Do Yoda Proud: Meditation 101
Meditation refers to a state where your body and mind are consciously relaxed and focused.
Practitioners of this art report increased awareness, focus, and concentration, as well as a
more positive outlook in life.
Meditation is most commonly associated with monks, mystics and other spiritual disciplines.
However, you don’t have to be a monk or mystic to enjoy its benefits. And you don’t even have
to be in a special place to practice it. You could even try it in your own living room!
Although there are many different approaches to meditation, the fundamental principles remain
the same. The most important among these principles is that of removing obstructive, negative,
and wandering thoughts and fantasies, and calming the mind with a deep sense of focus. This clears
the mind of debris and prepares it for a higher quality of activity.
The negative thoughts you have – those of noisy neighbors, bossy officemates, that parking ticket
you got, and unwanted spam– are said to contribute to the ‘polluting’ of the mind, and shutting
them out is allows for the ‘cleansing’ of the mind so that it may focus on deeper, more meaningful thoughts.
Some practitioners even shut out all sensory input – no sights, no sounds, and nothing to touch –
and try to detach themselves from the commotion around them. You may now focus on a deep, profound
thought if this is your goal. It may seem deafening at first, since we are all too accustomed to constantly
hearing and seeing things, but as you continue this exercise you will find yourself becoming more aware of
everything around you.
If you find the meditating positions you see on television threatening – those with impossibly arched
backs, and painful-looking contortions – you need not worry. The principle here is to be in a
comfortable position conducive to concentration. This may be while sitting cross-legged, standing,
lying down, and even walking.
If the position allows you to relax and focus, then that would be a good starting point.
While sitting or standing, the back should be straight, but not tense or tight. In other positions,
the only no-no is slouching and falling asleep.
Loose, comfortable clothes help a lot in the process since tight fitting clothes have a tendency to
choke you up and make you feel tense.
The place you perform meditation should have a soothing atmosphere. It may be in your living room,
or bedroom, or any place that you feel comfortable in. You might want an exercise mat if you plan
to take on the more challenging positions (if you feel more focused doing so, and if the contortionist
in you is screaming for release). You may want to have the place arranged so that it is soothing to your senses.
Silence helps most people relax and meditate, so you may want a quiet, isolated area far from the
ringing of the phone or the humming of the washing machine. Pleasing scents also help in that regard,
so stocking up on aromatic candles isn’t such a bad idea either.
The monks you see on television making those monotonous sounds are actually performing their mantra.
This, in simple terms, is a short creed, a simple sound which, for these practitioners, holds a mystic value.
You do not need to perform such; however, it would pay to note that focusing on repeated actions such
as breathing, and humming help the practitioner enter a higher state of consciousness.
The principle here is focus. You could also try focusing on a certain object or thought, or even,
while keeping your eyes open, focus on a single sight.
One sample routine would be to – while in a meditative state – silently name every part of you
body and focusing your consciousness on that part. While doing this you should be aware of any
tension on any part of your body. Mentally visualize releasing this tension here . It works wonders.
In all, meditation is a relatively risk-free practice and its benefits are well worth the effort
(or non-effort – remember we’re relaxing).
Studies have shown that meditation does bring about beneficial physiologic effects to the body.
And there has been a growing consensus in the medical community to further study the effects of such.
So in the near future, who knows, that mystical, esoteric thing we call meditation might become a science itself!
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To Make Your Weight Loss Breakthrough
Posted by
Matthew
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Why Wait Any Longer?
Use the Power of Yoga
To Make Your Weight Loss Breakthrough
If you have ever tried to lose weight, then you probably already know what doctors and weight loss experts know: most weight loss diets only bring temporary results.
If you take some diet pills and you may lose weight because your appetite is temporarily suppressed. When you stop taking the pills your appetite will return and you will be faced with the same problem. The pills are a short term solution, and in some cases may even be harmful to you.
If you adopt an extreme weight loss diet you may get dramatic results while you stay on the diet, but if you live a normal life, surrounded by your family and friends, you probably will not be able to stay on that diet for a long time. As soon as you quit the diet and return to your old ways, you will gain weight again. In addition, as with pills, many weight loss diets, are not healthy and can even be harmful
For long term weight loss you need to go to the root of the problem and make changes in your life and lifestyle. Excess weight in our society is mostly due to a sedentary lifestyle and poor selection of food. It may also be due to psychological stress and in some cases metabolic problems (that is, your body is not efficient in turning food into energy).
Yoga Weight Loss Secrets is an ebook featuring a program of natural, healthy and sustained weight loss. With this program you will not lose 30 pounds in 30 days (and then gain it back in five days of binge eating) but you will learn simple exercises and postures, meditation and health tips that will give you healthy weight loss and inner peace that will stay with you for your entire life!
By Kelly Dailey
Have you been going to the gym running on the treadmill and lifting weights and now your body just seems to stay the same. Maybe that last 10 lbs just won’t come off. So you’ve been building muscle and conditioning your heart. Awesome! However, you would like to change the appearance of your body to show more muscle definition and rather than bulk up the muscle, create additional strength by lengthening your muscles. Now it’s time to change things up so you can take your fitness to the next level. That is trim off inches by changing your exercise routine.
So here we go…let’s surprise your body into the next level of fitness.
Practicing yoga and pilates are each a way to lengthen muscle and strengthen the core. Also, because of the mind body connection you will increase your focus and endurance. Both yoga and pilates give many benefits to both mind and body. After just a few classes you will see the difference in the length of your muscles. Your muscles will be long and leaner. You will achieve an increase in strength.
Yoga and pilates also will sensitize your appetite. Eat only a light snack of 250-300 calories 2 hours before class; and fully hydrate 1 hour before class. You want your stomach to be fairly empty so that you are able to breathe properly and maximize the core muscles. In other words you don’t want food or water to get in the way. Also, if possible wait about a ½ hour before eating after class so that your body can spend all of its energy recovering to maximize muscle building. Then go ahead and eat a light meal with carbs, protein and fruit/vegetables.
You are on your way to the beautiful mind and body that you deserve!
Next time we will discuss the difference between yoga and pilates.
Change exceeds all expectations.---
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