| Meditation practices have recently grown in | | | | the energy run through your body. |
| popularity over the last decade or so. More people | | | | Start to take some deep breaths. You want |
| from different backgrounds are now practicing | | | | to inhale through your nostrils, feel the air run |
| meditation because of the direct benefits it brings | | | | down to your diaphragm (abdomen area) and |
| to their life. Meditation is a profound practice that | | | | feeling that area expand gently. |
| enables the individual to release all thoughts and | | | | Exhale through your mouth and feel the air |
| emotions from the body and be completely | | | | start to leave the diaphragm (abdomen area) |
| present. The direct benefits from continual | | | | slowly and gently. Do this continuously and focus |
| meditation will bring the individual peace, joy, | | | | on this breathing technique as you sit there and |
| fulfillment, love, greater self awareness. | | | | meditate. Try to not be hasty with your |
| Meditation really does help to ease the clutter | | | | breathing. Gentle and slow. |
| being thrown into your life. It can help to soothe | | | | If you are finding it difficult to focus on the |
| any emotions like fear, uncomfort, pressure that | | | | present, a simple task such as concentrating on |
| you may be experiencing. Although practicing | | | | consistent breathing through your diaphragm will |
| meditation may not be able to permanently | | | | definitely help to ease any nerves, stress, anxiety, |
| eliminate such emotions, it certainly helps you to | | | | depression that you may be experiencing. |
| be in control of your thoughts and emotions at a | | | | This is a very simple meditation exercise. This |
| much deeper level. | | | | meditation practice should be done for a minimum |
| If you are not practicing meditation already then | | | | of 10 minutes daily. You will really start to feel the |
| here is a great opportunity to start. Anyone can | | | | added benefit if you practice on a consistent |
| meditate. You don't have to be at a specific | | | | basis. Breathing through to your diaphragm |
| person or the right point in time to start now. | | | | ensures that energy flows through to the core of |
| There are many ways for you to start right now. | | | | your body. You will find that when you start to |
| If other people are benefiting from meditation, | | | | master this art, you will be able to sit there for |
| then you can too. | | | | longer periods of time in complete solitude. |
| If you don not have a meditation practice then | | | | If you are a beginner and have difficulties doing |
| here is a very simple one you can follow. Try this | | | | this because of any thoughts or emotions that |
| out immediately. | | | | may be distracting you, there is no need to |
| Find a quiet place away from any clutter. This | | | | worry. Meditation is a very useful aid for your |
| can either be in your room, a quiet place in your | | | | distractions. Once mastered you will be able to |
| house or even outdoor areas such as your back | | | | release any unwanted energy and have greater |
| garden or a quiet park. | | | | control over your thoughts and emotions. They |
| Sit down with your legs crossed and have | | | | will no longer become a distraction. |
| make sure you keep your posture straight. | | | | You don't have to be a spiritual leader, belong to |
| Keeping your back straight is very important | | | | any religious group or be genius to start |
| because you want to feel the energy run through | | | | meditation. If you haven't done so already, start |
| your back. If you are finding it difficult to keep | | | | now. There's a really great book by Adya Shanti |
| your knees crossed so that they are below your | | | | titled Meditation that I highly recommend you get |
| hips, find a soft blanket that you can put | | | | your hands on. There are also plenty of great |
| underneath your knees to relieve any resistance | | | | videos available on Youtube on meditation that |
| you may be feeling in your knees and/or lower | | | | can help. |
| back. | | | | Other great substitutes to meditation include yoga |
| As you are sitting in this position, close your | | | | and Pilates. There are some great classes out |
| eyes and start to listen to all the sounds around | | | | there and also a good opportunity for you to |
| you - birds chirping in the background - feel the | | | | meet other people and get ideas from them. |
| wind, breeze and air around you and the trees' | | | | Good luck! |
| rustling leaves. Feel your heart beat and really feel | | | | |