The 21 Best Meditation Podcasts to Listen to in 2020

The 21 Best Meditation Podcasts to Listen to in 2020 Technology Print The 21 Best Meditation Podcasts to Listen to in 2020 By Sara Lindberg Sara Lindberg, M.Ed., is a freelance writer focusing on mental health, fitness, nutrition, and parenting.   Learn about our editorial policy Sara Lindberg Reviewed by Reviewed by Sara Clark on February 03, 2020 facebook Sara Clark is an EYT 500-hour certified Vinyasa yoga and mindfulness teacher, lululemon Global Yoga Ambassador, model, and writer. Learn about our Wellness Board Sara Clark Updated on February 12, 2020 Hoxton / Getty Images More in Self-Improvement Technology Happiness Meditation Stress Management Spirituality Holistic Health Inspiration Brain Health Relationships View All In This Article Table of Contents Expand For Beginners   For Committing to a Practice For Those Unsure About Meditation For Busy People For Kids For Sleep For Relieving Stress For Your Yoga Practice For Anxiety and Depression For Health and Wellness For Health and Wellness View All Back To Top When life gets chaotic, finding time to sit down, let alone meditate, may seem unrealistic. The good news? You don’t need hours or even much experience to benefit from a daily practice of meditation. Being able to bring awareness to your breath and refocus your attention on the present moment can help you manage stress, reduce anxiety, and feel more energized. These podcasts are filled with guided meditations, inspirational quotes, and expert interviews on topics related to yoga, health, stress, sleep, and so much more. Whatever your needs are, there is something for everyone in these top picks.   For Beginners   When you’re new to meditation, it can be overwhelming to choose from the countless experts and various techniques. The good news? If you start with these podcasts, you will get a solid foundation and learn the ins and outs of how to incorporate meditation into your daily routine. The OneMind Podcast If you’re ready to bring peace and mindfulness into your work, play, home, and relationships, then following yoga teacher, meditation guru, and host of The OneMind Podcast, Morgan Dix, could be just what you need. Through Dix’s warm and welcoming styles, beginners feel at ease to explore different ways to apply mindfulness and meditation to their day.   The Mindful Minute Podcast Trying mediation for the first time can be intimidating, especially if you have no idea what to do. Fortunately, there are teachers like Meryl Arnett of The Mindful Minute podcast, that take you through simple and concise guided meditations that allow you to get out of your own head (and your own way) while learning how to live in the moment. For Committing to a Practice If you’re ready to take your practice to the next level, these podcasts are a great place to start. With wisdom and guidance to help improve your physical wellbeing as well as your emotional health, you’ll feel inspired to expand your meditation journey.   Tara Brach Podcast Tara Brach combines her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with years of meditation practice to empower listeners to go deeper into their own practice through talks and guided meditations that blend Western psychology and Eastern spiritual practices. Each episode of her podcast helps listeners discover how self-compassion can relieving emotional suffering.   I Should Be Meditating  Podcast If you’ve ever thought to yourself: “I Should Be Meditating,” then this podcast is for you. Adopting a daily practice of meditation takes passion and commitment, something that Alan Kilma, the host of I Should Be Meditating knows all too well. Based on decades of experience, his talks and guided meditations can help you learn new tips and approaches to being present in life while moving towards a deeper understanding of your own meditation journey.   For Those Who Aren’t Sure About Meditation Does the thought of becoming more aware of your breath while being present send your skepticism into overdrive? If you answered “yes,” don’t worry, you’re not alone. But before you cross meditation off your “to-do” list, consider giving one of these podcasts a try. Who knows, you might be surprised by your ability to focus your attention and achieve a heightened state of awareness.   Ten Percent Happier Podcast Dan Harris, a veteran news reporter, breaks down the science of meditation in his podcast, Ten Percent Happier. Prior to making meditation part of his daily routine, Harris was skeptical about the importance of mindfulness and meditation. But after having a panic attack on live TV, he realized something needed to change, and now he is a believer. He shares his story, along with the science and benefits of meditation from experts on his weekly show.   Untangle Podcast Wondering how meditation can fit into your life? Check out Untangle, a podcast from the app, Meditation Studio. Each week, you will hear from real people and experts like psychologists, MD’s, and neuroscientists about the benefits of mindfulness meditation and how it can change your life.   For Busy People Finding peace and calm in the chaos of life can be a real challenge. And when your days are packed full of work, school, kids, social obligations, commutes, and so much more, finding time to breathe and decompress can feel like one more item on your “to-do list.” Fortunately, these podcasts offer short and simple guided meditations you can squeeze into your busy life.   The Daily Meditation Podcast We all have 8-minutes to spare, so why not use that time to start your day out right with a daily guided meditation. The Daily Meditation Podcast, hosted by meditation teacher Mary Meckley, guides listeners through a daily meditation that focuses on different styles and techniques to help you manage stress, sleep better, gain focus, and find clarity.   Meditation Station Podcast When you have less than 15-minutes to relax, breathe, and go deep into meditation, you need short exercises to get the job done. Meditation Station, with Stin Hansen covers everything from forgiveness and pain management to panic attacks, anger management, and personal responsibility.   For People of Color Dealing with the effects of racism and other issues that are unique to people of color can have a serious impact on health and wellness. Fortunately, there are resources available specifically created for the POC community where people can feel safe, valued, and heard. Liberate App The Liberate app was created by software engineer Julio Rivera to offer support and empowerment to people of color. The apps website states that it is the only app created by and specifically for black, indigenous, and people of color. The app offers talks and chats that address issues such as racism, microaggressions, and coping with difficult people. Users of the free app can also select meditation practices that range from five to 20-minute sessions. For Kids Yes, even kids can benefit from a daily practice of meditation. And with podcasts made just for their age and interests, sitting down for a mindfulness break will be something they look forward to each and every day.   Peace Out Podcast Kids learn best through storytelling, and that’s exactly what the Peace Out podcast does best. Each podcast features a short story that guides kids through breathing and visualization exercises. Use it at bedtime to help your child wind-down before sleep or as a way to help them find calm during the day. Be Calm on Ahway Island Bedtime Stories Podcast Teaching kids self-regulation skills can help them feel calm and confident when faced with stressful situations. Be Calm on Ahway Island Bedtime Stories podcast uses stories and guided meditation to share tips and techniques to help kids de-stress, relax, and find peace throughout their day.   For Sleep Sleep. It’s something we all need, yet most of us don’t get enough of it. If you struggle to wind-down at bedtime, tuning in to a sleep-focussed guided meditation podcast might be the answer to your restless nights.   Guided Sleep Meditations Tracks to Relax Podcast If you drift off to sleep within minutes of your head hitting the pillow, then consider yourself lucky. But if you struggle to turn off your thoughts at night, you may want to download the Guided Sleep Meditations Tracks to Relax Podcast. Each episode includes a soothing sleep meditation that lasts an average of 20-minutes.   Sleep Whispers Podcast The Sleep Whispers podcast features weekly, 30 to 40-minute episodes designed to help listeners get more ZZZ’s. Fall asleep each night listening to whispered readings that include soothing meditations, interesting stories, and tranquil poems designed to help you relax, find calm, and enjoy a peaceful night of sleep.   For Relieving Stress We all experience stress at some point during the day. And regardless of the intensity, finding ways to cope with the fallout can help you remain calm and confident. These meditation podcasts can provide you with a healthy dose of rest, relief, and relaxation when you need it the most.   Meditation Oasis Podcast Your ability to process information and think clearly is often the first sign that you’re dealing with stress. With guided meditations from Meditation Oasis, all you have to do is tune in, and let the host do the rest. Each episode is short enough to fit into a busy day and they also come with instructions for meditations you can do on your own. The Mindfulness Meditation Podcast The Mindfulness Meditation podcast from the Rubin Museum of Art takes listeners on a mindfulness journey that uses art to teach about relaxation, spirituality, health, and healing. Each week, the museum invites a prominent meditation teacher to join them for a focused talk and a guided meditation centered around a specific piece of art.   For Your Yoga Practice Whether you’re an experienced yogi or just starting on your yoga journey, bringing more awareness to yourself through mindfulness meditation can help you develop a deeper relationship with your practice. These podcasts provide you with a way to engage in mindfulness meditation while still fine-tuning your yoga skills.   Roaming Yogis Meditation Podcast If you can find 15-minutes during the day, host and yoga teacher Natalie Perez can help you be your best self and live your best life with her Roaming Yogi Meditations Podcast. With topics ranging from meditation for patience to intention-setting and self-confidence, there is an episode for everyone.   Yoga by Nature Podcast On those days when stress is high and getting to your favorite yoga class is just not happening, consider downloading an episode from the Yoga by Nature Podcast. The classes range from 10 to 90 minutes in length and host, Morven Hamilton combines mindfulness meditation with various yoga practices.   For Anxiety and Depression Anxiety and depression are the two most common mental health conditions in the United States, with anxiety impacting more than 40 million adults each year. When the stress of the day boils over, it can be challenging to manage the symptoms associated with anxiety or depression. Listening to a podcast is one tool you can use to help find some calm and peace in your day. Meditation Minis Podcast Adding more to your plate can increase anxiety and feelings of depression. That’s why the guided meditations from Meditation Minis Podcast are so popular. In 10 minutes or less, host Cher Hamilton will help you find new ways to calm your anxiety, overcome negative thinking, reduce stress, and feel calmer. Happy Mind Podcast When you need a quick mental break during the day, the Happy Mind Guided Meditations podcast might be the answer. Each episode provides listeners with a variety of meditations that can help you feel more energetic, mentally sharp, mindful, and happy. And the best part? They are appropriate for anyone from beginner to advanced levels.   For Health and Wellness The road to better health doesn’t have to involve major changes to your lifestyle. Making minor modifications, such as following the guided meditations on these health and wellness podcasts, can help boost your wellbeing and improve the quality of your life.   Meditation for Fitness Peeps Finding time for fitness, let alone meditation can be challenging. That said, the Meditation for Fitness Peeps podcast makes it easy to get a dose of health along with some time to reflect. With a quick and simple structure and short meditation, each episode covers a topic related to fitness including yoga, Barre, Running, and more.   Hay House Meditations Self-care and acceptance is a key theme throughout the guided meditations on the Hay House Meditations podcast. Each week they cover a variety of wellness topics designed to teach you how to take care of your health, heal your body, and overcome fears. With a wide range of topics and featured authors, this podcast is an excellent choice for anyone looking for general health and wellness meditations. 20 Best Self-Help Podcasts to Listen to in 2020

The Emotional Link Of Attachment - 1661 Words

Introduction Attachment is one of the developmental milestones that begins during conception and remains throughout one’s life. It is defined as the â€Å"strong affectionate tie we have for special people in our lives that lead us to experience pleasure and joy when we interact with them and to be comforted by their nearness in times of stress† (Berk, 2011, p. 264). When an individual meets the child’s needs, an attachment begins to form. The primary caregiver, preferably the mother, is considered to be the initial secure base for the child. The emotional connection infants have towards their mother is what theorist Sigmund Freud believes to be the â€Å"foundation for all alter relationships† (as cited in Berk, 2011, p. 264). However, by the second half of the first year, infants begin to develop attachments towards anyone who responds to their needs. The work of psychologists Mary Ainsworth and John Bowlby embarks on deeper insight into the evolution of attachment in early childhood. Bowlby developed four phases of attachment beginning at birth: pre-attachment, attachment in the making, clear-cut attachment and the formation of a reciprocal relationship. Throughout the first three phases, nonverbal cues such as facial expressions and eye contact occur. By the final phase, infants’ language and cognitive development grow. They begin to understand separation from their primary attachment. Ainsworth created the Strange Situation test to investigate the attachment behaviors found inShow MoreRelatedInfluence Of The Early Bonds Created By Parents And Their Children914 Words   |  4 Pagesand their children. These theories on attachment have demonstrated the effect of attachment with social and emotional development and its direct relationship with future behavioral issues. Numerous studies have shown the existing links betwe en early security and insecurity in the early relationships formed by the child, and future outcomes in his teenage and adult behaviors. Nonetheless, most of these studies have not considered the effects of early attachment between the child and the individualRead MoreA Basic Principle Of Attachment Theory Essay1585 Words   |  7 Pagescontinues throughout a child s development soon after a child is born, an attachment begins. This attachment begins with imprinting which some call the sensitive period. During this time the child will become attached to the first caregiver seen (usually the mother) and look to it for any sort of comfort. This was discovered through Bowlby s experiment with ducks in the 1970 s, Bowlby defined attachment theory as â€Å"Attachment theory conceptualizes the propensity of human beings to make strong affectionalRead MoreAn Attachment For Successful Emotional And Social Development Essay1089 Words   |  5 Pages Attachment is a strong emotional connection between two people, often a bond between a child and caregiver. 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There are various factors that affectRead MoreOutline and Evaluate One Theory of Attachment920 Words   |  4 Pagestheory of attachment (12 marks) Bowlby’s theory is an evolutionary theory because, in his view attachment is a behavioural system that has evolved because of its survival value and, ultimately, its reproductive value. According to Bowlby, children have an innate drive to become attached to a caregiver because attachment has long-term benefits. Both attachment and imprinting ensure that a young animal stays close to a caregiver who will feed and protect the young animal. Thus attachment and imprintingRead MoreDevelopmental Psychology: Attachment Essay1488 Words   |  6 Pages Attachment is the formation of a two-way emotional bond between a child and an adult caregiver. It is an important part of developmental psychology, which is concerned with reasons and causes for human behaviour, addressing both nurture and nature aspects of childrearing. John Bowlby (1907-1990) is a key psychologist involved in the studies and theories concerning attachment. He summarised his point and the reason for attachment as follows: Based on the above, this essay intends to focusRead MoreSecure Attachment Relationship Between Young Children And Their Families898 Words   |  4 PagesSecure Attachment Relationship The mother is usually the first and primary object of attachment for an infant, but in many cultures, babies become just as attached to their fathers, siblings, and grandparents. When infants are attached to their caregivers, they gain a secure base from which babies can explore their environment and a haven of safety to return to when they are afraid. Attachment begins with physical touching and cuddling between infant and parent. Some babies become secure or insecure

Psychotherapies - 605 Words

Psychotherapies Krystle A McClurg BEH/225 09/11/2015 MELODIE MILLER Psychotherapies Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a way to treat people with a mental disorder by helping them understand their illness. It teaches people strategies and gives them tools to deal with stress and unhealthy thoughts and behaviors. Psychotherapy helps patients manage their symptoms better and function at their best in everyday life. Sometimes psychotherapy alone may be the best treatment for a person, depending on the illness and its severity. Other times, psychotherapy is combined with medications. Therapists work with an individual or families to devise an appropriate treatment plan. (Psychotherapies, n.d.) Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)†¦show more content†¦It has primarily been utilized as a short-term (approximately 16 week) therapy, but has also been modified for use as a maintenance therapy for patients with recurrent depression. (Interpersonal psychotherapy, 2015) Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) treatment is a cognitive-behavioral approach that emphasizes the psychosocial aspects of treatment. The theory behind the approach is that some people are prone to react in a more intense and out-of-the-ordinary manner toward certain emotional situations, primarily those found in romantic, family and friend relationships. DBT theory suggests that some people’s arousal levels in such situations can increase far more quickly than the average person’s, attain a higher level of emotional stimulation, and take a significant amount of time to return to baseline arousal levels. (Staff, 2013) People who are sometimes diagnosed with borderline personality disorder experience extreme swings in their emotions, see the world in black-and-white shades, and seem to always be jumping from one crisis to another. Because few people understand such reactions — most of all their own family and a childhood that emphasized invalidation — they don’t have any methods for coping with these sudden, intenseShow MoreRelated Psychotherapy Essay1023 Words   |  5 PagesMy preferred theoretical orientation is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The main assumption of CBT is that events and situations in life do not cause emotional problems (e.g., guilt or depression); rather problems are a by-product irrational beliefs and perceptions about the situations (Corey, 2009). The goals of CBT focus on correcting the client’s automatic and self-defeating thoughts, which should ultimately help them to develop a more adaptive philosophy of life (Corey, 2009). CBT focusesRead More Art of Psychotherapy Essay1286 Words   |  6 PagesI believe that the art of psychotherapy is more important than empirically validated treatments (EVT). I feel that the art of psychotherapy lies in the common factors, which include the therapeutic relationship, client and therapist factors (e.g., personality), helping clients deal with problem s, and hope or expectancy factors (Reisner, 2005). Although I do believe that empirically validated treatments may enhance the therapeutic process, the treatments themselves are by no means the most importantRead MoreIs Psychotherapy Based On Science?873 Words   |  4 Pages Is psychotherapy based on science? Is psychotherapy a science? What is psychotherapy? In psychotherapies, a trained therapist uses psychological techniques to assist someone seeking to overcome difficulties or achieve personal growth. (Book)There are at least 500 different types of psychotherapies. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-all-psychotherapies-created-equal/ Being that there are so many, researchers often focus on the most frequently used approaches. These approaches are psychodynamicRead MorePsychotherapy for Mental Health906 Words   |  4 PagesAccording to Medical News Today, psychotherapy is a series of techniques for treating mental health, emotional and some psychiatric disorders (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156433.php). This website also says that is helps people understand what makes them happy or anxious and find their strong and weak points. There are various types of psychotherapy treatment such as cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. However there is a rising quest ion whether it is effective or not. Is talkingRead More Psychotherapy Essay examples998 Words   |  4 PagesI believe that the art of psychotherapy is more important than the use of empirically validated treatments (EVT). I feel that the art of psychotherapy exists through the use of the common factors, which include the therapeutic relationship, client and therapist factors (e.g., personality), helping clients deal with problems, and hope or expectancy factors (Reisner, 2005). Although I do believe that empirically validated treatments may enhance the therapeutic process, the treatments themselves areRead MoreThe Ethical Concerns Of Psychotherapy1229 Words   |  5 Pages The Research of Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is an interactive process between two individuals or more for the purpose of the improvement or the relief of the suffer of the person from compulsion, troublesome behavior, depression, etc. The process has to be done by using the therapeutic methods which logically relevant to the case under the regulations by laws and the profession. The therapist required for psychotherapy is proficient in both the theories of formation of personality and the techniquesRead More Adlerian Psychotherapy Essay2528 Words   |  11 Pages Understand, interpret, direct. This statement is an oversimplification of sorts, but defines the essence of Adlerian psychotherapy. From this minimal overview of Adlerian theory, we can begin to elaborate and explore the intricacies of individual psychology. Adlerians are concerned with understanding the unique and private beliefs and strategies of the individual (private logic and mistaken notions) that we create in childhood, and which serve as a ref erence for attitudes, private views of selfRead More Psychotherapy Essay946 Words   |  4 PagesMy preferred theoretical orientation is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The main assumption of CBT is that events and situations in life do not cause emotional problems (e.g., guilt or depression); rather problems are due to irrational beliefs and perceptions about the situations (Corey, 2009). The goals of CBT focus on correcting the client’s automatic and self-defeating thoughts, which should ultimately help them to develop a more adaptive philosophy of life (Corey, 2009). I like that thisRead MorePsychotherapies for a Victim of Child Abuse662 Words   |  3 Pagesresulting in a near death experience, that sent her on a journey to recovery. There are several different psychotherapies that she could look into in order to get the assistance she needs such as: psychodynamic, client-centered, counterconditioning, or cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. Each therapy is unique in their own way and potentially suitable for Annabel. Psychodynamic psychotherapy is a form of therapy that focuses primarily on revealing the unconscious content of the client. The therapistRead MoreThe Korean-American Goldilocks of Psychotherapy 1146 Words   |  5 Pagessuch as psychotherapy. This response broadly reflects two of the predominant reasons why Korean-Americans largely oppose the notion of Western psychotherapy. For one, there is the widespread opinion among the Korean-American population that the psychotherapist or mental health specialist conceives of the problems and solutions using a framework that differs from the cultural beliefs held by Korean-Americans (Kim Ryu, 2005). Korean-Americans are inclined to believe that Western psychotherapy cannot

Planning Healthy and Safe Environments Free Essays

The main factors to take into account when planning healthy and safe indoor and outdoor environments are; †¢Risk assessment; a risk assessment is a process that identifies and assesses the importance of risk in a situation and then assesses the measures that control it. A risk assessment should be undertaken before a planned outdoor learning experience, and the main findings recorded. †¢Contact details; you should always make sure that you have up to date emergency contact numbers, for all staff and children attending the outdoor excursion. We will write a custom essay sample on Planning Healthy and Safe Environments or any similar topic only for you Order Now Medical; you should always make sure that any medical requirements are set in place, for example, inhalers, sickness tablets etc†¦ Also take with you the first aid kit. †¢The age of children being taken off premises should be noted as the ratio of adult:child differs on age, for example more adults will be needed per child at 4/5 years than 10/11 year old. If it an indoor environment then you need to take into account; †¢The size of room for the amount of children to work safely in. †¢Whether or not it is a safe environment for any disability i. e wheel chair, walker etc. †¢If it is a kitchen, set out rules for children, such as utensil use, near cooker when lit, what happens if emergency etc. General behaviour when near hot appliances. Monitoring and maintaining health and safety makes others in school aware of risks, hazards and safe working. Health and safety are monitored and maintained by doing daily health checks, updating children files and checking materials for currency. Parents and teachers having open Communication, and parents informing teachers of children medical conditions and updates and exposures. The use of sign in badges for visitors are used also anybody working in a school environment has to have a C. R. B check before entering. There is also a Health and Safety policy which is followed and regularly updated. Also there is a use of caution signs to let others know of spillage, danger to health etc. How to cite Planning Healthy and Safe Environments, Papers

Roles of Women in Myth and Society free essay sample

Throughout history men have always been shown to be the dominate force in any one culture and are always the ones being praised for their great actions and accomplishments, but what we do not see is that women also played key roles in making a society function. In many cultures women were to stay at home, cook dinner, tend to the farms, etc. while the men went off to fight in wars or raid other villages.The men were the front of many cultures and are usually what we see and study, but in almost every culture women are the backbone that keeps the culture from falling apart and they ultimately keep it functioning. Without women, men would not have a clean place to sleep, food to eat, or someone to look after their children when they were away. Though every culture has their own way of viewing and treating women, it cannot be denied that women served a key role in keeping that culture from crumbling and falling apart. We will write a custom essay sample on Roles of Women in Myth and Society or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Many myths from cultures were based around the great warriors and the great tasks they achieved, but in many of those myths women lend a helping hand in getting the task done but get no recognition for it. Myths are an excellent way to learn about a cultures society and what they were like, almost every myth involves at least one woman and she usually is always helping the men out to achieve what they set out to accomplish. Women play a key role in every culture, whether it be their culture or their cultures myths, and are the backbone to why that society functioned.Without a doubt women are the key to a successful and functioning society, without women society would not be here today. The first culture that I will be looking at is the Chinese, they thought that women should be subservient to their husbands and do whatever they were told. Women were so low that their husbands could even kill them if they did not want to be with them anymore and if they got a divorce it was the woman who got looked down upon for it, not the man.What many people don’t know is the key role that women played behind the scenes in China, they took care of orchards, spinning, weaving, embroidery, periodic farm work, sharpening and drilling needles, made cloths, and gathered tea-plant leaves. The behind the scenes work that women did was very important for the culture to even be able to function, without them there woul d be no food, clothes, home, weapons, etc.Even though women are low class within the society itself, some of the myths that are told show women as a strong force that dominates over man. Concubine is a prime example of women being powerful in ancient China because it is told that she would have any order that she gave fulfilled because she had such beauty and charm, which she used to gain political and economic power. One woman in Chinese myth that plays a huge role is Hua Mulan.Mulan is a disney movie and they modernized the story quite a bit, even though it is an entertaining movie it is not the real story, the real Mulan was a skilled warrior and that had many different weapons that she would practice daily. There is some truth to movie that links it to the myth, Mulan did choose to enlist in her fathers army by pure will, she was a skilled warrior and gained 12 ranks over the 12 years that she battled. Another huge figure in Chinese mythology was Nuba, her proper name is Ba.Nuba is an important Chinese goddess because she is the goddess of drought, one of the only stories that involves Ba is with her father while he was battling Chi You, but Chi You played dirty and summoned a wind and rain god, Feng Bo and Yu Shi, so Ba was brought down to cause a drought so that the wind and rain would no longer work. She is a very strong female figure in Ancient Chinese culture, she was often associated with being a demon because after descending from Heaven to aid Huangdi at Zhoulu, she just walked the earth and caused a drought wherever she would walk. Even though women in the society may be looked down upon and treated badly, they hold the foundation together and keep the society moving and play the biggest key role in why China is still here today. Women may not be the strongest in the society of Ancient China, but the women goddesses and warriors told about in myths are feared because of the things that they can do and how strong women can actually be. In Native American culture women have a very strong role, they are viewed as equals to the men and in some tribes they are even treated greater than men.Women played a key role in the society but they also played a key role in the myths of the tribes and people. Within the society women were mothers, builders, farmers, warriors, and craftswomen, if the women wanted to survive in the tribe they had to show that they were just as strong as the men were. The most important task that the women had was that they were gatherers, they would gather stuff to build homes then build the home s. Women provided the structure and many of those comfort things that we as humans need to survive. Also they crafted tools and weapons out of animal bone which were essential for the tribe to even survive and defend against attacking tribes or animals. In most Native American tribes there was a medicine man who was believed to be able to heal you if you were sick, but not many people know that there were also medicine women who were said to have had greater powers and better healing ability. But women did not only show a predominant role in the society, they also played a key part in the myths that were told by their tribes.In many other cultures women were bossed around and never really did much in myths besides be associated with death or despair, like Nuba in Chinese mythology or Demeter in Greek mythology, but in Native American mythology women stand up and argue, they go on journeys, find special items, give special gifts to people in need, and even give aid to the heros who otherwise could not complete their impossible task. Sedena is a good example in myth of how strong the Native Americans thought women were.Sedna is the sea goddess of the Arctic tribe, she was said to be the most beautiful woman in the world, but one day the King of the Birds tricked her and throws her into a giant nest. After a while her father tries to come and rescue her but it’s no use he is attacked by birds, cowards out of saving her, and throws her into the water. When her father throws her into the water she tries to hang onto his canoe but he chops her fingers off and this is how she becomes goddess of the sea.They believe this is true because the sea seems fickel, like a woman is sometimes viewed, but it is very generous and if you’re kind to it, it’ll be kind to you. Whope is another Native American goddess who had a key role in the Native American mythology and culture. Whope is said to be the daughter of Sun Wi and Moon, one day when she visited earth she ran into the Dakota indians (Sioux).After running into the Sioux tribe she gave them a pipe to resemble peace and that she meant no harm, this is how the peace pipe was brought about in their tribe. The Lakota tribe later named her as their White Buffalo Calf Woman. Every tribe has their own goddesses and gods and their own way of living, but even though they are different many of their myths are the same or relatively the same and almost all the tribes treat their women with respect. Women played a huge role in Native American cultures and their myths. Inca, Mayan, and Aztec women all have very similar roles because they are all so close in proximity to each other. Inca women were viewed as a very valuable source within the society and they needed the women to help them carry out political, religious, and economic responsibilities. Women within the society were equal to men but they were subordinate to men that had a lot of power within the society.

Riluzole in the treatment of Lou Gehrig’s disease The WritePass Journal

Riluzole in the treatment of Lou Gehrig’s disease Introduction Riluzole in the treatment of Lou Gehrig’s disease IntroductionReferencesRelated Introduction Lou Gehrigs disease is often referred to as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), this is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons come from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the entire body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS would eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is also lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, for this reason patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed (Choi, 1988). ALS is led to mean no muscle nourishment. When a muscle has no nourishment, it atrophies or wastes away hence the name. In addition to this, lateral shows the areas in a persons spinal cord where part of the nerve cells that signal and control the muscles are located. As this area degenerates, it leads to scarring or hardening (sclerosis) in this particular region. As motor neurons degenerate, this obviously means they can no longer send impulses to the muscle fibers that otherwise normally result in muscle movement. Early symptoms of ALS often include increasing muscle weakness, especially involving the arms and legs, speech, swallowing or breathing. When muscles no longer receive the messages from the motor neurons that they require to function, the muscles begin to atrophy (become smaller). Limbs begin to look thinner as muscle tissue atrophies (Choi, 1988). Neurodegeneration is used mainly for diseases that are characterised by progressive loss of structure and function of neurons. There are many neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis that occurs as a result of neurodegenerative processes in selective areas. Several molecular studies have been designed both in animal models and in humans to determine the physiopathology of the disease in order to develop new approaches for neurodegeneration. ALS is a neurological disease of unknown origin which is characterised by a selective degeneration and death of upper and lower motor neurons this progresses to paralysis and death over a period of time. ALS diagnosis is based on the El Escorial criteria carried out on mainly clinical and electrophysiological findings in four body regions. Also around 95% of ALS patients are sporadic whereas 5% are familial. In this particular group approximately 15% are caused by mutations in the SOD one gene that codes for the CuZn superoxide dismutase-1 (Bensimon, 1994). This is an enzyme that catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide to molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. The symptoms and pathology of familial ALS patients with SOD1 mutations resemble those of patients with sporadic ALS. This suggests there are common mechanisms of neuron degeneration in both forms of the diseases. Several potential mechanisms of motor neuron degeneration in ALS have been projected. These include the involvement of environmental and genetic factors, autoimmune phenoma, increased oxidative stress, glutamate toxicity, viral infections, mitochondrial dysfunction and cytoskeletal abnormalities. This means that each mechanism involvedin the pathogenesis of ALS may represent a possible thjerapeutic approach to counteract neurodegeneration. Glutamate is the primary excitatory neuro transmitter in the central nervous system which acts at both iono-tropic and metabotropic receptors, the primary ionotropic receptor classes being N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) and (AMPA)/kainite. Extracellular glutamate levels are regulated by transporters, they have different transporter classes on neurons and on astrocytes, however most of the glutamate uptake appears to be mediated astrocytes. Excessive glutamate exposure is toxic to neurons which is most likely that is results from glutamate triggeredCa2+ entering the neurons. Also inhibitors of glutamate uptake can cause selective motor neuron damage in organotypic slice and in dissociated spinal cord culture models. This suggests that the increased extracellular glutamate concentration could add to motor neuron damage in ALS. Furthermore, observations of deficient glutamate transport capacity in affected regions of spinal cord and motor cortex show a likely reason for the rises in ex tracellular glutamate concentration. The only drug proven to slow the process of human ALS is the anti-excitotoxic compound Riluzole, which is an anti-convulsant and a neuro-protective agent and specifically blocks sodium channels in their inactivated states. This inhibits the release of glutamate by inactivating voltage dependent Na+ channels that are on the glutamatergic nerve terminals as well as activating a G-protein dependant signal transduction process, this slows down disease progression and in turn increases the patient’s survival rate. In addition to this Riluzole can also block some of the postsynaptic effects of glutamate, this is done by non-competitive inhibition at NMDA and AMPA receptors. For this reason a non competitive modulator of AMPA glutamate receptors has been used in clinical trials in ALS patients (Barbeito, 1996). Several studies showed that also the clearance of glutamate from neuromuscular synapases is slowed down in patients with ALS due to the loss of a glutamate transporter which is the excitatory amino acid transporter 2, this is of huge importance for synaptic glutamate re-uptake. A loss of high-affinity glutamate transport transport has been identified in specific brain regions and spinal cord of patients with ALS (Bensimon, 1996). From the above these results suggest that the defect in glutamate transport could be responsible for high elevations in extracellular glutamate. These results have supported the use of cephalosporins in ALS because of their antiexcitatory properties, this is done by increasing EAAT2 promoter activity. Also for human studiesthird generation ceftriaxone has been selected because of its superior CNS penetration and long half life. From this ceftriaxone observed a considerable improvement of antioxidant oxidative stress status in ALS patients after treatment. Riluzole treatment has been tested in trials which examine tracheostomy free survival rate, this included 974 riluzole treated patients. In respect to this the methodological quality of the experiment was acceptable and the trails were easily comparable. The results show that riluzole 100mg per day would provide benefits to the homogenous groups of patients with no evidence of heterogeneity. Also there was a 9% gain in the probability of surviving one year. Furthermore there was a small beneficial effect on both bulbar and limb functions but had no effect on muscle strength. Another significant effect which is represented in these results are a threefold increase in serum alanine transferase, this was more frequent in riluzole treated patients than the controls in the experiment (Wahl, 1997). In conclusion Riluzole 100mg daily is fairly safe and most likely prolongs median surbival by around two to three months in patients with amyotrophic lacteral sclerosis. However more research needs to be done to treat Lou Gehrigs disease such as different therapeutic strategies and oxidative stress in ALS can be looked at in further depths. References Barbeito, L. Estevez, A. and Stutzmann, J. Peluffo, H. (1996) Riluzole promotes motoneuron survival by stimulating neurotrophic activity produced by spinal astrocyte monolayers, J. Neurotrauma, 13: 629. Â  Bensimon, G., Lacomblez, L., Meininger, V. (1994). A controlled trial of riluzole in amyotrophic lateral. sclerosis, New Engl. J. Med., 330 : 585–591. Choi, D. (1988). Glutamate neurotoxicity and diseases to the nervous system. Neuron, 1: 523–634. Bensimon, G. Guillet, P. Lacomblez, L. Leigh, P. Meininger,V. (1996). Dose-ranging study of riluzole in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Lancet, 347: 1425–1431. Mary, V. Wahl, F. Stutzmann, M. (1995). Effect of riluzole on quinolinate-induced neuronal damage in rats: comparison with blockers of glutamatergic neurotransmission. Neurosci Lett. 201: 92–96. Wahl, F. Renou, E. Stutzmann, J. (1997). Riluzole reduces brain lesions and improves neurological function in rats after a traumatic brain injury. Brain Research, 756: 247–255.

Open House at Private Schools

Open House at Private Schools If youre applying to a private school, you might notice that many of them offer something called an open house. What is it and why should you attend? In the most simple terms, a private school open house is a chance for you to visit the school. Some schools have a block of time where prospective families can come and go, meet the admissions team, and take a quick tour, while others offer full programs that require families to register in advance and arrive by a specific time. Open houses may have limited space, so if its not clear whether registration is required, its always a good idea to check with the admissions office to be sure.   Exactly what happens at an open house can vary from school to school, but typically you can expect to hear from the Head of School and/or the Director of Admission, as well as one or more of the following things during an open house.   A Campus Tour Nearly every private school open house will have an opportunity for prospective families to tour the campus. You might not be able to see the entire  campus, especially if the school is set on hundreds of acres, but youll likely get to see the main academic buildings, the dining hall, library, the student center (if the school has one), arts facilities, gymnasium, and select athletics facilities, as well as a School Store. Often these are led by students, giving you a chance to ask questions about life from a students perspective.  If youre attending an open house at a boarding school, you might also get to see a dorm room or at least the inside of the dormitory and the common areas. If you have a special request for a tour, you will want to call the admission office in advance to see if they can accommodate you or if youll need to schedule a separate appointment.   Panel Discussions and Question Answer Session Many private schools will host panel discussions where students, faculty, alumni and/or current parents will talk about their time at the school and answer questions from the audience. These discussions are a great way to get a general overview of life at the school and help you learn more. Usually, there will be limited time for questions and answers, so if your question doesnt get asked and answered, just ask to follow up with an admission representative later on.   Class Visits Attending a private school means going to class, so many schools will offer students and their parents to attend class so you can get an idea of what the classroom experience is like. You may not be able to attend the class of your choice, but attending any class, even if its conducted in another language, will give you an idea of the student-teacher dynamic, style of learning, and if youll feel comfortable in class. Some schools will offer students the opportunity to shadow current students for an entire day, giving you the full experience, while others only provide the opportunity for visitors to attend one or two classes.   Lunch Food is an important part of a school, as youre going to each lunch here every day and if youre a boarding student, breakfast, and dinner, too. Many private school open houses include lunch so you can try the food and see what the dining hall is like.   Club Fair Schools will sometimes offer a club fair, where prospective students and families can learn about after-school sports, activities, clubs, and other things that happen on campus as part of student life. Each club or activity may have a table where you can ask questions and meet students who share the same interests as you.   Interview Some schools will offer a chance for prospective students to interview during the open house event, while others will require a second personal visit to conduct these. If youre not sure if interviews are possible or if youre traveling from a distance and want an interview while youre there, ask if its possible to schedule one before or after the event.   Overnight Visit This option is less common  and is only found at select boarding schools, but occasionally prospective students are invited to spend the night in the dorm. These overnight visits are arranged in advance  and are not available if you just show up at an open house unexpectedly. Parents will typically find lodging in town or nearby, while students stay with a host student. Visitors are expected to participate in whatever activities happen at night, including study halls, so be sure to bring a book to read or homework. Lights out rules are also expected to be followed, as are restrictions for when you are allowed to leave the dorm at night and in the morning. If youre doing an overnight, you may wish to bring your own shower shoes, towel, and toiletries, in addition to a change of clothes for the next day. Ask if you need to bring a sleeping bag and pillow, too.   A common misconception about open house events is that attending means youre absolutely going to apply. Usually, its quite the opposite. These massive gatherings of prospective families are designed to introduce you to the school and help you decide if you truly want to learn more and complete the application process.