Sounds like a New Year’s wish list, doesn’t it?  These were the themes of last night’s lecture at The Newmark Theater on Neuroplasticity:  The Amazing Adaptability of the Brain.

The lecture, presented by Dr. Michael Merzenish of the University of California at San Francisco, was the opening talk as part of the 10th year of the OHSU Brain Awareness Lecture Series and I attended along with 20 or so fellow members of my Pilates studio, Transformations!

What is neuroplasticity and why are a crowd of Pilates enthusiasts learning about it, you ask?

The talk was about how the brain is a learning machine and that, at all ages, we can develop new abilities and improve, and in our own way make meaningful changes in our physical and mental acuities.  Well, this is good news, and all of us ‘movement’ types appreciated the encouragement that our physical efforts will improve our overall well being and personal performance.  So we are recommitted for the lifetime workouts!

But it goes beyond the physical movement program and also requires the commitment to a lifetime schedule for new learning.  This is the catch!  Practice and exercises – and beyond the crossword puzzle of the day, sorry to say.  We must learn constantly, practice new things, especially those subjects and skills that genuinely interest us and stretch our brains into new areas.  Sheesh!  I guess that reading list, language class and business course are all staying part of my plan for 2009 – along with PIlates!

Part of what makes Portland wonderful is a group of Pilates partners finding and appreciating together a memorable lecture from two of our city’s best institutions.  If you’re interested in the rest of the series check here.

Portland is a great place to live!

Becky