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Yoga
Meditation
by
Rob Daniels
Yoga
meditation guidance was described thousands of years
ago by ancient and mystical sages. Since civilized
societies began to emerge, meditation has evolved
into a structured practice. Although there is not
a lot of recorded information dealing with the history
of meditation, its roots can be traced back to ancient
times.
Some
meditation experts suggest thinking of your mind as
a glass of muddy water and meditation helps bring
clarity. Many forms of meditation result in the clearing
of one's mind. Meditation promotes a sense of calm
and heightened awareness. And that's the real benefit
of meditation: teaching your mind to accept whatever
thoughts, feelings and sensations come along, without
judging them or yourself.
Scientific studies show that the regular practice
of meditation can be a powerful healing tool. Meditation
helps reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure,
and improve concentration, clarity and creativity.
Additionally, many studies have shown meditation can
significantly lower stress, chronic pain and anxiety.
From the dawn of time, meditation has been a vital
part of self transformation and holistic health. Many
physicians consider meditation a key element of an
integrated health program. .
While
scientists are studying whether meditation may afford
meaningful health benefits, they are also looking
at how it may do so. Researchers say that meditation
works at least in part by lowering your body's responsiveness
to the stress hormone norepinephrine. But meditation
interrupts that flood of stress chemicals, so you
don't feel on guard or tense. As your entire being
becomes absorbed in meditation, every stress and strain
of daily life will fall from your shoulders. Through
meditation, one can cultivate a wonderful inner quiet
that will melt away stress and nervousness.
In general, meditation produces a reduction in multiple
biological systems, resulting in a state of relaxation.
Studies of brain physiology during meditation have
most frequently employed the electroencephalograph
(EEG) for the measurement of brain wave electrical
activity. During meditation, the brain's activity,
as mapped by an EEG, alters significantly. These results
reveal that meditation can have a deep and very profound
influence on the heart and its activity.
The
most well-known brain waves evident during many kinds
of meditation are called alpha waves. The scans provide
remarkable clues about what goes on in the brain during
meditation. Although study results vary, there were
similar findings: meditation lowers bodily metabolism,
slows brain waves, and induces relaxation. Those most
deeply involved in the meditation showed the greatest
changes in brain structure.
This
is accomplished as Meditation brings the brainwave
pattern into an alpha state, which is a level of consciousness
that promotes the healing state.
The
researchers observed that the variability of beat-to-beat
heart rate was directly affected by meditation. These
results reveal that meditation can have a deep and
very profound influence on the heart and its activity.
If meditation is practiced regularly, these beneficial
changes become relatively permanent.
One
of many benefits of meditation is that it opens your
mind to new ideas. What is more important is the acquisition
of the purity and concentration of mind in moments
of meditation. Purity of the mind achieved during
meditation is essential to gain access to Higher Self.
About
the Author
Rob
Daniels is a long term practitioner of Yoga and Pilates
additional articles available at Religious Podcasts
http://www.religious-podcasts.net
and Yoga Store http://www.yoga-store.net
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