Meditation is a practice in which you use a technique to achieve a mentally clear, and emotionally calm and stable state.
There’s been a lot written about the benefits of meditation and mindfulness. Afterall people have been meditating for thousands of years – so you’d expect a lot of research in this area. Meditation and mindfulness are often regarded as natural ways to help calm the mind, induce a sense of relaxation, and reduce anxiety and […]
The meditation trip… Read more »
While the word labyrinth may make you think about the Greek legend of the grand labyrinth built to contain the terrifying Minotaur… Or the 1986 film starring David Bowie… Modern labyrinths were first introduced in the 13th century and have long been associated with a moving form of meditation. Walking slowly and with purpose. Contemplatively.
A common phrase used when talking about meditation is anyone can meditate on a mountain. The idea being if we are in a perfectly quiet, tranquil location – meditation is much easier. But for most of us we’re not in that perfect location when we meditate… There might be dogs barking or loud birds (I’m
On top of the world… Read more »
I’m really chuffed to announce that this Friday will be my 100th meditation session under my local council’s Healthy & Active program. It’s a fantastic initiative offering 179 activities (in the current April to June period) for little or no cost. Think walking groups, yoga, dance classes, fitness for older adults, Pilates, Pickleball, parents and
Healthy and active… Read more »
I often find myself yawning at the end of a meditation. I’ve always assumed it’s because my body is in a very relaxed state, and I could almost fall asleep. The subject came up in our meditation class last week. One person yawned, then another, then another… You know how ‘catching’ yawns are! So I
I don’t know about you, but I love good theatre and shows… And I’ve been really lucky lately to see some exceptional performances. Last week my husband and I saw Jeff Goldblum (the actor) as a jazz musician. Not acting as a musician, actually being a jazz pianist and singer. Initially we weren’t quite sure
All the world’s a stage… Read more »
It’s probably no surprise that we talk about breathing quite a lot in our meditation classes. We use our breath to help bring our attention inwards. To help us find a sense of calm… Help us relax… Steer us away from the ‘fight or flight’ mode… And into our parasympathetic nervous system… or ‘rest and
Every breath you take… Read more »
Slow down, you move too fast… Not words that have really applied to me over the past few years! After three foot surgeries, I haven’t really moved quickly in quite some time… But that’s starting to change. If I’m on flat, even ground I can move at a reasonable pace now… Not so much if
I discovered yet another new word this week… Skychology! Yes, it really is a ‘thing’. It’s the practice of intentionally looking up at the sky for a few minutes each day, to improve mental health. The phrase was first coined by phsychologist and wellbeing coach, Paul Conway, in his 2019 study: Skychology – an interpretative
The sky’s the limit… Read more »
Dr Astha Tomar is a psychiatrist who surprisingly says meditation doesn’t work for her… Well that’s how the story was billed… And it’s more surprising because Dr Tomar is President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. So surely she should meditate? My husband flicked me the article last week (which I
The many forms of meditation… Read more »
