Quigong meditation deals with ways for the body to find self healing by removing negative energy through the meridians. It incorporates the basic elements of meditation with breathing and self visualization. Many find comfort in this type of self healing as it promotes over general health within the body by balancing good energy.
Quigong Meditation can help the body heal itself and promote overall health. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Certification
From a more Western perspective, the process of overall health from this type of meditation probably ties to its calming effect on the sympathetic nervous system.
The article, “Qigong Meditation Techniques: Benefits and How to Do It” from Healthline looks closer at this ancient Chinese Meditation technique. The article state,
“Qigong meditation is an ancient Chinese healing practice that combines controlled breathing, gentle movement, and meditation to promote good mental, physical, and spiritual health. Similar to tai chi, qigong meditation is believed to treat a variety of health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, chronic fatigue, insomnia, and leg and back pain, among others. Yet, research backing these claims is limited.”
Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Certification 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 in Meditation Instruction.
The Relaxation Response reverses the negative effects of the sympathetic nervous system which prepares the body for the flight or fight response. The body during stress infuses the body with an increase of adrenaline and other hormones which raise blood pressure, increase heart rate, increase breathing and tighten muscles for reaction. These effects are not good long term, nor are they needed for modern day stress at home or in the office or on the work floor. The Relaxation Response reverses these issues. Meditation Instructors can also help one learn how to elicit this response.
Studies have also shown, when combined with the Faith Factor, the response can also help with a myriad of health and mental issues. The Faith Factor, or belief in anything, is key to eliciting greater benefit from the Relaxation Response. Again, understand, that any attempt to improve health without discussion with a primary physician is not safe. The Relaxation Response can help, but it should never completely replace medications without physician approval. Many of the natural reactions within the body from the Relaxation Response and Meditation follow many of the same principles of medications used to decrease anxiety but without the side effects. So in time, with physician approval, many medications may possibly be reduced.
One can become overwhelmed with the problems of the day. These problems can haunt us at night and prevent us from sleeping. Meditation Instructors can help one learn the Relaxation Response to help one find sleep
One problem many have is insomnia and this is the primary focus of this short blog in regards to how the Relaxation Response and a trained Meditation Instructor can help with the inability to sleep.
The anxiety cycle plays havoc on the mind and hence also the body. Only until the anxiety cycle is broken can the mind find peace. This is one of the biggest problems with the inability to sleep. Individuals are bombarded with intrusive thoughts or worries from the day. They prevent the body from calming and instead create a cycle of anxiety which induces stress and the stress response upon the body. The reality is many intrusive thoughts or problems cannot be resolved late at night nor does the body have the capability without rest to properly deal with these issues. Many of these issues seem less important upon waking and the worry of the previous night merely clouds the mind the next day.
Individuals turn to medication to try to overcome the anxiety cycle. They look for over the counter medications that relax the body. The Relaxation Response, however, elicits the same mechanisms within the body. It breaks the anxiety cycle and ushers in the soothing effects of peace and relaxation without the side effects. When using the Relaxation Response to illicit sleep the aim is quite different than using this meditation during the day. Its aim is not so much to produce a meditative response but a sleeping response. In this reality, the brain waves will not be the same as if meditating during the day, but will in fact, merely fade into sleep into meditative trance. This is fine but is a different end.
The Faith Factor is also important in delivering the ultimate responses one may be seeking. If one merely routinely utilizes this response in a mundane and insincere way, then the results will be not as beneficial. It will become mechanical in nature and more of a chore. Instead, be utilizing one’s faith, the response becomes stronger. Due to this, Christian, Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist, or even atheist can utilize this faith factor by choosing the repetitive word to focus on one’s tradition. All traditions universally tap into the Relaxation Response via the power of faith. For an atheist or non religious, that word may be about family, country or self. It still can elicit the response if the word and motive means something to the person. Likewise, if the word chosen is too Eastern, then a Christian may feel stressed using that term and be counter productive. Instead, it is important to turn the meditation into a prayer as well to enhance the natural response of the body.
In regards to insomnia, or any other ailment, a passive mind is required during meditation. While your focus, desire and goal is sleep, your passive mind remains open to merely the meditation. Some may consider this counter productive, but the moment one starts to think about ” Why am I not asleep” or “How long will this take”, then one creates a new anxiety cycle which reduces the ability of the body to relax and internally heal. So with illness, or insomnia, to curtail the maximum results of desired results, we must in some way not desire it but allow the flow of peace to do its thing. The moment, one focuses more on performance outcome over the process itself, then the ability to fall asleep becomes harder to achieve.
The Relaxation Response can help prepare the body for sleep. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program
In utilizing the Relaxation Response, one should follow the basic guidelines. First, find a quiet place. In regards to insomnia, this is your bed. Sound makers, or any natural sounds that are not distracting can help one find a natural pace. Second, close one’s eyes and began to reduce muscle tension. Focus on parts of your body and work your way systematically, such as starting from a toe to the next toe and up the foot to up the leg. Stretch and allow the body to naturally relax. Third, start to breath in and out. This step actually can be used while your reducing muscle tension. Fourth, focus on your word, usually a word associated with religious or personal conviction. The word or phrase should be short enough to match the rhythm of your breathing. If Jewish, the word could be Shalom, if Islamic, the word could be Allah, or if non religious, one could utilize word that motivates oneself. Christian usually choose the name of Jesus, or a short phrase from Scripture. This word is meant to keep focus.
When distracting thoughts enter the mind, do not deliberately toss them out but slowly, dismiss them. It is natural to lose focus. While trying to sleep, the distractions and problems will attempt to re-enter. When they do, merely return to your focus word while keeping track of your breathing. Do not worry if you are doing something wrong. This leads to the important fourth part, the passive attitude. One cannot actively beyond the focus word, try to control the process. Instead one must remain passive and allow the body’s response to take over. If meditating during the day, this is meant to recharge the body and sleep is not intended, but when utilizing it to find sleep, one should merely allow the peace to lead to sleep. One can fall asleep in this regard in prayer. This is not the ideal intention, and is why religious traditions have imposed postures for prayer that are relaxing but not sleep inducing, but realize, we are utilizing the Relaxation Response and meditative prayer to fall asleep. We have turned something natural into prayer itself which is beautiful.
Distracting thoughts should be peacefully and passively dismissed by focusing on a focus word or mantra.
In following these steps and practicing them, one may be better able to relax the body, elicit relaxation, and if spiritual praise God, while also gently falling asleep without the need of medication. If you would like to learn more about the Relaxation Response, please review Herbert Benson’s two classic works on the Relaxation Response. Also if you would like to help others, please then review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Training 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 Meditation Instructor.
Many religious traditions believe that one through meditation can cause a positive disturbance into the cosmos and tap into the natural healing energy. Some cultures call this Chi. While this is only an Eastern belief, meditation from a secular point of view can also elicit responses through the Relaxation Response to help heal the body. In fact, whichever religious tradition, the utilization of meditation within the particular creed seems to all cause the Relaxation Response.
In previous blogs and articles, we know that the Relaxation Response is the opposite of the Fight or Flight Response. The Relaxation Response reverses the blood pressure, higher heart rate, and heavier breathing caused by the sympathetic nervous system in time of physical need, or stress. Adrenaline is pumped into the body during physical emergencies to enable the body to better react to the issue at hand, however, this response is more damaging when responding to only emotional and mental stresses of the modern world. Hence, anxiety and stress can cause an array of physical ailments to the heart and blood pressure.
The relaxation response is able to reverse the physical reactions of the Fight or Flight response in the body. It is able to undo the higher blood pressure, heart rate and respiration induced by this response. Please also review AIHCP’s Stress Management Consulting Program
The ability of the mind via meditation and breathing to induce the Relaxation Response is key to healing. It is only doubled when combined with the faith factor. Positive vibes and beliefs through meditation and even basic mindset can produce within the body multiple cures over minor issues and also maintain optimal health. Likewise, negative beliefs and lack of faith can lead to physical ailments. The mind body connection is real and the ability to control the negative responses of the body to stress as well as produce healthier mental images, is key to overall health.
Does this mean one should never go to the doctor but only procure a healthy mindset? Definitely not, but Herbert Benson in “Beyond the Relaxation Response” believes that a healthy mindset and faith factor tied to meditation can procure within the Relaxation Response a more general bill of health, as well as better responses to illness. He reviews the importance of the placebo effect for both positive and negative results.
Meditation is an excellent way to overcome stress and its consequences. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals
One can see through studies and throughout history, the power of the mind in helping someone recover from an illness, likewise, the power of the mind to produce illness. Meditation and the Relaxation Response with a strong faith factor reveals that many individuals are able to control negative responses from the Sympathetic Response system and maintain better health in part by preventing illness as well as aiding the body heal itself. A person with a positive mindset and faith factor has a better chance of healing or overcoming a major operation and illness than one with a negative.
Part of this is the placebo effect of the medication. Many medications are strengthened by the belief of the person. Furthermore, a strong trust in the physician who is optimistic can help trigger a better faith factor which can help a patient recover faster. In many cases, medications produce more side effects than good, and the faith factor and optimistic view is strong enough to help someone. It is important to know if the medication one is on is completely necessary for health and wellness.
The faith factor is just a religious ideal but one that places faith in something, whether it be God, medication, a physician or one’s own ability to heal. It is a critical element in self healing and overall mental, emotional and physical health. Through the studies on meditation, we clearly see a connection between mind and body and vice versa. The mind has an ability to control many of our responses, including heartbeat and blood pressure, it also has the ability to aid the body in recovery with positive imagery. This is not a cure all. While mental positive images can help, they cannot overcome certain obstacles or devastating disease or injury, but they can help the body recover and maintain itself.
It is important to procure this type of positive attitude and with a strong faith factor, coupled with meditation and the triggering of the Relaxation Response, one can better achieve better health and a more peaceful life in response to stress and anxiety.
Anxiety looks to tear into the body causing a brutal cycle where the body is forced to respond to a physical threat that is not present. By eliminating this cycle through the Relaxation Response, one is able to lower breathing, heart rate and blood pressure and allow the body to relax from the hormonal onslaught. Remember, it is about how we view stress, cope with it, and our overall outlook on life that helps prepare us to handle these stresses. Through meditation we are able to heal the body from stress and prepare it to handle it later.
The Relaxation Response is the physical result of various religious traditions. A positive faith factor can help reduce the negative consequences of stress but also help the body heal itself over time
For purposes of the review, the steps are simple. Find a quiet place, focus on breathing, find an object or mental image to dwell upon, use a mantra or prayer to stay on path and avoid distractions and maintain a passive mind. These steps are part of almost every religious tradition. While religious traditions may have different spiritual ends, they all through meditation induce a particular physical reaction which is beneficial to the body. That response is the Relaxation Response.
If you would like to learn more, please review Herbert Benson’s revolutionary work on meditation. If you would like to earn a certification in Meditation Instruction, then please 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 in Meditation Instruction.
Also, feel free to review AIHCP’s Stress Management Consulting Program which also closely ties to meditation and its uses as a way to monitor and overcome stress.
Stress and anger facilitates the “Flight or Fight” response in our bodies. While temporarily good, if the physical reactions within the body continue over time or are not properly channeled, then damage to the body can occur. Elevated heart beat and higher blood pressure are all temporary necessary results to deal with situations but in the modern world, stresses cannot be dealt with by fight or flight but must be managed.
The relaxation response can not only cope with the effects of stress but also help with healing. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program and see if it meets your academic needs.
The Relaxation Response is the opposite reaction within the body, where a pre stress state is restored to the body. It lowers the heart rate, lowers blood pressure and creates a more tranquil setting which is beneficial to the body. Recent studies through bio feed back have proven to shown that one can facilitate these responses through a variety of meditation practices or techniques. Meditation, in particular, Eastern meditation has shown to be able to elicit the relaxation response.
The Relaxation Response requires a quiet or peaceful setting and environment. It requires a passive mindset. It also requires an object of focus and a repeating phrase, mantra, or word to retain that focus. Through this peaceful and gradual process, studies have shown that the relaxation response can be found. It is far different than a mere sleep process, but various active brain waves continue to function as well as the state that reduces stress. This is different than sleep and its critical importance at the REM phase and its own special health benefits. The two states have different health aims and different purposes.
The Relaxation Response can be elicited from a variety of religious traditions. It can be Christian in end or Eastern. World religions seem to share in this common trait of producing this universal mental state within individuals who practice it. However, non religious can also benefit from it and enter into with out any religious overtones.
What is incredible is that the human mind has the capability to alter change to the body. It can, seen through biofeedback, produce changes in heart beat and pressure through meditation. In some more extraordinary cases, Tibetan Monks were able to even alter body temperatures. With this in mind, the power of the mind to alter subconscious responses is an important study within meditation and its battle with stress.
Meditation can put mind over matter in many ways. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program
The faith factor and the ability of the mind to alter minor realities in health and healing is extraordinary. Not just altering bio rhythms within the body to reduce the effects of stress, but to also help heal. Placebo effects, whether positive or negative can play huge roles in individual’s health or lack of. The simple positive belief of the person in something or someone and that shared encouragement can play a key role in healing. Meditation can also open these amazing benefits of self healing. Again, the mind can play a pivotal role in helping the body heal itself by believing it.
If you would like to learn more about Meditation, stress reduction and the Relaxation Response, then please 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 has beneficial effects on overall mental health and physical health. The physiological effects are closely related to the relaxation response it triggers in the body. This response naturally lowers blood pressure, breathing and other functions of the body.
Eastern Meditation although spiritual in origin has many physical and mental benefits. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program
The article, “The Science Behind Meditation” by Jennifer Wallis looks at the effects meditation has on brain waves, heart beats, blood pressure and breathing. She states in the article,
“According to a study by Harvard University, the physiologic benefits of meditation – in this instance the relaxing form of transcendental meditation – relate to quieting the sympathetic nervous system and the activation of the parasympathetic branch – otherwise known as ‘rest and digest’. Medical studies have shown that individuals who practice transcendental meditation daily had lower blood levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol”
From originally a spiritual discipline of the East, science has discover that meditation has many benefits physically. The spiritual needs of Eastern Meditation required the quiet of the body. This purpose had dual benefits to those of those Eastern faiths. For Westerners and those of a secular nature, meditation can supply a healthy option to control blood pressure, heart issues and other problems related to stress.
Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.
Individuals who experience chronic stress can also experience physical ramifications. The body when stressed is induced to react to stress. In doing so, the body through various hormones can increase blood pressure, muscular tension and alertness to react to the stressor. This is critical to survival in itself and when one can react with a fight or flight response, one is able to avoid or confront the stressor. Once the stressor is removed or conflict is avoided or defeated, the body naturally returns to pre stress levels.
The constant issue in modern society is that people cannot fight or flee everything. Jobs and relationships demand other ways to resolve stressful issues. If one is constantly besieged with stress and unable to properly cope with it, then the body is in an constant reaction to stress. This has shown in the long term to cause damage to the body, most notably the arteries and heart. Stress can kill over time and it is important to be able to regulate one’s response.
Meditation can invite the relaxation response to the body to overcome stress and other negative physiological results of stress upon the body. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals
Fortunately, through study and bio feedback, it has been shown that one with training can better react to stress and also lower the body’s reaction to stress. Primarily through meditation and other Eastern arts, one is able to learn to breathe properly when confronted with stress and to lower one’s reaction to it. In fact after a stressful encounter, one can be taught to use the relaxation response to lower one’s bodily functions to pre stress levels.
Meditation, breathing, hypnosis and other alternative tools can be utilized to learn to control one’s inner response to stress but this takes commitment and training. It has been studied that Transcendental Meditation, Zen Yoga, Autogenic Training, and Progressive Relaxation had similar with some variable responses to oxygen consumption, respiratory rate, heart rate, muscle tension, blood pressure and alpha waves.
Dr Hess in the later part of the 20th century was the first to distinguish the effects of meditation on the body. He came to the conclusion that many meditation practices create the opposite reaction as the body’s fight or flight response to stressors. Meditation hence has a great ability to physiologically alter the body’s reaction to stressors as well as return the body to pre stress conditions.
Another amazing element discovered was that meditation, like sleep, lowers oxygen consumption. Not even sitting calmly can lower this consumption like sleep, but what was discovered proved that meditation lowers consumption within minutes as compared to hours with sleep. Also, alpha waves in the brain remained constant during meditation unlike sleep. Meditation thus proved to be a great way to reduce the body’s flight or flight response and even as a way to prevent future stress reactions. The studies did point out that while meditation is important in reducing stress it nonetheless did not replace the necessity of the body’s need for sleep and the benefits of REM.
If you would like to learn more about Stress Management as well as meditation then please review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program as well as AIHCP’s Stress Management Consultant Program. Both programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking to earn a four year certification.
Meditation is very useful for spiritual and physical purposes. It can bring one closer to God and help one enhance a spiritual life but it can also from purely a secular view help one mentally and emotionally. It can help one remain focused and less stressful with the problems in life. Stemming from this, it also reduces anxiety and other heart health related issues that stem from stress. However, if one is not properly meditating, then many of these benefits can be lost.
Proper meditation is essential to reap the full benefits. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals
The article, “Common Meditating Mistakes You Need to Avoid” by Clara Rose looks more close at common mistakes of meditation. The article states,
“Meditation comes naturally to some people, while many others cannot attain a deep state of peace and relaxation. It happens because these individuals commit some common mistakes that prevent them from meditating. Meditation becomes easy when you avoid these common mistakes. ”
Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals. The program can help one teach meditation but can also be used to learn how to properly meditate. The program is also online and independent study and open to certification for qualified professionals.
Success starts from within. Chaos and confusion will only give life to more disorder. The best leaders, regardless of their career fields, are confident, calm, and organized. A level headed manager leads to a level headed workforce. How to keep your cool when dealing with work related adversity? Simple. Meditation!
Meditation training can help exhaust the fires of frustration and anxiety. It can help clear the fog of war and allow one to come up with a solution to the day’s problems. But where to start and how to expand on your understanding of meditation? It is not hard to learn more about meditation. There are dozens of smart phone apps you can use as well as online resources and articles available to the public. You can also take courses in meditation to boost your knowledge. Many of them are available 100% online and are very affordable.
Below is a link to an excellent article about using meditation to create a successful career.
From – YourTango.com
By – Bhavna Dalal
Meditation becomes extremely important for leaders dealing with many dynamic situations — millions of issues to be resolved, making critical decisions that impact lives and resources at scale…
Many very successful people use daily meditation as part of their routine. Once again because it allows them to approach situations and projects with a clear mind and removes any prejudice or personal bias. CEOs of fortune 500 companies use it and they are in the vanguard of industry! Isn’t it time we caught up? Start learning today and set yourself up for success! If you are interested in online meditation courses then perhaps you should visit our Meditation Instructor Certification page
During the Covid-19 pandemic we have all had a lot of time on our hands as well as a lot of new sources of stress! Some of us have turned to meditation as a way to remove stress from our lives or at the very least learn to live with it. There are several different types of meditation and not all of the are the same. Each with a unique skill set all their own. They range from prayer based meditation to the Hindu form of Raja Yoga. To learn more about them please read the article below:
Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, was the founder of Buddhism. One of his teachings was this: “Your mind is a powerful thing. When you filter it with positive thoughts your life will start to change.”
Mindfulness and meditation both have unique qualities that lead to healthier lives. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Certification
Transcendental Meditation, Centering Prayer Meditation, Guided Meditation and Raja Yoga should give us enough options to try something a little different in the new year. If you are Hinduist, Buddhist, Christian or Atheist; there is something for everyone! If you are interested in learning more about the types of meditation available to you then you might want to visit our Meditation Instructor Certification Program page.
Meditation is a call to mindfulness of the present. Many times, individuals are so focused on the past they cannot live in the present, or they are so paranoid about the future, they cannot enjoy the present. Meditation can help one focus on the present. Focus on the present is key because the present determines outcomes. We need to acknowledge the present before it too becomes the past and understand the present as a key to the future.
Meditation can help individuals be more present. Please also review AIHCP’s Meditation Instructor Certification
The article, “Struggling to be more present? Look to meditation” by Marci Sharif looks at how meditation can help individuals be more present in their thinking. She states,
“Have you ever noticed how strangely difficult it is to just be right here, right now? Not recalling the past. Not considering what’s next. Not analyzing, judging, storytelling or narrating, but simply being here, purely in the moment, in a soft and open way. It’s a completely different mode from what we’re used to — a far cry from living in our heads and reflexively reacting to the whims of our conditioned and compulsive thoughts.”
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.
