Yoga, the brainchild of the ancient Hindus is a form of mysticism, whose origin is impossible to trace, dating back as it does to thousands of years before recorded history. One of the six schools of Hindu philosophy, Maharishi (or Sage) Patanjali, its founding father lived a full three centuries before Christ. A great philosopher and grammarian, he was also a physician, with a considerable body of medical work attributed to him, though this work has been lost in the pages of time. Though founded by Patanjali, yet Yoga existed as a distinct teaching and system of life long before him.

A traditional Indian system of healing the mind and body, through a series of mental, spiritual and physical exercises, Yoga is designed to yoke or unite or fuse individual consciousness and awareness (atma or the human soul) with super conscious awareness (Paramatma or the Supreme Being), which is, but a natural state of mind for both. Ultimately, this yoking process leads to a realisation of identity, and by integrating mind, body and spirit; it enhances physical and mental health and well-being, even as it helps attain spiritual insight and harmony, a union with the divine.

A blend of spiritual and physical exercises that encourage mental, spiritual and physical fitness, these exercises are also known to be effective against anxiety, arthritis, headache, migraine, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, pregnancy, rheumatoid arthritis, and more. Yoga’s special exercises, breathing and meditation techniques are renowned for cleansing the body of toxins, improving the muscle tone, as well as, blood circulation.

A way of life, the aim of Patanjali Yoga is to set man free from the cage of matter. Mind being the highest form of matter, the mind, body, soul union that is the goal of everyone practicing Yoga, frees them from the dragnet of Chital or Ahankara (mind or ego), making for a pure being. Practising Yoga does that and more!

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Yoga has been practiced by people the world over for many centuries, and it is still very popular today. Many people use it to strengthen the mind, body and spirit connection. There are actually several forms of yoga, and a seemingly infinite array of poses and postures that can be used. But however you choose to make use of yoga exercise, here are the top five benefits of including yoga in your home fitness routine.

1. Yoga not only strengthens your muscles but also increases their flexibility. Many people today use weight training to help build larger more powerful muscles. However, short and powerful muscles can be prone to injury. And flexibility is often ignored in many workout routines. Yoga can help round out your workout schedule, not only strengthening the muscles of your body but also making them flexible enough to protect you from injury as you exercise.

2. Yoga also helps increase your energy level. There is an emphasis on increasing the oxygen level in your blood while doing yoga exercises, and that in turn leads to a more energetic overall feeling. And because of the increased flexibility that yoga brings, there is a tendency to move more anyway because there is a wider range of free movement available in the body. And staying active also leads to higher energy levels as well.

3. Yoga also stimulates endocrine gland function by utilizing twisting and bending poses that activate the endocrine system and helps normalize sluggish glands.

4. One of the most popular benefits of yoga exercises is that it not only strengthens and improves your physical condition, but also helps relieve stress and tension to improve your mental outlook too. Today’s society is fast-paced and hectic, and this can take its toll on one both physically and mentally. Yoga recognizes this, and many of the slow stretching movements and deep breathing that is part of most yoga exercises help clear your mind of the cares of the day and focus it on positive things instead.

5. Closely related to your mood and mental outlook are other psychological benefits of using yoga. Very often we carry negative messages and feelings inside, and the practice of yoga helps a person better tune into the person that they are inside, increasing self awareness and self esteem.

There are lots of other advantages and benefits of adding yoga exercise into your fitness workouts, including the fact that it is both inexpensive and relatively easy to do. You may find by incorporating yoga into your daily routine, that even more benefits become readily apparent. This is fine because yoga is a deeply personal experience. It is not necessarily the same for each person who practices it. But hopefully the benefits of yoga exercise that we have covered in this article will help convince you that it should be a major part of your daily fitness routine from now on.

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You can find free yoga exercises and free yoga poses by visiting our Home Fitness website.

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The ancient practice of yoga has recently made a big impact in modern day society even though it has been approximately for centuries. A reduction in weight a toner body and feeling great in general are just a few of the possibilities that open up to those practicing beginner yoga exercises.

Everyday people are reporting their wonderful experiences on health benefits of Yoga exercise, the change of being taking you beyond the here and now. In one wonderful session of Yoga exercise, people get to practice a number of positions; some Yoga poses (asanas) breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation and chanting. In Yoga position you get to learn basic terms like Mudras, Bandhas and Chakras.

Different Types of Yoga Position:
Pick the type of yoga that fits you best. As yoga positions for beginner you should examine different styles and pick the appropriate one for your personality present health condition and your fitness level. When it comes to considerate what each style offers take into consideration that you need to choose one that you will be able to perform comfortably without straining any muscles.

Contrary to popular or unpopular perception, Benefits yoga positions are not about how far you can reach to touch your toes or how many repetitions you can perform. It is all about paying concentration to how your body feels better how it moves without that excruciating pain or agony! Yoga exercise is all about breathing correctly about integrating that breath into your being. Participants are asked to lift themselves from the ground and perform a series of stretch positions in a fluid motion.

Yoga kriya is a physical action. In Yoga it is referred to as an action which is directed towards a complete being towards attaining a balance. When an imbalance occurs in the body a specific energy is required to bring the body in balance. With the help of a kriya we force a balance in an imbalanced state. We give you here the yoga kriya for the stomach since taking away is one of the most important activities of the body for removing the waste or toxins or the congestion in the body.

Read more on Yoga Positions for Beginners and Benefits of Yoga Exercise

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Most of us lead busy, fast-paced lives. We have too much to do and too little time, and may be dealing with career pressures, family difficulties, or financial problems on top of everything else. Doctors have known for some time that there is a direct link between stress and a variety of health problems including headaches, stomach problems, heart problems, skin conditions, and high blood pressure, as well as depression and anxiety. While we can’t eliminate all stress from our lives, we can take steps to reduce its effects, and meditation is a wonderful way for you to calm down and regain your balance.

Meditation has been used for centuries as a way for people to reflect, relax and connect with their inner selves, but it is not some mysterious ancient art that requires years of study. At some time in your life, you have probably experienced a meditative state, a feeling of peace and serenity, simply by walking through the woods, or enjoying a beautiful piece of music. With just a little practice, you can achieve that peaceful state whenever you wish, and feel refreshed and ready to take on life’s challenges.

Try to Meditate Daily

Pick a time that works for you. If you have children, wait until they are in school or napping. Many people meditate in the morning as a relaxing way to start the day, while others like to meditate before bed. The time of day is not important, nor is the amount of time you spend meditating. Twenty to thirty minutes is good, but even if you can only spare 5 or 10 minutes you will still benefit from it.

Meditation Basics

Choose a quiet place with few distractions. If you like, you can light incense or a scented candle, but it isn’t necessary. Some people find it helpful to listen to relaxing music or nature sounds while meditating; others prefer complete silence.

You can sit cross-legged on the floor, or sit in a chair with your back supported. The important thing is that you are comfortable. Place one hand on each thigh, or cup your right hand under your left in your lap. You do not have to stay still to meditate! It’s ok to move or scratch an itch! Don’t feel that you have to shut out the world completely to get the benefits of meditation. If the phone rings, or there is some other brief interruption, just take care of it, then go back to meditating.

Breathing

Keep your spine straight, but not stiff, as this allows you to breathe deeply. Breathing deeply helps you to relax and concentrate because more oxygen is getting into the bloodstream. And deep breathing actually slows your heart rate. When you have found a comfortable position, begin focusing on breathing deeply. Follow each breath as it enters your nose, goes down into your lungs, and then out your nose again. Feel it on your upper lip as you exhale. Breathe in to the count of 4, and exhale to the count of 4. Feel the muscles in your body beginning to relax.

Don’t be concerned if you find it difficult to relax in the beginning. Trying too hard to relax can be stressful in itself! You may find yourself thinking about work, or all the things you need to take care of that day. If so, just acknowledge the thoughts that come into your head, but then let them go and focus again on your breathing. You may also want to start with shorter periods of meditation and work up to longer sessions.

Visualize

Visualization is a great tool to help you relax. Imagine yourself in a place that you find peaceful, for example, the beach. Think about the sounds you would hear there: the cries of the seagulls, and the sound of the waves on the shore. Imagine how the sun feels on your skin, and the smell of the salt air. You might choose to visualize being in the woods, or in the mountains. Whatever you choose, imagine every detail as if you are actually there.

Meditation is only one of the ways to reduce the stress in our lives. Eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep and exercise are also very important. Take a look at your lifestyle and decide whether you need to make other changes, but try meditation, too. It is a great way to relax and reduce the negative effects of stress, and you will feel the difference immediately.

Most of us lead busy, fast-paced lives. We have too much to do and too little time, and may be dealing with career pressures, family difficulties, or financial problems on top of everything else. Doctors have known for some time that there is a direct link between stress and a variety of health problems including headaches, stomach problems, heart problems, skin conditions, and high blood pressure, as well as depression and anxiety. While we can’t eliminate all stress from our lives, we can take steps to reduce its effects, and meditation is a wonderful way for you to calm down and regain your balance.

Meditation has been used for centuries as a way for people to reflect, relax and connect with their inner selves, but it is not some mysterious ancient art that requires years of study. At some time in your life, you have probably experienced a meditative state, a feeling of peace and serenity, simply by walking through the woods, or enjoying a beautiful piece of music. With just a little practice, you can achieve that peaceful state whenever you wish, and feel refreshed and ready to take on life’s challenges.

Try to Meditate Daily

Pick a time that works for you. If you have children, wait until they are in school or napping. Many people meditate in the morning as a relaxing way to start the day, while others like to meditate before bed. The time of day is not important, nor is the amount of time you spend meditating. Twenty to thirty minutes is good, but even if you can only spare 5 or 10 minutes you will still benefit from it.

Meditation Basics

Choose a quiet place with few distractions. If you like, you can light incense or a scented candle, but it isn’t necessary. Some people find it helpful to listen to relaxing music or nature sounds while meditating; others prefer complete silence.

You can sit cross-legged on the floor, or sit in a chair with your back supported. The important thing is that you are comfortable. Place one hand on each thigh, or cup your right hand under your left in your lap. You do not have to stay still to meditate! It’s ok to move or scratch an itch! Don’t feel that you have to shut out the world completely to get the benefits of meditation. If the phone rings, or there is some other brief interruption, just take care of it, then go back to meditating.

Breathing

Keep your spine straight, but not stiff, as this allows you to breathe deeply. Breathing deeply helps you to relax and concentrate because more oxygen is getting into the bloodstream. And deep breathing actually slows your heart rate. When you have found a comfortable position, begin focusing on breathing deeply. Follow each breath as it enters your nose, goes down into your lungs, and then out your nose again. Feel it on your upper lip as you exhale. Breathe in to the count of 4, and exhale to the count of 4. Feel the muscles in your body beginning to relax.

Don’t be concerned if you find it difficult to relax in the beginning. Trying too hard to relax can be stressful in itself! You may find yourself thinking about work, or all the things you need to take care of that day. If so, just acknowledge the thoughts that come into your head, but then let them go and focus again on your breathing. You may also want to start with shorter periods of meditation and work up to longer sessions.

Visualize

Visualization is a great tool to help you relax. Imagine yourself in a place that you find peaceful, for example, the beach. Think about the sounds you would hear there: the cries of the seagulls, and the sound of the waves on the shore. Imagine how the sun feels on your skin, and the smell of the salt air. You might choose to visualize being in the woods, or in the mountains. Whatever you choose, imagine every detail as if you are actually there.

Meditation is only one of the ways to reduce the stress in our lives. Eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep and exercise are also very important. Take a look at your lifestyle and decide whether you need to make other changes, but try meditation, too. It is a great way to relax and reduce the negative effects of stress, and you will feel the difference immediately.

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Louann Vertrees is an entrepreneur and freelance proofreader and editor. She has also worked as an English teacher and counselor. Among her many interests are Eastern philosophy and holistic health care and disease prevention. Visit her website at azproofreader.com

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Yoga has been around for centuries to help people that suffer with mental, physical and chemical related issues. Most people that suffering pain from mental or physical anguish find it difficult to reach their state of inner peace, while others never find it at all.

After September 11, Posttraumatic symptoms have accumulated, causing many to suffer mental anguish. As the year’s progress, the world is in an uproar since business is increase demands, government is battling the wars that cause, society struggles to survive and none of us knows the date it will all come to a halt.

Yoga is a soothing strategy invented to help those who suffer, by including special techniques for healing. Techniques such as panoramas, kriyas, chanting and mediation often help people with common and unnatural difficulties; allowing them the peace, they need to cope. Thus, when the pain reduces the person finds a place in the mind where peace occurs.

Vacations or yoga establishments have been developed to offer a wealth of comfort for the persons that suffer mental, emotional and physical. The Ayurveda Yoga Retreat for example offers special programs, healing strategies, and so much more for the packages to help people find their inner peace. As the year’s progress emotional stressors and stress weigh the mind and body down, thus finding inner peace with yoga brings about relief.

Yoga and mediation is an art that one must learn with precision to make the strategy work proper and enjoy proper healing that leads to inner peace. Once the person practices with the goal in mind to heal, thus inner peace follows.

The programs specialize in weight loss-related issues as well as aging, which causes the mind to suffer, thus inner peace is non-existing. Yoga has been in practice for decades and has proven to help people find inner peace.

Natural weight loss massage therapy, weight loss yoga, and other natural diets; and exercise and pills is the advantage to learn patience, consistence, mental and physical relief, while seeking the peek to inner peace.

Many persons that worry about aging consider creams, lotions, and other substances for to reduce lines, but yoga is a natural method that works and eliminates side affects. Health is always an issue, Yoga can decrease pain, and increase weight-loss, which in turn, helps the mind since the self-esteem and confidence, is restored. When a person feels confidence and the self-gratification exists, self-peace is often around the corner.

Yoga is a form of mediation that helps a person get in touch with their mind and body. The mind controls the body, thus when a person constant becomes acquainted with their mind and body they often find inner peace. If a person is searching to lose weight, or else relieve pain yoga can help the person feel relief, which leads to a measure of inner peace.

Still, yoga is never enough to find true inner peace. Some say being true to your self-helps you to find the inner peace, however, true to your self extends further, since you must find truth to be honest with everyone.

When people lie, cheat, steal, or feel doubt the emotions are in constant motion until a truth comes available. Once the truth is evident and facts are available to prove the truths, thus the person finds relief. When people adhere to criminal thinking or actions, thus the emotions are active and guilt entraps the mind, thus peace is never available.

Thus, serenity is being free of the storms in the emotions, which in turns provides freedom to the body and mind. When a person is not satisfied with self, thus they will feel trapped. The mind will not release the emotions, until the person begins to see who they are, what they are, and why they are the way, they are.

Yoga then clears the emotions, whereas the person can work toward connecting with self and finding serenity.

Inner peace is a state of mind. Inner peace is something we all must find within our self, or else the emotions are in control.

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Free information online – on every “style” of Yoga – is pretty hard to come across. The author got tired of looking and searching all over the place, so he decided to create a free Yoga Information Portal at: www.free-yoga-online.info

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Yoga as we all know is becoming very popular and with its increasing popularity you can make yoga a little easier. This can be done by including different accessories to it, as to get the synergy right to gain all the necessary value and energy from it. Even though it’s been centuries old it can create miracles by doing the right poses according to your body.

These blankets or rugs as they are called are very useful while doing the yoga poses. By folding the blanket or rug it give you the extra height to do your pose, your sweat is absorbed by these blankets and lets you maintain the pose which sometimes can be tedious for many.

continued below…….

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These can be padded, rolled up, a support for your back, neck or legs which is very essential for doing most of the poses. They come in different sizes depending which size you would be need. It will be very useful for relaxation asanas, Bikram and Ashtanga asanas.

These blankets or rugs are made of different materials like wool, cotton, polyester blend, acrylic and many different other types too. As the materials which are used are easy to maintain, you don’t have a problem in maintaining these materials as they are easy to wash and clean.

These blankets or rugs also come in different colors to match your liking such as green, red, blue, purple and some very different shades. Many of these blankets are hand woven giving it a more personal touch and value for your money for the good quality of blankets. Most of these mats are basically used for being placed on the yoga mats, so go shopping for something worthwhile for your yoga.

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Kevin Pederson, the webmaster for Yogawiz , you will find information on different types of yoga which are practiced in office, home and some of the accessories used such as yoga blankets, yoga mats etc.,

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The practice of Yoga has been used for centuries to promote a sense of physical and spiritual well-being. Although the origins of Yoga are shrouded in mystery, it is generally accepted to have begun at the dawn of civilization some 5000 years ago. A number of respected scholars have suggested that Yoga grew out of the shamanistic culture of Mehgarh, located in the region now known as Afghanistan. In fact, many facets of Hindu culture have their roots in Mehgarh.

The principle goal of the practice of Yoga is to assist practitioners in the transcendence of the human condition. It was an attempt to discern the order of the cosmos, and to apply those principles to daily living. Yoga has been linked to the Indus-Sarasvati civilization, which was one of the oldest and most advanced of the ancient cultures. This civilization also gave birth to some of the oldest scriptures ever discovered in modern times. The Vedas are considered by many as a form of divine revelation, and contain many references to a higher power and to the practice of Yoga.

On the physical plain, Yoga has shown incredible promise in treating and managing many illnesses. The practice of Yoga has a number of physical benefits for practitioners. It facilitates flexibility, and assists in the lubrication of joints, tendons, and ligaments. Many of the poses and positions work to massage the organs, thus stimulating the body’s detoxification process. The physical benefits of Yoga are often considered secondary to the spiritual development. Yoga has the incredible ability to bring into harmony the physical and the spiritual elements of the individual experience.

Meditation also plays a significant role in Yoga. By combining intense meditation with specialized physical exercise, practitioners are able to achieve a unity of body, mind, and soul. The intent is to create a sense of balance and harmony, both internally and externally. The emotional calmness associated with meditation works to reduce stress, which is considered by many as one of the root causes of physical illness. The primary goal of Yoga is to empower the individual to transcend the physical world and to achieve a sense of enlightenment or self-realization. For those interested in understanding and fully realizing the oneness of all things, a commitment to the principles and practice of Yoga will undoubtedly unlock the secrets of the cosmos in all their wondrous glory.

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Brodi Saatpha has been practicing Yoga for a number of years. When she is not striving to transcend reality, she writes for www.yoga-insight.com – an enlightening and refreshing website with information about the history of yoga, yoga certification, worldwide yoga retreats and more.

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The art of yoga is a rather tough subject to discuss today. Globalization seems to have vanquished the real meaning and purpose of this miraculous ancient art. To make it easy for the common man to understand, the whole philosophy has been reduced to a simple concept. In essence, the contents of yoga, in its entirety may be a little complicated for westerners to understand.

Westerners may find the contents to be complex and not easily understood. In order to be viewed as a person of wisdom, some people who have been exposed to this ancient art have invested their time to learn a little more, only to gain a superficial understanding of the real essence of yoga and then proceed to talk about it as though they are the recognized experts. Unfortunately, the western world seems to place the physical aspects of yoga as the main focus. There is more to yoga than the mere attainment of inner balance and serenity.

It is one of the six schools of Hindu thoughts has roots deep within the pages of the Hindu Holy Scriptures. Indians understand that is not a mere physical activity, but yoga is part of a spiritual development that is realized through a systematic and disciplined physical approach. It is unfortunate that the western world would approach yoga as a mere physical activity. Yoga with its strange looking symbols may seem mystical to the average Joe, is often enough to perk up a considerable level of interest in the hidden aspects of this ancient practice, but sadly, they are often misunderstood.

Operating from the wrong paradigm, yoga became a form of sports in the western world. Nevertheless many have been attracted to yoga as a form of practice to achieve inner peace and balance. The allure of yoga as an effective way to gain inner peace and balance has beckoned many to embrace this activity as well.

The so called experts in this industry have been quick to use these promises and people have been fascinated. There is plenty of evidence to show that yoga has been wrongly implemented in the West. Different groups practicing yoga have its own cultural structure and these influences are responsible for those fatal errors detected in the practice of this ancient art.

The busy western lifestyles certainly do not provide much space to contemplate on this philosophy. While meditation is an integral part of the practice, the westerners with their ever busy lifestyles certainly do not posses time for such luxuries. The Hindus have a different set of value system that is very different from the west, and places low importance in the mere accumulation of physical wealth. Unless these values are changed, it is impossible for westerners to achieve the true wisdom and enlightenment as defined by the parameters of the Hindu religion.

It takes patience and time to experience a successful meditative session. This is what the westerners lack. The west seems cursed with the obsession to pursue the goal of building better lives in the form of lavish lifestyles and not in the philosophical way.

Here, yoga as been practiced by those who desire to look good and stay in style. There is a lot of information going out promoting yoga as a form of sports. In fact you can grab any of those and start practicing yoga anywhere you want to. During the early years of yoga practice in the US, a lot of yoga “gurus” have emerged, claiming to be experts of this discipline. Yet they gradually dwindled into what they actually are, merely fake gurus and yet they still have real support from their disciples. Obedient disciples of this distorted form of yoga have become agents of growth of this unhealthy philosophy.

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Yoga is becoming a popular therapy for conditions like anxiety attacks. It’s use in treating signs of anxiety attacks is gaining approval by many well known anxiety support groups.

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Zen meditation is a Japanese technique of focusing on a specific thing or thought. The tradition has been passing on from one generation to the other for almost many centuries now. Buddhists used to practice this unique type of meditation. In fact, Zen Buddhists are often referred to as ‘Meditation Buddhists’.

The amount of time devoted by Zen mediators varies widely. Experts recommend a minimum period of about five minutes on a daily basis. This is sufficient for householders to benefit from the immense benefits of Zen meditation.

The main thing one needs to focus on is daily practice. Daily practice of Zen meditation for a small period of time is more than enough to benefit from its effects than spending about half an hour once in a week.

Zen meditation has evolved as a boon to people across the globe who are really stressed out due to the irregularity, chaos and tensions existing in their daily life.

Zen meditation involves sitting in a prescribed position, closing your mind to the thoughts and images for a certain period of time. Here, your heart rate will gradually decrease and breathing becomes shallow. Slowly, you will get in to a state of deep reflective meditation.

With the help of Zen meditation, you can easily create a synergy that would further assist you in connecting to all aspects of your existence such as the body, the soul and the mind. The energy that’s required to strengthen the synergy that you have collected comes from practicing Zen meditation.

When practicing Zen meditation, your mind will only be involved. You will not be engrossing your thoughts in to what happened in the past or what will happen in the future.

You will reach a moment where you will only be reacting to what is happening to you at the present.

Zen meditation is a technique that helps you to awaken your true nature. Here, you don’t need to subscribe any of the religious teaching. You just need to realize that there is a ‘Buddha’ inside you. Awaken the Buddha inside you and you will be able get a deep insight of yourself.

Zen meditation was actually meant to awaken the real person inside you.

A) Here are some of the benefits followed in Zen meditation:

1. Zen meditation lets the practitioner to relax

2. It helps you to keep one stress free.

3. It helps you to find the real you.

B) Nine steps to achieve Zen meditation:

a) Name your breaths: for instance; in and out.

b) Pay close attention to when your breath gets deep and you feel more at peace.

c) Think of your body when you breathe in and when you breathe out try to relax each part of your body. You need to focus on one part at a time. Initiate with the shoulders.

d) Calm your body parts when you breathe in feel the compassion when you breathe out.

e) Relax your facial muscles one by one and send a half smile to all parts of the body.

f) Relax all the muscles that are still tense.

g) Think of joy when you breathe in.

h) Get back to your breathe in and breathe out position.

i) Sit in the position relax.

For more Articles, News, Information, Advice, and Resources about MEDITATION and YOGA please visit MEDITATION BUZZ and YOGA TIPS

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According to a new study, Scientists have managed to prove what many Indian people have known for centuries; they have demonstrated that meditation is good for the brain.

During the study, which was published in the specialist journal PLOS One, researchers discovered that meditative training could produce specific measurable changes in the parts of the brain that are linked to empathy and compassion.

In the research into compassion meditation practices, researchers studied 16 Tibetan monks who had each spent many hours cultivating their meditation techniques. The monks underwent a number of functional magnetic resonance imaging brain scans during their meditation sessions, which highlighted any changes to the brain.

The meditating monks were pitted against 16 volunteers who had no previous meditation experience. These volunteers were taught basic meditation techniques just a fortnight before their brains were scanned.

The brain scans showed a number of differences between the brains of the monks and those of the volunteers. Most notable were the changes in the monks’ brains, particularly in the circuits used to detect emotions and feelings.

The inexperienced volunteers were taught only the most basic elements of compassion meditation; they were initially asked to concentrate on their loved ones and send them wishes of wellbeing and freedom from suffering. After this, they were then told to generate a similar feeling towards people in general, not just specific individuals.

As part of the research, the 32 monks and volunteers were placed in a brain scanner, before being asked to begin compassion meditation or to refrain from the meditation altogether. While they were in each of these states, the subjects were exposed to either negative or positive human vocal sounds, which were specifically designed to evoke neutral vocalisations or empathic responses. The sounds used in the study included a laughing baby, a distressed woman and some background restaurant noise.

During the test, the scans indicated that there was significant activity in the insula – the part of the brain that helps the body represent emotion – when the monks were meditating and made to listen to emotional vocal sounds. The scans also showed a clear link between the strength of the activity and the intensity of the meditation.

However, journalist and yoga teacher Ruth Fowler is a little sceptical of the study. She said: “Meditation can change your life, but the kind of meditation the scientists are studying is a practise undertaken every single day for years, by, for example, Tibetan Buddhist monks, or hardcore yogis who are terrifyingly committed to mental and physical control. It’s hard and it’s tiresome.”

She also seems doubtful over whether this study or any other research that extols the benefits of meditation will actually encourage people to take up the practice. She said: “Meditation may go on to be proven scientifically as a wonder cure for depression, but whether you’ll get anyone to sit down in silence for an hour a day with their eyes closed is another matter.”

Source:

Guardian

Press Association

Samantha Srillian is a freelance writer, as well as a naturally gifted psychic medium and tarot card reader. She is interested in alternative therapies, angels and spiritual healing.

Article Source: http://www.thecontentcorner.com

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