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.
Personal Experience and Exercise (2009-present).
Retrieved October 22, 2012 from, Kaplan University doc sharing.
Schlitz, M., Amorok, Tina, and Micozzi, Mark (2005). Consciousness & Healing: Integral
Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Photographs
Retrieved October 22, 2012 from, http://explow.com/Svabhava
Retrieved October 22, 2012 from,
http://www.mmedia.is/odsmal/fyrirlestur05/21OVVNjordurOHL21/21OVVNjordOHL
.html