Ahh the power of meditation. Meditation is not only a physical, but a mental challenge for me personally. I have always had so much energy, it’s hard to tie me and my busy brain down!
To be honest, I could never imagine or simple sitting there in one position to meditate or taking a Yin Yoga (http://www.yinyoga.com/) class and focusing on one simple thought, my breath or what have you.
Before I starting teaching mind-body, I was introduced to yoga in my late twenties. Oh my gosh, I couldn’t wait to get out of there! My thoughts were running around like crazy (I was use to cardio until you die; you can’t think – must focusing breathing and not dying was mantra with cardio). I felt I had too much time to think and I didn’t feel the benefits at all.
In hindsight, I probably didn’t know what I was doing.
However, many years later I challenged myself to develop meditation practice/skills. Skills that essentially helped me get through my graduate program, while working full time, teaching fitness classes part-time, getting married and moving.
What is Mediation?
Meditation has a few meaning when you “Google” it.
To me meditation is tied in with communication. The way we communicate to others and ourselves. Why? Because communication is about what is going on inside us and how that effects the way we verbally or non-verbally communicate with others and effects the messages we communicate to ourselves. In my world if we want to be successful, communication is key!
According to the growing number of scientific and psychological studies, there are a variety of benefits to mastering meditation. Some of those benefits are as follows:
Meditation Benefits
1. Reduce stress/tension/anxiety (Thank you)
2. Boost immune System
3. Increase fertility
4. Improve self-acceptance
5. Increase self confidence
6. Foster creativity by releasing blocks in the mind
7. Cultivate clarity and assist with decision making
8. Improve concentration
9. Benefit relationships (of course
10. Promote healthy COMMUNICATION!
Repetition Reaps Results
Of course, there are more benefits to mastering meditation than those listed above. Also, one must keep in mind that with any practice, consistency breeds benefits (ex. Exercise: working out one day a week, doesn’t make one fit. The practice should be on a regular, scheduled basis).
Meditation 101
By no means do I proclaim myself a master of meditation. Therefore, I’d like to point you in the direction of where to get started if you are interested or know someone who is interested in cultivating some inner peace.
Read This:
http://www.freemeditation.com/meditation-basics/meditation-tips-for-beginners/
http://zenhabits.net/meditation-for-beginners-20-practical-tips-for-quieting-the-mind/
Watch This:
Beginner’s Guide to Meditation Learn To Meditate in 5 Easy Steps http://youtu.be/1UyJG2b8FMc
Guided Meditation for Beginners – Entering the Formless http://youtu.be/pA5RR54B9bA
Yin Yoga: http://www.yinyoga.com/
