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RISING WOMEN EXPERT
ADVICE...
I understand that meditation is good for reducing stress. I don’t know
anything about it, how is it done?
Meditation is a wonderful way to de-stress. It can help you to lower your
blood pressure, reduce pain and make you feel more relaxed in general. The
beauty of meditation is that all you need is a quiet, comfortable spot and
10 or 15 minutes of uninterrupted time.
There are two basic kinds of meditation. One, which is primarily done to
de-stress and relax, is passive. The second method is more a form of active
meditation and creative visualization. I think the active form really
requires that you master the passive form first.
To meditate for relaxation, first find a comfortable spot and get into a
position that doesn’t require adjustment or movement. Look straight ahead
and raise your eyes up without lifting your head. This eye position
encourages alpha brain wave rhythms, which enhances your meditation. As you
keep looking up as high as you can, your eyes will start to flutter, then
you can gently let them close, but maintain the eye position for awhile, as
if you are looking up at the inside of your forehead. Next, focus on your
breathing. Breathe in slowly and count to 5 or 10 and then exhale at the
same rate.
Some people often find this enough to relax, but for those that need more to
focus on, I suggest a systematic approach of muscle contraction and release.
Start with your toes, and gently curl and tighten your muscles and then
release. Work your way up to your legs and torso and then to your neck. Try
to relax the muscles in your face and around your eyes. Continue with a
slow, rhythmic breathing. When you are in this relaxed state, focus on one
thing and only one thing. What this does is teach your brain to stop running
around willy-nilly thinking of all the stressful things that it gravitates
to. You learn how to relax your body and your mind. Once you have mastered
this, you can take it further.
The active form of meditation is the same kind that athletes use to practice
their sport. Research has shown that if you do this, you can actually
improve your co-ordination and performance results in sports. You can also
use this concept for your everyday life. While in your relaxed meditation
state, visualize or sense with all the detail you can, the exact activities
and motions of what you will be doing that day. What you create in your mind
becomes your reality.
For advice on creating the reality you want, contact Cheryle Cote at
Celestial Mind Hypnosis & Intuitive Counselling at 403.801.1582 or visit her
website at
www.celestialmind.ca or
www.cherylecote.com
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