Black Belt Brain

Mindfulness

How Can Training in Violence Make You Peaceful?

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on February 25, 2023

Meditation found in Zen practice and commonly associated with many martial arts traditions require the clarifying effect of living in the present moment.

Meditation found in Zen practice and commonly associated with many martial arts traditions require the clarifying effect of living in the present moment.

Aging

Variety Is the Spice of Brain Health

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on February 3, 2023

Across the lifespan, but especially in older adults, participating in a wide variety of physical activities is critical for the maintenance of fluid intelligence and healthy aging.

Across the lifespan, but especially in older adults, participating in a wide variety of physical activities is critical for the maintenance of fluid intelligence and healthy aging.

Cognition

Going for a Walk Will Help Your Brain With Social Networking

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on January 7, 2023

When we acknowledge and embrace our animal nature of moving, conserved by evolution, we best provide the cues needed to survive and thrive.

When we acknowledge and embrace our animal nature of moving, conserved by evolution, we best provide the cues needed to survive and thrive.

Confidence

Zen and the Art of Turning the Wheels of Time

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on January 1, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Moving forward by reinvention from going in circles.

A Personal Perspective: Moving forward by reinvention from going in circles.

Education

Life and Learning Require an Empty Cup

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on December 11, 2022

You can't put anything into something that is already full. An open and receptive mind is fundamental to acquiring new knowledge and a growth mindset.

You can't put anything into something that is already full. An open and receptive mind is fundamental to acquiring new knowledge and a growth mindset.

Stress

It's Easier To Remember When It's More Difficult To Do

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on November 11, 2022

Although Yoda says "do or do not...there is no try", the empirical data show that trying and trying to try actually lead to succeeding at the doing.

Although Yoda says "do or do not...there is no try", the empirical data show that trying and trying to try actually lead to succeeding at the doing.

Anxiety

Slowing Your Breathing To Speed Up Your Balance

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on October 21, 2022

How you breathe affects not just how you move and function but also how you react to external perturbations.

How you breathe affects not just how you move and function but also how you react to external perturbations.

Motivation

Sense and Sensibility Shape Our Experience of Effort

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on September 23, 2022

How we evaluate the success of what we do influences our perceptions and can change over time.

How we evaluate the success of what we do influences our perceptions and can change over time.

Career

How Much Work Is Needed to Maintain a Positive Health Habit?

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on September 15, 2022

The key to maintaining change is to keep taking steps towards something but be mindful of intensity. On our journey, in addition to steps, we need regularly to do some skips and jumps.

The key to maintaining change is to keep taking steps towards something but be mindful of intensity. On our journey, in addition to steps, we need regularly to do some skips and jumps.

Mindfulness

Calming Your Brain Through Breathwork

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on August 6, 2022

To help calm your mind, let go of attempts to control things you can't directly influence and slow down what you can control.

To help calm your mind, let go of attempts to control things you can't directly influence and slow down what you can control.

Sport and Competition

In Sports and Real Life All We Can Control Is Our Effort

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on May 28, 2022

We can empower our efforts at the moment when we realize acceptance is about what is, not about what might, could, would, or should be.

We can empower our efforts at the moment when we realize acceptance is about what is, not about what might, could, would, or should be.

Aging

Therapeutic Benefits of Martial Arts Training in Aging

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on April 30, 2022

Martial arts are meaningful activities that have clear therapeutic benefits and should be considered strongly as activities for healthy aging.

Martial arts are meaningful activities that have clear therapeutic benefits and should be considered strongly as activities for healthy aging.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Concussion in Combat Sports Is an Iceberg Under the Ring

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on April 11, 2022

While the Titanic unknowingly sailed towards its doom, education in concussion can alter the imminent arrival of brain injury in combat athletes.

While the Titanic unknowingly sailed towards its doom, education in concussion can alter the imminent arrival of brain injury in combat athletes.

Sleep

Skill Learning Is Consolidated During Sleep at All Ages

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on March 12, 2022

Regardless of age, a good night's sleep goes a long way.

Regardless of age, a good night's sleep goes a long way.

Body Image

Batman and Body Image: Inner Physical Capacity Not Outward Appearance

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on March 3, 2022

Be like the original Bruce Wayne and stop buying into the confusion illusion about fit, fat and function. Body form comes from trained capacity and capability.

Be like the original Bruce Wayne and stop buying into the confusion illusion about fit, fat and function. Body form comes from trained capacity and capability.

Aging

Raising Your Perception with Respiration and Perspiration

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on February 19, 2022

Breathing can affect our emotional state and memory. No matter if the focus is breath, brain or body, you can get them all if you do it right and keep it up as you get older.

Breathing can affect our emotional state and memory. No matter if the focus is breath, brain or body, you can get them all if you do it right and keep it up as you get older.

Resilience

Can You Raise Resilience With a Roundhouse Kick?

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on December 11, 2021

Can martial arts training positively impact resilience of school students? A little training can be a powerful stimulus.

Can martial arts training positively impact resilience of school students? A little training can be a powerful stimulus.

Aging

Bruce Lee Did Not Grow Old Yet Still Helps Seniors

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on November 26, 2021

The interest and popularity in martial arts that Bruce Lee helped foster is now being leveraged for therapeutic application in older adults.

The interest and popularity in martial arts that Bruce Lee helped foster is now being leveraged for therapeutic application in older adults.

Aging

Preserve Tomorrow's Function With What You Do Today

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on October 31, 2021

When you are out there karate-kicking, going for a run, or gardening, keep in mind that you are helping your mind with movement. Your future self says thanks.

When you are out there karate-kicking, going for a run, or gardening, keep in mind that you are helping your mind with movement. Your future self says thanks.

Resilience

Anti-Vax Bias Is Partly a Failure of Science Communication

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on October 17, 2021

Few things are actually impossible but a lot of things are improbable. While it looked unlikely, scientific efforts produced a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.

Few things are actually impossible but a lot of things are improbable. While it looked unlikely, scientific efforts produced a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.