Physical and Spiritual Benefits of Meditation

 

 This is the third article of a three-part series on the philosophy and practical teachings of meditation. In my experience, meditation has had a profound effect on my life. Practising fifteen minutes a day has made my head clearer, stress levels lower, patience higher, driving slower and most importantly, every single thing that I have desired has come to fruition. This is not a fairy-tale; it is absolutely true.

Studies on the physical benefits of meditation have been extensive. The single most reported physiological benefit of meditation is the drop in blood pressure. Breathing rate decreases, the nervous system calms down, the body relaxes and the incessant chatter of the mind takes a break. People who meditate exhibit an increased activity in the left side of the frontal part of the brain that is responsible for a more positive emotional state. Scientists are discovering that we are not as hard-wired as was once thought. We actually may have more control of our mental and emotional well-being.

In everyday life, we will always encounter some form of stress. The trick is, how do we respond to it? Meditation can give us the tools that can help us with possibly every moment of our day. Instead of reacting, perhaps consider a pause, a breath and then a response. A regular meditation practice will help us cope with not only stress and anxiety, but even depression.

Spiritually, in my experience, meditation has connected me not only to my deeper self, but to the earth and all other beings on it. I feel a stronger sense of community and a deep sense that I am never really alone. When I leave the Inglewood yoga studio, which has become my sanctuary, I look up at the sky and the moon and see it with clear open eyes. This feeling of connection and wholeness permeates into all layers of my life.

So, I invite you to try even five minutes of silence a day. Gradually increase your practice to fifteen minutes and explore the possibilities. Rumi, an ancient sage and poet says:

 Which is worth more, a crowd of thousands,

or your own genuine solitude?

Freedom, or power over an entire nation?

 A little while alone in your room

will prove more valuable than anything else

that could ever be given to you.

 Lizzie Prost is owner of Core Yoga+Pilates Calgary, and has been a yoga/health/fitness enthusiast and writer for the past 12 years. 

Yoga for a Peaceful Life

 

Yoga for a Peaceful Life

 Fall is a time of change, new schedules and new challenges. Women and men are juggling tasks like getting children prepared for school, attending to every detail at home and at work and then left wondering what about me? How can I squeeze in some time for myself? Well, how about trying that yoga class that you have been putting on the back burner for several years?

Trying a yoga class has perhaps been the norm in Calgary for the past few years. Sticking to it and making yoga an integral part of a busy lifestyle is another story. You may have heard about how yoga is so good for your body and mind but do you really understand? The truth is, yoga is an experiential activity. One has to try it and reap its benefits; and there are a myriad of benefits.

Physically you will become stronger and longer from the inside out. Have you seen Madonna lately at the ripe age of fifty-two? Your spine will lengthen and your posture will improve. Eventually, you will notice that you are breathing again. Then something extraordinary happens: your mind will start to calm and the clutter begins to disappear. Your stress levels decrease, your energy increases and you find yourself not worrying about “stuff” anymore. Spiritually, you may surrender to the universe and eventually everything falls into place. Sounds divine doesn’t it? The trick is to just get started. Give it a try. Your body and mind will thank-you for it.

In Calgary, there are many studios and fitness centres to choose from offering a wide variety of classes and styles. Get on the internet and start researching. Look for beginner classes near your work or home at times that suit you. Shoot for two classes a week. If the websites don’t tell you everything you need to know, give them a call and start asking questions. Try a class and then aim for something long-term. Sign up for a month and then go from there. After that, the possibilities and potential for change are endless.

lizabeth (Lizzie) Prost is owner of Core Yoga+Pilates in Inglewood, a marketing/communication strategist and has been yoga/health/fitness enthusiast and writer for the past twelve years.

New Years Intentions

 

New Years Intentions 

If your new year’s resolutions have become too overwhelming or, if you have set your goals too high and out of reach, then the end result can be frustration and dissappointment. Perhaps an alternative to consider would be the concept of intention. What if we could make daily intentions all year round that would fullfill our wants, needs and desires? Setting intentions could open up a world of infinite possiblilities.

An intention is a way of fullfulling a certain need that we may have such as the need for a relationship, material things, better health, spiritual fullfillment or for love. It could be as simple as a word, phrase or mantra that you meditate on for a few minutes a day. Intentions cannot be forced or manipulated. Meditation and sleep happen. Weather happens. It is the same with intention. Intent is a seed of awareness, consciousness and spirit. Deepak Chopra says, when you focus thought, you have the power to transform. When you have an intention from the level of your soul or your spirit, then that intention has all the power of the universe.”

So what are the right kind of intentions? Let’s go back to a quiet contemplative meditation. Sit comfortably in a quiet space and focus on your breath for a few minutes. Ask yourself these simple questions: Who am I? What do I want? What makes me happy? Then simply listen for the answers. There are no right or wrong intentions because every human being has different needs and desires and a unique purpose. But instead of having grandiose goals of being rich and famous, perhaps consider something else. Think of a goal or intention that is dynamic and points you towards an engaging activity that connects you to other human beings. Eckhart Tolle says, feel how an activity enriches or deepens not only your life but that of countless others. Intentions can connect us to our inner most selves and may radiate out into the community and even the world. Meditate on your intentions for a few minutes a day and see what happens. Your desires and dreams may be just within your reach.

Meditation – Manifesting your Christmas Wishes

 

Meditation – Manifesting your Christmas Wishes

Has meditation become a popular pas-time? Did the audience at the Oprah’s “favourite things” show want to meditate or just get a pile of free, extravagant things? I think that most people would choose the free stuff and no, meditation is not a favourite activity because it is challenging, to say the least, and most folks don’t even know what it is or how to do it. There has been a subtle buzz about it as of late but, like most activities that are new and challenging, it requires instruction and practice.

How can meditation manifest your desires? It is a tricky subject which requires more than one column to delve into. My intention is to devote a three-part series on meditation. The first part will be an introduction into the practice itself and some tools to help you get through the holidays. Future columns will delve into an exploration of theory and the “how to” component.

I have been deeply influenced by Deepak Chopra and Eckhart Tolle. When I feel stressed, anxious or muddled I go to a ten minute U-tube video with my old friend Deepak. He guides me through an easy meditation and then when I feel confident with the procedure, I practice it on my own. What if I could meditate for ten to fifteen minutes a day? What would happen? Can it help me through this frantic holiday season? In my experience, I can say with great clarity, “yes”!

Meditation is simply the beginning of awareness. It can be as simple as observing one’s own breath – the natural act of breathing in and breathing out. This is a wonderful place to start. Begin by sitting comfortably in a chair or on the floor with your spine long and your feet planted. If you are on the floor, sit on a foam block or blanket to elevate your hips and lengthen the spine. Gently place your hands on your thighs with your palms facing upward. Close your eyes and begin watching your breath. Try saying to yourself, in your minds eye, “breath in, breath out” for about five minutes. Notice what happens to your body. Your shoulders may begin to lower, your breath may deepen and you will feel an overall sense of calm. Your mind will go back to its incessant chatter but don’t worry, this is normal. Just gently go back to your breath. Now focus your attention to your heart. Breathe into your heart centre for a few minutes. Then see if you can feel your heart beat through your finger tips. Can you feel it? Without even knowing it, you just diverted blood flow to your finger tips and just completed a ten minute meditation! Well done.

Now go back to your heart centre and ask a simple question: “what do I want for Christmas?” Listen for the answers. Pay attention and be aware of what it is that you really want. It may not have anything to do with Christmas and the answers may not come to you right away. Be patient. Words and clues will come to you. Let them flow through you. Do this for about five minutes and then let it all go. The universe will provide, if you just pay attention to the moments of synchronicity along the way. Try this easy ten-fifteen minute meditation everyday and see what happens. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

A version of this meditation is guided by Deepak Chopra in a ten minute video to the following link: www.doctoroz.com/videos/deepak-chopra-meditation

Be well and happy this holiday season.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Prost is owner of Core Yoga+Pilates in Inglewood, a marketing strategist and has been a yoga/health/fitness enthusiast and writer for the past 12 years. Contact her at 403 835-4540 or visit coreyogapilates.com and her blog lizzieprost.wordpress.com

 

 

Spinal Health – Natural Alternatives

 

Spinal Health – Natural Alternatives

  Have you experienced back pain? Do you wake up with aches and wonder, “Am I just getting older?” If you are like myself, you probably have let it go for many months or perhaps years. One does not have to live with back pain and yes, there are natural alternatives to drugs and surgery. Spinal health is as important as nutrition, rest and exercise.

As a former professional ice skater, my body was fairly messed up from falling on hard, unforgiving ice. As a young athlete, my body was resilient. As I grew older, I began to experience chronic back pain. I tried everything from massage therapy to physiotherapy and several body work modalities. I would feel better for a day or two and then back to the ongoing pain. Massage and other therapies are beneficial but they may not be the missing link to the puzzle. Eventually I tried chiropractic treatments and have now incorporated this care into my body maintenance routine.

Your spine and nervous system controls every function of the body. Structurally our bodies are integrated networks of bone, muscle, soft tissue and fascia. When problems in our spine and joints interfere with the proper functioning of our nervous system due to stress, environment, improper movement patterns or injury, our bodie’s health is compromised. Chiropractic care treats these problems with safe spinal adjustment techniques so that nerve and skeletal systems are allowed to function properly. Dr. Sheldon Cherniak, owner of the Inglewood Family Health Centre states, “Chiropractic is so much more then a tool for neck and back pain; its main goal is improving spine and nerve function, assisting the body in moving towards its natural state of wellness.”

In my experience, one form of care for spinal health is not enough. I practice yoga on a regular basis to keep mobility in my spine and to lengthen and strengthen the muscle network surrounding it. Dr. Cherniak offers a monthly spinal strengthening workshop that compliments chiropractic adjustments and to introduce the “active” component of chiropractic care for a stronger, healthier spine and body.

Do not settle into the mode of accepting back pain. Your physical and mental health are in your control. Research natural alternatives and give them a try. Be well and hopefully live pain-free.

Pilates is Making a Comeback

 

Pilates is Making a Comeback

 Pilates is making a comeback and I don’t mean in DVD’s at garage sales. The truth is, it is an exercise activity that has been a best kept secret for a number of years. But, what is it exactly?

Pilates can be done on a mat and is a series of abdominal and full-body exercises that really narrows in on specific muscle groups. It was invented by a war-time nurse in 1910 by a fellow named Joseph Pilates. He was frustrated with the rehabilitation of war patients so he devised a series of exercises to help with their recovery. Over the decades, the exercises have been modified and fine-tuned.

Pilates benefits are plentiful. It strengthens the very deep abdominal muscles, buttocks, legs and back. It helps with imbalances in the body. It also tests one’s coordination and focus. Pilates is perfect as a cross-training activity for runners, bikers, skiers, hikers, rock climbers, swimmers and more. It really works the core which in turn helps with other movement.

For myself, I noticed that I had developed a “Buddha belly” over the years and even yoga would not make it go away. I tried two Pilates classes a week and in a very short time I had lost one and a half inches off my stomach. Pilates has also enhanced my yoga practice.

Pilates is beneficial for men and women of all ages and abilities. It is challenging and fun. Give it a try and see what happens to your belly.

Yoga for a Peacful Life

 

Yoga for a Peaceful Life

  Fall is a time of change, new schedules and new challenges. Women and men are juggling tasks like getting children prepared for school, attending to every detail at home and at work and then left wondering what about me? How can I squeeze in some time for myself? Well, how about trying that yoga class that you have been putting on the back burner for several years?

Trying a yoga class has perhaps been the norm in Calgary for the past few years. Sticking to it and making yoga an integral part of a busy lifestyle is another story. You may have heard about how yoga is so good for your body and mind but do you really understand? The truth is, yoga is an experiential activity. One has to try it and reap its benefits; and there are a myriad of benefits.

Physically you will become stronger and longer from the inside out. Have you seen Madonna lately at the ripe age of fifty-two? Your spine will lengthen and your posture will improve. Eventually, you will notice that you are breathing again. Then something extraordinary happens: your mind will start to calm and the clutter begins to disappear. Your stress levels decrease, your energy increases and you find yourself not worrying about “stuff” anymore. Spiritually, you may surrender to the universe and eventually everything falls into place. Sounds divine doesn’t it? The trick is to just get started. Give it a try. Your body and mind will thank-you for it.

In Calgary, there are many studios and fitness centres to choose from offering a wide variety of classes and styles. Get on the internet and start researching. Look for beginner classes near your work or home at times that suit you. Shoot for two classes a week. If the websites don’t tell you everything you need to know, give them a call and start asking questions. Try a class and then aim for something long-term. Sign up for a month and then go from there. After that, the possibilities and potential for change are endless.

 Elizabeth (Lizzie) Prost is owner of Core Yoga+Pilates in Inglewood, a marketing/communication strategist and has been yoga/health/fitness enthusiast and writer for the past twelve years.