The Benefits of Meditation
The Benefits and Power of Meditation on the Physical Body
The Lotus Flower often represents the Crown Chakra
When I tell some of my hypnotherapy clients that we’re going to do a guided meditation, they think meditating is about reaching a level of higher consciousness, and truthfully, for some of us it is.. But while that is a big part of meditation for some, for others, meditation is a way to find calm, balance, and focus in everyday life, and ultimately, it can be a way to heal your body.
Stress, anger, and other ‘negative’ emotions take a toll on us. They affect our mood, and can cause serious mental conditions like depression. They can affect us physically, provoking issues like digestive problems, insomnia, ulcers –even heart problems.
Did you know that chronically angry people are more likely to suffer a heart attack? Wild right.
By helping to alleviate stress in a variety of ways, meditation can have an extremely positive effect on mental and physical health –and it’s not just meditation fans who believe this. Researchers from Harvard University have discovered that meditation alters not only brain activity, but bodily responses, as well.
Studies have shown that meditation helps to boost and regulate the immune system, and meditation has been effective in alleviating symptoms of chronic pain sufferers, as well as some cancer patients. Doctors and scientists have also found that meditation can have an impact on managing or fighting;
asthma and other respiratory issues
Meditation can’t completely replace medical or psychological treatment, of course, but it can be a powerful tool to help you heal. Another misconception about meditation is that it involves isolating yourself and focussing on your breathing or on chanting a mantra. Some people do like to meditate this way. But others prefer physical activity that channels their energy and lets them focus on their bodies. This latter group would include meditation techniques like yoga and tai chi. Okay, you might be thinking, but I don’t have time to set aside for meditation. Believe it or not, you do! There are meditation activities that you can do just about anywhere, including your desk at work, a bus ride, or your morning shower. Some of these are:
breathing exercises
focussing on the good things in your life
silently repeating a special word or ‘mantra’ to yourself
body scanning
If you would like to learn to meditate, or renew your meditation practice by coming along to the Meditation Course that is happening at Orana Yoga & Wellbeing, you can book via this website by clicking through to the Events Page here.