Know about health benefits of Yoga and Meditation.

Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India.[1] 

 

 Meditation is a practice where an individual trains the mind or induces a mode of consciousness, either to realize some benefit or for the mind to simply acknowledge its content without becoming identified with that content, or as an end in itself.[2]

Yoga and meditation are said to have originated in India thousands of years ago but today it is practiced more by people outside India. Meditation is gaining popularity nowadays due to its ability to achieve complete well-being.Stress is an important factor in most of the modern day diseases like heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure and depression. With high pressure jobs and fast lifestyle, stress is unavoidable in modern life. In such a scenario, practicing meditation for just 10-15 minutes a day can go a long way in protecting you against diseases.

Health benefits of Yoga and Meditation are:

A. Reduces Anxiety

According to psychiatrists from Harvard Medical School, meditation can reduce anxiety symptoms. Anxiety attacks occur when someone gets overwhelmed with worry over issues that they have no control over. Anxiety in turn can lead to high blood pressure and heart diseases due to the stress it creates on the body.

B . Improves Concentration

Studies by Harvard and Stanford neuro-scientists have proven that practicing meditation leads to a redistribution of grey matter of the brain with higher concentration of grey matter in the learning, memory and emotion related parts of the brain. It has also been revealed that continued meditation leads to increased gamma wave activity in the brain.

C . Keeps Blood Pressure In Check

Meditaion is a great way to help keep your blood pressure in check. A study at Harvard Medical School found that meditation lowered blood pressure by making the body less responsive to stress hormones, in a similar way to blood pressure-lowering medication. Meanwhile a British Medical Journal report found that patients trained how to relax had significantly lower blood pressure.

D . Boosts Memory

Several studies have shown that meditation leads to increase in mental focus, faster information processing, better decision making and better memory. It also improves one’s ability to work under stress. With increasing distraction of modern life, the need to focus and maintain continued attention can be achieved through meditation.

E . Strengthens Immunity

Studies show that meditation increases activity of ‘natural-killer cells’. These are the cells responsible for killing bacteria and viruses that enter the body. Improved immunity means less chances of falling sick and enhanced overall health.

F . Uplifts Your Mood

Stress, depression and mood swings are common psychological issues faced in modern times. Meditation has been shown to decrease feelings of loneliness, depression and increase self-awareness and emotional well-being.

G . Helps Relieve Chronic Pains

Studies have shown that meditation has the ability to reduce pain and inflammation thereby reducing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and chronic pain.

H . Improves Symptoms Of IBS

Meditation improves symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Studies show that when patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome began practicing meditation twice daily, their symptoms of bloating, diarrhea and constipation improved significantly.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

1. There are different kinds of yoga like mindfulness, Vipassana or Japa meditation.
2. For beginners, mindfulness meditation is a good way to start the habit of meditation.
3. It involves sitting in a comfortable position in a quiet place with your spine straight and focusing on a single thought or object for example your breathing pattern or the Om symbol.
4. You should let your thoughts come and go but also be able to watch them with a sense of passivity like an observer.
5. Many people also prefer to practice yoga in a group or under the guidance of an expert.
6. Use whichever way suits you but do make meditation a part of your life for a healthier, and more enhanced living.

                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                      source http://www.1mg.com