  Meditation is the ancient yogic practice of experiencing the power of being that is beyond the mind. It puts you in touch with the stillness and wisdom within. Virtually all yoga traditions have meditation as an integral part of the practice. Benefits Among other benefits, meditators say that meditation:
The medical community attributes a regular practice of meditation to a variety of benefits. Meditation reduces blood pressure, slows heart rates, lowers risks for disease and helps surgery patients recover more easily. It is recommended to decrease the effects of stress and depression, stabilize moods and positively effect chronic pain. Employers have found that meditation enhances the qualities companies need most: increased brain-wave activity, enhanced intuition, better focus and the alleviation of the kinds of aches and pains that plague employees most. How to Learn The best way to learn meditation is with a qualified meditation instructor. You can take a Learn to Meditate course or a number of instructional sessions to establish a foundation practice. You can also learn how to meditate at workshops, seminars and retreats. Most yoga classes set aside a few moments at the beginning and end for meditation. Some teachers offer guided meditations or specific methods. Others leave it up to participants to meditate using their own methods. If your yoga teacher does not offer specific techniques of meditation, ask after class. A broad selection of books and recordings also provide instruction for learning to meditate. The challenge, however is to sustain a practice. Many yoga and meditation centres offer times for group meditation, which can be extremely beneficial. One reason is the regular discipline and another is that meditating in a group helps create an atmosphere charged with positive energy. Styles of Meditation Meditation is not exclusively a tradition of the East, as there also are many Western meditation practices. Meditation also spans all the worlds religions and many philosophies as a valuable technique for getting in touch with the inner Self. Many yoga traditions emphasise meditation as much as or more than postures. Dozens of meditation traditions offer hundreds of techniques. These may include meditation with a mantra, breath meditation, self-inquiry, guided meditations, meditations on energy, the body, attributes of the mind, walking meditation, sitting meditation or meditation on objects, concepts, desires or feeling. Meditation Is for Everyone Meditation is beneficial for everyone, regardless of age or physical condition. You don’t need to sit in any specific posture for meditation, nor do you need to know yoga. Although most people set aside specific times and a specific place for regular meditation, you can meditate at any time of the day and in any place, for any length of time. |
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