Contrary to what you might have heard about Meditation, it is not going into a dreamy sleep like state as many believe it to be. It is being aware of what is going on around you but not attaching to that and having focus on your chosen meditation object. This might be the breath or the body but could also be on a guided visualisation or on sounds such as binaural beats.

In meditation we are looking to do three things: To become mindful, that is awake in the present moment, to enable us to gain insight into our thoughts and how to change these when our thought processes are unhelpful to us or to develop open heartedness, usually through gratitude and compassion.

Making meditation a (healthy) habit is the best way of getting the most benefits out of it and ensuring that you can tap into the meditative state during your normal day to day life, not just during the meditations. You can start with as little as 3 minutes a day!

Meditation is scientifically proven to change the way your brain works; as well as bringing improved cognitive ability there are many other benefits. Meditation can trigger your relaxation response and is known to reduce anxiety by loosening connections to neural pathways. Meditation is linked with lowering cortisol levels, so you feel less stressed. With habituation of their meditation, practitioners are better able to process emotions and thoughts even when they are not meditating. Through meditation people can become calmer and more peaceful, helping them to respond rather than react in difficult situations. Meditation has been shown to be linked to better grades for students, improved memory recall and more creativity. It has even been suggested that daily meditation can reverse the aging process. Meditation is said to reduce the genes that are linked to inflammation so could offer a reduction in pain. If not a reduction in pain, then through meditation the suffering associated with pain can be reduced. There is also a link between meditation and decreased reliance on cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. I am sure that in amongst those benefits there will be something that appeals to everyone.

I like to say that Meditation can give us all an added dash of extra happiness.

My Meditation leader training with SkillfulMind, who are based in Australia, is accredited by the Complimentary Medicine Association (CMA). In my group sessions, I use the SkillfulMind 5-week course formula. These sessions have a different theme each month and although it is good to attend the whole course the different sessions can be attended on an individual drop-in basis. I think of myself very much as a leader rather than a teacher and everyone is welcome at my sessions, whether you are a beginner or have lots of previous experience, because I believe we all have something to contribute. My aim is to share the benefits of Meditation as widely as I can and to build a Meditation community through my groups.

I have also put together a 21-day programme that I offer on a 1 to 1 basis: in person at my hub or in the comfort of your own home (within a 15-mile radius of Bognor Regis) OR, alternatively via Zoom. The programme is designed to look at specific areas the participant wishes to work on. It includes an initial scoping meeting & meditation (60 minutes), ‘homework’ meditation practice, complimentary attendance at 3 group classes and an evaluation meeting (60 minutes) to see what progress has been made and how the participant wishes to proceed. During the 21 days I will check in with the participant regularly to make sure they are OK. To answer any questions/settle any worries and to tweak the ‘homework’ as necessary. The cost of this programme is £45.00

About Happy Yogis

Yoga & Meditation for people from age 4 upwards

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