| Our world has become so fast paced that it is | | | | Yoga as a meditation practice. Yoga is very |
| sometimes hard to keep up (or slow down). If | | | | popular because it relaxes both the body and |
| you do not stop the pandemonium, you can begin | | | | mind. It is a form of exercise that incorporates |
| to feel as if your life is descending into a chaotic | | | | meditation. Meditation is one of the five principles |
| jumble. There are ways to deal with these | | | | of yoga, with the other four being diet, exercise, |
| overwhelming feelings, however, and put order | | | | relaxation, and breathing. The goal in yoga |
| back into your life. The first step is to realize that | | | | meditation is to focus on one point to achieve |
| you need to make some time for yourself. You | | | | self-realization. |
| cannot help others if you do not care of yourself | | | | Mindfulness meditation practice. The benefit of |
| first. One method of self care is to develop a | | | | developing mindfulness meditation is it helps you |
| meditation practice. | | | | to slow down, calm your body, focus your mind, |
| Meditation can benefit your body, mind, and spirit. | | | | and attend to the present moment. An important |
| Tests and studies monitoring brain waves of | | | | first step in developing mindfulness is simple |
| people during meditation have shown that one can | | | | in-and-out breathing and concentrating on the |
| achieve deep relaxation and increased oxygen | | | | breath (Mindfulness of Breathing). The first stage |
| intake during meditation. In addition, research has | | | | in practicing mindfulness is Bare Attention, which |
| found that meditation can lower blood pressure, | | | | slows the mind so that you become more aware |
| heart rate, and cholesterol levels. Studies have | | | | of each moment of seeing, tasting, smelling, |
| also shown that people who meditate may have | | | | touching, and each thought as it arises in |
| lower levels of cortisol and free radicals, which | | | | consciousness. Moreover, practicing Bare Attention |
| reduce stress and slows the aging process. | | | | offers the unique opportunity to pause before |
| Moreover, research has shown that meditation | | | | you take action. Mindfulness practice can |
| and yoga are among several factors that have | | | | eventually lead to Insight, which is the clear |
| helped heart patients change their lifestyle, | | | | realization and personal experience of all |
| especially because patients learn to pay more | | | | phenomena, both internal and external, free from |
| attention to their emotions and reactions. | | | | all judgement. |
| Meditation is a personal experience. There are | | | | The amount of time you spend meditating is a |
| different ways you can meditate, some of which | | | | personal choice, although it does take time to |
| do not require you to sit for hours with your | | | | learn how to focus your mind. If you are unsure |
| eyes closed. Finding the right practice or | | | | which type of meditation is right for you, seek |
| combination of practices may take a bit of time, | | | | the guidance of a qualified teacher. When you |
| but the benefits are certainly worth the effort. | | | | begin your practice, you will develop preferences |
| Start with something simple. Dedicate yourself to | | | | customized for your own mind and body. Find |
| learning that technique and see the benefits in | | | | your balance and create your own style! |
| your daily life. If one type of meditation is not | | | | Once you make the conscious decision to |
| right for you, then try another. The practices I | | | | meditate, you will bring peace, comfort, and |
| have found helpful include yoga and mindfulness | | | | better health into your daily life. |
| practice. | | | | |