An Easy Guide To Meditation

By Scott Niekerk

Meditation is similar to progressive relaxation.

We use meditation during our bodywork - Myofascial Release sessions as well as guided CD's afterwards whilst lying on comfortable heat!

Like progressive relaxation, you use this method to focus on yourself. There are many ways to meditate. Some people use it in a religious way, where as some people use it solely for taking time for themselves to focus on the positive.

Meditations Relaxing Effects:

Reduces blood pressure

Helps muscles relax

Reduces anxiety

Helps you to learn to focus, clears your thinking

Reduces irritability

Reduces stress headaches

Slows breathing

Meditation is focusing your thoughts on one thing for a sustained period of time. Doing this on a regular basis helps you to control negative thought processes which can cause stress. It allows your body time to relax, and recuperate from the mental or physical stress the body has endured. Meditation is extremely useful when you have been under long or short term stress, when you have been worrying about problems or you have been physically active.

The idea of meditation is to sooth your thoughts by focusing completely on one thing. Meditation is an active process where the individual seeks to block outside thoughts by concentrating completely on one thing.

Techniques

Sit or lie in a position that you can comfortably sustain for a period of time. Start with ten minutes at a time and then gradually meditate as long as you can maintain your focus.

1) Breathing:

Concentrate on breathing in and out by counting your breaths using the numbers 0 to 9. Visualize images of the numbers changing with each breath.

Breathing as Meditation - In Buddhist and yogic traditions, people claim to have reached an enlightened state by doing nothing more than paying attention to the rising and falling of their breath. What easier way could there be to reach such a state? Especially since breathing - following the ebb and flow of your breath - is an intrinsic part of meditation. By paying attention to your breath, you will rapidly change your state of consciousness, begin to relax, and slowly detach from ordinary awareness. Try to focus on the dimensionless point between your in-breath and out-breath, and glimpse the elements of enlightenment in that space.

2) Focusing on an object:

Look at an object paying attention to detail for the entire meditation period. Examine the contours, colour, texture, temperature and movement of the object. Objects such as candle flames or flowing designs are often used.

3) Focusing on sounds:

Some people focus on sounds. This includes soothing music and sounds of nature.

4) Visualization:

Create a mental picture of a pleasant and relaxing place in your mind. Involve all your senses in the imagery, sight, sounds, smell, touch, temperature and movement.

Keep your attention focused. If external thoughts or distractions wander in allow them to drift out or even visualize attaching the thoughts to objects and then move the objects out of your mind.

This article is original material written by Scott van Niekerk, physical therapist and owner of Wholistic physical Therapy in Brewster, NY. We are a Holistic Treatment center, with physical therapists specialised in Myofascial Release, as taught by John Barnes. Please visit our website http://wholisticphysicaltherapy.com for more information on how we can help you be FREE of pain and stiffness, to have your life back!

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