I feel so blessed to be living in this time and age when science and the medical field are confirming what Yogis have been telling us for centuries – the practices of Yoga and Meditation have tangible and measurable benefits that can resonate in your life and the lives of the people you love.
In an article published today, neuroscientist Sara Lazar conducted an experiment on experienced and new meditators and found that meditating as little as 15-27 minutes daily created some pretty amazing results: brain scans showed that the Hippocampus and the TPJ thickened, creating better capacity for learning, memory, emotional regulations, and seeing things from other perspectives. The amygdala, associated with fear, anxiety and aggression, reduced, giving participants real results after just a short period of time. (8 weeks for some study participants.)
Dr. Lazar isn’t the only one studying mediation. The National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health tells us that “meditation may reduce blood pressure, symptoms of IBS, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.”
Further, a study by Central Michigan University showed that introducing a Mindfulness Meditation practice reduces unconsciously held bias based on age and race, and a Harvard study suggests that regular Meditation can increase focus and reduce the brain’s propensity for distraction.
In my own life, Meditation is a tool that I use to feel more calm, focused, and centered. It always helps me return to my true self when the world around me is feeling chaotic.
Join me on the last Friday of the month for donation-based Reiki Circles that include a group meditation component. We meet next at 6 pm at Jai Dee Massage & Yoga on April 26th.
