The Buddhist practices of concentration and mindfulness are found in both the "Seven Factors of Enlightenment" and the "Noble Eightfold Path" teachings. According to renowned teacher Alan Watts, both studies guide the practitioner in overcoming...
Martial arts have been around for thousands of years, dating back to the countries of Japan, China and India in the 600s B.C. From there, martial arts expanded into dozens of different styles and forms, many of which are currently taught in the...
A part of Eastern culture for thousands of years, meditation is defined as a relaxed yet focused mental state. Prayer, focused breathing and guided imagery are examples of meditative practices. Other meditation techniques include slow concentrated...
The idea of sitting as a healing mechanism may seem ludicrous to those in the throes of an eating disorder. Yet dozens of scientific studies have shown that mindfulness as practiced in Zen meditation can be very helpful to those struggling to...
Underqualified "teachers" and naive students can be a very dangerous combination in kundalini yoga. This intense meditation technique is symbolized by a snake coiled at the base of the spine. When "awakened," the kundalini begins rising through...
Tibetan Buddhism entered the consciousness of the West as a cultural force in the 1920s with the translation of "The Tibetan Book of the Dead" by Walter Evans-Wentz. Since then, many forms of Tibetan meditation practice have percolated around the...
Taoic religions are Eastern religions that focus on following the philosophy of the "Tao," which is a Universal force that brings balance. These religions include Shintoism, Confucianism and Taoism. Meditation is a large part of Taoic practices....
Experiencing stress can take a toll on both your physical and mental health and well-being. Constant worrying may cause you to feel emotionally and physically depleted. Chronic stress can greatly impact your immune system and make you more...
Kundalini, an intense form of meditation, is meant to hasten yoga's ultimate goal: the attainment of perfect bliss, called enlightenment. The central symbol, a snake coiled at the base of the spine, represents the power latent within all humans to...
Qi, also spelled as chi, is the Chinese word for energy or life force. Chinese qigong has a long history of development and infuses meditation, Buddhism, Taoism and martial arts. Practitioners in India and Japan have also contributed to qigong...
Chi kung originated in China more than 3,000 years ago, and can be divided into four different periods. It has contributions from Buddhism, Taoism and martial arts. Chi kung is a term used to describe a range of Chinese health practices, and can...
Although stress is a normal part of everyday life, it is not normal to allow stress to affect your functioning to the point where you simply cannot cope, perhaps even letting it affect the way you feel mentally and spiritually. By combining the...
Meditation music includes music to listen to during meditation as well as the centuries-old traditions of making music for meditative purposes. Meditation music is also increasingly used in hospitals as a relaxation technique for these suffering...
Stress is a normal part of everyday life that everyone experiences occasionally, whether related to work, family, or relationships. Stress management is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. This may include activities such as meditation,...
Yoga is practiced worldwide as a way of developing the spiritual and the physical. It is based on the practice of three main elements: movement, breathing, and meditation. The exact history of yoga and the origins of specific yoga poses are...
Regular mindfulness and meditation practice helps reduce stress by focusing attention on the present moment, rather than what may happen or what has already happened. When you practice mindfulness during an everyday activity -- such as walking or...
This history of deep breathing can be linked back to as far as human beings are on the earth, writes David Fontana in his book "Meditation Bliss: Inspirational Techniques for Finding Calm." Deep breathing is often associated with meditation, which...
Meditation techniques have existed in history since the first religions and philosophies appeared. Meditation exists in Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and other spiritual and secular paths. The best meditation techniques are...
Qigong is the term given to a family of mystical healing arts, including Tai Chi and Falung Gong, that originated in China at least 2,500 years ago. Proponents claim that it has the ability to prevent and heal disease, improve athletic...
Qigong, also known as Qi Gong, is a meditative practice using slow and graceful movements as well as controlled breathing. This Chinese meditative practice is believed to promote circulation of qi, or flow of energy, within the body to promote...
In the ancient world, sages viewed the breath as a vehicle for transforming consciousness. By focusing on the breath, sages believed you could attain an understanding of life, the universe, and everything---infinity itself. Today, numerous...
Yoga is a mind and body discipline that originated in India but has ties to Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism meditative practices. There are many different branches of yoga, each with its own philosophy. According to the book "Yoga: Mastering the...
Stress is a normal part of everyone's life. It may be present in any event that you must adapt to, and it does not necessarily have a negative or positive correlation. Stress results from situations that require one to change and/or adjust. Stress...
Yoga has become a popular form of exercise for dealing with tension. It helps people lose weight, combat daily stress, become more flexible and increase spirituality. Today, numerous yoga DVDs are available for home exercise. When choosing a yoga...
Centuries ago, people from the Okinowan Islands incorporated traditional Chinese Shaolin fighting techniques, along with local innovations, into a martial arts style dubbed karate. Karate, which means "empty hands" in Japanese, traditionally did...
