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Boost brain health

By Miriam Van Doorn

YOGA, a holistic mindbody practice with a thousand years of history, centres on breathing, meditating, stretching, and strengthening poses to help your body relax.

Regular practitioners highlight its wide-ranging beneﬁts; improved mood and emotions, enhanced muscle tone, increased physical endurance and strength, and improved cardiovascular and brain

health!

Neuroimaging research indicates that regular yoga practitioners possess a thicker cerebral cortex and hippocampus—the brain regions responsible for information processing, learning, and memory— compared to those who do not practice.

While these areas typically undergo agerelated atrophy, older yoga practitioners demonstrate signiﬁcantly less shrinkage. This suggest that

yoga may serve as a neuroprotective intervention, potentially counteracting age-related declines in cognitive skills and memory.

Even if you are new to yoga, you are in expert hands, Miriam ensures you feel comfortable and supported throughout your practice. Regardless of your current ﬂexibility, her inclusive teaching style creates a welcoming environment where you can explore the mind-body

connection at your own pace.

With Miriam’s personalized guidance, you will learn to align your breath with movement, eﬀectively reducing stress, improve balance and strength.

Yoga Basics is a great class for beginners, every Thursday 4.30pm.

Regular classes, like Hatha Yoga, Yin Yoga & Yang to Yin, check out the website https://yogawithmiriam. oﬀeringtree.com

Baby talk shapes our early language skills

BABY talk is more than an aﬀectionate habit.

New research from the University of the Sunshine Coast suggests it plays an important role in helping infants learn the basic sounds of language.

The study, led by UniSC researcher Dr Varghese Peter, examined whether the exaggerated pitch and stretched speech sounds commonly used when adults speak to babies help infants distinguish between vowel sounds.

“Infantdirected speech, often called baby talk, refers to the distinct voice and cadence parents use when speaking to babies, such as raising pitch, exaggerating speech sounds and shortening utterances,” Dr Peter said.

as well as adults, as they listened to vowel sounds spoken using both infantdirected speech and typical adult-directed speech.

In adults and ninemonth-old babies, the brain produced a clear change detection response when it noticed diﬀerences between vowels, regardless of how the speech was delivered.

While previous studies have shown that infants prefer listening to this style of speech, its impact on early language learning has been less clear.

To investigate, researchers measured brain responses in four-month-old and nine-month-old infants,

Four-month-old babies, however, showed a diﬀerent pattern. When they heard vowels spoken in adult-directed speech, their brains produced a less developed response. When the same vowels were spoken using infantdirected speech, their brains showed a more advanced response, similar to that seen in older infants and adults.

Dr Peter said the ﬁndings suggest the exaggerated sounds in baby talk make it easier for infants to tell speech sounds apart, supporting early language learning from as young as four months of age, well before babies speak their ﬁrst words.

patients.

So, what does this mean for Beerwah Surgery patients and the community…. billing health

years, pensioners and health care card holders. Beerwah

Local support with a personal touch

mental health, physical and intellectual disabilities.

While mental health support has become Green Umbrella’s niche, its services are broad and practical. Support workers assist with dayto-day household tasks, meal preparation and domestic duties, as well as community access. This includes transport to appointments, shopping, social outings and time spent outdoors, recognising the beneﬁts of nature for both physical and mental wellbeing.

Green Umbrella supports participants from Caboolture and Morayﬁeld through to Maroochydore, including the Glasshouse Mountains hinterland.

Director Troy, who has lived in Glasshouse Mountains for more than 16 years, prides himself on oﬀering genuinely local knowledge and care.

Recent successes include helping participants obtain

build conﬁdence and independence at home and in the community. Others have been supported to connect with local groups and take up new hobbies.

A key point of diﬀerence is Green Umbrella’s commitment to matching participants with the right support workers. The focus is on person-centred care, with well-trained staﬀ who are attentive, present and

Hidden pathogens webinar

Ways to cleanse, energise and protect your health

webinar is set to shine a light on one of the most overlooked aspects of wellbeing: parasites and stealth pathogens.

On Wednesday 12 February 2026 at 6.30pm AEST, naturopath, herbalist, and educator Dominique will host an online session exploring practical, naturopathic strategies to support a cleaner, stronger and more energised body.

healthy intestinal function and reducing the burden of hidden pathogens that can quietly undermine vitality. Participants will learn simple at home cleansing methods, gentle herbal supports, and everyday practices that help the body stay resilient from the cellular level upward. The focus is on empowering people with accessible tools that ﬁt

long term wellbeing at this time of year, the session oﬀers timely guidance. Topics include reducing risk factors for parasite exposure, understanding stealth pathogens, and restoring energy through consistent, natural routines. Registration is free at medicineroom.com.au, and everyone who books goes into the draw for prizes announced during the live event.

A Vimeo link will be sent to all attendees prior to the webinar, making it easy to join from anywhere.

This picture is of our Stall at Woodford Folk Festival recently. The weather was perfect and we enjoyed seeing everyone and chatting about herbal medicines and body products.

Turn resolutions into results

AUSTRALIANS hoping to turn New Year’s resolutions into real, lasting change need to choose the right goals, plan for setbacks and build habits that ﬁ into daily life, according to nonproﬁt educational organisation Toastmasters.

With research showing most New Year’s resolutions fail before the end of January, Toastmasters has compiled practical steps to help people set goals that are achievable and sustainable.

Toastmasters’ steps to help turn New Year’s resolutions into real change: 1. Choose the right resolutions.

It is easy to dream big, but focusing on what is holding you back can be just as valuable. Instead of asking, ‘What do I want?’, try asking,

Rural Australians urged to prioritise their health checks in new year

RURAL and remote Australians are being encouraged to start the year by putting their health ﬁrst, with doctors urging people to book a routine check-up and make preventive care a priority.

The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine says the new year is an ideal time for people to follow up on lingering concerns and schedule an appointment with their local Rural Generalist.

ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin said while many New Year’s resolutions were quickly forgotten, making time for health was one commitment that could deliver lasting beneﬁts.

“Many of us make New Year’s resolutions that come

and go. Prioritising your health is one of the most important commitments you can make,” Dr Martin said.

“We all lead busy lives, but taking the time to check in on your health, rather than ignoring those aches, pains or warning signs, can make a real diﬀerence.”

Dr Martin said evidence showed the further people lived from metropolitan centres, the higher their risk of developing chronic conditions including heart and kidney disease, diabetes, stroke and some cancers.

Australians, health risks increase with distance from major cities.”

close to home.

“Where you live should not determine how healthy you are,” he said.

“But we know that for rural and remote

He said rural and remote communities were supported by highly trained Rural Generalists, who provide comprehensive care

“Rural Generalists provide a broad scope of care that goes well beyond standard general practice,” Dr Martin said.

“This includes chronic disease management, women’s and men’s health, preventive screening, emergency care, mental health support, and more, all tailored to the needs of their communities.”

Dr Martin said booking a health check early in the year could help detect issues sooner, reduce the need for hospitalisation and support people to stay active and well.

“Put preventative care on your to-do list before something else gets priority,” he said.

habits to what you already do. For example, ‘I’ll read er brushing my teeth’ or ‘I’ll go to the gym after work’. This allows habits to support each other instead of competing for attention.

“If I had one word of

while still challenging, like scheduling in runs tness, or improving your public speaking skills through Toastmasters,” says Shubi Chatterjee, Toastmasters District 69 Club Growth

organisation that teaches leadership skills through a global network of clubs.

In Queensland alone, hundreds of clubs operate under District 69, oﬀering a supportive environment to build communication and conﬁdence.

“We have seen many locals boost their conﬁdence and social skills after just a few months, and even mastery after a year or so, with members like Colin Williams from Brisbane showcasing this when he competed at the World Championship of Public Speaking in the USA in 2024,” adds Chatterjee.

“With the start of the new year, we have a chance to break the mould and try new things, challenge ourselves, and work to gain new skills.” To ﬁnd a local

Choccy date shake

Serves: 4

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 0 minutes

Ingredients: ½ cup dates, pitted

1L milk, reduced fat

2 bananas

1 ½ tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder ½ teaspoon ground

cinnamon Ice cubes Coconut ﬂakes, to serve

Method:

BLITZ all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth.

SERVE in tall glasses with a sprinkle of ﬂaked coconut on top.

ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin.

Why you should choose infrared sauna therapy

Infrared sauna is fast becoming a go-to wellness ritual

AS more locals look for simple, eﬀective ways to support their health and recovery, infrared sauna therapy is quickly becoming a popular addition to modern wellness routines — and for good reason.

Unlike traditional saunas that heat the air around you, infrared saunas use gentle infrared heat to warm the body directly. This allows for a deeper, more comfortable sweat at lower temperatures, making it suitable for a wide range of ages and ﬁtness levels.

Regular infrared sauna sessions can support

muscle recovery, ease

Many people also report improved sleep, reduced stress levels, and a greater sense of overall wellbeing. For those balancing busy work schedules, training, family life or everyday stress, infrared sauna oﬀers a chance to slow down and reset.

Infrared sauna is also known for its positive effect on the nervous system. The warmth helps the body shift out of “fight or flight” mode and into a calmer, more restorative state. This can be especially beneficial for people experiencing ongoing stress, fatigue, or difficulty switching off

As part of supporting local wellbeing, The Station Pilates is inviting the community to experience infrared sauna with a simple introductory offer — $49 for unlimited sessions over 14 days. This allows people to explore the benefits at their own pace and see how regular sessions can fit into their lifestyle.

In a world that often feels rushed and demanding, infrared sauna provides a gentle, eﬀective way to care for the body, calm the mind, and create space for recovery — making it a wellness ritual many are choosing to return to week after week.

New year, new look with Edge Salon

IN a small town like Beerwah, a good hairdresser is more than a service – they’re part of the community. As the new year gets underway, Edge Salon

locals come to relax, catch up and leave feeling their best.

Tucked away at 2/68 Simpson Street, Edge Salon is owned and run by Jenna, who prides ering genuine,

one-on-one care in a cosy and welcoming space. It’s the kind of salon where you’re greeted by name and encouraged to take a moment for yourself.

Jenna brings more than 45 years of experience in the hair and beauty industry, including teaching, international travel and working as a master colourist. She specialises in blondes, foils, balayage,

colour correction and advanced cutting and styling, always with a focus on healthy, manageable hair.

The start of the new year is the perfect time to get a new haircut, colour and style.

Having serviced the Beerwah community for eight years, Edge Salon is proud to be part of the town’s fabric, bringing beautiful hair, friendly faces and enjoyable conversations.

Appointments and gift vouchers are available by calling 5494 0846.