Brain Fitness and Cognitive Training Course
Web-based, Group, Facilitated

SCHEDULE for Fall 2023
Course #: wBFC-202310-133
Wednesdays October 11 to November 15, 2023, 2:00 to 3:30 pm Eastern Time Canada

REGISTRATION
The web-based registration fee for this 6-week Brain Fitness and Cognitive Training Course is $75 CAD (tax included)/$55 USD. To register, please click on the button below or email us at info@dynamicbrain.ca.

Brain Fitness Programs


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does a web-based class work? It's almost like a real class offered in a physical location, except that you'll participate from the comfort of your home! We send you a link and by clicking on it, you'll be connected to the class. Once connected, you'll see your facilitator as well as the other class participants. You raise your hand if you have questions, or type them in a chat box. The class participants can communicate with one another, share their stories and ask each other about expereinces with a specific exercise or training strategy. It's fun too!

How long is the course?
This is a 6-week course, one hour and a half per week with a facilitator on the web and scheduled/supervised training during the week on your own.

When is the next course?
See schedules on top of this page

How much is the regisration fee?
It is $75 CAD (tax included)/$55 USD for the entire 6-week course.

How can I register myself or someone else?
Please click here for the online registration or email us at info@dynamicbrain.ca.

I want to register for the class, but I may miss a couple of sessions, is that okay?
It is okay to miss a session or two as the group will be training based on their own strength and individual baselines. We can always schedule some extra hours of training at home to catch up. However, please try to be present at the first session as we explain brain plasticity and the reasons behind cognitive decline.

What do I need to have in order to register for Brain Fitness and Cognitive Training Class?
You'll need a computer, notebook or tablet with a camera that is connected to internet. You'll also need a set of headphones or earphones during the weekly web-class as that will improve the quality of the communication line.

I am not good with computers, is that okay?
If you are able to use your device for sending and receiing emails, or search the web, then you should be okay.

Why is there one session per week on the web and the rest of the training is on our own? Can't we just train always on our own?
Many of our users directly subscribe to the website and train on their own; however, our past experiences have shown that starting in a group increased our users' understanding of the program and motivated them significantly.

What if I attend the first couple of sessions and decide that I don't want to continue. Will I be refunded? Yes, you will be fully refunded.

Are there any suggested readings before attending the first session?
Yes, the better you understand your brain and its plasticity, you will likely be much more committed to your brain fitness goals. Our website is content-rich, but we encourage you to at least watch and read the following contents:
David Suzuki's CBC documentary on "The Brain That Changes Itself"
What is brain plasticity
How brain training works
About the BrainHQ exercises
Research Studies

How much time should I spend on BrainHQ per week?
It's recommended that you exercise your brain 3 to 5 times per week for between 30 to 60 minutes (90 minutes to 5 hours per week). However, depending on the course or other conditions, we may ask you to train between 2.5 to 5 hours per week. Brain exercise is like physical exercise: making real and lasting changes takes effort.

Are we taking any breaks during the class?
Yes and we would also encourage you to take a break during your home training, anytime you feel tired or can't keep focused.

Are the BrainHQ exercises hard to do?
Well, the BrainHQ exercises can become challenging as you progress. Although the front-end is designed to be game-like and very engaging, it can still be challenging at times. Simply put, the exercises won't allow you to stay in your comfort zone because your brain needs to be challenged in a specific way in order to spark the machinery to change and develop new neural pathways. As you get more comfortable with the exercises, the program adjusts, making the stimuli more difficult, but when you make mistakes, it will adjust back. You are expected to make mistakes and everyone else does too!

How is BrainHQ better than playing bridge or doing crossword puzzles?
BrainHQ targets specific aspects of cognitive decline. These exercises require that users 'learn' a key component to drive positive brain plasticity. Most people who decide to engage in a program of cognitive stimulation, using conventionally available materials (e.g., card games, crossword puzzles), pick something that they are already good at. However, developing entirely new skills is much more stimulating to the brain than doing skills the brain already knows. The BrainHQ exercises are designed to give people the brain stimulation equivalent to learning an entirely new skill, (e.g., learning Japanese or playing the saxophone), in a targeted way, in a comparatively short amount of time.

Please check out the following studies on whether crossword puzzles really work:
Brain Fitness Exercise versus Crossword Puzzles
IHAMS Study
Do Crosswords Work

My BrainHQ account is now ready, how should I login and start training?
Go to https://dynamicbrain.brainhq.com
Click on LOG IN on top
Enter your email address and password
Once logged in, click on the Personal Trainer yellow button and start training with the exercises that are suggested to you based on your instructor's configuraiton and your performance history.