With the new year coming and thoughts of resolutions, having a better year, making changes....all may want to consider meditation/yoga, as this can absolutely change things for you, and bring about those good things were all looking forward to for the new year.

I took several hours today to do my yoga/meditation routine. I really believe if everyone just attempted this practice and were able to witness first hand the range of benefits..that all would make a conscious effort to implement this into their lives.
A change in the way we perceive our world, that I believe can only come from this practice. A new, fresh outlook, a positive shift in energy, and a noticeable difference in our own level of vibration.

We can get rid of all such thoughts that obstruct the manifestation of divinity within. We have to consciously replace negative thoughts of anger, jealously, greed and hatred etc.. with positive thoughts. Thoughts such as love, compassion and forgiveness. The ultimate mental benefit is to go into deep silence transcending both good as well as bad thoughts. When we gain mastery over our thinking process then we can invite, at will, only desirable thoughts at a desirable time. Then no unwanted thoughts can interfere in our process of thinking. In place of senses governing us, we become the master and stop dancing to their tune. Our perspective on everything changes dramatically, and as a result our lives can change dramatically also.

There are also many physical benefits to these practices...I have had many changes in my health over the years and truly believe that a change in attitude can and does change our health.

PHYSICAL BENEFITS
It lowers oxygen consumption.
It decreases respiratory rate.
It increases blood flow and slows the heart rate.
Increases exercise tolerance in heart patients.
Leads to a deeper level of relaxation.
Good for people with high blood pressure as it brings the B.P. to normal.
Reduces anxiety attacks by lowering the levels of blood lactate.
Decreases muscle tension (any pain due to tension) and headaches.
Builds self-confidence.
It increases serotonin production which influences mood and behaviour.
Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, obesity, insomnia and headaches.
Helps in chronic diseases like allergies , arthritis etc.
Reduces Pre- menstrual Syndrome.
Helps in post-operative healing.
Enhances the immune system. Research has revealed that meditation increases activity of 'natural-killer cells', which kill bacteria and cancer cells.
Also reduces activity of viruses and emotional distress.

Just some food for thought I wanted to share.

Happy New Year to all..

I know meditation and yoga is good to do...I just can never relax or focus long enough

Yellowrose ... you can get the same benefits of meditation by practicing mindfulness ... it is a living, breathing meditation that involves being fully engaged in the moment. If you are washing dishes, be fully there ... feel the soap, the bubbles, the smells, your hand gliding across the plate ... no mind wandering ... BE where you are ...

Namaste

it's hard for me to focus on one thing. Even washing the dishes...I'm aware of everything else going on

True and stated well Sherrie...we can go into the moment, we don't have to just sit in the lotus position...
My legs are to short for that anyway, I can only do a half lotus. lol

And even if you start by just sitting and counting breaths..it is a start. When I started this I couldn't sit still more than 5 minutes. Now I sit for over an hour and it feels like minutes, I feel like I just had a 2 hour nap when I'm done.

I do yoga every now and than but how do you meditate?

welcome to the forums lovelysha

Good question. I'd love to be able to just relax and only think of one thing or nothing at all....even for 5 minutes a day.

I think you could say meditation and yoga are part of natural medicine and healing.
I meditate but do not know how to do yoga.

Well there is a reason it is called "the practice of meditation".

Every time is different, for me anyway, and it is a practice, never perfected, unless your a monk and live on a mountain and do it every day, all day long.

About 15 years ago I got a book called..Meditation For Dummies".
It was so basic , and easy to understand and apply that I just did it.
Counting your breath and just letting thoughts come and go, if a thought takes you away from your count, just start over.

Or as Artgurl said..being mindful, aware of anything your doing. Just be in that moment..feel the dishes and bubbles, smell the scent of the soap..watch your hand movement...

Totally Agree ... Lucky to have discovered it as a youngster and even taught it for some years!

... A significant part of who I am and how I've evolved in this life is due in part to the gifts I've received from Yoga, Mediation and the Dharmic path!

... On every level from the physical body to the higher self to the Higher consciousness of ALL and everything ~ The Akashik Record, wherein it is written!


... So many stories I'd love to tell and share the blessings thereof!

... All majikal, mystical and renewing ...

Explore ...

I have to spend about 15 hours a day with JUST TIME TO THINK,,,
and thats a little to much time to spend on that,wink,lol
If you have ANY problems with sleep, nerves, relaxing, stress,
moments of anger, frustrations,,,,then YES,,I feel medatation helps
as to yoga,,never tried it, yet I live to be in many forms of just to be at ease,,as that,,,may LOOK a yoga position,,lol
Many a minds can find deep breathing and thinking as a means to feel better and live longer...

... The roots in yoga movements themselves are to exercise, work, flex and, so, quiet the body into the composed ability to obtain the still, suspended motionlessness necessary to the 'highest' meditation ability and outcome!

It is indeed mystical and renewing..I never know how or what I will feel after meditation, or during for that matter. Just seems such a simple way to improve our lives. Don't understand why everyone doesn't at least try it...

I'd go bonkers if I don't do it..and the times that I don't do it..yeah, I go bonkers.

I love yoga, all body types can do it as it can be modified as needed. I use to love the lunchtime class at my work, but it's gone now... Breathing is so important with any form of exercise and I try to teach my patients at work about this as well.

I have never really tried meditating, but would be open to it.

It's just being aware, mindful...you can attempt sitting strait up and counting the breaths, or use a mantra....
or again, just be in the moment with everything your doing.

Hello all


Yellowrose, it is common for the mind to wander in the beginning. Start by counting breath as was suggested ...

Breathe in to a count of 4
Breathe out to a count of 4

rhythmic, relaxed and gentle through the nose

When you keep you brain busy counting 1,2,3,4 .... 4,3,2,1 you can't be engaged in other thought. If you find your mind wanders just notice it ... don't follow the thought further ... don't judge it ... bring your attention gently back to your breath and the counting.


The more you quiet your mind, the noisier the world will seem sometimes. Do it every day even if just for a couple of minutes ... work up from there ... just be consistent and be gentle with yourself.

yellowrose, I find if I play 'relaxation' music while I meditate, I focus on that... don't actively think... I sit comfortably... with the lights off at night... let whatever thoughts come to mind just be there.

I don't do it on a regular basis... but I can sit for about 7 minutes. I plan on doing it more regularly. It's amazing what comes to mind when you aren't the one prompting the thoughts.

I can't do yoga at this time, my body is too out of shape, I am working on that though.

I do daily meditation and I love it.

Yoga is great, I get a natural high at the end of each session