Meditation Instructor Certification Video on Meditation

Meditation has multiple benefits.  For many it is religious and deeply spiritual.  For many it is also secular and helps them maintain a healthier life style.  Eastern meditation has many breathing techniques that when stripped of religious connotations is able to help one reduce stress and live a healthier and more peaceful life.  Many today in the business world look for meditation to help find focus and insight.

AIHCP offers a four year certification as a Meditation Instructor.  The Meditation Instructor Certification is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals.  Meditation Instructors can offer their services privately or at a corporate level.  If you are interested in AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Certification, then please review the program and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.

 

Please review the video below on AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program

Meditation Instructor Certification Article on Introduction to Meditation

Meditation has many aspects beyond one religious or secular definition.  Although it is similar in function and how it is achieved, it meets multiple needs and stems from multiple traditions.  Hence there are multiple ways to meditate for multiple reasons.

Meditation can be used for a multitude of reasons. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program

 

The article, “What Is Meditation?” by Amy Keifer from “verywellHealth” takes a closer look at meditation.  She states,

“Today many people use meditation for nonreligious, non-spiritual purposes: to help manage stress, to increase their focus and awareness daily, to improve their mood, and to get mental clarity. Starting a meditation practice is a great way to enhance your mental well-being. Plus it is free, with no special equipment, memberships, or training required.”

To read the entire article, please click here

With so many meditations and purposes, almost anyone can learn with a degree of comfort.  The athlete who wishes to have better focus to the deeply religious looking to connect to God can all utilize the practices of breathing and silence to find better spiritual, emotional, mental and physical health.

AIHCP offers a four year certification in Meditation Instructor.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a certification in Meditation Instruction.  Please review the program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.

 

Meditation Instructor Program Article on Yoga Positions for Headache Relief

Yoga has an ability to help calm the mind and body. In calming the body it can help the body relax and be free of various aches and pain. Certain yoga poses are designed for even more headache and migraine relief.  Learning to utilize them can be very helpful.

Yoga can help alleviate stress and help muscles relax to reduce headaches. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program

 

The article, “9 Yoga Poses That Just Might Cure Your Headaches” by Sarah Yang looks at a multiple yoga positions specifically designed to help with headaches.  She states,

“Yoga movement can help you mindfully release and become aware of patterns of muscular tension, Leonard explains. Conscious breathing can help ease the stress and contribute to detoxification. And a regular meditation practice can contribute to overall lower stress, anxiety, and depression, which can lead to fewer headaches that are associated with these conditions, she adds.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Stress Management and Meditation Instructor Programs and see if they meet your academic and professional goals.  The programs are online and independent study and are open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification as a Stress Management Consultant or Meditation Instructor.

Meditation Instructor Program Article on Mindfulness and the Workplace

Mindfulness and awareness are key in life.  We are not living in the present and at ease, then mistakes can occur and stress can find ways to creep into one’s life.  Mindfulness meditation teaches one to focus on the present through mental visualization and breathing.  It helps tune the mind to the senses and to partake in the moment itself.  This type of mindset is perfect for work.  Employers should encourage mindfulness training for employees to increase productivity.

Mindfulness meditation can improve workplace productivity. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program

 

The article, “What is mindfulness and why is it important in a workplace” by Kristin Finkbeiner takes a closer look at how mindfulness helps in the workplace.  She states,

“Organisations are becoming more invested in the wellbeing of employees due to an increased awareness of the costs associated with an unhealthy workforce. Absenteeism, presenteeism, turnover, and a lack of productivity are all very costly issues that are closely tied to employee stress and mental health. The number of sick days lost to serious mental health issues has doubled in the past decade and mental health is the leading cause of sickness-related absences.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification as a Meditation Instructor.

Meditation Instructor Program Article on Meditation as an Inward Escape

Meditation, especially Eastern Meditation is originally Asian in origin from both China, India and other oriental nations.  It is a stamp of not only faith but also cultural tradition and for some identity.  Some Asian Americans find it to be crucial to life not only for health and faith but also identity.

Meditation can supply an escape from today’s social evils. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program

 

The article, “Why Meditation Is Crucial for My Joy and Resilience as an Asian American” by Kim Tai looks at how meditation can help Asian American communities find resilience and joy in life.  She states,

“And if you are feeling trapped and afraid, know that you are not alone. I invite you to sit—with yourself, with me, with all your Asian siblings and ancestors—and know that resilience lives deep within you. Even if it’s unfair that we should need to be so resilient in the first place—that we, as a marginalized community, have had to continue to endure systemic oppression and discriminatory violence—we have still persevered.”

To read the entire article, please click here

With racism and hate towards many Asian communities over Covid, many turn to meditation to find solace.  Any nationality can find solace in meditation though.  With shootings, division and turmoil in the country, meditation can be an inward escape from the chaos, not just for Asian Americans but all Americans

Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification as a Meditation Instructor

Meditation Instructor Program Article on Focus and Meditation

Improving meditation is key to successful results.  Many meditate without many of its benefits due to poor technique.  Poor technique may be due to posture, breathing or focus.  It may also be due to when and where one meditates or how one successfully navigates distractions.  It is important for successful meditation results to properly follow meditative instructions as taught.  Many learn from meditation instructors or are continually guided in their progress until they are able to meditate without aid.

Meditation requires focus and practice of that focus. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program

 

Meditation should not be a chore or difficult but should be something that one finds relaxing and looks forward to.  If one is forcing meditation or not as passive as one needs to be, then one is not experiencing the true peace and calm meditation can provide.

The article, “4 ways to improve focus through meditation” from Koelsh Communities of the Seattle Times looks at ways to improve focus and meditation.  The article states,

“Meditation can help improve your focus by reducing stress, improving mental agility, and helping you feel calmly in control of your thoughts. Rather than struggling and getting agitated when your focus seems off, through meditation, you’ll learn to calmly redirect your mind and find peace within your body.”

To read the entire article, please click here

If you are experiencing difficulties with focus, please review our blog.  Also if you are looking to learn more about becoming a Meditation Instructor, then please review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification as a Meditation Instructor.

Meditation Instructor Program Article on Meditation Tips and Strategies

Meditation is extremely healthful.  It has been proven in multiple studies that is reduces stress and stress response hormones in the body.  This reverses multiple stress induced damage to the body.  Furthermore, it helps the mind be more alert and mindful.   These mind and body health reasons are enough for many to wish to learn meditation but many whether spiritual or secular struggle with meditation.  They have a difficult time mastering it.  This blog article looks to point out a few helpful hints and strategies to help others mediate more effectively from a health point of view only.

Tips to properly meditate can help you maximize your meditation experience. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program

 

Meditation Instructors can teach their students many ways to better meditate and find mindfulness, peace and reduced stress.  The first step is finding a place to meditate.  Many suggest a quiet place free from outside noise and distractions.  Some places may be outdoors while others may be indoors.  Some even create their own meditation room equipped with lighting and calming sounds.  These are all excellent ways to help the body relax and allow the inner healing of meditation to take place.

Position is also key.  Many recommend sitting but with a straight posture.  If one is too comfortable, then they may fall asleep.  Some may very well use meditation or like states to fall asleep but this not the purpose of mental meditation.  One is to be relaxed but is to recharge the mind not so much the body.  This is why it is good to meditate when one is not overly fatigued or just ate.  Instead one should become comfortable and relaxed but not to the point of falling asleep.  Comfort to the body is key through proper temperature and sound to set the proper mood for the mind to find peace without distractions beyond falling asleep.

Breathing is one of the most fundamental aspects of meditation.  Breathing from the stomach is critical.  These deep breathes refresh the body and lungs.  They also create a rhythmic function of breathing in and out.  Breath is key to life in Eastern Meditation and without proper breath work, then meditation cannot be successful.  One should be able to breath multiple times to relax the body and reduce stress.  One should also focus on the breath as it enters the nostrils and is exhaled through the mouth.  Focus on the breath physically but also how it gives the body life.  One should focus on every element of the body from head to toe and visualize the body becoming relaxed with each set of breaths.

In addition to breathwork, mantras play a key role in focus.  The words keep one focused and should correlate with the breathwork.  Two part phrases or sacred words can be utilized as well as words that are conducive to good health.  Which ever word chosen, it needs to have special meaning to anchor one into the meditation event.  Mantras and sacred words can help individuals maintain the importance of focus.

Many who meditate deal with distractions.  They are upset when the distractions occur.  While breathwork and mantras help one return to focus, it is important to  not over fret about distractions and thoughts that may enter into the mind.  Instead, friendly dismiss them and return to the focus of the mantra or breathing.  They may return, but try to remain mindful of the moment and of the meditation itself.

Meditation can has many physical benefits when properly done. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program

 

Those who seek to control the meditation session, or actively will certain states or thoughts or feelings miss the whole entirely and purpose of meditation.  Meditation is passive and is open to what may flow into the mind and it is accepting.  As the body calms and the world becomes more quiet, the mind can better hear.  For those who are only secular, the mind becomes more sharp.  It is better able to remember, organize and remain mindful of the moment.  For those who are spiritual it gives one an awakening with the divine.

Whether religious or secular, the mind and body health benefits of meditation are undeniable.  The tips above can help individuals properly prepare themselves physically as well as properly guide them through the meditative process with a more calm, passive and peaceful mind.  The end results will clearly help individuals in their overall health but also their various life professions and relations with others.

If you would like to learn more about meditation, then please review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification as a Meditation Instructor.  If one is religious or secular the program will help one learn the necessary skills and knowledge to not only improve oneself but also to guide others in meditation.  Please review the program and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.

 

Other resources on Meditation

“Mindful” has an excellent article on “How to Meditate”  Please click here

Please review Healthline’s article, “5 Benefits of Metta Meditation and How to Do It” by Kirsten Nunez.  Please click here

Please review AIHCP’s closer look at meditation its video, “Foundations of Meditation”. Please click here

Meditation Instructor Article on Utilization of Eastern Techniques in a Western World

Meditation is a key component of religious faiths.  It leads to a closer union with God and overall better mental and spiritual health.  It differs in aim from East to West but shares striking similarities as well as subtle differences to those not familiar with world religions.

In the West it is more prayerlike and focuses on a closer union.  These stages of contemplation are to become closer to God and allow the creature to hear the Creator.  It is the highest form of mental prayer.  As prayer it looks to adore, thank, ask, and offer reparation.  It however is a deeper longing to be in union with God.   It occurs after many of these intents have been expressed.  It occurs when the mind becomes more quiet and focus on deeper spiritual truths found in Scripture emerge.  Its central focus is on the Word of God and that serves as the entry into meditation.  It is never forced but is a knocking on the door to be open to God’s word and His presence.  It looks for union but a union that identifies a distinction between divine and creation.

Applications of Eastern Meditation can be beneficial for health as well as certain techniques applicable within Theist traditions with caution

 

In the East, the spirituality is to become one with the ground of all being which is quite different than the idea of a personal deity as found in the West.  It looks for a union that helps the individual find the collective nature of the divine that is found all being.  It is a reunification with the divine and a reabsorption into it.

Yet emerging out of the East’s goal to become re-immersed into the divine, greater care and time was taken into physical preparation.   Ideals on concentration, centering and mindfulness are emphasized to retain focus, passiveness and mindfulness of moment. Various postures, mantras and breathing techniques are essential to relax the body and allow it to be freed from physical distractions. Eastern Meditation within its various techniques to promote silence and peace are unique and have value well beyond the religious.

Medically, these relaxation techniques reduce stress and counter the sympathetic response within the body.  These practices lower blood pressure and help the body find a better balance with the mind and soul.   Balance is key to a healthy body and the balance that is spiritually reached in Eastern meditation is essential to good health.

Many practice these Eastern techniques for stress and anger management and can do so successfully.   The relaxed states are not contrary to any Western faiths if the spiritual end is not sought.  It was due to this that some Christians have incorporated many of the physical strategies of the East into Western and Christian meditation.  Thomas Merton was one who travelled to the East to learn of these techniques in hope of finding ways to utilize within Christianity.  Thomas Keating also followed in these steps and developed Centering Prayer which looked to prepare a Christian to enter into a state of prayer and meditation with God.

The similarities of meeting with God in meditation in East and West were hence combined but with different outcomes.  Instead of becoming part of one being, the Western school looked to become more in union with God and all His creation but not in a pantheistic form.  Creator was still distinguished.  An “I” existence was still preserved although union with everything was still sought through God’s presence in everything.  Hence God’s presence in everything, an accepted Christian idea, replaced the idea of God is everything and one is part of God.

Mantras in Centering prayer were utilized to meet the spiritual desire of the individual.  Dr Benson in his Relaxation Response taught that spirituality is not necessary for healthy meditation but those who find something spiritual or something to connect to can utilize religious mantras of a particular faith to elicit the same mental and physical effects.  Hence a Jewish individual could use the word Shalom, or a Christian could say Jesus, or a Muslim could say Allah, as a focusing word.  Utilizing other religious texts are also helpful.

Hence, the utilization of Eastern techniques was incorporated into Western Meditation.

With that said, many contend that if taken too far, one can easily fall into Eastern spiritualities so intimately connected with Eastern Meditation.  Those of an Eastern spirituality naturally have no issue with this, but those who do not see God as a ground of all being and everything in essence divine, would find this contrary to their faith.  Both traditions contend a passive attitude to hear the Divine but in regards to what the divine is and how one interacts is essentially different.  In Western culture, caution in intention and exposing the body to more out of body experiences should be avoided.  Some in the West in fact refuse to use any Eastern techniques in religious meditation.  This is perfectly fine because Western Meditation and its own spiritual look for the quiet is well documented especially in The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius.  However, visualization, concentration and peace and quiet are still essential in these exercises as one focuses on the Word of God or life of Christ.  Various similar ideals of visualizing are utilized as found in the East.  There are always similarities to find God in the quiet.

Regardless of the spiritual direction, incorporating Eastern meditation on a physical level only can be beneficial.  Businesses look to Eastern meditation to help employees not only be less stressed but also more focused and mindful towards success.  Furthermore, the studies from Dr Benson show clearly how meditative states reverse stressful sympathetic responses of fight or flight.  Fight or flight responses are good for true danger but with the everyday stressors of modern life, they can be detrimental to health.  Chronic stress kills.  Meditation is a possible solution to reducing chronic stress.

Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.

One who is religious can use Eastern meditation secularly only, or if religious, utilize it for its Eastern roots of spirituality.  Those of the East can apply it equally while those in the West can apply it spiritually but with caution, utilizing only partial aspects of it and converting it to a Theist formula with a Theist end.  That is the amazing reality of Eastern Meditation.  Its techniques void of Eastern spiritual ends can be utilized in other religious traditions as well as purely secular ends for health-and for those who are practice Eastern spirituality, then it is fits every aspect of life without editing.

If you would like to learn more about Eastern Meditation then please review AIHCP’s Spiritual Counseling, Stress Management and Meditation Instructor Programs.  If you are more interested in Christian Meditation, then please review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Program.

The programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking how to better meditate but also help others learn the secrets and techniques of meditation.  The program is also beneficial to mental and healthcare professionals looking to incorporate meditation into their practices.,

 

Meditation Instructor Certification Article on Sleep and Breathwork

Meditation and breathing can help the body relax and also help one fall asleep.  If one is struggling with falling asleep, breathing techniques can help the body better prepare for the sleep state.  Many individuals never learn to utilize natural breath work and meditation to help insomnia but through simple breath steps, a good night’s sleep can become a reality.

Difficulties with sleep can be reduced through meditation and breath work. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Certification

 

The article, “The Beginner’s Guide to Using Breathwork for Better Sleep” by Ruby Thompson from Healthline takes a closer look at breath work and meditation to help sleep.  The article states,

“If you’ve tried and failed using meditation as a tool for sleep, breathwork (aka deep or diaphragmatic breathing) might be the perfect solve for reducing stress, controlling pain, and getting better sleep. Try incorporating the tips above into your nightly (and daily) routines – and remember: practice makes perfect. In time, you’ll be sleeping like a baby.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification as a Meditation Instructor.

Meditation Instructor Program Article on Mindfulness and Business

Great article about mindfulness training for employees.  Many businesses are looking to meditation to help employees deal with less stress and increase productivity while working.  Mindfulness pushes all these benefits to employees for business’s wise enough to invest in this type of training for their employees.

Mindfulness training benefits many businesses and firms. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program

 

The article, “11 Vital Parts Of Mindfulness Training For Employees” from Forbes looks closer at how mindfulness training is an important element in employee mental health.  The article states,

“Mindfulness training has got a lot of attention in the world of business lately, as many companies look at it as a means of promoting a more positive outlook in employees. Mindfulness training may encompass things like meditation and positive thinking exercises to ingrain these habits in workers. However, if a business is genuinely invested in mindfulness and the positive mental state of its workers, the training needs to go deeper. The most vital parts of mindfulness come not from positive thinking and meditation alone but the business’s approach to its employees.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Mindfulness is so important in today’s business world that training employees in its use and benefits is a good organizational move for the entirety of the firm or business.  Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals. Many Meditation Instructors are hired by firms to present education and training in mindfulness.  A certification from AIHCP can help with this.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification as a Meditation Instructor.