Dance Conditioning Part - II Benefits of Mindfulness and Meditation Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations. Meditators have been claiming for thousands of years that a regular meditation practice is an effective treatment for anxiety, stress, worry, lack of focus, addiction and relationship problems. And leads to peace of mind, well being, greater focus, mental clarity, and enhanced creativity.
For more details on our products and services, please feel free to visit us at Yoga for dancers, Yoga meets dance & Yoga poses for athletes Science is now supporting many of these claims. According to neuroscientists as you continue to meditate your brain physically changes, even though you’re not aware of those changes. Mindful meditation helps activate the “rest and digest” part of the autonomic nervous system. This aids in stress management and eases feelings of stress and anxiety. Research in people with clinical levels of anxiety have found that 90% experienced serious reductions in anxiety after participation in mindful meditation practices. Research has found that meditation boosts divergent thinking, a type of thinking that allows the generation of many ideas. It also improves awareness and our ability to filter out useless thoughts and other mental processes during creative tasks. Neuroscientists have also found that after only 11 hours (meaning 11 hours accumulated over time) structural changes in the part of the brain monitoring our focus and self control occurred. And that those who meditate stay on tasks longer and make fewer task switches. Mindful meditation also improves our relationship with ourselves. You become more comfortable and accepting of who you are, which allows you to be more accepting of others as they are. mUvmethod incorporates mindfulness practices and meditation into every class and everything we do. Throughout class we incorporate various techniques to bring awareness to the fluctuations of the mind, or that inner voice in our head. That voice that delivers an inner commentary of our likes, dislikes, fears, dreams, anxieties and hopes. Becoming aware of that voice and learning to observe it is a big part of what we do and an important step in growth and progression. When we become aware of that voice and learn to think beyond what we feel we retrain our minds so that we can live better lives. Just a few ways meditation can enhance your life: 1. Meditation reduces stress and improves concentration. 2. Meditation encourages a healthy lifestyle and literally slows the aging process. 3. Meditation increases self-awareness, acceptance, gratitude and happiness. 4. Mediation induces relaxation benefiting cardiovascular and immune health. I personally have experienced these benefits and wholeheartedly believe in the practice. For only a few minutes a day anyone can enjoy these improvements in their lives. It’s never too late…or too early to begin a meditation and mindfulness practice.