Stress is nowadays, the single most significant reason for medical problems that we face. In a study done on 46,000 people over six years, it has been exposed that 75% to 90% of all visits to the doctor are stress linked. Most of these problems can be done away with if proper emotional and mental guidance is a part of the lifestyle routines. People do appreciate the value of physical workouts but few realize the consequence of a healthy mind and positive emotions. We are not just what we look like or feel actually, our health is also about what we believe or do not think, or feel.

When we face emotional stress, adrenalin pours into our blood stream and our muscles get tense, sensing the need for a fast response. For short terms this can cause fatigue and exhaustion, but over long periods, this could be the cause for unceasing ailments.

This link between physical well being and emotional health was thoroughly studied by ancient Indian wise men, who were the fathers of Yogic, Yogic philosophy and even Ayurveda. The idea has reached the western cultures only recently, but Yoga has always been a proponent of healthy mind- healthy body. This be the reason why in Hindu lifestyle, meditation and `Dhyana’ in many forms, is an important part of everybody’s routine, love is one such form. Sitting at a clean place, with one’s thoughts focused lying on a hymn or just an representation of one’s trust…even a blank wall, does a great deal to get one closer to calm for the mind…and what else is the accomplishment of happiness in human life?

Ancient yogis unspoken that every human looks for but one thing in life ….happiness. Each person has a different way of achieving or even understanding it. They understood human psyche enough to know that this mission for happiness is brought on by an experience of pain, or dissatisfaction with the present state of affairs. In most cases, turning away from reality and escaping into a make-believe world of physical pleasure make available temporary relief, and people usually settle for that – a mere shadow of the happiness they came to look for. Yoga shows us the path for a permanent sense of happiness. It is basically teaches that a healthy being is a musically integrated unit of healthy mind, body and spirit. Good health on the whole requires simple food, usual nutrition, exercise, fresh air and a mind at calm with itself and the world. Some like to take it a step further by linking peace to being one with God…but still on a human level, serenity is enough.

Thousands of years ago, Yogis in ancient India knew that nature’s laws are so made that every being should evolve, not only physically, but also emotionally. As we follow this path that nature intended us to take, we make ourselves competent of breaking away from the trap that we make for ourselves – that of pain, then more desires, followed by still more pain. This can be done by largely controlling the mind. Antics similar to hypnotism are really only showmanship for this mind-control…nothing comes even close to the control of the human mind if fully utilized. All that a person needs to do is to be able to separate chaff from the real grain, the dust from the gold in our journey of experiences, and embrace the valuable emotions, while discarding the superfluous ones. We need power of concentration to achieve this, and this power can be had from control over one’s breathing, focusing and not allowing the mind to stray. Human mind has the tendency to dwell on unimportant issues, leaving the important things by the wayside. By controlling our breathing and thus our focusing power, we can control our thoughts, focusing on positive ones and discarding superfluous traps for our emotions. This ensures a much smoother flow of positivity in our system. Coupled with physical exercises, these emotional activities make sure great peace and physical physical condition as well. In Yoga the reward for control over one’s mind and body is greater happiness, a sense of purpose and well being – everybody’s ultimate goal.

But biologically speaking, how does this happen? To understand the mechanics of Yogic control and well being, we require knowing that there are two nervous systems in the body, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. The first is the nervous impulses that tense our body, readying it for a fight. These raise our blood weight, quicken our breathing, put stress on our heart and make us sweat. This is the nostalgia of our cave dwelling days, when one had to fight or flee for survival, but today our body reacts like this with a looming deadline, a traffic jam or a high powered interview. A prolonged exposure to this side of our nervous system is sure to give us cardiovascular disease, hypertension, ulcers and migraines in the long run.

The parasympathetic nervous system is the cooling down mechanism. It slows down gulp of air rate and directs more blood away from our muscles to our vital organs that give us the superiority of life – stomach, gall bladder, reproductive and resistant systems. When our breathing is regulated, slow and steady, the parasympathetic nervous system takes over, allowing the body the vital blood flow, necessary to help our body heal from the battle scars of daily living.

Stable, regulated breathing, an action when we are aware of, leads us to stay linked and focused on the there moment, not worrying about the past or fretting about the future, but in quiet with today. In the attitude of Yoga, today is of prime significance, everything else is only stressful and living in the moment eases all kinds of stress.

In its eight fold path, Yoga ensures a supple spinal chord and properly functioning endocrine gland. Regular yoga helps to keep the blood free of toxins, the secretions of hormones to be balanced, so that the mind and body are balanced too. Exercise positions, or Asanas stress on deep breathing techniques that unwind the movements and help improve attentiveness of cerebral energy.

Meditation let go the unlimited power of the subliminal. It enhances inside as well as outer beauty. Timeless body and timeless mind can be achieved by daily put into practice of meditation, listed below are practical tips for effective result-oriented meditation.

Beauty is more than skin bottomless. It is feeling and being beautiful ‘inside out.’ This is very important, irrespective of the number of cosmetics a woman applies, if she is not mentally and physically healthy, she will not be truly beautiful. Our face is like a mirror, it reflects our innermost thoughts, expressions and feelings almost reluctantly and so does it show the lead of mental and physical balance that a person has maintained. And this balance is the cue to a truly beautiful and charming persona. “Beauty therapies if addition with regular practice of right meditation a woman’s face will bring forth her inner poise and quiet. Such an expression is inimitable and cannot be induced by any amount of beauty treatments and cosmetics.

What does meditation do?

(1). improvement in positive emotions

Meditation enhances positive emotions like love, respect, happiness etc. Positive emotions are very useful for balanced secretion of vital hormones within the body. Functioning of glands becomes balanced and proper. Negative emotions like anger, hatred, jealously etc. are harmful to the body. Process of ageing accelerates by excessive negative emotions. Positive emotions make us young and energetic, happy and joyful. It is through meditation that positive emotions can be increased and we can remain in the zone of positive emotions throughout the day.

(2). Builds attention

Effective meditation helps develop concentration. A difficult task, thereby is completed in lesser time and more effectively than ever. The power of the mind is enhanced and thereby stress levels are cut down drastically. Lower stress, automatically means better control over situation and a relaxed frame of mind even in difficult times, which invariably means a happy and radiating face and an active body to match.

(3). Matured and thoughtful attitude

By regular meditation along with chanting of meaningful affirmations, one develops and strengthens the power of the mind. This leads to a thoughtful attitude towards every task in life. Such an attitude reduces pressure levels and enables an individual to see the ‘best’ in every situation. This optimism reduces the ageing process and enables a woman to be in best shape in body and mind.

(4). Unleashing the power of the subconscious mind

We all know that the power of our subconscious mind is many times more than that of our conscious mind. We can call subconscious mind as divine mind or in other words it is the divinity within us. During meditation we pacify our conscious mind and activate the subconscious mind. We can use the unlimited power of our subconscious mind through meditation. We can achieve beauty, health, vigor, vitality, happiness etc. by taking the help of the divine mind within us.

Chase away some myths

Let us first clearly list some of the misconceptions about meditation:

(1). By doing meditation person becomes passive and he loses his activeness in daily life – This too is totally untrue. On the contrary persons practicing meditation are active and happier in their day to day life. Due to practice of meditation their efforts are well directed, as concentration increases.

(2). Meditation requires lot of time daily - No according to time available one can do meditation. Daily meditation is an investment of time and not a waste of time.

(3). Meditation is something automatic only few persons can do meditation effortlessly – No this is wrong. For proper meditation one has to develop habit of meditation by daily practice.

(4). only elderly persons can meditate – This is clearly wrong meditation can be done by anyone irrespective of age, so long as they want to.

How to meditate efficiently?

(1). Close your eyes gently and start observing your breathing. Your breathing will become slow and rhythmic.

(2). Start observing your thoughts. This will make your mind thoughtless and relaxed. Start uttering in slow self-audible voice. Utterances should be short and well worded before meditation. For example … I am beautiful … I am powerful… I am healthy etc.

(3). your utterances should be supported by strong emotions and visualization

(4). sit in a relaxed position: Fix a place in the house for daily practice and a fixed time for doing meditation. Do not change this time and place of meditation, you can sit on the chair or on the ground in crossed legged position. Clothing should be loose and comfortable. Keep thin pillow under your buttocks if you are sitting crossed legs on the ground. This will ensure proper circulation of bloods to your legs.

(5). Take deep breath followed by a longer exhalation. Repeat it twice or thrice. During exhalation consciously relax all parts of your body.

By this way you can make yourself happy and beautiful. This is the simplest and most practical, result oriented method of meditation. We have everything within us we should not totally depend on outside things. Therefore make resolution and daily meditate for a beautiful body and mind forever.  

Reiki and Yoga are both first and primary paths to explanation. Although many people who are at present practicing them seem ignorant of this and are thus get only a part of the advantage that they might were they to go after the paths these modalities were first designed for. In this article I would like to talk about precisely what explanation is, and how Reiki and Yoga can help practitioners in knowledge it.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a religious discipline that was urbanized in Japan at the end of the 19th Century. While on a mission for spiritual enlightenment, Usui discovered he had the ability to channel energies that were able to dissolve physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual blocks in the energy systems of others. This energy canal could be opened in other people, just by attuning their energy systems to it through a series of lively manipulations. Physical healing is derived by dissolving energy blocks which are stop the body from healing itself and since they are the easiest to perform, many Reiki practitioners ignore the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects… which are unfortunate as they are where most people are currently in need of help.

What is Yoga?

Yoga is a religious system that was developed in India about 5,000 years ago. It consists of eight branches, namely yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhayana and samadhi the following of which begins with simple rules to living ones life, physical poses, breathing exercises, and the development of the ability for the level of deep concentration/meditation necessary for spiritual enlightenment. The physical poses (asanas) are the easiest to understand and master, however, they are just single part of this system, as well as while development of this facet alone can yield wonderful physical results, the growth of the other branches are basically being ignored, which again, is a shame, since this is where most people are in need of assistance.

What is Enlightenment?

Religious Enlightenment is the understanding that you are part of a bigger whole… that you are associated to the universe, and to everything in it, just as a leaf is part of a tree. It is so simple, yet so hard, because just as we begin to realize this or catch a glimpse of it (sattori in Japanese), something blocks it from remaining understandable and we are again shrouded in darkness and uneasiness. The Buddha referred to enlightenment as the end of anguish because it is this sense of dis-connectedness that is the root of all pain Volumes have been written on this mysterious realization which do it much more justice than I can in such a short space… I would very advocate the works of Ramana Maharshi, Nisargadatta Maharaj, J. Krishnamurti and more recently Eckhart Tulle for a more total sympathetic.

What is the Connection?

More detail on the history of Reiki can be found here and more detail on Yoga can be found here, but in a nutshell, Reiki and Yoga are both spiritual disciplines either of which will yield the sought after results, yet as such they require dedication and perseverance to master and reap the rewards. Disciplines such as these may seem daunting, but merely if results are demanded immediately. If approach with patience and willpower the end of the road is reached soon enough, at which point one finds they have a decision to make… and a new journey to embark upon. The good news is that every day more and more people are reaching this understanding and help can be found everywhere. When you do find the key (which may very well be sole for you) you will doubt how it was ever possible that you never noticed it before… it be present all along, you just never seemed to join the dots. Reiki and Yoga are both specially designed to help you find that key… are you give the impression for it?

Your fast-paced life can reason you to push your brain and body to the bound, sometimes at the price of your physical and mental health. Yet there’s no cause for your life to be full with worry and stress. You can study to slow down your body and calm your brain by learning some relaxation methods.

People face stress, both bodily and mental, on a continuing basis. When you become harassed, changes happen in your body as it revs up the “fight or flight response.” These changes comprise eminent heart rate, blood pressure, and rate of breathing, and a huge boost in the amount of blood being transported to your muscles. If your stress is ongoing, these reactions will have a very negative long-term collision on your health.

While some strain can help in the short term by sharpening your responses or giving you inspiration, in the longer term it can cause health problems.

How do you know if you’re worried? Here are some indications that may indicate extreme levels of stress. You might be so usually tense that you think these approaches are normal!

(1). Persistent tiredness or exhaustion

(2). Aches and pains

(3). Trouble sleeping

(4). Tense muscles

(5). pounding or racing heart

(6). hyperventilating; feeling light-headed or faint

(7). Inability to concentrate or work effectively

(8). feeling rushed and pressured

(9). waking up tired

(10). Loss of appetite

(11). Minor ailments such as headaches, migraines or stomach upsets

These symptoms can also be caused by other medical problems, so it’s important to check with your doctor before assuming its “just stress”.

The good information is that we also have the opposite of the “fight or flight response” - the “relaxation response.” This term refers to changes that take place in the body when it is in a bottomless state of relaxation, such as lowered blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and rate of breathing, as well as feelings of being tranquil and in control. The more relaxed you are the improved your mind works.

Relaxation isn’t just about flopping down on the couch and grabbing the remote. There are numerous relaxation techniques which can be valuable tools for coping with stress and advancing your long-term health.

Relaxation techniques focus your attention on something calming and increase awareness of your body.

Following are a few of the more well-liked relaxation techniques. It doesn’t substance which method you choose. What matters is that you time after time make time for relaxation.

Autogenic training technique: Autogenic means something that is produced within you. This technique uses both visual imagery and body awareness to move you into a deep state of relaxation. Imagine a peaceful place and then focus on different physical sensations. For example, you might focus on warmth and heaviness in the limbs, easy, natural breathing, or a calm heartbeat.

Progressive muscle relaxation: This technique involves slowly tensing and then releasing each muscle group individually, starting with the legs and moving up through the abdomen, back, neck, and face. Tense your muscles for at least five seconds and then relax for 30 seconds. Concentrate on the difference between tension and relaxation, and how the muscles relax as the tension flows away.

Meditation: During meditation you deliberately calm the mind and control the flow of your thoughts. Your aim is to keep your mind tranquil in order to achieve clarity and inner peace. Find time to meditate for 10 or 15 minutes each day; through meditation you can easily detach from the stresses of your life.

Visualization: In this technique, you form images in your mind to take you on a virtual journey to a peaceful, calming place or situation. Try to imagine as much detail as possible. If you think about relaxing at the hut, for example, think about stretching out in your deck chair, enjoying the lake view, feeling the heat of the sun, hearing the sound of the birds, and tasting the refreshing drink in your hand.

Relaxation techniques take practice. Be patient with yourself. You’ll find it’s worth the effort as you experience a better sense of calm and expel the negative impact of pressure on your body.

Lowering the blood pressure readings should be leading in the brain of anyone who has high blood force. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a health problem moving almost one out of every four people in this country. Billions of dollars are tired on medications each year to luxury it.

Most high blood pressure is categorized as necessary hypertension which is eminent blood pressure without an identified cause. In adults, it is more often than not diagnosed when the systolic reading is 140 mm Hg and the diastolic reading is 90 mm Hg. A diagnosis is confirmed when these readings are sustained at these levels over a period of time.

It is unlucky that many of the medicines taken to treat high blood pressure cause cardiovascular risks of their own, such as raising cholesterol. Other problems that can be caused by anti hypertensive medications comprise male impotence, fatigue, diarrhea, dizziness and eminent blood sugar levels and headaches, to name a few. So, even though there are drugs that can bring blood pressure down to within normal ranges, their use should be taken gravely and carefully.

Daily life Changes Can Lower Blood Pressure

A reasonable change in lifestyle can work wonders for many people with high blood pressure. Changes such as consumption a little less salt, drinking a little less alcohol and losing just a few pounds could free many hypertensive patients from their dependence on the potentially damaging drugs they are taking. Some people are unwilling to adapt their diets or make even the smallest life style change because it is so easy to take a pill. On the other hand, not all people with hypertension will benefit from dietary changes, and drugs are the only means of dealing with their high blood pressure problem. Your doctor is the only one who can make determinations about treating your high blood pressure.

Self Help Measures To Lower Blood Pressure

One thing that will help keep tabs on your blood pressure is to purchase a blood pressure recording device. These can be found at almost any pharmacy, here are seven proven steps you can take to start controlling your blood pressure:

(1). Eating two or more servings of fresh fruit and vegetables daily for the potassium content.

(2). Exercising at least 30 minutes three or four times a week. Strenuous exercising and weight lifting should not be part of this routine.

(3). Getting rid of surplus body fat by reducing excess dietary calories and increasing caloric use through exercise.

(4). Stop tobacco use as well as caffeinated beverages.

(5). Incorporating relaxation techniques into your daily living such as meditation, yoga, inspirational reading, listening to soothing music or sounds.

(6). Reducing dietary salt intake.

(7). Limiting the use of alcoholic beverages.

Following these steps, with the help and approval of your doctor, should go a long way in helping you control your high blood pressure.