Making History

As I’m sitting here writing this message to you, I am also preparing a presentation for the 2019 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC). I will be discussing how yoga and our Kirtan Kriya (KK) meditation improves brain, mood, and memory function. KK has been revealed to make your brain younger and sharper.

Once again, we are making history. There is more awareness and interest now than ever before in how lifestyle-based activities impact brain health and, in fact, are crucial to maintaining cognition, memory, mood, well-being and a good quality of life. Yoga and Kirtan Kriya are some of the most important techniques, besides the other components of The 4 Pillars of Alzheimer’s Prevention, which your ARPF has been advocating and studying for close to 25 years:

• Diet and Supplements • Physical and Mental Exercise • Spiritual Fitness™

What is particularly exciting about this upcoming presentation at AAIC is that the entire concept of Cognitive Reserve, or making your brain stronger, is being directed by none other than Yaacov Stern, PhD. Dr. Stern is a Professor of Neuropsychology and directs the Cognitive Neuroscience Division of the Department of Neurology at Columbia University, New York. He is another pioneer, having explored the concept of brain plasticity for many years. In fact, Dr. Stern was on the original ARPF Scientific Advisory Council many years ago. It’s great to reconnect with him as we’ve supported of each other’s work for a long time.

How does yoga and Kirtan Kriya improve Cognitive Reserve, you may ask? Based on our 15 years of research, we have shown that KK increases blood flow to important brain areas that influence memory. Beyond that, KK increases the connections between brain cells (neuroplasticity) and improves other key elements of a great functioning brain. We at ARPF feel so fortunate to be able to forge the way and make history together. To say we are pioneers is a big understatement. As you’ll see in this issue, there are many people supporting Alzheimer’s prevention research and educational programs. If you haven’t already, please consider donating in 2019. We need your help. Thank you.

–Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D. Founding President / Medical Director