Article first published by Health4you 12 March 2018
'The goal of meditation isn't to control your thoughts, it's to stop letting them control you'. Author unknown
If we stop and consider the quote… ‘The goal of meditation isn’t to control your thoughts, it’s to stop letting them control you’. It allows us the freedom to choose a meditation that suits our individuality. I scoured the internet on a mission to source meditations to suit the individuals in my life… the over thinkers, the yogi’s, the young and heart and those that find it difficult to sit still.
As a Well-being Coach I understand that before anyone commits to a new activity they seek to understand the benefits. After all, we are all time poor and any additional activities need to be an investment.
Meditation is proven to have benefits on your state of being, re-balancing your hormones specifically fight / flight hormones, digestive hormones, also assisting in weight loss. Meditation allows your mind to come back into balance so that your decision making is based on rational thought process and a calm mind. Meditation slows the bodies bio rhythm’s which can help reset our stress hormones. How unkind that when we are stressed we put on weight due to hormones secreted.
Anyone who has undertaken a Kinesiology or Reiki session with me, will find that I take them through a guided meditation to increase the effectiveness of the session. I often recommend clients continue to use meditation to extend the benefits of a session.
My favorite free online sessions would be Tara Brach who has timed meditations. I love the fact that you can do a 5-minute meditation to boost your mindfulness or you can enter a blissful hormone re-balancing and mind calming 1-hour meditation. Fragrant heart also has short meditations and children’s meditations.
Children who find school and friendship overwhelming can really benefit from a 5 to10-minute meditation. Back in early 2000, I played meditation music to my 0 to 2-year-old when she was stressed and could not sleep. It always managed to calm us both down. Over the years she has continued to embrace meditation to keep herself ‘balanced’.
The Chopra Centre, is the brainchild of Deepak Chopra and David Simon, two MDs with the goal of improving the health and wellbeing of body, mind and spirit. If you love listening to a deep melodic voice, then perhaps try listening to Deepak’s meditations.
UCLA University is researching mind/body connections and the benefits of meditation on daily functioning. They have released some meditations for those who have had a couple of practices and are ready to improve their meditation skills. You can choose meditations from 3 mins to under 20 mins in English or Spanish.
Meditation Oasis This I loved!!! I tested in a busy environment when I needed to quieten my mind ...Such a funky feel good happy meditation. If you love electronic music this is for you.
Happy meditating
Sally
Living a Balanced Life.
Reiki Master and teacher, Kinesiologist & Wellbeing Coach