Central Florida Lifestyle: Winter Park May 2020

Page 6

+ HEALTH & Health

Meditate

Your Way to Better Health Feeling stressed? Unhappy? Anxious? Do you have sore joints and stomach problems? Studies have shown that meditation could help you get relief from these issues. By Tarre Beach

T

he practice of meditation has many forms. There is guided meditation, contemplative meditation, transcendental meditation, Buddhist meditation and many others. Daniel Graxton, resident teacher at Lineage Buddhist Meditation Center in downtown Orlando, practices and teaches Buddhist meditation in both English and Spanish. His classes are open to all. Students from all religions, political affiliations, races and socio-economic status are welcome to learn meditation at the center. He recommends that beginner students focus their attention

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Central Florida Lifestyle | May 2020

on their breathing and sit quietly for about five minutes. Repeatedly practicing how to focus the mind over longer periods of time can lead to meditation becoming a support system. Meditation student Jesse Henson of Winter Park has been meditating for 40 years. Introduced to it by his spiritual teacher, Henson says he has experienced great peace and inner harmony through meditation, even crediting it for helping him get over his fear of public speaking. Henson also teaches meditation in correctional facilities. He says the meditation students he has worked with have told him that they feel deep peacefulness in the midst of the outer chaos of being in prison. Joe Noecker, a licensed mental health counselor, life coach and psychotherapist at the Center for Self Balance in Orlando, says both the types and effects of meditation vary. He has seen patients gain confidence, lessen anxiety, overcome sleep disturbances and feel relief from chronic physical pain. He warns that while meditation can be helpful, it should not be the only treatment for more significant psychological issues. Noecker suggests that newcomers research and participate in several styles of meditation to find the one that benefits them the most. To gain benefits, though, he says meditation should be experienced rather than just learned.

Five Easy Steps to Meditation 1. F ind a space where you will not be disturbed for a length of time. Set a timer if you wish. 2. M ake yourself comfortable either on the floor, cross-legged with a wall or other back support, or in a chair. If you are in a chair, then make sure your feet are hip-width apart, uncrossed, and your back is straight. 3. U se a visual cue, music or incense if you wish. If you prefer music, it is suggested that it be instrumental. A visual cue can include a picture of nature, a spiritual or religious item such as a cross, or a picture of a spiritual teacher. Yes, you can meditate with your eyes open, but keep a soft gaze and don’t fixate or stare. 4. K eep your hands folded, one on top of the other in your lap, or facing palm up or down on your thighs. 5. Start by taking a few deep breaths in and out. With each breath in, visualize or say to yourself “in,” and as you breathe out, say or visualize the word “out.” Use your ideal (love), visual (a picture), or sound (music) to focus your mind. Tip: If you become agitated, interrupted by outside forces, bored or fall asleep during your meditation, then stop and start again. Gently bring yourself back to focusing on your breathing. While meditating you should let go of judging whether you or your meditation is good, worthy or effective. Remember, meditation is a practice for relaxation and peace. Harshly judging yourself will not help you to achieve either of these goals.


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Local Students Make a Big Impact Our Thoughts for Students on Graduation Day

2min
pages 50-52

4 SMOKING HOT BARBECUE RECIPES

3min
pages 46-47

DID YOU KNOW?

2min
pages 48-49

SCHOOL NEWS

2min
pages 44-45

Celebrating Independence Live! Re-invention: The Mother of Necessity

2min
pages 42-43

IN THE KITCHEN

3min
pages 34-35

HOW TO HELP TEENS COPE WITH STRESS & LOSS

7min
pages 38-41

Can Your Homeowners Insurance

2min
pages 32-33

HOMETOWN HEROES

5min
pages 26-27

EXPERT ADVICE

2min
pages 28-29

Support for Superwoman

2min
pages 30-31

SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW

3min
pages 24-25

YOUR LOCAL

3min
pages 22-23

HOSPITALITY SPOTLIGHT

1min
page 19

HEALTH & WELLNESS

3min
pages 6-7

YOUR COMMUNITY PARTNER IN HEALTHCARE

7min
pages 8-11

ASK THE LAWYER

2min
page 18

WINE & SPIRITS

2min
pages 20-21

LOCAL LIFE

2min
pages 12-13

HOMESTYLE

2min
pages 14-15

14 THROWBACK MOVIES TO STREAM NOW

5min
pages 16-17
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