Musician passes on handy hints to boost memory (From Oxford Mail)

Musician passes on handy hints to boost memory

11:40am Saturday 21st November 2009

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A FORGETFUL musician who improved her memory by meditating and eating nuts has written a book showing others how to do the same.

Anne French, 65, from Bicester, used to find herself forgetting even the most simple day-to-day tasks.

But since she began her research into memory techniques, Ms French, a pianist, has learned 11 Hungarian rhapsodies off by heart.

Ms French said she achieved the improvement through a combination of careful diet, gentle exercise, and breathing techniques.

She has now compiled her advice into a book, called How To Improve the Memory.

She said: “I wanted to improve my memory, so I could become a more accomplished musician.

“I have always played but wanted to embark on a more serious musical career.

“I found that some of the more complicated pieces were beyond me, so I set about discovering how to make my memory better.

“I have used self-help books, aromatherapy and exercise, and basic yoga and breathing, and, believe it or not, it worked.

“When I was looking for a book to help with my memory, I couldn’t find one, so I thought I would put this research together under one cover.”

Ms French said she can now get to grips with complex pieces by composers Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt, and is also much happier and more relaxed than before she embarked on her quest.

According to Ms French’s research, a diet rich in yeast, nuts, wholegrains and potatoes can help boost memory cells. Exercises which encourage blood to pump to the head, such as ‘inversions’, where the head and eyes are below the level of the heart and chest, can also help.

Aromatherapy and smell can also help jog the memory, as can repeating directions, and using a technique called alternate nostril breathing, Ms French claimed.

She is in negotiations with Blackwell’s bookshop in Oxford to stock the book, which she has published herself. It can be ordered online at amazon.co.uk, priced £5.50.

She said: “I hope to help others improve their memory with my book, and if it makes some money, that would be good too.”

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