Our Services
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Meditation Courses
A cornerstone of the Mindful Neurology approach. Meditation builds self-awareness and teaches skills for physiological relaxation of the nervous system. Our online courses are infused with presentations on brain anatomy & functionality, community sharing, and interactive exercises to build mindful awareness over 6-8 weeks.
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Innovative Research
In collaboration with our academic partners, Mindful Neurology is on the cusp of finding a correlation between mind-body techniques and replicable clinical results. We are currently investigating the impact of our online meditation course for people with Parkinson’s disease, tracking changes in motor symptoms and neural networks with objective metrics such as EEG and data trackers.
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Neurology Consultation
1:1 medical neurological care is available to a select number of individuals who live in NY or CT or who travel to our office in Monroe, NY.
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Advocacy for Integrative Therapies
We create educational programs for doctors and collaborate with professional societies to increase recognition for validated, non-pharmacological therapies and lifestyle interventions. Our goal is to increase the therapeutic options available for people with neurological conditions.
Our Partners and Certifications
About the Mindful Neurology Methodology
The human brain is surprisingly responsive to the external environment and changing stimuli. Neuroplasticity is a phenomenon with which brain function and adaptation can be trained with the correct input. When confronted with disease or illness, each individual can develop a set of techniques that jumpstart neuroplasticity and offer new avenues for relief and long-term rehabilitation. Addressing mindset, motivation, nervous system relaxation, and lifestyle decisions including physical activity, diet, nutrition, and sleep all contribute to the brain’s capacity for healing. Studies have shown that healthy human connections and community often create a sense of well-being and can also contribute to neuroplasticity. Together we will explore this vast journey of unraveling the mysteries of the mind and brain for health and wellness. Mindful Neurology is committed to evidence-based medicine, and is conducting research studies to investigate the novel approach pursued in our clinic.
What is neuroplasticity?
The human brain contains about 100 billion neurons (i.e. brain cells, pictured here). Each of these nerve cells communicates with neighboring cells and distant brain regions via “neural networks” – high speed highways which allow synchronous activation, inhibition, and connectivity. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to modify its neural networks in response to new environments and stimuli, and one process by which learning and brain rehabilitation can occur.
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The brain's neural networks
Here is a picture of the brain’s neural tracts (e.g. neural networks), as imaged by a specific type of MRI technology. These networks are modified when the brain encodes new information and patterns. The process of forming new neural networks is called Neuroplasticity, and can be tracked with MRI technology.
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How does meditation facilitate neuroplasticity?
When we practice meditation, we learn to quiet the brain networks involved in thinking. We also gain the capacity to choose new thought patterns and behaviors. When we change our thoughts, we change our brain. This has been confirmed in numerous studies investigating the impact of meditation on brain networks. The act of quieting our thinking minds gives the brain new space to develop other capacities.
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How does meditation affect movement?
Meditation relaxes the nervous system and subsequently can lead to more relaxed muscles with increased flexibility. The act of relaxing for a few minutes after learning a new motor skill has been shown to facilitate muscle memory. Lastly, meditation breeds self-awareness, thereby giving us the option to move our bodies in an optimized and more intentional manner, and make lasting lifestyle choices that prioritize healthy bodies and a sense of well-being.
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About Yoga
Yoga is a practice that incorporates meditation, breathing exercises and physical postures to facilitate healthy bodies, minds, and muscles. Ancient yogic texts provide very specific techniques for the correct practice of yoga, which have more recently been associated with long-lasting changes in brain structure and neuroplasticity. An interesting fact is that yoga is primarily a mental discipline – 6/8 Traditional Limbs of Yoga address behavior modification, gaining control of sensory input, and the practice of prolonged focus and concentration. Physical postures and breathing exercises facilitate relaxation and promote physical health to prepare the mind for meditation.
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Components of Mindful Awareness
Our on-line meditation courses include interactive exercises that build awareness of mind, emotions, body & movement, and interconnectedness. Diagram modified from Dr Daniel Siegel’s Wheel of Awareness.
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Components of Health
The Mindful Neurology approach incorporates many different aspects of health. When we focus on salutagenesis – the process of building health and addressing our vulnerabilities – a side effect is that symptoms of disease often start to remit.
Learn MoreOur Team
Sarah Mulukutla, MD MPH
Dr Sarah Mulukutla is a Harvard & Yale-trained neurologist who combines traditional neurological evaluation with evidence-based holistic practices to provide a customized treatment plan for each individual. She is the founder of the Section on Neurohealth & Integrative Neurology at the American Academy of Neurology and has gained an international reputation for her efforts in promoting the field of Integrative Neurology. She has been teaching meditation since 2012, including numerous lectures to neurologists and physicians explaining the medical and neuro-anatomical benefits of meditative practices. She founded Mindful Neurology, PLLC to investigate the impact of mind-body medicine on neurological conditions. Her current efforts are aimed at conducting research trials to objectively monitor the impact of Mindful Neurology programs.
Erin Hyland, MS
Ms Hyland brings experience managing large projects across diverse sectors including healthcare, transportation, maritime trade, and energy and sustainability initiatives. Ms Hyland handles grant operations and uses her training as a consultant, coach, facilitator and change practitioner to build collaboration, consensus and excitement with our partners.
Kristina Zawaly, PhD
With a PhD from the University of Auckland and post-doctoral studies at McGill University, Dr Zawaly has researched a range of brain-healthy activities including exercise for people with cognitive impairment and the impact of meditation practice on the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease. Dr Zawaly leads our research initiatives.
Client Testimonials
