Yoga Stories: Meditation Can Improve Your Brain Function

If you’ve already tried your hand at yoga, then you may also have dipped your toe into the world of meditation. It’s powerful stuff and not just for people who grow pot and eat nothing but raw fruits. It’s something that I try to do everyday as it’s something that keeps me grounded and calm. It also helps with my intuition and inner confidence.

Recently, somebody in the academic world – namely the University of Wisconsin – noticed that meditation isn’t just some ‘new fangled’ practice, but it has great potential. A scientific study concluded that meditation can reduce stress, help with immunity and even help your brain to work better. Who would have thought that just by meditating for a few minutes every day, you’d be able to benefit from so many outcomes.

How to do it. It’s not difficult to do and if you want to try it for yourself, then all you need to do is to sit comfortably. Next, close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. Feel the air as it passes up your nostrils and into your lungs. Do it again and concentrate so that you can do it slower and deeper. Whatever thoughts you get, then notice them but let them pass. Keep your focus on your breathing. When your mind wanders, bring it back and refocus on your breath. Once you’ve done this for 10 to 15 minutes – then you’ve successfully meditated.

Find other programs for variety There is plenty of information online about how to meditate. For example, there are websites, blogs and even podcasts that provide guidance on alternative ways to meditate. Some of the styles will take you on an inner visualised journey that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Try looking at the podcasts for iPhone for this type of content.

Let’s just go back to that research for a moment, as there’s something else in there that’s very interesting. Apparently one of the outcomes from this research that was undertaken by the University of Wisconsin, was that meditation is as good for your brain as your body. The researchers up there studied some experienced meditators and found that they had more production of gamma brain waves. These waves have an association with clearer and more focused thinking. These gamma waves weren’t just in action during the time the meditation was taking taking place – they were there around the clock. They also discovered that there was not the typical age related thinning in the area of the brain that is used for attention and sensory perception.

This is all good news for all of us. It means that we can keep active mentally and physically for longer and this can go towards prolonging our health into our later years.

Oh and one more thing that you should know too. Apparently just 40 minutes of meditation can do a lot more for you mentally when it comes to being alert than a 40 minute catnap can. Having a nap can make you feel groggy for up to an hour afterwards, but you won’t need to suffer that if you replace the ZZZs with some meditation.

So with all of that evidence, it looks like meditation is finally being recognised for it’s powers. It will protect you against the negative outcomes of being stressed and tense, and it will support your immune system. It will even protect you against the ravages of time – what’s not to like about this ‘new fangled’ practice!