Meditation
We have been working with Emma at Inner Clam Therapies to bring some new services to our members. Our next meditation session with Emma is Tuesday 5th July 2022 at 6.30pm, in the CBX studio. We are going to learn to relax and focus on body positivity and inner beauty. Lots of us are new to meditation and aren't sure what it is, whether it would help us. Read Emma's blog to find out more
What is meditation? How and why it works
Meditation and mindfulness have become quite popular in recent years — yet most people can’t really define meditation, understand its purpose, or appreciate what meditation is good for.
Meditation is a state of consciousness in which a person generates a feeling of going within themselves. The mind becomes quieter and after this deep quietening of the mind, there comes an ability to listen and observe our thoughts and feelings.
The science of meditation
Over recent years, there has been a plethora of research carried out by leading neuroscientists around the world into the positive and lasting effects of meditation on the brain. This research is going a long way to confirm what many already knew – that meditation can produce an array of profound and positive changes to the brain. Along with the positive effects such as an increase in overall psychological well-being, meditation can improve attention and concentration as well as lessening subjective levels of anxiety and depression.
One of the most exciting areas of recent studies by UCLA Brain Mapping Centre is the effects of meditation on the ageing brain. It was discovered that study participants who had been regularly practising meditation for an average of 20 years actually had more grey matter volume within their brain than many of those who didn’t meditate regularly.
Neoroscientists have found that you can remap your neurotransmitters and make new connections to reprogramme different thoughts and behaviours. You literally are the creator of your life!
We all have five major brain waves that we go in and out of daily, depending on if we are awake, asleep, daydreaming, learning, talking, thinking etc.
Meditation enables us to slow down our brain waves and brain activity from being one of high activity, or focus, to one of a more slow inwards focus.
Slower wavelengths = more time between thoughts = more opportunity to skilfully choose which thoughts you invest in and what actions you take.
How can meditation be incorporated into busy lives?
Physical exercise is often factored into our busy lives, but we often forget about our mental wellbeing. Beginning to meditate can seem daunting or a huge commitment in our already busy lives, but it doesn’t have to negatively affect your spare time’.
4 simple steps to begin;
1. Start small….set aside 10 minutes in your day and increase this time gradually.
2. Choose a time to suit you and make meditation a priority in your life, not a chore. Surely you deserve 10 minutes of ‘me time’?
3. Create a space, somewhere uncluttered, comfortable and free of distractions.
4. Use technology. There are many apps that have guided meditations with music which are perfect for beginners.
Finally, don’t feel guilty if you cannot find time or forget for one day. Start again the next day, focus on the present and breathe. You WILL notice improvements not only in your mental health but your physical health too!