While you might picture meditation as sitting quietly with your legs in lotus position for extended amounts of time, it actually comes in many forms. The essence of meditation is not the position of your body but achieving tranquility and a...
Meditation, the practice of stilling the chatter in your mind and focusing your attention on the present moment, exists in many forms, including visualization, paced breathing, moving and chanting. Most forms involve drawing your awareness inward,...
Yoga, meditation and relaxation promote not only physical health but also overall mental wellness. In a world full of high-stress jobs and home responsibilities, taking the time to relax your body and recharge the batteries can help make you a...
Yoga and meditation unite the mind and body. The practice of yoga incorporates meditation into physical practice, as you connect your breath to movements. You can meditate without the physical activity of yoga, as a standalone practice in which...
According to Dr. Andrew Weil in an interview posted on his website, meditation has been proven to have a positive effect on overall health because of its ability to combat stress. By training the mind to observe silence and focus on proper...
Meditating regularly can have a variety of potential benefits, including a decreased level of anxiety and stress, a lower risk of getting certain diseases and an increased level of mental concentration, according to "Psychology Today" and MIT...
Meditation is a group of techniques commonly used in spiritual traditions. During meditation, a person focuses on breathing and relaxing, while silencing the mind. Some of the main benefits to women are relaxation, mental calmness, alertness and...
Heart rhythm exercises are not simply a form of meditation, but are considered a way of life. The Institute for Applied Meditation, or IAM, promotes heart rhythm meditation as a mechanism for strengthening relationships, health and personal...
With so many obligations, it can be difficult to find the time and even the space in which to meditate. That's why techniques such as those used in standing meditation are so helpful: There's a flexibility to when and where you might meditate, as...
The image of a smiling, meditating Buddha or Buddhist is part of western cultural imagery of serenity or happiness -- and for good reason. Anecdotal and statistical evidence points to a variety of benefits for those who meditate regularly. These...
Many people use meditation to reduce stress and improve concentration. While most people are aware of the mental benefits of meditation, fewer know that meditating can also improve your physical condition. You don't have to become a recluse or...
Almost every woman who goes through pregnancy has some questions about diet, exercise and other lifestyle choices. Exercise can be highly beneficial at appropriate levels. Women who exercised a great deal prior to becoming pregnant may have to...
The benefits of mediation continue to fuel its practice in both adults and kids alike. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine found in a 2007 survey that 9.4 percent and one percent of adult and minor respondents,...
Marsha Wenig, creator of YogaKids products, says that yoga has the same effect on your child as on adults. Aside from physical benefits like improving fitness, yoga "teaches focus and provides a means for self soothing." Yoga and meditation have...
The use of plant essential oils and the practice of focusing your attention have been around for thousands of years. Both have experienced a rise in popular culture in the mid- to late 20th century. Although you can often find references to...
Life can become stressful very quickly. Routine activities, such as driving to work or making a meal, suddenly can turn into tension-filled events. The results of physical and mental stress take an enormous toll on you. By learning simple...
Feelings such as anxiety, stress and exhaustion often manifest themselves physically, causing your muscles to feel tense or sore. Alternative medicinal practices like meditation and yoga focus on the connection between the mind and the body and...
St. John's Wort is a common natural remedy that some studies have found effective in lessening the symptoms of mild to moderate depression. This is not the case in more severe cases of the illness, however, where studies have found it to be no...
Kundalini stems from the Indian word "kundal," meaning "lock of hair from the beloved." Kundalini yoga combines physical, mental and spiritual components for inner energy and awareness. Anyone can perform kundalini yoga in a studio or at home, but...
Pranayama is a type of yoga that focuses on breathing. The type of breathing used in pranayama is called ujjayi. Prana is an ancient concept based on breath control, which is reported to have many benefits. Regular yoga practice can improve your...
A variety of exercises can help you evoke the relaxation response, a trainable process that leaves your body feeling refreshed. The stress-eradicating benefits of meditation, yoga and dance are popular primarily because they don't require special...
A variety of exercises can help you evoke the relaxation response, a trainable process that leaves your body feeling refreshed. The stress-eradicating benefits of meditation, yoga and dance are popular primarily because they don't require special...
Meditation isn't just for monks seeking enlightenment -- scientific research shows that athletes can also benefit from the practice. The improved concentration, relaxation and endurance that result from meditation help athletes of all ages excel....
Recent advances in medicine have acknowledged the benefits of stress reduction in improving overall health. One of the most popular ways of stress reduction is meditation. Many of the effects of meditation on the immune system have been...
Anxiety reduction techniques can help you overcome not only anxiety, but also stress and tension. This is because anxiety can be experienced as tension, worry and nervousness and can present itself as thoughts or physical sensations you...
The quietness and peace created by meditating, even once a week, can open fresh perspectives not available in your daily routine. Meditation is a lifelong personal practice that encourages new patterns and leads to healthier choices. You can use...
Attention deficient hyperactivity disorder---ADHD---has become one of the leading behavioral disorders in the U.S., affecting 4 to 6 percent of the population, according to the ADHD Association. The core traits of ADHD are distractibility,...
Sahaja yoga, as founded by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, known as Mataji, is a technique for awakening your kundalini energy, which yogis say lies dormant at the base of your spine. According to classical yoga, awakening your kundalini and the...
Depression affects millions of people and is a debilitating psychological disorder characterized by feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Depression affects how you think, feel and behave, and at its worst can cause thoughts of suicide. Treated...
The Loving Your Enemies Meditation in yoga has many benefits. Learn how to cultivate a friendly and accepting attitude, develop feelings of compassion, and be joyful in this yoga video.
Breathing deliberately and deeply can help you relax. Learn how to breathe deeply to avoid stress from a licensed professional psychotherapist in this video.
