BalanceMayIssue2017 - 53

S E L F - I M P ROVEM EN T

F I ND YOUR

BA L AN C E

I can hear the
cogs turning
from here

WH AT EXACT LY IS
NEUROFEEDBACK?

Electrodes are applied to
your scalp to 'listen in' on
brainwave activity. This
signal is then analysed by
a neurologist, so he can
build a detailed map of
your brain's activity. The
freaky bit is that your
brainwaves can then be
'shaped' towards more
effective performance.
Or in the words of 40
Years Of Zen, to 'boost
fluid intelligence, stoke
the creative furnace, and
significantly enhance your
mindful leadership'.

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES, STOCKSY

GET IN VOLVED
FOR LESS

If you're interested in
neurofeedback, start off
by buying a Muse
headband. A few years
ago, anything that
could perform the
role of an EEG
(electroencephalogram
- try saying that in a
hurry) would cost as
much as a week
at 40 Years Of Zen. Now,
the Muse headband
does the same thing
- sort of - and only
costs £100
(choosemuse.com).

group of five arrived on the Monday
Known for its coffee
obsession, Seattle is a
morning. After a short introduction to
buzzing city surrounded
the concept of neurofeedback, we were
by natural beauty
introduced to the 'pods' which were to be
our homes for the week. Entering the pod
awareness' meditation style - watching
for the first time, I was forced to sit prone as thoughts and body sensations with
I had thick goo (conductive gel) smeared on detached awareness, noticing how no
to various points across my scalp.
thought lasts and no sensation persists.
Then eight electrodes were
firmly attached to my skull
STIMULATION GAME
with wires heading to a
The five of us trooped down
B R A I N A P P - R O VA L
Sounds can induce
nearby laptop. Large
for dinner on the first day
different brain wave utterly zoned out. I'd arrived
headphones were placed
frequencies when
over my ears and the lights
played into each ear. in Seattle with grand plans
switched off.
to explore the nightlife but,
Try the 15 Altered
I could hear varying tones
honestly, I was too whacked
States app for
£2.99.
of white noise. Then, in
out after each day to do much
between, a bell rang occasionally. I
else than eat the delicious high-fat
was later told the bell was 'like a treat for
low-sugar meals prepared by our private
the brain'. I definitely started to loosen up.
chef. Each morning started with a Bulletproof
Coffee, blended with grass-fed cows' butter
(the founder, Dave Asprey, owns the facility).
GO WITH THE FLOW
As the week went on, we were taught to
On the first day, I was given a selection of
different meditation approaches to try. One use a special technique to go through all the
most difficult and traumatic moments in
of the nifty things about this advanced
neurofeedback kit is you are given scientific our pasts while in the pod.
Other delights of the trip included us
data to prove which style of meditation is
having our brains literally 'mapped' via
most effective for you. When I emerged
a headset with more than 20 sensors. Plus,
from the pod after a couple of hours, I saw
daily acupuncture, yoga and supplements
what my brain had been doing on a screen.
were all included. Sure, it was the price of a
Much of the focus was on improving the
new kitchen, but after five days, I felt like
alpha brainwaves which help to cultivate
I tapped into some deep, self-awareness.
a calm, relaxed awareness that's often
Due to the programme, I'm full of creativity.
called a 'flow state'. It turns out the best
Perhaps I did upgrade my brain, eh. B
way for me to do this is using a 'detached

May 2017 BALANCE

52-53 Brain Training in Seattle FINAL.indd 53

53

05/05/2017 15:49
http://www.choosemuse.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of BalanceMayIssue2017
