Trataka ? A Meditation Practice for EveryoneTrataka is a wonderful practice for everyone and especially for the aspirant of meditation. It is actually classified as a cleansing practice in Yoga.
Get the Most out of Yoga ? the 3 step BlueprintThere are several reasons why you may like to hop onto the Yoga bandwagon. The reasons are many; the goal ultimately the same (with or without your conscious knowing).
Mantra Meditation : Recitation of MantraMantra involves the rhythmic invocation of a sound. This provides a foundation for the aspirant so that his practice is just not "in the air".
Coping with Pain the Yoga WayPhysical Pain is perhaps the toughest thing to manage. When it strikes, it seems to tear us apart completely and nothing really helps us in overcoming it.
Meditation Part VII - Science of SoulPranic energy is actually part of the macro energy which remains dormant in the micro human being and conducts the day to day affairs.
Understanding Jala NetiTo say that this issue was inspired by the thousands of the Health and Yoga family who have benefited amazingly from the detox technique of jalaneti, would truly be an understatement.
Yoga Emotional Damage ControlYoga offers direct routes to emotional control through Pranayama or breath control. It is established clinically that alternate nostril breathing balances the Hemispheres of the brain and Autonomic Nervous System and other types of Yoga breathing.
Simplicity In A Complex WorldWe must understand life is very simple - because the breath of life, by which we live, is given by God. Our life is actually a testimony to the fact that somebody gives us life.
Yoga And Sexual Problems (Male)Although, yoga which has proved to be very effective in the treatment of many impossible and incurable diseases, the therapeutic effect of yoga is only a byproduct and incidental.
Yoga tips for irregular shift workersSeveral professionals have a very demanding routine in terms of night shifts. Due to the altered 'body clocks' they end up suffering from several health disorders.
Bandha Trayam in Gitananda YogaBandha Trayam consists of three important neuromuscular locks. These are Moola Bandha (anal lock), Uddiyana Bandha (fly-up, abdominal lock) and Jalandhara Bandha (chin lock). These are applied during different phases of Pranayama as well as during the Oli
Suryanamaskara - Sun SalutationSurya namaskara is a series of twelve physical postures. These alternating backward and forward bending postures flex and stretch the spinal column through their maximum range giving a profound stretch to the whole body.
Yoga as I see itAll knowledge of universe and human being has been condensed in Vedas. The Vedas are the basic scriptures of Sanathana Dharma, the real name of the so-called Hindu religion.
Yoga and PranaAccording to the yogic point of view, the body is made up of 5 elements ether, air, fire, water, and earth. All these are associated with the 5 prana vayus. The five prana vayus are like the limbs of a man which comprise the one body.
Yoga Cleansing - IIShatkarmas- the yoga cleansing processes of the body are six in number. According to Gherand Samhita , each of the practices has several further varieties.
Yoga, Fitness and Self Improvement the Unending dilemmaWhat fitness program do I choose? Should I go in for the muscular look or the lean look? Is it necessary to diet while pursuing a fitness program? What fitness program will leave me feeling refreshed and revitalized? CONFUSED?
The Power of Mantras and MalasMantras act upon our bodies by reprogramming the vibrations of the cells that have somehow gone askew. They restore the pattern of sounds at the heart of each and every cell, thus pushing the cells toward harmonious health.
Yoga Nidra Newsletter - IIUnderstanding Deep Relaxation through Yoga nidra.
Start with the MindThe mind is given as a tool to you. Mind is not master. Mind was given to you to serve you. You develop all other facilities of the world- electric instruments, cars, air conditioners- but the biggest computer you have is your mind. You never developed...
Meditation - Part IIIWhen one closes the eyes, body may not relax immediately. The body may relax for people with suitable temperaments, but majority may not be able to.
Yoga BreathingWith the ever-increasing incidence of lifestyle diseases like cardio-vascular and nervous system disorders, the time has come for us to address this ourselves, fair and square WITHOUT external dependence.
Breaking the Hold of 'Thought'Thought is the Master of us all - a good thought is a good master and a bad thought is a bad master.
Meditation Part VI - Science of SoulBefore going any further, it is necessary for one to understand some of the ancient scientific factors related to body, mind and soul.
Is Yoga Medicine?Fifteen years ago, my esteemed Yoga teacher and mentor was questioned by a fellow student regarding the benefit of practicing Yoga. He half jokingly replied that Yoga is like "snake oil", it's good for whatever ails you.
Meditation Part VIII - Science of SoulThe physical appearance of life is found to be in the breath of human being.The breath normally flows in either nostril at an interval of ninety minutes.
Yoga Nidra Newsletter - IYoga nidra has been experienced as "the" most powerful relaxation technique known to man. Yet, in yoga, it is used much more than that.
Yoga And Weight LossExcess weight gain has become a phenomenon in today's age, when lifestyles have become sedentary, and food more liberal with extra calories.
Yoga For Pain In Neck And BackNeck aches and back aches seem to have become the norm for us urbanites. Due to our hectic schedules long hours of sitting in the office, wrong postures or simply stress can lead to chronic neck and back ache.
A Materialistic Case for SpiritualityIn yoga, States are classified into Tamasik, Rajasik and Sattvik. Accordingly, personalities are characterised by Tamas - meaning, sloth or inactivity Rajas - activity or Sattva - purity.
Integral Yoga (Yoga and Lifestyle)Quite disturbingly, the recent anthrax cases have caused a spurt in cases of depression, insomnia, and drug sales related to psychosomatic problems more than anything else.
Medicine and YogaFor years, there has been a raging debate regarding holistic and alternative approaches to health and healing versus more conventional western, or allopathic approaches to medicine.
Understanding Karma YogaThe ultimate aim of yoga is supreme, uninterrupted bliss (moksha). How do we achieve it? Whether it is through study (Jnana yoga), unconditional devotion (Bhakti yoga), yoga practices (Raja yoga) or then through Action (Karma yoga), applied either singly...
Lifestyle Issues Affecting Upper Respiratory HealthThere are many causes for the wide range of nasal complaints from which people suffer these days. Some may be due to structural problems such as congenital abnormalities or structural injuries sustained in childhood or adulthood; some may be due to fleshy
Yoga Cleansing - IYoga has several parts- asana, pranayama and shatkarma. Asanas (postures) and Pranayama (breathing techniques) are quite popular and widely practiced but today only a few people practice Shatkarmas (Yoga cleansing practices).
Yoga and Diabetes + Diabetes During PregnancyDiabetes is a disease of disturbed carbohydrate metabolism. It may be caused by various factors like low pancreatic activity, hypothyroidism or lack of exercises, or excessive intake of carbohydrate etc.
The 3 step approach to a positive attitudeWhen we are positive, we find that our interactions with the world and ourselves become brighter, more productive and perpetuate the "feel good" factor. This in turn makes us healthier and more peaceful.
Yoga, longevity and quality of lifeThe issues of longevity and quality of life as related to Yoga, seem to be important reasons why people start Yoga practices in the first instance.
Meditation - Part IIThere are various types of meditation that are being marketed in the western world by various Ashrams and their disciples, who have branched out on their own.
Yoga Does Not Mean Exercise (Yoga and Lifestyle)The word 'Yoga' reminds us of 'Yogasana' here is a very close relationship between Yoga and Yogasana. Really speaking, 'Yogasana' is a part of 'Yoga'.
Meditation Part IV - Prior to MeditationIn the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which is the authoritative treatise on yoga philosophy and practice, there are eight parts for realization. These are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.
With Grace You Can Win Any RaceThis saying, or metaphor, which is the title for this issue's article, is a saying coined by Yogi Bhajan, the Master of Kundalini Yoga.
Liberation and LaborThere is no Liberation without Labor". This is one of many Yogi Bhajanisms that I share with my students. What is Labor?
Reverse Aging Through Yoga - I (Yoga and Lifestyle)The ancient scriptures would certainly seem to suggest so. The "Vedas", have referred to the earliest generation of humans as "sat-yug " or the generation where people lived up to a thousand years.
Unplanned Pregnancy - How To Handle It?So you've missed a period, and had been wondering about it, when this nauseating feeling also starts troubling you. Then, the urine test comes out positive.
Yoga and Your Health Dealing with FibromyalgiaI have noticed an increasing number of my yoga students telling me that they have Fibromyalgia. I've researched the diagnosis and treatment of this disease in both the traditional and alternative worlds of medicine.
Sheetali Pranayam (Cooling Breath)Sheetali Pranayama (also called Cooling Breath) has a calming and cooling effect upon the body and mind. It is especially useful in summer when several people experience restlessness due to heat.
Meditation Part V - Mind in MeditationWhen one sits in meditation, mind wanders here and there and never stays on one object. Consequently one cannot get the desired concentration.
The One Thing That Is ConstantThe one thing that is constant is change. How much our world has changed in the last 100 years. This accelerated living most of us experience- fast cars, fast talking, cell phones, always on the move, always thinking, always doing- may be a reason that...
Managing Negative Mental Health through YogaMental health disorders are on the rise throughout the world. This results in anxieties, fears, depression, inferiority and similar emotions. Therefore, learning the management of negative mental health is a must for all of us.
Understanding Disease Onset and its ControlOur stomach is a factory to churn and burn food an efficient workhorse of an organ. In yoga, this corresponds to the Heat center or the Manipura chakra. In association with the Intestines etc., it comprises the digestive system that gives the nutrition...
Ashram ExperienceWe are becoming increasingly scientific and rational in our conscious thought. But we are unable to apply the same rationale to our subconscious and unconscious mind (i.e. 9/10th of our brain activity). This creates a conflict, resulting in negative...
Abandoned colds through yogaWith the "colds" season in full bloom and "allergy-time" on the horizon, I just had to tell you of a natural technique that thousands use to keep their colds, headaches and allergies far away.
Guidelines for Performing Yoga ExercisesWithout doubt one needs to learn yoga from an experienced teacher. On the other hand, because some attempt to perform exercises guided only from a book.
Yoga in the Office: A quick and effective stretchIt's great when we can escape to a full hour of yoga, be it in a class or at home in front of a video, but let's face it, that's not always possible. Enter Yoga in the Office, a series of simple but effective suggested positions to help stretch the...
Reverse Aging Through Yoga - II (Yoga and Lifestyle)Last week, we concluded that ageing and disease were dictated by the mind. This time, we will explore the exact steps for attaining the correct thinking and thereby control ageing.
Yoga techniques for Mind-detoxIn this issue, I'm going to tell you of a power-breathing technique that is proven to help overcome blues, negativity, stress, depression - all, in a minute.
Yoga for Teaching ProfessionalsYoga , is definitely good for the body ,mind and overall well being. But what yoga can do for teachers- the people of the noble profession of teaching is amazing. Today an increasing number of teachers over the world are turning to yoga.
Understanding Yoga HolidaysWe all understand that there's work and after some time, there's a need to get away from work.
Yoga Psychology and the Importance of Dreams for mental healthTo understand the cause of all mental conflicts and diseases, we must understand that the mind comprises a conscious part and a sub conscious part.
Importance of detoxificationModern science now believes that the cause of degeneration, decay and premature ageing lies in free radicals in the body. This overrules the earlier concept of germ theory.
Not All "Yoga" is Alike (Yoga and Lifestyle)I smile when people say: "I tried yoga, but didn't like it." This is like saying "I dated once, but he/she wasn't my type, so I stopped dating. I'm less amused when people say, "I stopped because I wasn't flexible enough." But worse yet is: "Yoga hurt, so
Practicing Yoga Actually Saves You TimeThere's been a lot in the media lately about the many benefits derived from yoga. They're saying it helps reduce stress and even helps build flexibility, strength and endurance.
Avian Flu and NetiRecently, a fear psychosis has been gripping the world regarding a possible flu pandemic arising out of Avian Flu.
Stand And BloomMany folks have felt as if they needed a jumpstart all winter, as is often the case. Winter makes us feel more in need of rejuvenation.
Busting stress through 6-minute breathingIn this issue, I'm going to tell you about a SINGLE technique that has helped thousands get over their blues and stress.
Making yoga work for you (Yoga and Lifestyle)As the year draws to an end, it is worth examining the meteoric rise of yoga as a major stress-reliever, fitness provider and as a tool for contentment.
Healthy Relationships and Yoga (Yoga and Lifestyle)In previous articles, I wrote that yoga, when appropriately practiced, can have a profound affect upon your body, emotions, and diet.
Chronic Injury and Yoga RehabilitationBecause many of us were brought up believing in the saying "no pain, no gain," most of us, at some time or another, will experience a yoga injury.
Meditation - Part IBefore we go deep in to the philosophical and technical aspects of meditation, let us delve into the practice of meditation for normal human beings.
Build immunity with foodA 1999 study of the American Cancer Society suggests that over one-third of the 563,100 cancer deaths were caused by nutrition. But more importantly, on the brighter side, it concluded that MOST of these could have been prevented.
Yoga and Anger ManagementAlmost all of us experience anger at some point or the other. Rather than get into a monologue of why anger occurs, I will try to touch upon why we should overcome it and how it can be done.
Showing posts with label Yoga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yoga. Show all posts
NCCAM:Meditation for Health Purposes
Introduction
Meditation for health purposes is a mind-body practice in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).a There are many types of meditation, most of which originated in ancient religious and spiritual traditions. Generally, a person who is meditating uses certain techniques, such as focusing attention (for example, on a word, an object, or the breath); a specific posture; and an open attitude toward distracting thoughts and emotions. Meditation can be practiced for various reasons--for example, with an intent to increase physical relaxation, mental calmness, and psychological balance; to cope with one or more diseases and conditions; and for overall wellness. This Backgrounder provides a general introduction to meditation and suggests some resources for finding out more.
Key Points
People practice meditation for a number of health-related purposes. Resources for published research results on meditation are listed at the end of this Backgrounder.
It is not fully known what changes occur in the body during meditation; whether they influence health; and, if so, how. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and some other components of the National Institutes of Health are sponsoring studies to find out more about meditation's effects, how it works, and what diseases and conditions it may be most helpful for.
If you are considering or using meditation or any other CAM therapy, talk to your health care provider about it. This is for your safety and a complete treatment plan.
What Meditation Is
The term meditation refers to a group of techniques, most of which started in Eastern religious or spiritual traditions. These techniques have been used by many different cultures throughout the world for thousands of years. Today, many people use meditation outside of its traditional religious or cultural settings, for health and wellness purposes.
In meditation, a person learns to focus his attention and suspend the stream of thoughts that normally occupy the mind. This practice is believed to result in a state of greater physical relaxation, mental calmness, and psychological balance. Practicing meditation can change how a person relates to the flow of emotions and thoughts in the mind.
Most types of meditation have four elements in common:
A quiet location. Many meditators prefer a quiet place with as few distractions as possible. This can be particularly helpful for beginners. People who have been practicing meditation for a longer period of time sometimes develop the ability to meditate in public places, like waiting rooms or buses.
A specific, comfortable posture. Depending on the type being practiced, meditation can be done while sitting, lying down, standing, walking, or in other positions.
A focus of attention. Focusing one's attention is usually a part of meditation. For example, the meditator may focus on a mantra (a specially chosen word or set of words), an object, or the breath.
An open attitude. Having an open attitude during meditation means letting distractions come and go naturally without stopping to think about them. When distracting or wandering thoughts occur, they are not suppressed; instead, the meditator gently brings attention back to the focus. In some types of meditation, the meditator learns to observe the rising and falling of thoughts and emotions as they spontaneously occur.
Meditation is practiced both on its own and as a component of some other therapies, such as yoga, tai chi, and qi gong. This Backgrounder focuses on meditation practiced on its own.
Top
Meditation for Health Purposes
Meditation used as CAM is a type of mind-body medicine (one of the four domains, or areas of knowledge, in CAM). Generally, mind-body medicine focuses on:
The interactions among the brain, the rest of the body, the mind, and behavior
The ways in which emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and behavioral factors can directly affect health
People use meditation for various health problems, such as:
Anxiety
Pain
Depression
Mood and self-esteem problems
Stress
Insomnia
Physical or emotional symptoms that may be associated with chronic illnesses and their treatment, such as:
Cardiovascular (heart) disease
HIV/AIDS
Cancer
Meditation is also used for overall wellness.
A large national survey on Americans' use of CAM, released in 2004, found that nearly 8 percent of the participants had used meditation specifically for health reasons during the year before the survey.
Examples of Meditation
Mindfulness meditation and the Transcendental Meditation technique (also known as TM) are two common approaches to meditation. They are also two types of meditation being studied in NCCAM-sponsored research projects.
Mindfulness meditation originated in Buddhism. It is based on the concept of being mindful, or having an increased awareness and total acceptance of the present. While meditating, the meditator is taught to bring all her attention to the sensation of the flow of the breath in and out of the body. The intent might be described as focusing attention on what is being experienced, without reacting to or judging that experience. This is seen as helping the meditator learn to experience thoughts and emotions in normal daily life with greater balance and acceptance.
TM originated in the Vedic tradition in India. It is a type of meditation that uses a mantra (a word, sound, or phrase repeated silently) to prevent distracting thoughts from entering the mind. The intent of TM might be described as allowing the mind to settle into a quieter state and the body into a state of deep rest. This is seen as ultimately leading to a state of relaxed alertness.
Top
Looking at How Meditation May Work
Practicing meditation has been shown to induce some changes in the body, such as changes in the body's "fight or flight" response. The system responsible for this response is the autonomic nervous system (sometimes called the involuntary nervous system). It regulates many organs and muscles, including functions such as the heartbeat, sweating, breathing, and digestion, and does so automatically.
The autonomic nervous system is divided into two parts:
The sympathetic nervous system helps mobilize the body for action. When a person is under stress, it produces the fight-or-flight response: the heart rate and breathing rate go up, for example, the blood vessels narrow (restricting the flow of blood), and muscles tighten.
The parasympathetic nervous system creates what some call the "rest and digest" response. This system's responses oppose those of the sympathetic nervous system. For example, it causes the heart rate and breathing rate to slow down, the blood vessels to dilate (improving blood flow), and activity to increase in many parts of the digestive tract.
While scientists are studying whether meditation may afford meaningful health benefits, they are also looking at how it may do so. One way some types of meditation might work is by reducing activity in the sympathetic nervous system and increasing activity in the parasympathetic nervous system.
Scientific research is using sophisticated tools to learn more about what goes on in the brain and the rest of the body during meditation, and diseases or conditions for which meditation might be useful. There is still much to learn in these areas. One avenue of research is looking at whether meditation is associated with significant changes in brain function. A number of researchers believe that these changes account for many of meditation's effects.
Side Effects and Risks
Meditation is generally safe. There have been a small number of reports that intensive meditation could cause or worsen symptoms in people who have certain psychiatric problems, but this question has not been fully researched. Individuals who are aware of an underlying psychiatric disorder and want to start meditation should speak with a mental health professional before doing so.
Any person who is interested in using meditation as CAM should consider the following:
Meditation should never delay the time it takes you to see your health care provider about having a medical problem diagnosed or treated, and it should not be used as the only treatment without first consulting your provider.
It is important to discuss any CAM therapies you are considering or using (including meditation) with your provider for a complete treatment plan and your safety.
If you are interested in learning meditation, ask about the training and experience of the instructor (see also NCCAM's publication "Selecting a CAM Practitioner").
Find out whether there have been any research studies published on meditation for the health condition you are interested in (see the resources in "For More Information" below).
NCCAM-Supported Research
Some recent studies supported by NCCAM have been investigating:
The potential effectiveness of the Transcendental Meditation technique to prevent and treat heart disease
Mindfulness-based stress reduction to relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and, in a different study, chronic lower back pain
What happens to the brain's activity and structures during Buddhist insight meditation (which includes mindfulness) in a study that uses a brain scan called fMRI
The long-term impact of meditation on basic emotional and cognitive functions and on mechanisms in the brain that are involved in these functions
Meditation for health purposes is a mind-body practice in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).a There are many types of meditation, most of which originated in ancient religious and spiritual traditions. Generally, a person who is meditating uses certain techniques, such as focusing attention (for example, on a word, an object, or the breath); a specific posture; and an open attitude toward distracting thoughts and emotions. Meditation can be practiced for various reasons--for example, with an intent to increase physical relaxation, mental calmness, and psychological balance; to cope with one or more diseases and conditions; and for overall wellness. This Backgrounder provides a general introduction to meditation and suggests some resources for finding out more.
Key Points
People practice meditation for a number of health-related purposes. Resources for published research results on meditation are listed at the end of this Backgrounder.
It is not fully known what changes occur in the body during meditation; whether they influence health; and, if so, how. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and some other components of the National Institutes of Health are sponsoring studies to find out more about meditation's effects, how it works, and what diseases and conditions it may be most helpful for.
If you are considering or using meditation or any other CAM therapy, talk to your health care provider about it. This is for your safety and a complete treatment plan.
What Meditation Is
The term meditation refers to a group of techniques, most of which started in Eastern religious or spiritual traditions. These techniques have been used by many different cultures throughout the world for thousands of years. Today, many people use meditation outside of its traditional religious or cultural settings, for health and wellness purposes.
In meditation, a person learns to focus his attention and suspend the stream of thoughts that normally occupy the mind. This practice is believed to result in a state of greater physical relaxation, mental calmness, and psychological balance. Practicing meditation can change how a person relates to the flow of emotions and thoughts in the mind.
Most types of meditation have four elements in common:
A quiet location. Many meditators prefer a quiet place with as few distractions as possible. This can be particularly helpful for beginners. People who have been practicing meditation for a longer period of time sometimes develop the ability to meditate in public places, like waiting rooms or buses.
A specific, comfortable posture. Depending on the type being practiced, meditation can be done while sitting, lying down, standing, walking, or in other positions.
A focus of attention. Focusing one's attention is usually a part of meditation. For example, the meditator may focus on a mantra (a specially chosen word or set of words), an object, or the breath.
An open attitude. Having an open attitude during meditation means letting distractions come and go naturally without stopping to think about them. When distracting or wandering thoughts occur, they are not suppressed; instead, the meditator gently brings attention back to the focus. In some types of meditation, the meditator learns to observe the rising and falling of thoughts and emotions as they spontaneously occur.
Meditation is practiced both on its own and as a component of some other therapies, such as yoga, tai chi, and qi gong. This Backgrounder focuses on meditation practiced on its own.
Top
Meditation for Health Purposes
Meditation used as CAM is a type of mind-body medicine (one of the four domains, or areas of knowledge, in CAM). Generally, mind-body medicine focuses on:
The interactions among the brain, the rest of the body, the mind, and behavior
The ways in which emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and behavioral factors can directly affect health
People use meditation for various health problems, such as:
Anxiety
Pain
Depression
Mood and self-esteem problems
Stress
Insomnia
Physical or emotional symptoms that may be associated with chronic illnesses and their treatment, such as:
Cardiovascular (heart) disease
HIV/AIDS
Cancer
Meditation is also used for overall wellness.
A large national survey on Americans' use of CAM, released in 2004, found that nearly 8 percent of the participants had used meditation specifically for health reasons during the year before the survey.
Examples of Meditation
Mindfulness meditation and the Transcendental Meditation technique (also known as TM) are two common approaches to meditation. They are also two types of meditation being studied in NCCAM-sponsored research projects.
Mindfulness meditation originated in Buddhism. It is based on the concept of being mindful, or having an increased awareness and total acceptance of the present. While meditating, the meditator is taught to bring all her attention to the sensation of the flow of the breath in and out of the body. The intent might be described as focusing attention on what is being experienced, without reacting to or judging that experience. This is seen as helping the meditator learn to experience thoughts and emotions in normal daily life with greater balance and acceptance.
TM originated in the Vedic tradition in India. It is a type of meditation that uses a mantra (a word, sound, or phrase repeated silently) to prevent distracting thoughts from entering the mind. The intent of TM might be described as allowing the mind to settle into a quieter state and the body into a state of deep rest. This is seen as ultimately leading to a state of relaxed alertness.
Top
Looking at How Meditation May Work
Practicing meditation has been shown to induce some changes in the body, such as changes in the body's "fight or flight" response. The system responsible for this response is the autonomic nervous system (sometimes called the involuntary nervous system). It regulates many organs and muscles, including functions such as the heartbeat, sweating, breathing, and digestion, and does so automatically.
The autonomic nervous system is divided into two parts:
The sympathetic nervous system helps mobilize the body for action. When a person is under stress, it produces the fight-or-flight response: the heart rate and breathing rate go up, for example, the blood vessels narrow (restricting the flow of blood), and muscles tighten.
The parasympathetic nervous system creates what some call the "rest and digest" response. This system's responses oppose those of the sympathetic nervous system. For example, it causes the heart rate and breathing rate to slow down, the blood vessels to dilate (improving blood flow), and activity to increase in many parts of the digestive tract.
While scientists are studying whether meditation may afford meaningful health benefits, they are also looking at how it may do so. One way some types of meditation might work is by reducing activity in the sympathetic nervous system and increasing activity in the parasympathetic nervous system.
Scientific research is using sophisticated tools to learn more about what goes on in the brain and the rest of the body during meditation, and diseases or conditions for which meditation might be useful. There is still much to learn in these areas. One avenue of research is looking at whether meditation is associated with significant changes in brain function. A number of researchers believe that these changes account for many of meditation's effects.
Side Effects and Risks
Meditation is generally safe. There have been a small number of reports that intensive meditation could cause or worsen symptoms in people who have certain psychiatric problems, but this question has not been fully researched. Individuals who are aware of an underlying psychiatric disorder and want to start meditation should speak with a mental health professional before doing so.
Any person who is interested in using meditation as CAM should consider the following:
Meditation should never delay the time it takes you to see your health care provider about having a medical problem diagnosed or treated, and it should not be used as the only treatment without first consulting your provider.
It is important to discuss any CAM therapies you are considering or using (including meditation) with your provider for a complete treatment plan and your safety.
If you are interested in learning meditation, ask about the training and experience of the instructor (see also NCCAM's publication "Selecting a CAM Practitioner").
Find out whether there have been any research studies published on meditation for the health condition you are interested in (see the resources in "For More Information" below).
NCCAM-Supported Research
Some recent studies supported by NCCAM have been investigating:
The potential effectiveness of the Transcendental Meditation technique to prevent and treat heart disease
Mindfulness-based stress reduction to relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and, in a different study, chronic lower back pain
What happens to the brain's activity and structures during Buddhist insight meditation (which includes mindfulness) in a study that uses a brain scan called fMRI
The long-term impact of meditation on basic emotional and cognitive functions and on mechanisms in the brain that are involved in these functions
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