 Photo by Fritz Photography You’ve heard it’s amazing, but do you actually know why meditation is good for you? Meditation is a practice of mastery over the mind. You begin to lead your thoughts and emotions instead of being led by them. Awareness of your inner and outer world increases and you experience greater connection, health and happiness. Why meditate?
 Photo by Fritz Photography The benefits of meditation The benefits of meditation are many and they affect all aspects of the human makeup. Mind Meditation quiets the mind and brings greater clarity. Meditation purifies perception and stabilises emotions as the ‘observer’ stays present and non-reactive. It creates a sense of inner calm and offers a greater ability to cope with stressful situations. Body Meditation produces a brain wavelength that supports physical immunity. It also gives energy and increases productivity. It has also been proven to reduce physical pain and the effect of certain disorders, such as high blood pressure. Spirit Meditation brings about a positive outlook on life and produces a sense of inner fulfilment. It quiets mental and emotional activity, taps into the subconscious and superconscious mind and supports self-knowledge.  Photo by Fritz Photography 11 scientifically proven health benefits of meditation Studies were conducted in all these areas with proven beneficial effects of meditation. 1. Improves sleep Meditation induces calm and relaxation and quiets the mind, controlling the runaway thoughts that can lead to insomnia. The peaceful state of meditation makes it easier to fall asleep and for longer. 2. Reduces pain Meditation reduces sensitivity to pain and increases the ability to cope with pain. It is an effective tool to deal with chronic pain issues. 3. Decreases blood pressure Meditation has been shown to reduce blood pressure, both during meditation and even in the long term over time. The reduced strain on the heart and arteries helps prevent heart disease. 4. Reduces stress Meditation combats stress, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue and other stress-related conditions such as IBS, high blood pressure, post-traumatic stress disorder and fibromyalgia. 5. Controls anxiety Meditation reduces symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as phobias, social anxiety, paranoid thoughts, obsessive-compulsive behaviors and panic attacks. 6. Increases awareness Meditation develops the ‘observer’ and a stronger understanding and mastery of yourself. It helps you recognise self-defeating thoughts and emotions and develops the ability to steer them to more constructive patterns. 7. Reduces addictions Meditation increases awareness of triggers for unwanted impulses and develops mental discipline, self-control and willpower that can help redirect them. 8. Lengthens attention span Focused-attention meditation increases the strength and endurance of your attention. It can reverse brain patterns that contribute to mind-wandering, worrying and easy distraction. 9. Improves memory Meditation can by like a brain gym, increasing attention, clarity, memory and quickness of response. It has been shown to be effective in age-related memory loss and dementia. 10. Increases positivity Meditation creates a more positive outlook on life, improving positive thinking, optimism and self-image. It also combats depression. 11. Increases kindness Meditation increases empathy and compassion, reduces conflict and supports anger management. It increases positive feelings and actions towards self and others.  Types of meditation There are many different ways to meditate. Techniques range from sitting unmoving to active movement, and from retreating into the inner-world with focused attention to becoming aware of everything in and around you with presence awareness. Objectives also vary from cultivating self-knowledge to an intended personal transmutation through visualisation and other methods. It may be worth trying various types of meditation to find the one that suits you best. Try this guided meditationIf you are just starting off, try this guided meditation. Put yourself in a comfortable position in a place you know you will not be disturbed, close your eyes and listen. Subscribe to our monthly 'Awareness' newsletter to receive more inspiration in your inbox.
Yoga and Meditation sessions are held at the Lotus Room - if you are unable to join us in person, we welcome you to participate virtually in our Online Studio. Discover how you can get the support that you need to navigate shifts in your life through Yoga-Life Coaching. Contact Jenny for more information.
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