| Many in today's society rush through their days | | | | become aware of your breathing. Sit comfortably |
| with barely even a thought to slowing down - a | | | | and with your eyes closed, notice your breathing |
| habit which is putting their health at risk. Learning | | | | without trying to change it. That's right; just |
| to meditate effectively is a requirement in order | | | | notice the sensation of your breathing and how it |
| to ward off possible illness and disease that come | | | | feels moving in and out of your nostrils, your |
| from too much stress. | | | | lungs and how it travels down to your abdomen. |
| Meditation has been proven to help reduce cortisol | | | | Notice the sound of your breathing and just |
| levels (the hormone released during stressful | | | | gently acknowledge any distracting thoughts that |
| periods) resulting in a overall feeling of happiness | | | | come to your mind then come back to your |
| and well-being. Some other benefits of meditation | | | | breath. |
| include enhanced creativity and problem solving | | | | Gratitude is the focus in loving kindness |
| ability. There are different styles of meditation | | | | meditation. While sitting in meditation, we |
| practiced throughout the world and all of them | | | | remember all the wonderful people, animals, places |
| produce peaceful results. | | | | and things that have helped along our journey. |
| You are probably most familiar with the use of a | | | | Our gratitude is expressed to those we love along |
| mantra during meditation. Many yogis are pictured | | | | with our blessings. The key is to be in a state of |
| chanting "Om" while they sit cross legged with | | | | deep appreciation and gratitude for everyone and |
| their eyes closed in deep relaxation. This | | | | everything in our lives. |
| meditation technique is used to focus a wandering | | | | Investing the time in learning how to meditate will |
| mind and is ideal for the beginning meditator. | | | | benefit your health and peace of mind. The same |
| Choose a simple to repeat word and repeat it | | | | results can be achieved regardless of the |
| over and over while allowing your mind and body | | | | techniques that are used. Find what works best |
| to totally relax. The word you choose for your | | | | for you so that you will practice for a minimum of |
| mantra should be a positive word or one that has | | | | 10 minutes daily. In a very short period of time, |
| no meaning for you. You don't need to repeat | | | | you will begin to notice the benefits of meditation |
| your mantra out loud but you can if you wish. | | | | and you'll be hooked! |
| Another form of relaxing meditation is to simply | | | | |