The Mind-Body Connection: Its Impacts on Obesity

Abstract

This workshop is a hands-on, interactive experience supporting the research of Malkina-Pykh, I.G. (2012) and the works of authors Kelly, Michael, McCarthy, Patrick, and Milne, Hugh. Their works cover associations between the mind-body connection and the importance of integrating a holistic approach to reach optimal levels of fitness, thereby, impacting levels of obesity in individuals. Focus is placed on a health based movement practice within the scope of the client's abilities. The workshop will cover breathing techniques, beginning and simple movement, and the promotion of a positive and nonjudgmental support system. The methods will be taken from personal experience of teaching movement based practices since 2004 successfully with elementary to college aged students. The combination of the three allows for awareness of the human body and how truly interconnected it is. When we as people eat, we put food into the human body. When we breathe and move, we train the human body. When we connect with other like-minded people, we are connecting to other human bodies. Through this awareness, practice and connection students can start to have a sense of belonging and thereby impacting levels of obesity.