Meditation is the Resolution Solution to Looking and Feeling
Better
By
Nancy
Boudrie, Awaken With Light
It's already that time of year where the "resolutionists" are
dwindling from the gym. All of a sudden, it's getting easier to
look at those extra cookies and say, "hey, why not." Some of us are
already feeling frazzled having found ourselves already scheduled
out to March without carving out anytime for creativity or personal
growth. A quote from a favorite musical sums it up: "Sometimes, it
can be very difficult to keep momentum when it's you that you are
following."
Meditation and other forms of mindfulness are solutions to keep
that momentum and realize all of the positive intentions you've set
for yourself in 2010.
At Awaken With Light, our purpose is to
illuminate your own inner power and peace and teach you to claim
that resource to achieve your dreams. Here are just a few of the
ways that services from Awaken With Light can help you meet your
fitness and wellness goals.
Meditation’s Got Game
The LA Lakers and the Chicago Bulls might not be the first thing
that comes to mind when one thinks about meditation, but both
championship teams have practiced mindfulness under the instruction
of George Mumford, a meditation and sports psychologist. According
to Sports Psychology magazine, athletes use meditation to “reduce
pre-race anxiety, manage pain better, and improve performance.”
However, you do not have to be a professional athlete to benefit
from daily meditation. Learning to harness the mind through focused
breathing can help you power through a workout, break past a
plateau or just remain committed to a new fitness routine.
Meditation can also provide a break from negative self-talk that
undermines weight loss goals. In a recent AARP article, a 36
year-old states: “The wonderful thing about meditation, especially
for someone seeking to lose weight or dealing with body image, is
that it can potentially free you from your body for a few brief
moments.” She continues by saying, “By clearing the mind and
releasing feelings of anxiety, including critical thoughts about
your body and yourself, you can enjoy the freedom and joy of simply
letting go."
Wellness through Mindfulness
The power of mindfulness is so respected that recently, the Mayo
Clinic released an i-phone application to guide individuals through
a daily ten minute meditation. Mayo Clinic researchers worked on
the application for four years and state that the practice can help
anyone feel more alert, focused and relaxed. Researchers at Duke
University have also demonstrated that meditation can improve sleep
in adults and reduce the need for sleep medication. The same
researchers also say there is plenty of evidence that meditation
can help children improve attention and cope with stress. Dr. Oz
has even told his audiences that daily meditation may be the secret
to a long life.
Awaken Your Light
The examples above are evidence that while you can do anything you
set your mind to, "setting the mind" is much easier said than done.
The mission of
Awaken With Light is to connect everyone to their own
inner light that lives within all beings. We are located in
Downingtown, Pa, and we offer workshops for adults and children
including meditation, Reiki services, Reiki Training and
Self-Discovery workshops. We will also design and conduct an
off-site meditation workshop. Contact us to increase your self
confidence, reduce stress and start down a path of tranquility and
balance.
About the Author: Nancy
Boudrie is a Reiki Master and Teacher and certified meditation
instructor and provider. She is committed to enhancing the quality
of life in others by illuminating the path to self-discovery,
wellness and positive living. As a business owner, mother of two
and former insurance agency president, Nancy understands the
demands and stresses created by today's hurried world. She is also
the creator of Welcome Inner Balance, a visually guided meditation
CD. Contact her to begin to awaken your light.
