BEAT STRESS WITH MEDITATION Road rage,irritability,lifestyle diseases are all linked to stress in some way or the other,and as urban stresses build up thanks to traffic jams,unrealistic deadlines,and other pressures,it is time to destress in some way or the other.The importance of meditation for healing has been a part of our culture since ancient times.Meditation is a process where one concentratesinwards on the mind.The dictionary describes it as a state that is experienced when the mind dissolves and is free of all thoughts. Research has shown that meditation is one of the best ways to de-stress and also has several health benefits,for instance,it lowers blood pressure,easesasthma and helps deal with insomnia.It is a safe,simple and effective way to create a balance between a person's physical,emotional and mentalstates.There are different types of meditation and most of them can be done by almost everyone.Breath awareness, chakra meditation and candlemeditation are some of them.Of these candle meditation needs to be avoided by certain people.It is important to meditate in a calm and quietplace,hold the posture correctly and beginners should not meditate for more than five to ten minutes.Yoga therapist,Rucha Sukhramani describes the various stages of breath awareness where negative emotions are neutralised and it enables the body and mind to relax:Technique1.
Sit in a comfortable posture,either on the ground or on a chair.2.Keep the back,neck and head in a straight line.3.Tell yourself you will not be judgmental or concentrate too hardwhen practising breath awareness.4.Do not exceed two minutes.5.Slowly move your awareness to the breath.6.As you breathe in simply observe your breath.7.As you breathe out just watch your breath leave the body.8.As you inhale count to 15,and as you exhale count to 15.9.During the next inhalation count to 14 and similarly,count to 14during the next exhalation.10.Slowly count down to zero.11.Try not to lose your count.12.Slowly become aware of your body.13.Listen to the sounds of the environment.14.Bring your awareness back to your breath.15.Slowly rub your hands together and place them on your eyes.16.Gently open your eyes with a few blinks.Breath awareness helps in cultivating the ability to become a silent,objective,and non judgemental witness to life and is one of the besttechniques to de-stress the body and mind.