MEDITATION

What is meditation?

Meditation is all about focus, focusing the mind on one object and removing the endless stream of thoughts that occupy us. By doing this, we can bring about contentment and learn to cope more easily with the pressures of everyday life.

Although its contemplative qualities could be seen as similar to prayer, yogic meditation is non-religious and focuses on developing oneself, rather than communicating with a higher being.

Meditation, along with Asanas (postures) and Pranayamas (breath control), provide the basis for yoga. Combined, these three elements help to improve health, mental performance and balance emotions.

How does it work?

There are numerous meditation techniques, but in yoga emphasis is placed on focusing the mind on a single object such as breath or a mantra. 

Minds stay alert and awake, bodies are relaxed. Meditation is not about dreaming or going into a state of trance, it is about focusing and keeping the mind in the present.

During meditation focus is placed on breathing, on a word that is repeated, on bodily sensations, or on our thoughts. 

It’s natural for minds to wander and when they do, we just gently guide them back to our focus and start again. This can happen again and again during a yoga session, but is unimportant as long as we keep coming back to our focus.

There is no set body position for meditating and it doesn’t have to be completely silent outside of the room as our focus enables us to remain unaffected by distractions, and to become non-judgemental. We are focused on the present and accept it as it is.

What are the benefits?

In recent years there has been a growing interest within the medical community regarding the health benefits of meditation.

Scientific studies have proven that meditating provides significant benefits to the healing process, and in particular to increasing energy levels, lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, improving muscle tension and lowering the heartbeat

Studies have also shown that meditation improves concentration, planning, meta-cognition (thinking about thinking), and positive affect (good feelings), and leads to a decrease in depression and anxiety.