Scientists have spent 14 years scanning the brain of a buddist monk. Their findings suggest daily meditation could help protect the brain from aging.

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche was born in Nubri, a small village close to the Nepal-Tibet border, in 1975, making him 41 years old. But according to a study published in the journal Neurocase, his apparent brain age is almost a decade younger than his actual age. The study's authors suggest decades of regular meditation could explain the discrepancy.

Researchers from University of Wisconsin-Madison and Harvard Medical School scanned Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche's brain four times over 14 yearsin 2002 when he was 27 years old; 2005 when he was 30; 2007 when he was 32; and 2016 when he was 41.

The results were compared with scans from 105 adults aged 25 to 66, taken between 2010 and 2011, using artificial intelligence taught to estimate a person's age based on the structure of their gray matter.

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While the brain age of the control group aligned closely to their calendar age, that of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche did not. The AI system guessed his age was 33eight years younger than his calendar age.

The authors hypothesize Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche's comparatively young brain age could be the result of decades of meditation.

This is backed up by previous studies that suggest meditation could slow the wearing down of telomeresshield-like structures that protect the tips of chromosomes from deteriorationand the loss of gray matter, both of which contribute to aging.

However, the study published in Neurocase is based on observations and correlations, and does not confirm a cause and effect. There may be several other factors (such as genetics) entirely unrelated to meditation that could be a factor here.

To complicate the matter further, the study suggests the effect of meditation may not be as simple as slowing the aging process because Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche's brain also appeared to age faster than the control group. The AI system guessed a 27-year-old Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche was 30. The scan taken when he was 30 came back as 28 and the one taken when he was 32 came back as 32.

The authors note limitations with their study and point out the framework of the experiment is not equipped to confirm whether or not there is a direct relationship between Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche's brain age and meditation practice.

Furthermore, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche's brain scans were compared to those of Americans, who are likely to have a very different lifestyle and come from a very different environment to that of a buddhist monk.

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche left home aged nine to join his father Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, a renowned meditation master, at a hermitage near Kathmandu valley. There he learned some of the most advanced practices of Tibetan Buddhism before moving to the Sherab Ling Monastery in Northern India.

He was formally enthroned as the seventh incarnation of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche when he was 12. By 17, he was guiding senior monks and nuns through complex meditation practicessand has continued to teach and meditate ever since.

The authors suggest a "more rigorously matched" control group of Tibetans who do not meditate may provide more insight into the impact of meditation on brain aging.

From lowering stress levels to promoting positive emotions, there have been various arguments put forward for meditation's apparently youth-boosting properties. While scientists may not fully understand the benefits and limits of meditation, more and more of us appear to be turning to the practice. According to a study published in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of people who said they meditated increased from 4.1 percent in 2012 to 14.2 percent in 2017.

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Daily Meditation May Help Protect the Brain From Aging, Study of Buddist Monk's Brain Suggests - Newsweek

When we think of someone meditating our minds might conjure an image of a person sitting cross-legged, with eyes closed concentrating on stilling the mind to achieve a calm state.

However, there are many ways of meditating that are simply not reflected by this picture. This article will outline some of the different forms of meditation you can use to mix up your practice. It is also possible to mix these ways of meditating together.

One of the wonderful things about meditation is that there are many ways of practicing. This can keep your meditation practice, fresh and engaging, preventing you from becoming bored. Mixing up your meditation keeps your daily ritual interesting and can motivate you to keep going with your meditation. Some people obtain better results from one form, over another. Either way, a new method creates a new experience and you can learn a lot. You can do these meditations on your own or in a group. While listening to guided meditations, a meditation teacher or being in silence.

If your not familiar with any of the following, try them out. You never know what you will discover. Here are some alternative ways you can meditate:

(1) WALKING MEDITATION

The walking meditation is a movement meditation. You can undertake a guided walking meditation, try mindful walking meditation or combine both into a mindful guided walking meditation. You obtain both the benefits of meditation and exercise. Mindful walking involves focusing on each footstep that you take and your body. Also moving your attention to your surroundings such as the trees, birds and, water. This is a wonderful way to relax and meditate at the same time while being in motion.

Here is a fantastic video and explanation about how to walk mindfully: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09EO9IJgOiI

(2) MINDFUL BREATHING

Mindful breathing is about being aware and focused on your breath through your meditation practice. Anapanasati means mindfulness of breathing. This was first taught by Gautama Buddha and is the basis of many meditation practices.

Focusing on the breath creates calm and flow into your life. Slowing down the breath is a great way to prevent, and beat anxiety. Mindful breathing can teach you how to use your breath to relax, and overcome those daily stressors.

There are many guided meditations available that place the attention on the breath. You can meditate to the words of a meditation on CD and focus on the inhale and exhale of breath to create calm in your day.

(3) MEDITATION WITHIN A LABYRINTH

The difficult part about this meditation is finding a labyrinth. Though it is possible to create one. You can draw one in the sand or construct one. Alternatively, you can walk in an imaginary maze, pretending as if you are directly within one. Labyrinths represent wholeness and completeness.

While you walk through the labyrinth you can state a mantra repetitively to yourself or focus on the breath. Another way to meditate within a labyrinth is to do a walking meditation.

(4) PROGRESSIVE RELAXATION MEDITATION

This is a popular way of meditating and is often used by psychological professionals. Many guided meditations on CD are progressive relaxation meditation. This involves relaxing the body by focusing on one body part or one section of the body.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation is one form of this meditation and focuses on certain muscle groups through the meditation. This is a fantastic way to meditate to release stress, anxiety, and fear.

(5) MANTRA MEDITATION

Mantra meditation is a popular form of meditation that involves repeating a word, phrase, or prayer. Japa describes the process of repetition. This is a very soothing meditation and is a popular form of meditation especially in religions such as Buddhism.

Mantra meditation helps to focus and strengthen the mind. Mantras are said to create calmness, bringing clarity and fine-honed concentration into the day.

(6) VISUALIZATION MEDITATION

Visualization meditation is a form of meditation practice that uses visualization and meditation together. You utilize the practice of creating mental images in your mind while meditating.

Guided imagery meditations are a form of visualization meditation.

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Ways to Meditate - Thrive Global

I'd like to share a meditation for anyone who is feeling boxed-in, whether in general, or currently due to the Corona pandemic restrictions.

The meditation herein presented is based upon the Six Constant Mitzvot of the Torah. These six are central to Jewish life in that they embody many of the fundamental teachings of Judaism. Applying to all Jews, in all places, at all times, and considered "duties of the heart," these six commandments are a prime example of the purpose of Jewish meditation: to meditate upon the oneness of God at every moment of our lives. In some prayer books they are recited at the end of the Morning Prayer.

The Six Are:

Instead of viewing oneself as confined, view your surroundings as a sanctuary, a force field, or cube around you. Place yourself at the center with the side at each of the six directions corresponding to one of the six constant mitzvahs that are incumbent upon all Jews at all places and all times. Wherever we're going (or wherever we're staying), these six are incumbent upon us.

What we will now discuss is based on the meditation explained in the book "Living in Divine Space" by Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh.

The order in which the commandments are presented follows a logical order in terms of cause-effect relation: One is first aware that Gd exists; this leads him to deny all other pseudo- divinities. Once that is done he sees Gd in everything; this leads him to love Gd and his love brings him to fear separation from Him. This fear in turn inspires him to defend himself from distracting or confusing influences.

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An Isolation Meditation - Feeling boxed-in due to the Corona pandemic restrictions? This is for you! - Chabad.org

Many see the recent rapid change in our working lives as an opportunity for more innovative ways to interact in and out of work, with "virtual kitchens", "virtual pubs" and "virtual running clubs" popping up as a few examples of how we can make long-term WFH more feasible than we had previously imagined.

But it's sometimes just a question of getting dressed and turning up in front of your screen. As our meerkat friends from Comparethemarket.com would say: "Simples."

I believe that human connection is what will get us through. We've asked our people to look after each other. Heads of department and team leads are checking in personally over the phone or video call with their team as often as possible. We're encouraging people to take breaks and to have a clear beginning and end to their day. We had a couple of new starters on Monday and I called them all personally to say hi and welcome them as would happen usually.

Create virtual places where people can bump into each other as they would in the office. Weve created a virtual kitchen where people can log in for a cup of tea and a video chat with whoever happens to be there at the same time.

Have fun and don't worry about all the tech challenges. We're going to launch a "best frozen screen" competition. Globally, we are also sharing the best remote working set-ups and at the same time enjoying discovering everyones kitchen!

Let's be positive and laugh through this unprecedented situation as much as we can. When we hosted our first company-wide huddle on Microsoft Teams, we had some technical issues and the side comments were comedy gold.

Have a simple agenda ready for every video call and a timeframe to match. This will allow you to cover all the important points and not veer off into random conversations. Capture the minutes of the call, otherwise important conversations will be lost. You can record or ensure someone is typing notes. There should never be a "what were we saying on the call" conversation afterwards!

Its very important to stay connected throughout the day, but too many calls can be counterproductive. If your role is creating content, then its up to you to manage a sensible split of briefing and team calls versus creating the work. Feel free to shout if you want to make a call shorter or dial in for the part that is most relevant to you.

Dont feel guilty for having the odd important break from your screen. Plan your daily calendar accordingly.

One question to ask yourself is: how hard do I have to work? This covers what I call the WFH paradox. In the office, there are all sorts of distractions and interruptions which can distract you from the actual process of doing work. WFH removes these distractions so the question becomes: when should I stop?

My solution was to ask myself: have I earned my money today? Some days it might mean making a couple of calls. On others, it might take hours. The point is, by focusing on quantifiable achievements, youre able to judge just how much work is enough. So rather than saying "Ive worked lots today", you can say "Ive earned my money today" and stop to take a break.

Im leading our newly formed "virtual social committee" for our Lloyds Banking Group account. We are just about to open our very own virtual pub, The Black Horse, although that name might change!

We also have other virtual initiative ideas, including daily emails for mind and body, the next online concert, intuitive ways in which your team members are keeping positive, a playgroup for our littlest family members, a treasure hunt between your team members and a LBG buddy system where you get paired with someone and look out for each other.

My husband and I walk our two mini-schnauzers early in the morning and another two or three times during the day. Going out really makes a difference, just to walk, be in the moment and breathe. We do 10-20 minutes' meditation to start the day (with the Headspace app). It really helps to re-centre and be more focused. Then, 20 minutes' morning yoga on freeyoga.tv with Stephen Beitler helps wake us up and a workout using Fitbod. Weve started the 16/8 intermittent fasting and we drink coffee, tea or water in the morning.

Reading or listening to books is very helpful when you are at home working and easily distracted. Ive just started The School of Life by Alain de Botton and Ive just listened to the Goodfellas podcast on Indistractable by Nir Eyal. Last but not least, Im trying to get on video calls with at least four or five friends and family members a day; it is super-important during this social isolation to keep in touch.

These arent rocket science, but can be very helpful for getting through the day and the weeks to come.

Firstly, you need to ensure that you have a professional set-up. Your home office will generally include a laptop/PC, a phone and an internet connection, and you should check with your employer that you have all tools necessary for you to carry out your job.

Make the most of the communication tools that you have will help you and your colleagues maintain an efficient and productive workday.

Ensure that you aren't overworking, as its not sustainable, and can be harmful to mental, emotional and physical health. Peoples lives can be complicated particularly in current circumstances and sometimes work has to take a back seat.

Use tools such as video calling to speak to your colleagues regularly and be vigilant and supportive if you notice that someone is not doing so well.

The biggest hurdle for people to overcome when working from home is the social aspect. Aligning the times that people communicate, and establishing regular online meetings, will maintain a sense of team and ensure no-one is left feeling isolated or forgotten. A camera-on policy will further improve communication and provide a sense of human interaction and support.

Dont be afraid to speak out when you're struggling. Be upfront if you need to ask people to improve their communication. Likewise, if you just want to catch up with a colleague, then do it! A friendly catch-up with someone can be mutually beneficial.

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Virtual kitchens and meditation time: how to stay sane working from home - CampaignLive

March 23, 2020 16:46 ET | Source: SolePath Institute

CALGARY, Alberta, March 23, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Given the global crisis that everyone is going through, it is necessary to stay calm and collected. Mindfulness and meditation are crucial tools that can help you to quieten your mind and center yourself in this time of mass panic.

To help you tap into the power of these tools, the SolePath Institute is hosting a virtual mindfulness and meditation class every Monday from March 23rd. The virtual classes will provide you with guidance to meditate and support you on your journey to mindfulness. These sessions will be led by Dr. Debra Ford, who is the author of the book, Daily Pulse: Rhythm of the Tao.

Dr. Ford is a teacher of spiritual philosophy and has a doctorate in the field of metaphysical science. She is also a member of the American Metaphysical Doctors Association. As an ordained minister, she is also part of the Canadian Institute of Metaphysical Ministers.

When asked about the workshop, Dr. Ford stated, The meditation sessions are focused on the teachings of Tao mindfulness. The aim is to help increase self-awareness, help people savour the beauty around them, and to align themselves with finding happiness in these trying times.

You can sign up for the sessions online and attend them from the comfort of your own home. The course material is based on Dr. Fords book Daily Pulse: Rhythm of the Tao and the Daily Pulse Journal, both of which are available for purchase on Amazon.

However, the purchase of these books is not necessary for your participation. A journal, writing pens, and a functional internet connection is the core requirement. Entry to the courses is completely free of cost, and early admissions are encouraged.

The sessions will happen every Monday, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, mountain time until further notice.

There is no limitation for space, but you are encouraged to register for the online sessions through Eventbrite. The sessions will be hosted on ZOOM, which gives access to a virtual meeting room.

A spokesperson from SolePath Institute further stated, We understand that at this time people may need more support for their life and experiences. We have SolePath certified mentors and other resources available to assist you. You are not alone.

About the Company The SolePath InstituteThe SolePath Institute provides guidance and support for helping others find their path and in their journey to lead a healthier and happier life. It routinely hosts workshops, offers resources and other classes that further this aim.

About Virtual Meditation Mondays

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The SolePath Institute Introduces Free ZOOMing Virtual Meditation Mondays with Dr. Debra Ford - GlobeNewswire

Bill Roache has urged fans to try meditation to deal with stress during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Coronation Street veteran, best known as Ken Barlow on the soap, said he has been using the practice for 40 years.

He told ITVs This Morning: There are certain basic things to wellbeing, we all know you need enough water, enough sleep, enough fresh air and exercise and enough vegetables and we can do things about that.

But the two things that are very difficult to deal with, mainly the life we have been living in the world today has been full of stress, that is one hard thing to deal with, and with the current situation there is fear, so those two things are pretty difficult to deal with.

Meditation is a discipline, whereby you learn to only think about what you wish to think about and get into your inner, true, loving self and radiate that out.

Leading viewers in a mediation from his conservatory at his home, he said: Remember that darkness is only a lack of light and fear is only a lack of love and we are all loving beings, thats what we are, believe it or not.

We just need to express that and by allowing that to flow out, that helps the fear get removed.

He urged people to find a quiet place and to sit upright in a comfortable chair and said: What you want to think about is your breathing and you want to balance your breathing nice and smoothly in and out.

I like to think about the gentle waves on the seashore, as they come in, you breathe in, and as they go out, you breathe out, so you sit there and you try to do that.

After a while, your thoughts will start coming in, which they will, and you go back to thinking about your breathing, let the thought pass through, dont try and deny it, and then the body will fidget and the emotions will come in and all sorts of frightening things and just go back to thinking about your breathing and seeing these waves coming in and out.

Then you will get to a point where you can always go back to that, whatever you are feeling.

Roache, 87, said that through the practice of meditation he believes he could live for decades more.

He said: I will get to 100, see how I feel and maybe add another 20 years on.

Filming on Coronation Street has been suspended during the coronavirus pandemic but Roache, whose character left the cobbles earlier this month to move to a nearby retirement complex with his girlfriend Claudia Colby, played by Rula Lenska, said he was looking forward to returning.

He said: We have got the 60th anniversary coming up a the end of the year, we will be back for that.

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Bill Roache leads This Morning viewers in meditation to ease stress - BreakingNews.ie

Ommm, french fry meditation.

Image: Westend61 / Getty Images

March Mindfulness is Mashable's series that examines the intersection of meditation practice and technology. Because even in the time of coronavirus, March doesn't have to be madness.

When you think of meditation, do Doritos or Ben and Jerry's come to mind?

No? Well, let's change that.

Whether its because theyre full of high-fructose corn syrup or covered in cheese dust or because you say youll just have a few while you watch the new Drag Race and then look down at an empty packet in your lap one lip-sync later, were used to thinking of snack foods as bad, and then thinking of ourselves as bad when we eat them.

Instead of gleefully shaming yourself for hoovering snacks in your Shame Pants without really enjoying them, savor what you want to eat with a side of mental health benefits by using it as a meditation aid.

Mindfulness "gets roped into the wellness scene to help sell aai bowls and kombucha, says Mary Hoang, founder and principal psychologist of Sydney mental wellbeing organisation The Indigo Project. But mindfulness should not only be reserved for salivating for 10 minutes over a sultana. There are opportunities for mindfulness throughout our day, and [those] shouldnt be sacrificed on account of you eating a Big Mac as opposed to an Activated Quinoa Bowl.

Eating is something thats mentioned often as part of developing a mindfulness practice. Like breathing, you do it every day, and can often take it for granted. Slowing down to focus on it, however, has proven health benefits. According to Jon Kabat-Zinn, a researcher whose mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques are taught at various medical centers, "mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally." One of those techniques involves mindfully eating a raisin.

Meditation students are to focus on a single raisin and imagine they'd never seen this odd dried fruit before. Notice the shades of dark purple, the wrinkles, twirl it in their fingers, listen to the sound it makes as it's squeezed, sniff it, he'd suggest. And if they thought, "what the fuck am I doing?," they were to acknowledge that quickly and then come back to investigating the raisin. They'd let it sit on their tongues before chewing, exploring the taste before following its journey from their tongue to their teeth to their belly.

You don't need a raisin or a "healthy" snack to practice this mindfulness technique. You can do it with any food you want. Even a french fry. Even a Dorito. Even a scoop of Ben and Jerry's ice cream.

While instructors may recommend taking about five minutes to do the raisin meditation, Hoang says bringing the concepts explored during the exercise into your day for just 30 seconds has more of an effect than doing nothing.

Next time you grab a really good, fresh, hot French fry, try using it to meditate.

Meditation can be lots of things, but I think primarily it is the cultivation of an intentional focus on something on a thought, a visualisation, an object, and activity, adds Hoang. I also see meditation as a form of self-connection an opportunity to sit with how we are feeling and 'showing up' that day without judgement.

Hoang starts the process of mindful eating by thinking about how her food was made: Be grateful for all the hard work and hands of many that made this snack possible for you to enjoy. (This is equally valid and fascinating whether youre thinking about a cucumber or a Cheeto, I promise.)

Then bring your awareness to your five senses and allow your body to take in the food through all of them. What does the food look like: the colours, the textures? What does it smell like: is it familiar, is it novel? What does it feel like in your mouth? Can you feel its texture? Is it hot or cool? What does it sound like as you bite down: Does it crunch? Does it squish? And finally, how does it taste? Salty? Sweet? Bitter?

So next time you grab a really good, fresh, hot French fry, try using it to meditate.

Seriously. Hold it up as it cools. Look at how the light diffuses through the oil-crisped edge. Focus only on the fry. Think about that weirdly soothing video you saw online of huge machines slicing millions of potatoes into millions of fries, and feel gratitude for this fry, which has come to you. Smell it, gently. Bite it slowly. Taste the salt, and the potato, separately and together. Focus only on the fry. Notice the contrast between that crisp edge and the creamy middle. (Or if youre one of those freaks who prefers the soft and soggy ones, enjoy that.)

If, after all that, you want to shovel them in by the fistful, go for your life. But think about that first fry later, and the peacefulness you felt while you focused only on that fry, even just for a few seconds. You meditated today. Congrats!

Headspace, generally a great resource for mindfulness and meditation beginners, also has a guide to mindful eating. As well as making us watchful about what we eat, the page says, [mindful eating] aims to transform our relationship with food by focusing on the how and why of eating, encouraging a more holistic point of view.

While its program has been helpful for many, being watchful about what we eat has a worrying hint of diet-culture flavor. You don't need to veer in that direction. You can eat mindfully without having to count out almonds. The wellness industry, and the related fixation on whats seen as natural, doesn't have a monopoly on mindfulness. Theres an insidious, well-lit asceticism thats grown around the wellness industrial complex and the way it markets itself. Self-care may have devolved into millennial shorthand for doing whatever you want because life has too many rules and is stressful, but wellness has become synonymous with the perceived virtue of denying yourself certain things, like milk chocolate or processed food, and thats bullshit too.

Mindful eating isnt about making up for your nutritional sins. Its about maximising the pleasure you get from eating anything, whether its a really good strawberry or a Twinkie or an especially cheese-dust-crusted Dorito. If you make the conscious choice to eat something for pleasure, rather than purely for fuel, dont cancel that pleasure out by not enjoying it fully.

I think that some of us are so scared to give ourselves permission to feel good in a genuine and authentic way, because we think that if we do, we will descend into a pit of debauched indulgence, says Hoang. And then theres some of us that constantly chase feeling good by numbing and distracting ourselves, and resisting any deeper investigation inward, to understand how we really feel beneath all the party drugs, alcohol, junk food, etc. The popular thing to tout is its all about balance, but I think its actually all about self-awareness.

If youd like to talk to someone about your eating behaviors, call the National Eating Disorder Associations helpline at 800-931-2237. You can also text NEDA to 741-741 to be connected with a trained volunteer at the Crisis Text Line or visit NEDA's website for more information.

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Snack meditation: How to practice mindfulness while eating a fry - Mashable

Lizzoalways makes us smile, whether its turning up to the Brit Awards dressed like a chocolate bar or taking time out of her Australian tour to aid the bushfire efforts. And lets not forget her ridiculously tiny bagat the AMAs.

Now, the Truth Hurts singer is posting videos or meditations on Instagram of her playing the flute in an attempt to help those of us in isolation across the world amid the coronavirus crisis. A meditation and mantra to promote healing during this global crisis. Use at your own pace. Love you! reads one post, where Lizzo playsa flute solo to a bowl of crystals and palo santo. Another video describes itself as a practice in connectivity during this social distance.

As we move further into this period of self-isolation, an increasing number of celebrities are looking to social media to connect with their fans. Last week, Christine and the Queens announced that she will be performing a series of livestream impromptu shows from Ferber studios in Paris, while Charli XCX is putting together a series of daily online events on Instagram Live, which include the likes of Diplo, Kim Petras, Clairo, Rita Ora, and more.

Last weekend, LA rapper D-Nice went live from his Instagram account to host an online party, Club Quarantine, which was attended by over 100,000 people, including the likes of Rihanna, Missy Elliott, Oprah Winfrey, andBernie Sanders.

Artists including Lil Nas X and Megan Thee Stallion have also stepped up to aid fans over social media, sending money to help with potential job losses due to the pandemic.

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Stuck at home? Now you can meditate with Lizzo and her flute - Dazed

Kolkata: With no cricket happening due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kolkata Knight Riders captain Dinesh Karthik has gone into self-isolation at home and is using the free time doing shadow practice and meditation.

KKR have posted a video of their captain in which he is seen doing shadow practice and meditation.

"As you can see, this is all I have been doing in the last two-three days. I really miss my sport but I am doing everything I can to stay connected with the sport and trying to do everything that is part of the sport as well," the wicket-keeper-batsman said in the video on KKR's official Twitter handle.

"These are the three things that I have been doing in the last three days Number one: social distancing (stay at least six feet away from everybody); two: wash your hands (sanitise them) and three: the most important thing, stay home and stay safe (as much as possible)."

"Remember, it's not just about taking care of ourselves; it's also to take care of everyone around us," he added.

Just as the franchises were getting ready for pre-season activities, the IPL 2020 was postponed to 15 April because of the COVID-19 outbreak and in the current scenario, it is unlikely that the event will take place.

Click here to follow LIVE updates on coronavirus outbreak

Updated Date: Mar 23, 2020 21:55:55 IST

Tags : Coronavirus, Coronavirus India, Coronavirus Pandemic, COVID, COVID-19, COVID-19 Cases, COVID-19 Pandemic, Dinesh Karthik, India, KKR, Kolkata Knight Riders, SportsTracker

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Coronavirus Outbreak: Dinesh Karthik takes to shadow practice, meditation during self-isolation at home - Firstpost

A pandemic ushers in uncertainty and worry. While the coronavirus outbreak has confined most of us to our homes, it is pertinent that we use this time to heal our minds and bodies.

Meditation is a good way of calming ones nerves and keeping anxiety in check. Although going to the gym or yoga centre might not be an option now, one can make sure that one meditates daily at home.

Here are some ways on how to practice meditation at home:

Representational image.

Choose your spot

Meditation means clearing away the clutter in your thoughts and attaining inner peace. In order to achieve optimum results, find a comfortable spot in your house. You can go for a space in front of a window, or the glass door which looks upon greenery or your favourite couch.

Handle the first day with care

Working from home, worrying about the viral outbreak and how it is affecting global economy can make you a tad bit distracted while meditating. Do not give up on the first day, it is going to be the hardest initially, but this too shall pass.

Ways to concentrate

To attain utmost concentration, devise a chant or mantra that you would repeat every day. These chants could be full of self love or about expressing gratitude to any power that you believe in. You can also choose to list people for whom youre continuing to battle it out or the things that you are grateful for.

Take outside guidance

Try meditating with your family members, this will provide you with additional boost and energy. Use YouTube videos for guidance and calming music to set the mood. Remember, this is the time to be together.

Dont quit

Try some yoga postures, change your spot give yourself time but do not quit. Make sure before or after work, you take some time out every day to practice meditation. Being consistent will reap better results.

Updated Date: Mar 20, 2020 13:39:51 IST

Tags : Coronavirus, Coronavirus Outbreak, COVID-19, Meditation, NewsTracker, Pandemic, Quarantine, Yoga, YouTube

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Anxious about coronavirus? Here's five tips that'll help you practice meditation at home - Firstpost