Social support continues to be a critical factor for successfully changing lifestyle practices. Turns out, even telephone calls can be a catalyst to improve dietary habits.

American college students represent a large potential market for body-mind activities that promote relaxation and stress reduction.

Regular meditation practice may protect brain tissue and lessen the cognitive decline that is normally associated with aging, according to a small study published in the October issue of Neurobiology of Aging.

In the 12th annual 2007 IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Survey, Pilates ranked #6 on the list of most frequently offered programs and activities, reflecting a growth of 49 percentage points since 1999.

Stretching is currently the fitness activity with the highest average number of days of participation per year for each participant. According to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association’s Tracking the Fitness

Tai chi practice may be a comparable conditioning alternative for adults who cannot tolerate the stresses of a brisk walk.

Continuing our look at American styles of yoga that blend a variety of influences (see the January issue for the first in the series), this column spotlights Anusara yoga, created by John Friend in 1997.

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), has created a Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) within the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.