Mindful Meditation
The intension of meditation is to bring the body to a state of harmony, peace, tranquility, and awareness. There are numerous clinical trials of the positive effects of meditation. Mindful Meditation has been shown to help reduce stress, anxiety, and offer deep relaxation.
Meditation has been found to result in significant elevation of positive mood state and decrease in stress and cortisol levels. Research on mindful meditation has demonstrated a reduction in symptoms of anxiety, panic, depression and even chronic pain.
Meditation has been demonstrated to exert a positive influence on the hormones and stress-related disease.
Transcendental meditation is the most evaluated meditation technique in use today. Research has demonstrated a decrease in hypertension, cholesterol, insomnia, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and depression. The TM technique originated as an ancient Vedic approach to health introduced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It is described as a simple mental procedure practiced for 20 minutes, twice a day while sitting comfortably with eyes closed. A distinctive state of psychophysiological rest occurs where the meditator experiences a state of thought in the form of a mantra or a sound. This state is deeply relaxing and it has been described as a wakeful hypo metabolic physiologic state.
Research on TM shows increased longevity, and improved cognitive functioning in seniors. TM has also demonstrated lower baseline levels of respiration, heart rate and cardiovascular disease
Source: Mosby’s Complementary & Alternative Medicine
Health Fitness Specialist