Meditation
Meditation is a powerful practice. It is used to access our unconscious mind and the memories stored within it, to calm the central nervous system, and to help us reach a higher level of consciousness. I use it in my practice to help clients get in touch with their body, especially with those parts of their body that are causing them pain or discomfort. Whether the client’s goal is weight loss, managing an illness, improving energy levels, or breaking a bad habit, quieting the mind in order to listen to the body is essential.
Meditation is also used to counteract the negative consequences of physical and emotional stress. When we feel threatened or not in control of our lives, our body prepares for flight or fight. Stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system results in increased muscle tension, blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, and blood flow to the muscles, while cortisol, the stress hormone, is secreted, causing the release of fat and protein to supply energy to the body. Although these responses are lifesaving when we are in a dangerous situation, most stressors are not life-threatening, yet they trigger the cascade of reactions, including weight gain, brought on by the fight or flight response.
Many of my clients find themselves in a constant stress, and their bodies have little time to recover. The consequences…high blood pressure, headaches, reduced eyesight, digestive problems, facial, neck and back pain, insomnia, anxiety, weight gain and a weakened immune system. Research has shown that high levels of cortisol are implicated in AIDS, MS, diabetes, cancer, coronary artery disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
Doctors often tell us to reduce our stress levels, but we find ourselves unsure how to do this. I use meditation with my clients to rebalance and reset the body’s reaction to stress. Regular meditation practice, as little as 10 minutes a day, has a huge pay out. It:
- Decreases the metabolic and heart rates, resulting in deep rest and regeneration
- Reduces levels of stress-hormones such as cortisol
- Reduces high blood pressure
- Relaxes bronchial airways making breathing easier for those with asthma
- Slows down the aging process of the brain
- Decreases anxiety, depression, irritability and moodiness
- Improves memory, creativity and learning potential
- Increases the subjective feeling of happiness and contentment
- Increases emotional stability
My clients with chronic conditions find that meditation has helped them turn their health around!