We are happy to introduce you to Janice Brunson, RYT-500, M.Ed, BLS

Inspired by her mother’s journey with Alzheimer’s, Janice was drawn to the Brain Longevity Therapy Training (BLTT) to find answers and help others. “The beginning of my mother’s cognitive decline was the result of a traumatic brain injury in her 30s. Talking to her about what she was experiencing and watching the painful progression of Alzheimer’s inspired me to learn more and help others,” Janice explained.

Through her BLTT training, Janice found “The most surprising thing for me has been that the knowledge and research about brain health and Alzheimer’s disease prevention has been out there for many years, yet not widely disseminated until very recently. Thankfully, more and more research is coming out now as our population ages.”

Since her Brain Longevity Specialist certification, Janice has brought this knowledge to her weekly yoga classes and to seniors at a Day Center in Costa Rica. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive; her students feel empowered when they realize they have more control over their brain health than they ever thought possible.

For Janice, the most powerful takeaway – and the most beneficial for her community – is that Alzheimer’s is largely preventable through lifestyle changes. “Another takeaway is that having a parent with Alzheimer’s does not mean that an individual will necessarily develop the disease. Genes are like light switches that can be flipped off and on through lifestyle choices and environmental factors.”

Now, Janice is focused on spreading this vital information and reinforcing the importance of social connection as a crucial part of brain longevity. 

“The recent research from the Office of the Surgeon General about the epidemic of loneliness and its health implications has reinforced the importance of social connection and the 4th Pillar of Alzheimer’s Prevention: Spiritual Fitness. I encourage people to reach out to each other and connect, for themselves and for others. This is one of the strengths of the Day Center where I teach in Costa Rica, as seniors travel many miles to spend the day together. The Day Center is a place of vitality due to the community there. Here in the US, I value the “chit chat” that occurs before and after a yoga class as being an important health aspect of participation. In the past, I valued social connections, but now realize more than ever that it is a vital component of brain longevity.”

Janice is on a mission to empower people to take charge of their brain health and live more vibrant, connected lives. ARPF is profoundly proud to see our graduates become beacons of hope, creating tangible change in the Brain Longevity and Alzheimer’s prevention landscape. It’s a joy to witness this critical knowledge reach communities worldwide, all thanks to the unwavering commitment of our Specialists, like Janice.

-For more information about becoming a certified Brain Longevity Specialist, please visit arpf.com.