Posts Tagged ‘yoga meditation’

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Yoga Meditation for Heart Health

Monday, August 20th, 2012

become a yoga teacherBy Faye Martins

The meditation component of a Yoga certification course is often taken for granted.  If you ask most Yoga teacher interns what they consider the most valuable component of Yoga training to be, they will often answer: “asana.”  Restless interns often tend to crave vinyasa flows, while the trainer explains the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of Yogic meditation.  As many as 40 percent of all Americans suffer from sleep deprivation, and up to 80 percent of all doctors’ visits have stress-related components. Yogic sleep, also known as Yoga Nidra, is a powerful form of deep relaxation that provides the restorative qualities of natural sleep within a brief period of time. Although most effectively practiced with asanas and breathing techniques, it can also be beneficial on its own.

Over the past two decades, medical professionals and spiritual teachers have recommended meditation as a means of maintaining physical and mental health. Studies show the practice helps to lower blood pressure and reduce damage caused by the release of stress-related hormones. As a result, people who meditate may suffer from fewer strokes and heart attacks.

The Studies

In clinical studies, transcendental meditation reduced the risk of stroke and heart attack deaths by almost 50 percent in patients who suffered from coronary problems, suggesting that meditation might be as effective as some of the newest heart medications in managing heart disease. It also showed promise in preventing high blood pressure in stressed-out college students.

• Researchers from the Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa collaborated with specialists from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee over a five-year period to test the benefits of transcendental meditation in the management of coronary disease. Among 201 participants who were at high risk for strokes and heart attacks, the group who added meditation to their standard treatment had 47 percent fewer heart attacks. Statins, or cholesterol-lowering drugs increase serious events by 30 to 40 percent, and blood pressure medications reduce negative outcomes by 25 to 30 percent.

• Additional research published in the “American Journal of Hypertension” examined healthy college students who were likely to be at risk for hypertension. Completed at American University in Washington, the study randomly assigned 298 students to a waiting list or a meditation group. Students who practiced transcendental meditation showed significant reductions in blood pressure.

While these studies used transcendental meditation, all kinds of meditation, including Yoga Nidra, Yogic meditation, mindfulness, qigong and prayer may have similar benefits. Imagine an inexpensive, noninvasive new way to prevent strokes and heart attacks, one that outperforms the most powerful medications – Yogic meditation.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

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Tips for a Successful Yoga Meditation Session

Saturday, December 24th, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Amruta Kulkarni, CYT 250

In Yoga practice, everyone wants to have the most successful meditation session possible, but sometimes it seems that the harder we try, the less relaxing and meaningful the meditation becomes. We want too much from our meditation, and we tend to want it now. In order to reap the benefits of meditation, it must be enjoyed for what it is and not what it can do for you. This shift in focus might sound difficult at first, but it’s actually more natural than achieving peace and tranquility through an iron fist. The following tips may serve to bring the joy back into meditation for those struggling with their practice.

For starters, a Yoga meditation session will become free, light and joyful when it’s taken one moment at a time. Yes, meditating tends to reduce stress levels and blood pressure along with cultivating deeper and higher levels of consciousness, but in the end those are all future destinations. Meditation is a journey happening right now, so take the time to enjoy the step you’re currently on. Focus on the act of meditating itself and give it your utmost consideration, appreciating it for what it is right now, not what benefits it could lead to later on down the road. If you attempt this and it seems impossible, something needs changing. Perhaps a different form of meditation is needed. Individuals don’t score bonus points for meditating using methods that are especially against their nature. The ego loves this type of thing because it takes something as simple as meditation and makes it into some act of super human discipline and restraint. This is compelling in fiction, but ultimately useless in real life. This is not to say that meditation should always be easy, and there will be days when individuals just don’t feel like doing it. If this happens more often than not, something has got to give. There are a variety of different meditation methods to choose from, and the ultimate goal of each one is to simply wake people up and bring them more deeply into life itself. If individuals feel bored and uninspired with their current meditation practice than by all means shake things up and try a different technique. It all leads to the same Source.

If individuals are pretty content with their meditation style but find the joy and passion for the practice ebbing, it may be time to examine what exactly they are expecting from their meditation time. Paulji often mentions that many people become frustrated and irritated with themselves for thinking during their meditation sessions, but that’s actually a pretty natural thing for the mind to do. The mind tends to think, and that’s okay. Ultimately, the goal of most meditation practitioners is to silence the mind and bring it to stillness but another gift meditation brings to the table is intense self reflection; those who meditate know their minds well because they are quiet enough to listen to themselves. So let the mind think if that’s what it really wants to do; there is no shame in this. Meditation is not a super human achievement and getting to know one’s self better is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s hard for the ego to be taken too seriously when it’s being watched; its antics often look silly when examined by the higher consciousness, which enters into the mind during meditation. This opportunity for deep reflection is often lost when striving for perfection in technical aspects of a Yoga meditation practice.

When one is happy with their meditation style but still somehow reluctant to meditate when the time comes perhaps discomfort is to blame. It’s good to develop the ability to meditate no matter what else is going on in the outside world, but it’s also wise to eliminate any outside distractions beforehand whenever possible. For example, if an individual has an important phone call to make, they should consider getting it done before meditating. Removing things to worry about can lead to better and more enjoyable meditation. Also, pay attention to how the physical body feels during meditating and be honest about the feedback the body is giving. If the physical body experiences discomfort, the mind will do whatever possible to avoid the situation that caused it, leading to unconscious resistance to the practice. If there is pain present, correct it. Better to sit in a chair than to put the body through prolonged periods of pain in order to sit in a more ‘enlightened’ position such as Lotus or even Half Lotus.

Finally, there are many people who simply carry a lot of unconscious guilt about taking the time to meditate and this translates to distraction, boredom and a depressed mood during the practice. For those individuals, the only solution is to work through the problem itself. Do they feel like they shouldn’t be spending so much time away from their family and obligations? If so, perhaps the meditation session could be made shorter (5 minutes), but if it’s only 20-30 minutes a day there is no logic or common sense in such a feeling. Observe the guilt and allow it to be and it will eventually pass.

In short, Yogic meditation is a gift that should be imbued with a sense of peace, joy and bliss. If those sensations aren’t present in your current meditation routine, it’s time to bring your bliss back by implementing some of the tips above.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

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Cultivating Thankfulness With Yoga Meditation

Friday, October 28th, 2011

become a yoga teacherBy Bhavan Kumar

When we start Yoga practice, we are taught that meditation is the ultimate Yogic experience.  When we are young, it is hard to see beyond the benefits of asana, but as the years go by we find an appreciation for the finer things in life.  With self-realization we transform gradually toward wisdom and inner happiness.  One way to appreciate life is gratitude for the chance we have to live it.

Many of us go through periods of time where we feel like there is nothing to be thankful for. This is a normal part of the human experience and feelings of guilt over it are not helpful in the long run. Instead of feeling bad over a lack of thankfulness, why not practice the art of cultivating a thankful spirit on a daily basis? Thankfulness is intrinsically linked with happiness and joy, making it a very worthwhile thing to pursue.

First, let’s talk about what thankfulness is not. Thankfulness is not something outside of ourselves and it is not dependent on an external factors. Thankfulness is not a destination in the distant future; thankfulness is here and now. Often we get into the mindset that if we accomplish this or that we will be truly happy and thankful. The problem with postponing thankfulness and gratitude is that there will always be another goal, destination or event. If we decide that we will be thankful when we reach the destination, we miss out on the joy of the journey itself, along with all the beautiful experiences it is willing to give.

Individuals forget how to be thankful upon reaching adulthood. This state of inherent gratitude is why kids Yoga classes are catching on everywhere. When we are children, everything is something to be thankful for. A sweet candy treat, the joy of blowing bubbles in the afternoon sun, the softness of a kitten’s fur, all of these things are worth being thankful for. Young children dwell in a perpetual state of thankfulness because they are so intensely aware of the present moment. Children are so new to the world that they can’t help but give their full attention to every little thing; this is how they learn and develop the skills necessary to function as adults. When children develop their own ego, the wonder of life begins to fade and a loss of innocence is the result. They turn their attention from the here and now and start putting their focus on other things like social status, future goals or memories of the past. That’s when the inherent thankfulness for all that is disappears.

In essence, thankfulness comes from noticing things to be thankful for. If we are in a constantly distracted state, is it any wonder that we start having a hard time remembering what we’re thankful for? Thankfulness is the direct result of maintaining a constant dialog between yourself and the present moment.

Simply meditating on a daily basis cultivates thankfulness automatically because it awakens an individual to the present moment which is the source of all good things. Any meditation style is effective, though mindfulness meditation is particularly suited to drawing one’s attention to the little things worthy of gratitude.

Finding thankfulness is made simple through meditation but the key to success is consistency. In Yoga, we are taught that meditation must be done every day if an individual wishes to maintain a thankful state on a daily basis. The sessions need not be long; the goal is to simply get in touch with the present moment each and every day. This will profoundly transform your life, making thankfulness the default state of being. No longer think about thankfulness; be the thankfulness and feel the thankfulness. It’s a beautiful thing.

Conclusion

A steady routine of yoga practice will instill feelings of self-confidence and enhance one’s self image. Learning to appreciate ourselves as we are is a yogic life skill, which brings about states of happiness and contentment.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

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FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

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Yoga Meditation to Rid Self-Criticism

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

become a yoga teacherBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Yoga is a science of balanced, mental and physical living. Self-love and self-criticism are polar opposites, but most people are quick to punish themselves when they make mistakes. It seems that many of us are looking too deeply into our own flaws.

While it is true that none of us is perfect, it will not be helpful to one’s self-esteem to constantly be reminded of this fact. Looking at one’s self can invite merciless self-criticism. We may be able to tell a friend to stop criticizing us, but the mind can chatter while you sleep or at any time of the day. How can Yoga meditation help us train our minds to stop finding faults within us?

The Yogic Solution to Self- Criticism

Swami Kripalu, a 20th century spiritual teacher and well known Yoga Guru, once said, “The highest form of spiritual practice is self-observation without self-criticism.” Few disciplines encourage practitioners to examine themselves, inwardly and outwardly, like the ancient art of meditation. The eternal question of “Who am I?” leads to self-observation, but the process of truly accepting oneself is far more difficult.

Wise decisions require critical thinking skills, and awareness calls for objectivity and clarity. Unrealistic expectations and perfectionism, however, block creativity, destroy self-esteem, and result in anger and frustration. Trying to live up to other people’s standards, judging success by external rewards, and demanding flawless performance set the scene for destructive self-talk.

Yogic Prevention

While the goal of Yogic meditation is the creation of harmony between the internal and external mind, sometimes, a few practical solutions are able to stop the critical inner voice before it gets out of control. First, though, it is vital to recognize the process in its early stages. Warning signs may be a lump in the throat, tense muscles, clenched teeth, or other physical and emotional signals. Meditation is the tool that makes it possible to witness and alter these unhealthy patterns of thinking.

Six Ways to Stop Self-Criticism in Its Early Stages 

1. Listen to the automatic tapes playing in your head. If your mind is full of negative thoughts, stop and ask yourself if they are true. Awareness is the first step in making changes.

2. When you catch yourself listening to critical thoughts, replace the false statements with positive ones.

3. Do Yoga poses (asana) to release pent-up energy and clear your mind.

5. Practice controlled breathing techniques (pranayama).

6. Write about your feelings. Studies have shown that students, who have performance anxiety, do better on tests when they write about their anxiety beforehand.

A regular Yoga meditation practice increases sensitivity to emotional and physical sensations, making it easier to stop the cycle of self-criticism, before the body responds with symptoms like the release of adrenaline or an increase in blood pressure. The key to success is becoming familiar with the negative thoughts and realizing that they are just that – thoughts.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

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Yoga and Meditation for Relationships

Sunday, September 11th, 2011

yoga certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Yoga and meditation classes create lofty expectations. Yet, upon leaving a Yoga class, we are faced with the reality of life. When students are present for Yoga practice, it is a wonderful experience. However, the challenge of real life can be found outside the Yoga studio or ashram. One of the many challenges people face is managing relationships.

For some of us, there are times when relationships appear to bring more sorrow than joy; and often, that is what drives people to decide that they are simply not worth the trouble. This leads to anti-social habits for self-protection. Seclusion is not a reasonable long term answer. The answer is to take difficult relationships and make them a learning experience. Why not turn problems, with other individuals, into a constant meditative practice?

Avoiding the Urge to Control Others

It is a fact that the only person one can truly control is himself or herself. Attempts to mold, shape, and modify the thinking of others, usually results in frustration. While some people do successfully control others, it is rare to see it last for long. Additionally, the desire to control others is usually rooted in selfishness. Ironically, our deepest states of happiness, inner peace, and freedom can only be experienced if we are free from attachment, controlling, and clinging.

Finding the Observer Within

As issues, disagreements, and irritations arise – take care to observe your mind patterns. Do not judge what you see; just watch and allow these thoughts or feelings to be. By observing the mind, while in the midst of an argument or disagreement, one may gain valuable insight into underlying mind patterns, which are usually hidden from view. It is a major challenge to observe, while you are “under fire.”

The simple act of observing the mind, during an argument, will promote a shift within the tone of the situation, because it prevents you from becoming identified with the thoughts and emotions of the ego. By keeping your sense of distance from internal feelings, such as indignation, irritation, and frustration, you may observe them, without becoming lost in them. This present moment awareness leads to a calmness and clarity that was not there before; and this shifts the situation dramatically.

Yogic Meditation Solutions for Conflicts and Healing Relationships

A conflict means nothing, if we cannot learn from it. You must remove anger and frustration first. As soon as it is possible, try sitting in a quiet place, and practice your favorite meditation method. Once inner stillness and calm is reached, bring back to mind the observations you made during the conflict with the other individual. Chances are good that this remembrance will bring back to memory all of the same mind patterns.

Now is the time to explore them in depth. Go deeply into the conflict, without emotion, and observe it fully; yet, continue to remind yourself that you are observing the emotions and thoughts. Do not identify with them.

This is one of the best ways to become aware of that which is hidden within you. Perhaps, deep down inside, you really do harbor resentment towards the individual; or perhaps, you really do hold them in disdain for thoughtlessness in their conduct. There is nothing wrong with these thoughts and feelings, but it is essential to become aware of them. Awareness of hidden negative emotions, and thought patterns, gradually leads to the removal of negativity and stress. In this way, all relationships become an opportunity for self-discovery and a deep consciousness of everyday life.

Unfortunately, all relationships will not be repaired by meditating on them. Sometimes, people really are selfish, deceitful, or ego driven – enough to justify putting an end to that relationship. Ending a relationship, based on a rational decision, which rises up from a higher state of consciousness (with no judgment or resentment) is much better than a relationship ended in anger, and without thought.

Conclusion

If you continually practice being conscious and aware of how your ego reacts to others, the quality of all your relationships will eventually increase. You will be surrounded by a higher quality of character. This may be due to a change in yourself or a change in the type of people that are drawn to you. Either way, better relationships are attainable through making them a part of your Yoga meditation practice.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

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Yoga Meditation for Chemical Addictions

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

yoga certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Yoga has many facets for healing. At the top of the list is meditation.  Although Yoga postures help people cope with life’s daily problems, the body is being adjusted to bring about states of inner calm.  Yoga meditation preserves this feeling of calm by teaching the practitioner how to control the mind. Controlling one’s mind is a life saving skill.

A chemical addiction is a serious medical issue with a physical and a psychological component. The body may crave a specific “mind and mood altering substance,” but overcoming the physical addiction is just the first step. Ultimately, it is the mental addiction, and the difficulty in changing habits with coping mechanisms, that can lead addicts to relapse.

Accordingly, strengthening the mind is an extremely important step in chemical addiction recovery. Like a toddler learning to walk, the mind grasps for something to cling to. When drugs are removed as an option, the mind is left flailing and must be taught with other methods and new tools. Yoga, in conjunction with meditation, can be a very powerful ally to the mind, which is struggling for new footholds.

Meditation creates states of “mindful awareness.” Labeling thoughts that come into the mind as one meditates, and learning to observe them without judging, or becoming attached to them, teaches the meditation practitioner to separate these feelings or cravings from the self. Prayer and meditation are specifically mentioned in step 11 of Alcoholics Anonymous’ 12-step program.

Kevin Griffin, the author of “One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps,” points out that “in addiction, people turn to drugs to escape from uncomfortable feelings, but in meditation, you learn to do the opposite. You sit with yourself, your thoughts, and feelings, instead of running away.” Admittedly, the process can be difficult. Similar to insights in therapy, insights in meditation come at the cost of facing the feelings that addiction has been masking. Yet, only by facing these feelings can they lose their power.

Loving kindness meditation develops a systematic quality of loving acceptance towards others and the self, through regular practice. Addiction mistreats the body and the self, so increasing feelings of self-worth and self-acceptance, faults and all, can be extremely healing. Loving kindness towards those around us also makes us aware of the toll that addiction can take on our friends and loved ones.

Incorporating meditation into an existing Yoga practice can be as simple as setting aside time before or after regular mat time. Practice in a peaceful area, where disturbances are minimized. Remember that meditation alone may not be sufficient support for recovery .  Therefore, it is wise to seek other assistance, such as  professional counseling or therapy, as needed.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

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Yoga Meditation to Free the Mind

Monday, August 8th, 2011

yoga teacher certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Yoga and meditation are two helpful practices that complement each other; and, when practiced together, deepen the practitioner’s experience. If you have been practicing Yoga without meditation, consider adding to your practice, by learning meditation techniques. Yoga as a physical exercise emphasizes the interconnectedness of the practitioner and the universe; meditation allows one to actually experience the connection.

The word Yoga means “union,” a state which occurs when the body and mind are in harmony. For this to happen, the mind must be still. Like a radio set to “seek,” the untrained mind scrolls from station to station, picking up bits and pieces and rolling with white noise. With training and practice, the radio can be turned off, while perfect silence and clarity enjoyed. Only with this skill, can the mind be “free.”

Often, people envision a monk in a cave, when they think about meditation. While isolation and quiet are useful in starting to meditate, there is no need to become a spelunker. You need to strike a balance between being comfortable and being alert. You also need a space that will not distract you. Try any comfortable room in your house. Start with a session of five minutes and work up to ten minutes or longer.  For those unused to stillness, meditation is hard work.

There are several kinds of meditation, but meditation (concentration), on a function, is a good place to start. Concentration can be thought of as the ability to put the mind on one thing and leave it there. The point of focus is the “function.”

To begin concentration meditation, watch the breath go in and out at one point in the body, and count to ten breaths. Many thoughts will come into your mind and disturb you, but if you can get to ten, you are doing well. If a thought is noticed, but you have not lost count, note briefly in your mind what the thought is. Label it, using a term like “planning,” “memory,” or “fantasy.” Labeling will remove the thought’s power to distract – so practice it often.

Counting keeps you in the current moment, by providing instant feedback of each moment.  In turn, you track thoughts which are not mindful, which occurs when you forget the number you are counting. It also keeps the practitioner focused on one “function” – the breath. Once you have mastered counting to ten, work backwards back down to one. This concentration practice, done several times a day, will help you learn to still the mind for further work.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

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Five Yoga Meditation Benefits

Saturday, August 6th, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Faye Martins

There are many yoga meditation benefits.  Meditation has been practiced by yoga practitioners for thousands of years and its plethora of benefits is certainly no secret. It is an easy ticket to a healthier body, stronger mind, and better quality life overall. It would take an extremely long time to list the extensive amount of benefits meditation provides; here are five of the main benefits of this practice.

1. Reduces Stress

It is well-known that a low level of stress is the key to a happier mind and healthier body. Meditation and proper breathing can help lower stress by clearing the mind and calming the body. This leads to a healthy heart and blood pressure. Meditation allows you to take a break from the world around you and keep things in perspective. It also helps you become more resilient to negative emotions.

2. Improves Clarity and Strength of the Mind

Practicing meditation brings better focus to the user. It also leaves the mind open for embracing new experiences, leads to better self control and concentration, and helps the user become better in touch with their inner selves. It also brings the user an inner sense of peace in their everyday lives.

3. Leads to Better Sleep

When used before bed, meditation can help the user clear the mind and get a better night sleep without being bogged down by the worries of the previous day. Better sleep can vastly improve health and leave a person much better suited to handle the stresses of the day.

4. Improves Illnesses

Some research has shown meditation to reduce the severity of illnesses, especially those aggravated by stress, such as asthma, depression, fatigue, and anxiety disorders, among many others.

5. Improves Fertility

This may, or may not, be of interest, but it is widely known that stress is one of the factors that contribute to fertility problems, and since meditation reduces stress, by doing so it can increase fertility. The chance of getting pregnant is greatly increased when a woman meditates, as this practice makes her more relaxed and self-aware, leaving her open to the new experience, and also gets her better prepared for being a mother by teaching her coping strategies.

Meditation can be done in different ways—through guided meditation, either in a class or by following a tape, or just by following your own instructions. However you do it, you will soon be rewarded with its many benefits and are sure to see a vast improvement in many areas of your life.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

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Practicing Yoga Meditation to Master the Human Mind

Monday, June 27th, 2011

become a yoga teacherBy Faye Martins

Within the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali describes the eight limbs of Raja Yoga. The last four limbs are a gateway to master one’s mind. You might think that controlling one’s mind would be considered priceless. Yet, if we follow Ashtanga (eight limbs) Yoga  training today, most people think of the challenging asana sequences within an Ashtanga vinyasa session. People love physical challenges, but if you had a Yoga teacher training that focused only on mastering the mind, it would have difficulty getting popularity.

For centuries, people from different cultures have practiced Yoga meditation to master the human mind. From its esoteric roots among Eastern mystics to its contemporary status among diverse cultures, the practice is now accepted by mainstream society. Still considered a spiritual practice, it is also recognized by secular sources as both as a mode of relaxation and a means of achieving goals.

In order to understand how meditation works, it is necessary to know how the conscious and the subconscious minds work. The conscious mind is the thinking part of the brain that sets goals and determines the steps needed to reach them. Although it is great with ideas, it gets distracted and jumps from one thought to another every few seconds. At any one time, it can only store a few pieces of information and is unable to retain most of them.

The subconscious mind, on the other hand, can remember unlimited bits of information for an entire lifetime and is connected to the conscious mind through the five senses. This is the part of the brain that responds to subliminal suggestions and sees the big picture. It can actually accomplish the goals of the conscious mind, but it must first receive the messages from the conscious brain in order to act on them. Meditation helps to develop the strong neural pathways that allow this to happen.

Since the subconscious is unable to distinguish reality from the imagination, it thinks whatever it visualizes is real. The brain, in other words, is wired to act on the beliefs of the subconscious – whether they are positive or negative. The good news is that the subconscious can be programmed to manifest success by changing the way the mind works, and meditation is the tool that allows it to happen.

The brain vibrates at different frequencies, based on its actions at any given moment. There are five kinds of brain waves:

• Beta – the thinking brain, alert and tense

• Alpha – physical and mentally relaxed, but aware

• Theta – conducive to meditation, memory, intuition; reduced consciousness

• Delta – dreamless sleep, deep meditation, healing; unconsciousness

• Gamma – increased compassion; optimal cognitive function; conscious awareness of reality

The act of meditation not only creates an atmosphere for the brain to work more effectively; when compared in studies to similar activities – such as relaxation or resting – meditation also produces more changes in brain waves. Science has finally proven what monks knew thousands of years ago. Meditation is the key to mastering the mind.

Is the a mental benefit in the physical practice of Yoga asana? Yes, the benefit is in harnessing the flow of mental energy before we undertake the task if training the mind.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

Free report, newsletter, videos, podcasts, and e-Book: “Yoga in Practice.”

If you are a Yoga Teacher, studio owner, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

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Posted in Meditation, yoga and meditation | 1 Comment »

The Best Time of Day for Yoga Meditation

Friday, June 10th, 2011

yoga certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Meditation is a wonderful practice, but many people wonder when is the best time for a practice session. The answer will vary, depending on the individual and the amount of time one has been meditating. Some Yoga teachers are very specific about the optimum time for meditation, but some of us have very strict work schedules. Not everyone can schedule an early morning or late evening session at their local yoga school.

Morning Meditation for Early Risers

Morning, especially early morning, is usually believed by many Yoga instructors to be the best time for meditation, for several different reasons. The first reason is because of atmosphere; the world is still sleepy and quiet in the early morning hours for the most part, depending on where one lives, and this lends itself to a more meditative state automatically. Another reason is because one has, hopefully, just awakened from a good night’s sleep and sleep states such as Yoga nidra have a special symbiotic relationship with meditation. One carries the momentum of a restful sleep and meditates – building on the foundation laid during the night, calming the mind and becoming mindful. This state of being present within the moment is then carried throughout the rest of the day.

Exceptions to Morning Sessions

There are exceptions to every rule, and it is important not to become attached to a certain time of day. There is no magic time for meditation. The time to meditate is when it is best for you. For example, someone working the third shift should not feel obligated to meditate at six a.m., just because others have good results meditating at that time. For that person, they may do better to meditate in the evening, just before they head off to work.

Night Sessions for Late Risers or Second Shift Workers

An alternative time to meditate is before going to bed in the evening or late at night. For some Yoga students, this could be their primary meditation time; for others, this would be their secondary time. Attaining a calmer state, through meditation before bed, can lead to some of the best sleep one has experienced in their entire life. One of the primary causes of sleepless nights is the mind’s inability to cease its thinking long enough for one to drift off to sleep. Bringing stillness to the mind, through meditation, eliminates this problem.

Brief Sessions

In addition to a scheduled session, it is also helpful to try mini-meditation sessions throughout the day. These meditations need not be long; even a few minutes will do. When an individual has already trained his or her mind to be still through normal meditation sessions, it takes relatively little time to achieve that state throughout the day.

Just as the muscles in the physical body have a memory, so does one’s inner space. For those who only meditate for a few minutes, it must be remembered: An individual cannot realistically hope to reach deep states of meditation and reap all of the rewards of the practice during short sessions. An individual, who regularly meditates for one session a day of 20 to 30 minutes, will additionally benefit from relatively small blocks of stillness and mindfulness – interspersed throughout their entire day.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

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