We are all living increasingly busy lives, with little down or rest time, and that can take its toll on health and wellbeing. Meditation can alleviate some of the problems, so Caitlyn Davey went to find out more.
The busier life gets, the harder our brains work. A crazy day in front of a computer, or a hectic eight hours of running around town can make it near-impossible to quiet your mind at the end of a busy day.
It can be hard to let yourself relax, breathe and unwind when life is all about the go-go-go.
Throughout the ages, meditation has been used as a tool to quiet the mind and control the body. Meditation therapist at Inner Space, Sona explains, ‘Meditation is a process of actively using the mind how I want, when I want and for as long as I want. Invariably we are all searching for ways to keep our minds calmer and more positive, and in many ways meditation can be likened to the art of positive thinking.’
According to studies, meditation can increase the brain’s capacity to retain information, it lowers heart-disease and promotes blood-flow.
There are various styles of meditation, explains Sona. ‘Inner Space teaches a style of open-eyed meditation which is very practical in day-to-day living. It involves the art of creating a peaceful state of mind while going about your regular routine in life.’
Sona says the meditation participants are often transformed after a class. ‘They tell me they feel more informed and feel an immediate shift in their attitudes to life.’
Classes are often a walkthrough of breathing techniques and learning how to get back in tune with body-parts, as well as keeping the mind calm and ‘in the room’. Sona says, ‘The mind has been brought up to think thoughts that often hurt the self and others. Meditation helps us to understand how these negative thought patterns may have been created and how they can be changed quite easily. No-one is to be blamed for the negativity in my mind and the situations in my life may not change. Yet I can take the responsibility to change my reactions, my thoughts and feelings and live a more contented life. The more the pressure and stress around me, the more need there is for me to find a method to stay stable and calm. Nobody else is going to do it for me.’
Fancy finding a bit of inner peace for yourself? ‘All are welcome to come and try!’ Sona says. ‘Our courses are offered at no set charge and participants can give a contribution towards the continued running of Inner Space.’ This comes under the Inner Space ideal, which says individuals should not have to pay for peace of mind.
Inner Space offers free meditation courses, with a minimum of four classes. Bain Al Jessrain, www.innerspaceabudhabi.org (050 515 9646).
The science of meditation
On the whole, research has found that people who meditate have lower stress levels and better concentration levels. A popular study on meditation by the US National Institutes of Health states that it even increases forgiveness. When you meditate, the link between the fear centre of the brain (that’s the amygdala) and the area that deals with our perspective of ourselves, called the medial prefrontal cortex – or just the ‘me centre’ – breaks down. This means that you won’t think something is actually wrong with you if you experience a feeling of fear, and you will respond to it more calmly. Conversely, a better connection between the fear centre and the lateral prefrontal cortex – the brain’s assessment centre – means that you’ll be able to look at things more rationally, let go of anxiety and become more relaxed.
More to try
The Art of Living
Learn to gain control of your breathing and your inner-self with these guides to reduce tension and worries through breathing exercises and meditating. The Art of Living takes participants through the process.
Various locations, www.theartofliving.org.
Sahaja Yoga UAE
These free classes are held at numerous locations around the capital, and predominently consist of guided meditation. The tailored classes are accommodating to all skill-levels and are sure to help you mellow out. Various locations, www.sahajayogauae.com.
Les Mills Body Balance
A great way to try meditation, Body Balance is a combination of yoga, tai chi and Pilates with a five-minute meditation at the end. It’s a great way to have a try of meditation without committing to an hour-long session.
Abu Dhabi Country Club, Al Saada Street, Al Mushrif (02 657 7777).
