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There’s a growing trend that’s been sweeping the United States in recent years—a new form of therapy for children with autism.

It’s surfing, and there’s no co-pay required.

On both of America’s coasts, organizations and programs have independently formed with one purpose: to help children with autism feel the healing powers of the sea by surfing.

When one of those organizations, Surfers for Autism, put on their inaugural event in Deerfield Beach, Florida in 2007, about 40 participants and their families arrived at the beach, welcomed by friendly volunteers as surfboards laid neatly in the sand and a small swell rolled in. Continue reading →

Let’s get down to business. Your heart is more than a muscle. No doubt, you are reading this because you want to know how to get your heart and body as strong as possible and realize the benefits you can expect to see and feel from regular participation in a heart healthy centered exercise program. The good news is that by participating in a regular, daily habit of physical activity not only will your heart get stronger and function more efficiently, the muscles, joints, tissues and other organs will benefit as well.

The heart is not only the physical center of the body but the emotional center as well. When you are stressed, anxious and generally emotionally distressed, the heart and surrounding anatomy ‘respond’. This response may present with an accelerated heart rate, increase in blood pressure, and tightening of the chest and shoulders.  This is why controlling stress, eating well, drinking plenty of fluids, and getting good sleep are all vital components of a cardiac health program, physical activity will only take you so far. Continue reading →