Does meditation conjure up images of Shaolin monks sitting on mountaintops? Perhaps it seems about as relevant to your life as beachwear in January. Read on and find out how you can get to the depths of relaxation.
Many of us enjoy our hyper-busy, multitasking existences in which we’re, hopefully, getting more done than ever and in a shorter space of time. But all this frantic mental activity can make it hard to switch off and genuinely relax. In the short term this might just make us a bit ‘wired’ but in the long run it could have an impact on our sleep patterns, energy levels and feelings of wellbeing.
This is where meditation may provide a useful tool for a spot of mental housekeeping. “Meditation is a stress-buster that focuses the mind and helps you to put things into perspective, which can dispel feelings of anxiety,” says Kyrin Hall meditation expert and yoga teacher.
Hocus Bogus?
But if you’re still thinking that meditation is just a new age incense-screen for a load of
lazy hippies and has no practical use, then you may be interested to know that it can improve
your memory.
“When you exercise your brain it develops the ability to retain more information and for longer,” says Hall. The brain’s cortex shrinks with age but a recent scientific study found that the brain cortex of Buddhist monks was larger than that of other people, hinting that meditation may delay that common sign of ageing – the onset of forgetfulness.
A favourite piece of advice from life coaches, personal trainers and holistic doctors alike is to ‘listen to your body’. It seems like a sensible enough idea but how on earth do you actually do this?
A practical use for meditation is that it may enable us to clear the background clutter from our minds, focus in on our bodies and hear what they may be trying to tell us. “Meditation gives you clarity of thought and increases your bodily awareness, allowing you to give yourself a physical MOT,” says Hall.
Shiny happy people
Still not convinced? As well as it’s physical benefits, “Meditation generates a feeling of
peace with oneself and the world in general, making meditators happier people,” promises Hall.
With all these potential benefits it’s hard not to think that meditation might be worth a crack. After all, the worst that can happen is you get a ten-minute break from whatever else is going on in your life. You’ll be pleased to hear that the practise of meditation isn’t a complicated or time-consuming affair.
“The key to meditation is that the brain has the ability to focus on one thing at a time and when it does so this calms the nervous system,” says Hall. Try the simple meditation exercise to the right. You may not reach enlightenment but you could well end up being a bit perkier and even a bit smarter, and you never know, Nirvana might really rock.
For further information on meditation and yoga and classes in your local area visit The British Wheel of Yoga at www.bwy.org.uk or call 01529 306851.
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1. Switch your phone to silent for ten minutes and find a quiet, warm and non-drafty space.
2. Sit however you wish but with your torso upright.
3. Place an object in front of you then start by concentrating on your breathing by placing your
hands on your tummy and fill your chest cavity by taking in a long, slow breath over a count
of ten. Then let the breath out over a count of ten.
4. Sit in stillness and focus on the object in front of you, allowing your mind to gradually
empty itself.
Note: People with epilepsy should avoid this ‘sight’ based meditation and repeat a verbal
mantra (a phrase of your choice) instead.
Kyrin Hall offers meditation and yoga tuition. To contact her email info@yogabird.comor call 0207 823 8244
