We have long known that genetics play a major role in how we metabolize foods, supplements, and even life experiences.
One of the most fascinating new discoveries of the human genome project included findings around the epigenome, i.e., a record of chemical changes to the DNA, which modulate the expression of your genes, and therefore how your genetic heritage impacts you and your life.
The epigenome, we now know, can be dynamically altered by environmental conditions. This means that even pre-existing genetic weaknesses may not affect us the way they affected our forebears.
In this online course, author Dorothy Holtermann will explore the science of epigenetics and what it says about our ability to relate constructively to genetic weaknesses. Learn how to understand our genetic weaknesses, particularly the COMT gene, and how yoga, mindfulness, and other practices can help you overcome genetic weaknesses to improve your health.
We will look at the science of epigenetics and what it says about our ability to relate constructively to genetic weaknesses. Learn how to understand your genetic weaknesses, particularly the COMT gene, and how yoga, mindfulness, and other practices can help you overcome genetic weaknesses to improve your health.
Mapping the human genome took over 13 years, cost 3 billion dollars, and involved the participation of researchers in 7 countries. So, what did we learn?
Well, we have long known that genetics play a major role in how we metabolize foods, supplements, and even life experiences. One of the most fascinating new discoveries of the human genome project included findings around the epigenome, i.e., a record of chemical changes to the DNA, which modulate the expression of your genes, and therefore how your genetic heritage impacts you and your life.
The genome itself remains largely static within each of us. The epigenome, we now know, can be dynamically altered by environmental conditions. This means that even pre-existing genetic weaknesses may not affect us the way they affected our forebears.
Just because a person has a genetic weakness linked to a certain disease, that does not mean they have or will have a disease. It just means they have a predisposition for a condition due to the genetic weakness in question. Whether that weakness manifests in turn, will depend on the environmental factors to which the person is exposed.
In this online course, author Dorothy Holterman will explore the science of epigenetics with a specific focus on one particularly impactful gene, the COMT gene.
The COMT gene affects our ability to manage stress, metabolize experiences, and it even affects our personality. It regulates the processes that break down stress neurotransmitters and hormones in the body, which in turn are responsible for restoring a sense of balance and well-being when we are exposed to stress. Depending on your unique genetic profile, this may be a process that happens more or less effective in your body.
The COMT gene is particularly relevant to yoga practitioners. We now know there is a 4-fold difference in transit time of excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain, depending on the type of COMT gene you inherited.
Yoga, meditation, certain foods and other lifestyle strategies can be particularly effective to counteract genetic weaknesses in the COMT gene.
All of us need individualized techniques for modulating stress to reduce the adverse effects it has on our nervous system, health, and happiness. For some people, yoga, meditation and a healthy lifestyle are not optional – these practices are a must if they want to feel their best throughout life. By better understanding your genetic profile in relation to the COMT gene, you will gain a better understanding of which category you fall into.
This Course Also Includes:
Yoga Practice Video: Enjoy a yoga practice video that accompanies this course designed by Dorothy Holtermann.
Recordings of All Webinar Sessions: It’s generally acknowledged that many people only retain 10-20 percent of what they learn in a workshop. You will get access to the recordings of all webinar sessions – both MP3 (downloadable) and MP4 (streaming online), enabling you to go back and listen to the workshop as many times as you like.
Transcripts of All Sessions: Ever wanted to refer to a certain part of a course? Even the best note takers miss a point every so often. With the transcripts of the webinar sessions, you can go back and refer to particularly important passages or clarify sections you were in doubt about.
This course qualifies for 3 CEs with Yoga Alliance.
