| Yoga has become very popular as a way to tone | | | | slow down from the normal 20 beats per second in |
| and strengthen the body, as well as calming the mind. | | | | the beta state, the normal state during full |
| While it may not be as popular in some cities, here in | | | | consciousness, to around 10 beats per second. |
| Studio City, where I teach guided meditation for | | | | Since the mind becomes focused during yoga |
| relaxation, there are 6 yoga studios within a mile of | | | | practice or meditation, worries and cares are |
| Angel City Yoga where I have my weekly | | | | forgotten and the body responds by relaxing. In the |
| meditations. It appears, at least anecdotally, that | | | | relaxed state, the immune system functions better, |
| yoga may be the most popular personal fitness | | | | the heart rate slows, and cells may begin the |
| method. | | | | rebuilding and rejuvenation process. In our stress filled |
| Both yoga and meditation are considered mind-body | | | | world, with an environment that has more toxins |
| techniques. Mind-body techniques were studied by | | | | every day, proper immune system functioning and |
| the National Institute of Health and there is a lot of | | | | strength are both of maximum importance to many |
| positive information in the study related to improving | | | | people. That probably accounts for the new interest |
| healing and immune system function, better cognitive | | | | and why so many people are practicing yoga and |
| functioning, heart attack prevention, deep relaxation | | | | also want to learn how to meditate. |
| and stress relief, and many other benefits. They are | | | | While there are many ways to strengthen the body |
| complementary because being able to focus the mind | | | | and improve the mind, one of the positive attributes |
| helps to improve yoga and physical relaxation and | | | | of both yoga and meditation, not always found in |
| breath work improve meditation. There is even a | | | | other methods, is that they may be learned by |
| form of yoga known as the yoga of meditation. | | | | anyone. It isn't hard to learn to meditate and there is |
| Some of the benefits of yoga are related to brain | | | | no way to fail. Each person who meditates reaches |
| wave states similar to the alpha brain wave state | | | | his or her own personal level. It is the same with |
| that people achieve while in meditation. When a | | | | yoga. Unlike trying to run a mile in 6 minutes, or being |
| person is concentrating on yoga postures or on the | | | | able to lift 200 pounds, the goals in yoga and |
| guide's voice in meditation, he or she goes into the | | | | meditation are simply to progress at your own pace |
| alpha state. The alpha state means that brain waves | | | | and to enjoy the experience. |