I teach a slow, mindful yoga which helps to change your brain in ways that develop a greater capacit
03/03/2025
A recent study found that six 40-second sprints at max effort increased plasma BDNF by nearly 3 times MORE than 90 minutes of light exercise.
BDNF is your brain’s fertilizer—it drives neuroplasticity, sharpens memory, and protects against cognitive decline. It plays a critical role in mental health, mood regulation, and even metabolism.
Higher BDNF levels are linked to lower rates of depression, anxiety, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
The study also reveals that fasting for 20 hours does not impact exercise-induced BDNF levels, meaning you can maximize brain benefits whether you train fasted or fed.
So if you only have 6 minutes in your day, make them count—just a few bursts of high-intensity movement can rewire your brain, boost resilience, and protect long-term cognitive health.
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LumaLife Wellness is the name of my business which was developed after graduating from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in 2015. I knew from my early teens that natural health and healing would become a prominent part of my life’s work, but I got there a bit unconventionally!
Physical exercise and I have always had sort of a battle. I hated gym class and competitive sports! My body dreaded ...almost hated anything that was exhaustive or demanding. I tried meditation in the late 60’s - but had trouble quieting down my mind and gave up. I hit the gym in the late 70’s and did okay until a trainer got in my face with a “no pain, no gain” attitude and tried pushing me past my limits - I quit that! Then came the 80’s and I tried pilates and yoga - I was finally at home because it made my body feel so good! Pilates, Yoga, daily brisk walks and running after 6 kids kept me fit. Then came the 90’s and my 14 year battle with chronic illness began! Long story short...by age 53 I got back to yoga only to see that now I was that older lady at the back of the class with crummy knees, sore joints and foolishly struggling to keep up with younger students. So, I bought CD’s and did yoga in the comfort of my home. Still....I kept searching for a more doable way to practice yoga with my advancing arthritis and degenerative disc disease. I couldn’t find a class that fit my new needs - so I became a Yoga Instructor for my generation of baby boomers! I’ve gained more knowledge of the neuroscience behind the slow yoga movement, by completing several extra teacher training programs to understand and integrate these teachings into the classes I offer.
I will forever be grateful for my life experiences, my teachers, my family and friends that have stood beside me and believed in me . I’m grateful for the education that bloomed late in life when I was obviously the most READY, and the incredible pleasure of helping others through the offerings of Yoga and my Transformational Coaching Business LumaLife!
