Workout Wednesday: Meditation

Meditation. 
When many hear that word they think of a specific religion (Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism) or of "new age" crystals and uncomfortable yoga positions. 
But meditation is so much more.  It's exercise for your mind.  It's realizing and celebrating the connection between mind and body.  Meditation can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, lower the severity of respiratory illness, aid in the treatment of depression and anxiety, and so much more.
Meditation is about breathing.  It's about letting go of the stress and strain of our everyday lives.  As moms, we have more stress than most others out there.  Our lives are not about just US or even just US and our partner anymore.  Our lives revolve around little bodies who need us for EVERYTHING.  Or bigger bodies who need our guidance, money, and the keys to the car.
Working out at the gym is GREAT for your body.  But it's only part of the overall physical health picture.  A healthy body needs a healthy mind, and a healthy mind aids in the physical body's ability to GET and STAY healthy.
How do I know this?  I was diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disease in May of 2003.  My particular disease was not well understood at the time.  But certain facts had to be faced: loss of mobility of my right arm, changes to my bones & muscles, burning intractable pain, spread of the disease to my other limbs, and eventually the inability to continue working.  My specialist said that meditation, breathing techniques and visualization had shown some positive results in neurologic studies.  These studies did not focus on my particular disease, but he thought I should give it a try.
So I did.  I researched on the web, got some books on basic meditation, and signed up for a "Meditation 101" class at a local Buddhist center.  After the very first class, I felt more centered, more in control of my mind and body.  I learned I didn't have to be in a lotus position on the floor to meditate.  I could do it in a comfortable chair or even lying on my bed.  I learned to concentrate and slow my breathing.  I learned to visualize positive things inside my body: healing on a cellular level.  I learned to lower my blood pressure, respiratory and heart rate.  I learned to ESCAPE MY PHYSICAL PAIN.  In fact, over the next 2 years, my husband and specialist were AMAZED at my focus, decreased pain, lower blood pressure, lower heart and respiratory rate.  During hospitalization after hospitalization, nurses would check and recheck my vital signs, in disbelief.
I have since learned how to visual on a deeper level, how to transend my body and experience my mind more fully.  To "quiet" my mind to better "listen" to my body.

There are all different types of meditation.  Some meditate with prayer, finding the quiet and calm a better way to commune with their god.  Others meditate during/after yoga, to experience a deeper sense of relaxation.  Others meditate with breathing exercises to open the lungs.

Now, sit down in a comfortable place.  Lower the lights.  Light a candle.  Close your eyes.  And BREATHE.  Just breathe.  Concentrate on the in-breath and the out-breath.  If you find your mind a flurry of activity and thoughts, then count to 10 backwards and forwards while working on your breathing.  You'll notice that those thoughts just melt away.  You don't have to do this for long...maybe 5-10 minutes.  After a while, you'll meditate for longer or more frequently throughout the day.  I find it particularly helpful during a really stressful/busy day at work.  I sit at my desk, close my eyes and forget about everything I'm supposed to be doing.  I take a moment for ME.

Oh, and the happy ending to the degenerative neurological disease?  In 2008 I went into remission.  No symptoms.  No pain.  Only health.  My doctor cannot explain it.  No medical answers.  If you don't go into remission within the first year...you don't go into remission.  At least there are no reported cases.  Until mine.
Was it the meditation?  I cannot say for sure.  But I wouldn't underestimate the power of the mind-body connection.  Not for a minute.