At today’s session of the Ladder, medical scholars had the opportunity to learn about mind and body medicine. The premise of mind-and-body medicine is that your mind and body are connected: the state of your mind can impact the health of your body and vice versa. Ladder scholars learned about three different kinds of practices that can positively impact the health of your body and mind: acupuncture/acupressure, yoga/mindful movement, and meditation.

At one station medical scholars learned about acupuncture and acupressure, both originating in Chinese medicine and becoming increasingly common in Western medical practice (that is, the type of medicine primarily practiced by physicians in the United States). Medical scholar Nicole (a licensed acupuncturist) demonstrated the technique of acupuncture, while young medical scholars looked on.

At another station, medical scholar Sarah led young scholars in yoga sun salutations, showing them how mindful movement can calm the mind and help keep their bodies flexible and healthy.

Tell the young scholars in your life, family, school, class and neighborhood about the Ladder – where they can not only develop academic and career goals for their future, but will be actively supported and challenged to pursue those goals by mentors and resources from the University of Minnesota Academic Health Sciences schools & colleges, the North Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program, and Broadway Family Medicine. In addition, young scholars will be learning along side and supported by peers from their own communities and neighborhoods in North Minneapolis.

The next meeting of the Ladder is Saturday, June 13th (always the second Saturday of the month) at 12:30pm and open to scholars, parents and supporters agers 9 and older. There’s always learning AND fun – plus free lunch! The next meeting of the Ladder will be at the usual spot – the UROC building (2001 Plymouth Ave N) in North Minneapolis.