3 Meditation Relaxation Exercises Lung Breathing First, start by establishing a deep relaxed breath. Inhale and bring in as much air as possible without making yourself tight. Then exhale and let yourself melt releasing every ounce of tension in your body. This exercise can be done either standing or sitting in an up-right position. Make sure to maintain a good posture and don’t let yourself collapse as you move into deeper relaxation. Click Here to learn More About Meditation for Relaxation! Now after you have found your rhythm and your breathing is smooth start to roll your shoulders. First, focus on breathing into the back sides of the lungs by inhaling as your shoulders are circling up and back. Having the shoulders in the rear position will release tension across the back of the lungs giving them more room to expand and contract. Do this for at least 6-12 slow deep breaths. Next change direction, focusing on breathing into the front sides of the lungs. This time roll the shoulders forward and down as you inhale. Do this 6-12 times with a slow relaxed breath.   Spine Conditioning This exercise can be done in either a standing or sitting position as well. Begin by finding a deep relaxed breath. Then on your inhale start at the base of the spine […]

The practice of meditation is not something new. Research shows that the art of practicing meditation dates back more than 5000 years. Over time, various different groups have evolved the practice of meditation according to their own belief systems and preferences. Therefore, it is not surprising to find that today there are so many different meditation styles a person could choose from, to suit their own needs. Taking the time to learn a little more about the different types of meditation styles and its origins will allow an individual to make a more informed decision on which style or type would be most suitable. Initially thought to be a practiced art form that is heavily connected to some form of religious beliefs, meditation is now accepted as simply a practice of seeking to connect body and mind in a holistic manner to benefit the individual’s daily existence. Today a large segment of society turns to the use of meditation as a stress reduction tool, a relaxation tool or as a self-improvement tool. There have been many positive results documented due to the use of meditation for these purposes, but to date, scientific researchers are still unable to conclusively acknowledge just how the mechanisms of meditation works. Many people going through difficult phases in their lives turn to meditation for relief. […]

Meditation is important for attaining high levels of success among athletes. Candles were once a popular tool for developing Concentration, Jin (release of power) and Qi (energy) during martial arts training. This candle training is rarely seen today, but can add great value to your meditation practice. I will show you a few examples in this article of how candles can be used to deepen your meditation practice and fine tune your energetic coordination. 1 – Concentration Training The most popular use of the candle in a meditation practice is to visually focus on its flame in order to enhance mental concentration. To start, sit in a dark room and watch a lit candle as you meditate. Focus on the flame; try to notice every detail of how the flame moves. Do this for at least 20 minutes. When in a high-level competition, leading a team, or looking for creative inspiration it is essential to be in the moment and notice every single detail to deliver your best response. In the beginning you will notice that following the flame is not easy and even a few minutes can be quite challenging. Through consistent practice you will be able to develop and maintain focus and concentrate both visually and with your mind. Once you have reached this elevated level of practice […]