Looking for a natural way to reduce stress and anxiety? Whether an exam is coming up, a job interview, or you’re simply trying to get through the day, this mini session provides tips while guiding relaxation techniques to help combat stress and anxiety.
Join Amanda Hayden, Master’s Degree in Art, and a registered yoga trainer, on Zoom, Thursday, Oct. 14, from 2 – 3 p.m. Learn how to calm the mind and breathe more deeply. Learn how to prioritize self-care and downtime. Learn the positive impact of sound meditation and the cultivation of things that fill you up, instead of drain you. Learn guided deep relaxation and guided breathing techniques.
“Cultivating wellness is not a one-size-fits-all,” said Hayden.
Meditation is an experience of relaxing the body, quieting the mind, and awakening the spirit. In the fast-paced world of today, people need to slow down, be in the moment. It is a method of keeping the mind not in the future, not in the past, but in the present moment. It develops intentional focus.
“Really, it’s just an overall support of the importance of taking care of ourselves, being our own advocate,” said Hayden.
Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years and has a long history of increasing calmness and physical relaxation according to a new report from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), based on data from the 2017 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), U.S. adults’ use of meditation in the past 12 months tripled between 2012 and 2017 (from 4.1% to 14.2%). The use of meditation by U.S. children (aged 4 to 17 years) also increased significantly (from 0.6% in 2012 to 5.4%) in 2017.
Through many studies on meditation at NCCIH, there are indications it can reduce blood pressure, pain, irritable bowel syndrome(IBS), ulcerative colitis, anxiety, depression, insomnia, smoking cessation, and other conditions.
A study was done on 100 people where 50 meditated and 50 did not. Comparing brain images, the study suggests those who meditated for many years had more folds in the outer layer of the brain. A process called gyrification may increase the ability to process information.
In 2013, combined studies suggest meditation may stall, slow, or even reverse changes in a normal aging brain.
“‘The waves of life never stop, you must learn how to surf.’ said Sri Swami Satchidananda,” said Hayden, a quote from her Yoga teacher.
The Zoom meeting information can be found below.
Join Zoom “Mindfulness Hacks and Deeper Relaxation.”
Oct. 14, 2 – 3 p.m.
https://sinclair.zoom.us/j/81145617534?pwd=OVRDRVlsdXFDYVNSQ2FsVUxDaWlPZz09&from=addon
Meeting ID: 811 4561 7534
Passcode: 574495
Diane Sikora
Reporter