A Simple Trick For Staying Focused During Meditation

After a few years bouncing between meditation apps and classes, I started to wonder if something in my brain was broken or just not wired for meditation. I'd sit down, close my eyes, and start to count my breaths . . . but something just wouldn't turn off.

We all hear that the benefits of meditation are seemingly boundless, and it's not just the yogis and alt-wellness crowd saying it; meditation has significant clinical data and scientific research to vouch for its superpowers. Whether the goal is to relieve stress, lose weight, ease pain, or improve your mental health, meditation has proven that mind over matter really is legit. But if you're anything like me, it's easier said than done.

It didn't matter what program I was doing or how much I wanted to clear my head, the damn thing would not clear. And if I'm being frank, it still doesn't always get completely quiet. However, I've finally begun to have breakthroughs moments where I'm mentally screaming "I'M DOING IT!!!" before quickly telling myself to hush and enjoy the silence. How? It's so simple, it feels almost stupid to admit: making a list.

I know, I know. A list. Seriously! I realized that my mind would race through a number of thoughts, but most often they pertained to my to-dos. Work, chores, errands, scheduling, story ideas, dog-mom responsibilities . . . I'd find myself wondering if I scheduled that vet appointment, or if the laundry needed to be put in the dryer, or how many emails I needed to get through, or when I was going to find time to get groceries in between deadlines.

The lists in my head are not linear, and they're infinitely long. Perhaps it comes down to being a Type-A Virgo with anxiety and seemingly infinite ideas, but nevertheless, my brain is a constant frenzy of thoughts; a hundred internet tabs open at the same time.

One day, it just dawned on me: get the list out of my head and onto some paper. I did this first, then started my meditation audio, and voila: my brain got quieter. My thoughts fizzled down, and it was like parts of my brain were able to go to sleep for a few minutes. I tried this strategy again the next day, and sure enough a little quieter still.

This is now my go-to if I'm trying to take a solid 10 minutes or more for truly quiet, regenerative meditation. Get this list (or just your thoughts, if you're not as to-do focused as I am!) onto a piece of paper; write, journal, plan, then leave it there in the notebook or on the desk so you can have some peace and silence.

While I still have days when my brain is having a time and the damn thing won't shut up, I'm a thousand percent (rough guesstimate) improved from where I was before, and now meditation is actually starting to make a difference in my life. Hopefully this impossibly simple tip helps transform your practice the way it transformed mine.

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I Could Never Turn Off My Brain Long Enough to Meditate, Until I Discovered This Simple Trick - POPSUGAR

TV host Dr. Oz, aka, Mehmet Oz, has some advice when it comes to protecting yourself amid the growing coronavirus outbreak.

Some of the heart surgeon'srecommendations echo the CDC's prevention guidelines like washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

But Oz also recommends overall wellness measures to stay healthy: get more than seven hours of sleep per night, exercise for 30 minutes every other day and meditate daily, he saidOn "The Dr. Oz Show" on March 6.

While there is no science directly linking lifestyle choices and enhanced immunity, a healthy lifestyle is always a good idea.

There is evidence that adequate sleep supports the immune system, and that lack of sleep can make you more susceptible to colds or viruses, according to the Mayo Clinic.

It's unclear whether or how regular exercises effects the immune system, but it does reduce stress hormones (some kinds of stress can make you more susceptible to illness), keep your heart healthy and it can increase energy levels.

As for meditation affecting the immune response, there's no definitive science. But at least onestudy, which looked at 20 studies across nearly a 50-year period, shows potential: "Mindfulness meditation likely reduces inflammation and improves health at least in part by relaxing the 'fight-or-flight' stress response, which produces proteins in the body that can drive inflammation,"Dr. George Slavich, Director of the UCLA Laboratory for Stress Assessment, who conducted the 2016 study tells CNBC Make It.

However Slavich says more research is needed for a clearer understanding of the findings and to "replicate these effects and to determine how they occur."

Oz also recommends adding food like vegetables and fruits to your diet. And research shows that some vegetables, like spinach and red peppers, as well as fruits like blueberries and kiwi, may help strengthen the immune system.

However, at least one recommendation that Oz made may be inaccurate. Oz advised using a humidifier or HEPA filter to improve air quality and decrease the number of virus particles in the air. But "[y]our typical HEPA filter is not going to be able to remove coronavirus from the air," Erin Sorrell, an assistant professor of microbiology and a member of Georgetown's Center for Global Health Science and Security, told Buzzfeed News, explaining that the virus is too small.

A spokesperson for Oz told CNBC Make It "while air filtration can't eliminate viruses, it is a recommended as a tool to improve air quality and reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission," citing a New York Times op-ed by Joseph Allenan associate professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The Times piece argues that "proper ventilation, filtration and humidity reduce the spread of pathogens like the new coronavirus." The spokesperson also noted certain HEPA filters are part the CDC's coronavirus protocol for filtering air from isolation rooms.

This story has been updated to include comments from a spokesperson for Oz.

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Dr. Oz on coronavirus: Why it may help to meditate, and other advice to stay healthy - CNBC

Were not supposed to think during meditation. How do we avoid thinking about not thinking?

When we meditate, do we think it is good to have a lot of thoughts in the mind? Or do we think it is better to have only a few thoughts, or even no thoughts in the mind?

If we believe its better to have few or no thoughts in the mind, then we are likely to resist thinking whenever thoughts arise in the mind.

But thinking is just nature. Can we stop nature or avoid nature? Its impossible. Instead we merely need to see that thinking is nature. That is right view. With this view we can start to skillfully live with thinking instead of resisting the nature that is thinking.

You need to be able to recognize when the mind is thinking, but not get entangled in what is being thought. There is no need to get caught in the story your thoughts are telling. There is no need to automatically believe that the story running in the mind is true.

Rather, be interested in the fact that the mind is thinking. Its a process that is happening. If you are not used to acknowledging that the mind is thinking, go back to whatever else you were being aware of, such as the breath or sensations in the body. Dont stay just with the mind, because you can then get lost in thought.

If you frequently give yourself the opportunity to acknowledge the thinking mind, you will get to the point where you begin to see that this is mind. Then you can know it and not get lost in thought. There is a difference between being lost in thought, which is wandering mind, and being aware of thinking while thinking.

We begin to recognize that we can objectively know this is mind. We realize this is mind, mind is thinking. Once we learn how to see the mind objectively in this way, then we dont get lost in thought.

When the mind is thinking continuously and we become aware of it, its not enough to just know the mind is thinking. We can notice the intention to think. The mind wants to think. We want to become able to see this desire clearly. Sometimes when we ask ourselves, Why is my mind thinking so much? we are able to detect the desire to think.

Once a meditator was watching her mind thinking and she asked herself this question: Why is the mind thinking so much? She suddenly realized it was because the mind wanted to entertain itself. Once we know the cause of so much thinking, that knowledge will slow or stop it.

When we look at thoughts in this way, we become able to understand certain processes such as cause-and-effect relationships between the mind and body, or how the mind labels right and wrong. Were not interested in the content of the thoughts. We want to understand the phenomenon of thinking, especially in relation to the unskillful qualities of wanting certain things to happen (for example, wanting certain kinds of thoughts or images to arise in the mind) and other things not to happen (such as certain thoughts we dont want to arise).

We can observe these processes clearly in relation to sounds we hear during meditation. See how the mind immediately labels such sounds as good or bad. We enjoy good sounds that we hear, such as the sounds of bells chiming, birds singing, or leaves rustling in the wind, and we grasp at them in the mind. We like them and want to experience them more. We dont want them to stop. Likewise, we try to block out the bad sounds we hear, such as car traffic or construction noise.

It doesnt matter how well you are concentrating. You could be in the depths of concentration, but when you hear a sound and you think it shouldnt be there, you lose concentration instantly. You resent that the sound broke your concentration.

The moment we have wrong view, we have wrong thought, which is a thought of liking or disliking, or of evaluating an experience as good or bad. Then, instead of continuing to see reality clearly, we get entangled in desire and aversion. We start trying to manipulate nature instead of seeing it clearly and working with it skillfully.

In this way, our likes and dislikes thus cloud the clarity of the mind, but this is actually an opportunity to observe and learn in detail how the unwholesome roots do their work. To the degree we can understand them, to that same degree the mind is freed from desire, aversion, and delusion.

How about pain? Can we observe how the mind tends to automatically label any intensely unpleasant sensation as pain and therefore as bad?

We generally judge pain as a negative experience. The word itself feeds that image into our mind, so when we have pain, the minds automatic reaction, whether we are conscious of it or not, is to dislike it. When we come across discomfort in the body or the mind, we need to see this negative reaction clearly in the mind and to adjust it by bringing in right view.

We do this by reminding ourselves that pain is not inherently a negative experience. Pain is nature. It is neither good nor bad.

Only when we accept that pain is nature can we allow it and learn from it. Otherwise, we are so busy resisting pain that we cant understand anything about it.

When there is pain, pain is just a physical experience, right? But the feeling painful is in the mind. For the same physical experience, there may be aversion in the mind toward it, or the mind may be equanimous toward it. So we need to work with the mind to understand more about its involvement in the process.

How does the mind interpret pain? How does the mind create pain for itself? How does it create the experience of pain, painfulness, and all the attendant pains for itself? For a non-meditator, its all together, all rolled up in one. But for a meditator, its different; you take it apart to find out more about it.

People with chronic pain have to learn on the go. What is the minds feeling toward the pain? What is the minds attitude toward the pain? What stance does it hold toward the pain? What do you already understand about the pain?

By inquiring about pain in this way, the mind learns how to understand pain with right view, not personally as my pain, but just as nature. When its not understood as my pain, it suddenly doesnt hurt so much, or even at all.

Without aversion, pain is just another object to be known. It is impersonal. It doesnt matter that the object happens to be pain. When pain becomes just nature, then it is no longer painful.

As you go about meditating the whole day, remember that whatever you observe, whether its in the body or the mind, whether its pleasant or unpleasant, its helpful to hold the view that this is just nature, this is just a process. This is the only difference between someone who is meditating and someone who is not meditating.

From Relax and Be Aware: Mindfulness Meditations for Clarity, Confidence, and Wisdom by Sayadaw U Tejaniya 2019 by Sayadaw U Tejaniya. Reprinted in arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Inc. Boulder, CO.

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Meditating While Thinking - Tricycle

The past few weeks have been like a dream for Tiken and Mamoni Borgohain. First, they were blessed with a grandson when Lima one of their twin daughters gave birth in the past month. And then their youngest daughter, Lovlina, qualified for her maiden Olympics.

Lovlina is among the nine Indian boxers to have booked berths for the quadrennial event after winning her quarterfinal bout last Sunday against Uzbekistans Maftunakhon Melieva in the 69kg category in the Olympic qualifiers held in Amman, Jordan.

She made a video call at around 10:30 pm after her bout and our entire household broke into celebration. Her mother is so happy that she is at a loss of words. People have been pouring in to give their wishes, said Tiken, who is all set for a homecoming party.

But it wont be a big one because for Lovlina just qualifying for the Olympics isnt enough, she wants more.

My father always wanted me to go to the Olympics, so its a dream come true for him. When I called them, they all started crying, said Lovlina from Amman, her voice cracking. I, however, am not contended with only an Olympic berth. I want to win the gold.

It wont be an easy task though.

To become a champion, Lovlina, ranked third in the world, will have to get past the likes of world No. 2 Chen Nien-Chin of Chinese Taipei. Lovlina and Chen have faced each other four times so far and on all occasions Lovlina has ended up on the losing side.

Asked why it has been so difficult to beat Chen, Lovlina said: We both have the same technique. Both of us wait for the other to begin the attack and since I have been more of a defensive player, I failed to get the better of her.

She further said: Unlike Asian boxers who are more technical, European boxers play with strength and bombard their opponents with body punches. As a result, they come close more often and this gives me the opportunity to land more punches on them.

Womens high-performance director Rafaelle Bergamasco, however, thinks Chen is more of a mental block for Lovlina. She lost to her once and after that she lost to her again after an improved performance. Maybe she lacks confidence against her a little, said Bergamasco.

Lovlina is also aware of her weakness and believes it was one of the reasons why she failed to perform at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. I wasnt psychologically strong during the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast. Also, some of the decisions went against me, Lovlina added.

However, with time she has become mentally stronger, all thanks to meditation.

You always need to work hard but staying strong psychologically is very important. For that, I started meditating. I went for a meditation session in Gurgaon last year and since then I have been doing it on my own regularly. I use meditation apps and also YouTube videos to practice, said the boxer.

Not to overburden herself, she also tries to keep her mind out of the game when she is not training or working out.

Earlier, I always used to think about boxing. But these days I try not to do that. Doing that only increases the pressure. So, whenever I am not training or working out, I try to speak with my family members as much as possible. Also, I love watching South Indian action movies, she added.

Doing that has helped the girl from Assam and India coach Sandhya Gurung, too, believes she has improved. Earlier when she used to enter the ring, she used to have doubt in her mind but now she is fearless inside the ring, said Gurung.

Not only has she improved psychologically, her boxing has also become better. Lovlina has changed her way of boxing. At the beginning, she depended only on force and used to push too many shots. It was only later that she realized that she has very strong legs and an excellent physique for the 69kg category, said Bergamasco.

Since then she started working on the speed of her arms as well as on the response of counter attacks, both of which are the fundamental weapons of modern boxing.

While theres still a lot of scope for improvement, Bergamasco has been highly satisfied with Lovlinas overall show over the past two years. I am not saying it but the last two years data says it. She has won bronze twice in the World Championships. She also won bronze in the qualifying tournament for Tokyo and is world No. 3 in 69kg category. We can and must improve, but I think Im satisfied.

If Bergamascos words are to be believed, we can expect great things indeed from Lovlina but the journey so far has been exhilarating to say the least. The past two years have been really challenging and she has punched her way through it into the Olympics.

I wasnt too consistent in 2018 and 2019. I won bronze in the World Championships in 2018 but failed to win any medal in the Asian Championships the next year. But we had a lot of tournaments in 2019 and I was able to work on my techniques and finally won another bronze at the Worlds, said Lovlina.

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How meditation, movies helped Lovlina Borgohain get better inside the ring - Times of India

Yungblud

Yungblud is set to host a livestreamed concert on Monday.

The 22-year-old singer has been forced to postpone the Asia leg of his tour due to coronavirus concerns, and with the virus spreading across the globe, Yungblud has decided to host his very own online concert, where fans will be able to enjoy a live performance without the risk of spreading infection.

In a statement, he said: "the world is in a very weird time at the moment. everyone doesn't know what to do or where to turn. it's like we are all trapped in a glass or perspex box whilst someone is playing a trick on us. My shows were getting cancelled left right and centre i miss the energy, i miss the connection, i miss my fans and family. We need each other more than ever right now and having the opportunity to interact with them taken away from me fully wasn't even an option for me! we're holding an online concert Monday 7am PDT earliest show of my life see you there!!! (sic)"

Yungblud - whose real name is Dominic Harrison - was due to play in South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Singapore later this month, but was forced to push back the shows amid "travel risks" following the outbreak.

He said of the cancellation: "I'm going to have to cancel this Asia tour, because we've been advised about travel risks, in terms of coronavirus.

"At first I was going to say, 'F**k it' and come, but we have been advised again to seriously not."

Lizzo

Lizzo is posting meditation videos on social media to "promote healing" following the outbreak of coronavirus.

The 31-year-old singer took to Instagram on Friday to share a 30-minute video of herself going through a "meditation and mantra" aimed at helping her followers relax and find peace, amid the widespread panic that has erupted following the spread of the flu-like virus, also known as COVID-19.

She captioned the clip: "A meditation and mantra to promote healing during this global crisis. Use at your own pace. Love you!"

Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell wanted to feel "protected and comfortable" when she wore a full hazmat suit during a flight from Los Angeles to New York City.

The 49-year-old model was spotted this week walking through LAX's Tom Bradley International Terminal wearing a hazmat suit, goggles, a facial mask and rubber gloves, in an attempt to make herself as safe as possible from the spread of coronavirus.

And Naomi has now said she chose such extreme safety measures because she wanted to feel "comfortable" knowing she wouldn't pick up the virus by touching any surfaces that may have been harbouring germs.

The Jonas Brothers

Jonas Brothers have cancelled their Las Vegas residency over coronavirus concerns.

The trio of brothers - comprised of Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas - were due to kick off their nine-date residency next month, but have been forced to axe all the shows amid growing concerns about the spread of the flu-like illness, also known as COVID-19.

In a joint statement which was posted to their respective social media accounts, the 'Sucker' hitmakers said: "Hey guys, we've been monitoring the situation and after careful consideration and growing concern for our fans, touring staff, and families' wellness we regret to announce that our April 1 - 18 Las Vegas residency at Park MGM is being cancelled. We did not make this decision lightly.

They each captioned their posts: "We love you guys and we are praying for everyone's safety and wellness. We'll see you soon."

Prince Charles

Prince Charles is postponing his spring tour to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus and Jordan following the coronavirus outbreak.

The 71-year-old royal was due to complete an eight-day tour of the countries next week alongside his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, but following advice from the UK government in the wake of the spread of the flu-like virus, he has indefinitely postponed the trip.

A statement from Clarence House said: "Owing to the unfolding situation with the Coronavirus pandemic, The British Government has asked Their Royal Highnesses to postpone their spring tour to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus and Jordan."

Coco Austin

Coco Austin has revealed she is breastfeeding her four-year-old daughter "for comfort" to curb her anxiety amid the COVID-19 crisis.

The 'Ice and Coco' star took to Instagram to speak about her decision to keep nursing, as she says the process is a source of comfort for her daughter, especially amid the current coronavirus crisis, which Coco described as feeling like the world is "coming to an end".

In an update on Instagram, the 40-year-old beauty wrote: "At a time when the world feels like its coming to an end.. suck up as much love as you can!

"I know the moms out there will appreciate this pic! Ive been getting alot of props in the breasfeeding community and get tons of emails from woman/moms appreciating me bringing light to the subject .. I write a baby blog about my journey with Chanel and soon I will write about what it's like to continue boob time with a 4 year old.. I get tons and tons of requests that want me to speak on it! (sic)"

Link:

Live-streamed concerts, meditation and breastfeeding here are some celebrity reactions to COVID-19 - PerthNow

If you're just waking up, first let me say good morning. I'm honored to offer you this morning meditation, to help make sure we're prepared for a wonderful day ahead. And since daylight saving time begins this weekend and we're all down one hour of sleep, what better time to wake up slow, tune in, and set your intention.

In this 15-minute practice, we're going to stimulate wakefulness while staying relaxed. You'll also work with an intention of your choice, so you can attract whatever it is you may be hoping to receive today.

Through the use of straw breath, we'll relax our nervous system to ensure we start the day in a calm and grounded state of mind, with open hearts. We'll also use the practice of "mental noting" or "labeling," which involves labeling each thought as pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral. I'll explain how it works, but here's a good rundown on mental noting if you want to learn more.

So without further ado, get comfortable (though you likely already are), and let's begin.

Original post:

We Lost An Hour Of Sleep: This 15-Minute Morning Meditation May Help - mindbodygreen.com

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Mindfulness Meditation Apps Market Forecast and Opportunity Assessment by 2017 to 2026 - News Times

ROSELAND These are among the upcoming events at the Roseland Free Public Library, 20 Roseland Ave.:

Guided Meditation with Robin Tucci

Spiritualist, inter-faith minister and Reiki master Robin Tucci will lead a special guided meditation class at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 12 followed by a presentation called "Break Bad Habits & Create Good Habits." In addition to her extensive studies in Eastern philosophies and religious belief systems, Tucci is certified in kineseology, Jin Shin Jyutsu Is and reflexology.RSVP at http://www.roselandpubliclibrary.org.

Get active with a group fitness activity at 10 a.m. Mondays in the librarys community room. Weekly program features a 45-minute low-impact walking workout (streamed on video). Ideal for beginning fitness levels. Participants should bring a towel and water bottle.RSVP at http://www.roselandpubliclibrary.org.

Lee Bergman, a Roseland resident and accredited Tai Chi Chih instructor, returns with her Tai Chi Chih classes every Tuesday. Beginners start at 9:30 a.m. and returning students start at 10:30 a.m. Classes end March 24. There will be no class March 17, and a makeup day, if needed, will be March 31. Cost is $70 for all 10 classes. Tai Chi Chih is a series of gentle movements based on ancient wellness principles of the Far East. To register or for information, contact Bergman at leebergman7@hotmail.com.

The library now offers Zumba Gold workouts streamed on video at 10 a.m. Wednesdays. Workout is 45 minutes and includes warm-up and cool-down periods. Bring a towel and water bottle.RSVP at http://www.roselandpubliclibrary.org.

New: Chair Yoga with Danielle Massa

Certified yoga instructor Danielle Massa will lead the librarys weekly chair yoga classes. This gentle form of yoga can be done while sitting, and some poses can be done while standing and using a chair for support. Class runs 35 to 45 minutes and includes some aromatherapy with oils. RSVP at http://www.roselandpubliclibrary.org.

Mindful Coloring For Adults

Escape the stress of everyday life and color your troubles away at 1 p.m. Tuesdays. Included are herbal tea, snacks and meditative music. RSVP at http://www.roselandpubliclibrary.org.

Dance, sing and move along with videos streamed on a screen at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Suitable for ages 6 months through preschool.This week will have a Dr. Seuss theme.

Story time featuring songs and books for ages 6 months and up meets every Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m.

New: Educational Free Play

Light yoga suitable for children ages 6 months through preschool will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays.

A creative combination of stories and art for toddlers and young children at 11 a.m. Thursdays. This week will have a Dr. Seuss theme.

Photorealistic Drawings on Exhibit

An exhibit of new photorealistic pencil drawings by Jerry Winick, art teacher and proprietor of Pencilworks Studio of Little Falls, will be on view through March during regular library hours.

Take the librarys online survey by Tuesday, March 31 to help us better serve our patrons and you will be entered in a prize drawing. Open to cardholders who are Roseland residents. Survey is on the librarys website at http://www.roselandpubliclibrary.org.

Donations Wanted for Book Sale

Please donate any unwanted books, DVDs or CDs to the library for the Friends of the Roseland Free Public Library Summer Book Sale, which is set for June. Donations are being accepted now. Please remember to bring your donations inside the library during regular hours.

Artists and photographers are invited to display their artwork in the community room. Original artwork and photographs may be for sale. Exhibits will last for six weeks and include an opening reception hosted by the library as well as publicity. For information, call (973) 226-8636.

Need help with a tablet, laptop, cell phone or other portable device? Stop by on any Monday between 6 and 9 p.m. and get advice. No RSVP needed.

Homebound Delivery Service

Are you a patron who is a Roseland resident and stuck at home because of a physical condition? Call (973) 226-8636 to arrange for having books delivered to your home.

Roseland residents ages 18 and older who have a valid library card may borrow a personal mobile hotspot from the library. Loan period is 14 days. Check for details at http://www.roselandpubliclibrary.org.

Zacs Hacks Computer Help

Library assistant Zac Cascio is available to show patrons the basics of Microsoft Word, Excel and other tech resources from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Fridays. Learn how to safely and effectively navigate social media; create resume templates, letters and spreadsheets; use valuable cell phone, iPad and Kindle features, such as calendars and more. RSVP is required. This is drop-in instruction, not a formal class.

Libby App and Hoopla Help

Libby is an app that gives Roseland Free Public Library patrons access to ebooks and audio books: https://resources.overdrive.com/meet-libby/. Patrons also may download free digital music, ebooks and television shows with Hoopla (hoopladigital.com). Library assistants are available to get patrons started or to help with these apps. No appointment necessary, but call (973) 226-8636 to make sure an assistant will be available.

Online Event Registration

Patrons may register for library programs online. Go to the website at http://www.roselandpubliclibrary.org and look for the Event Registration box on the top right. If you do not see the event you are interested in there, call (973) 226-8636.

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Guided meditation Thursday at Roseland library | The Progress Lifestyles - New Jersey Hills

Three years ago, Jhen Aiko recorded Trip, a psychedelic musical journey through how drugs helped her cope with her brother's death. Her new album, Chilombo, continues to seek healing, and finds Aiko grappling with grief in a new wayusing crystal alchemy sound bowls. She swears by them so much she features the sound healing instrument on every track of the album.

At a listening session for Chilombo, Aiko says she began studying sound therapy a year and a half ago to add more intention to her music. Leading up to Chilombo, Aiko released a string of passionate singles: the fiery post-breakup energy of "Triggered," and "None of Your Concern," followed by a lesson in seduction on "P*$$y Fairy (OTW)." The singer used a singing bowl tuned to a D note, which she says helps the sacral chakra responsible for pleasure and intimacy.

Aiko isn't the only R&B singer turning to sound bowls as a form of meditation. In a recent interview, SZA revealed she's not only practicing sound healing, but using crystal bowls in her new music, too.

"You pick whatever note comes to your mind naturally, and you imagine it squeezing out of your body," the Ctrl singer told Rolling Stone. "I feel like 10 times better already."

But what exactly are sound bowls, and why are R&B's most prominent stars suddenly using them in the studio? Eric Mellgren, a teacher and facilitator of sound guided meditation at Los Angeles's Unplug Meditation Center, helped VICE decipher if the practice is legit or just another wellness industry scam. After talking to Mellgren, I was curious enough to set up a session of my ownbut we'll get to that later.

So, what are sound bowls? Native Americans and Australia's Aborigines have used sound to treat various ailments for generations. Now the music world is finally catching up to the practice, using frequencies and vibrations to reduce stress and anxiety.

Terms like 'frequencies' and 'vibrations' can feel laughable, given how the wellness industry has turned healing crystals into a billion-dollar industry that promises gemstones can heal what ails you. Even Kevin Garnett's character in Uncut Gems believed an Ethiopian black opal, worth $3,000 per carat, was helping him on the basketball court. But, according to Mellgren, frequencies and vibrations aren't just buzzwordsthey're the foundation of sound meditation.

"[Sound baths] are a more targeted way to introduce vibrations and frequencies to the body," he told VICE. "I'm trying to raise any vibration that might not be operating at an optimal level. Frequencies and vibrations help relax the tissue and open up the blood vessels which create a relaxing feeling in your body. When you're relaxed, you tend to heal faster."

Tibetan bowls, which are metal, release two frequencies. Striking them at the rim, rather than the bottom of the bowl, will produce different notes which emit different frequencies. Crystal bowls, like the ones Aiko uses on Chilombo, vary depending on which gems are infused in their glass. Most bowls are infused with crystal quartz, which is said to help restore energy, but when SZA wants to feel cleansed, she reaches for her selenite bowl, and when she wants to feel loved, she grabs a bowl infused with morganite.

How does it work?According to Mellgren, the science behind sound bowls is pretty similar to music theory. "It's like dealing with all of the white keys on the piano until you start incorporating sharps and flats," he said. Like any instrument, the key is knowing which bowl to play to emit the right response.

"What ultrasound [therapy] is actually doing is increasing tissue relaxation, local blood flow, scar tissue breakdown, which reduces swelling and help inflammation," he said. By definition, ultrasounds are "high-frequency soundwaves," so the logic is that sound bowls produce a similar outcome. "What the vibration is actually doing is helping to break up that stress, anxiety, and muscle tension in the body. It slows down your brain waves and gets you in a meditative state where healing can occur."

SZA and Aiko's interest in sound bowls is particularly interesting because they have more in common than their day jobs. Aiko's brother Miyagi died in 2012, and SZA's grandmotherwho is featured on her debut albumdied last June. Sound bowls are said to reduce stress and anxiety, but they may also have the potential to help process grief. Mellgren says the bowls acts as a filter, allowing you to release emotions you've been harboring.

"The vibration is literally digging in there and allowing grief, sadness, and depression to come out whether it's in laughter or tears," he said. According to him, the important part is that there's a release.

Does it actually work?Experts within the wellness industry praise sound bowls and other trendy practices, but many of their claims are hard to prove. There isn't a lot of definitive research on this type of sound therapy, so I thought I'd try it for myself. I scheduled a 60-minute sound bath at Upper East Side's MNDFL Meditation.

Our instructor assured us this was a "judgment-free zone," and that by committing to the session we'd already earned the right to release our feelings. His voice was calm as he guided the group through deep breaths. It was the first time that I felt conscious of my lungs, like maybe I'd been doing this breathing thing wrong all my life. He struck the bowls and sound filled the room, and my body too, flowing from my eardrums down to my fingertips.

My first meditation session wasn't perfect. For a chronic overthinker like myself, it was hard to quiet my thoughts. I didn't know the facilitator would be surveying the room, playing instruments slightly above our heads. I laughed in ways I haven't since childhood. It was like pretending to sleep when your mom checks on you. Certain sounds resonated with me more than others; just when I doubted the legitimacy of the sound bath's effects, the instructor played a new note, and suddenly my mind went blank.

Just before we wrapped, the instructor asked us to think of someone we love and to smile at them to show gratitude. It was difficult to flash a smile in a dark room even though I knew everyone's eyes were closed. Then, we were asked to show gratitude to ourselves, our support systems, and to the world.

We opened our eyes and without thinking twice, my cheeks were tear-stained. For 60 minutes, the stresses of daily life and even the panic of coronavirus were irrelevant. SZA and Jhen Aiko just might be onto something.

Kristin Corry is a staff writer for VICE.

This article originally appeared on VICE US.

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I Tried a Sound Bath, the Latest Obsession of R&B Singers Like Jhen Aiko - VICE

If this was said in the mythological context, then perhaps it is not sure. But now science has also started to believe that meditation forms an invisible shield. Also, in that environment, this shield protects against infections surrounding the body. According to the experts, meditating twenty minutes daily should be done, then there are changes in the body that it starts to combat diseases and stress attacks. It does not require separate medical precautions.

In addition, during the research work, Herbert was attracted to attention by experimenting on the working of the cardiovascular system and the reciprocal relations of the emotions. Apart from this, he along with his colleague Dr. Wallace and his team tested about two thousand persons, who used to meditate regularly. Apart from this, he has presented the findings of the study in the book Response Medicine and Tension. At the same time, he has written that due to meditation, there is also an increase in the inhibition capacity of a person's skin. Along with this, within three minutes, the oxygen consumption rate decreases by sixteen percent within three minutes, although in five hours of sleep there is only eight percent reduction.

For your information, let us tell youthat an experiment similar to this was also done by Dr. Peter Fenwick of Madslow Hospital and Institute of Psychiatry, London. Along with this, he has written in his book 'Meditation and Science' that he examined the electrical activity of the brain of some people who had been practicing meditation regularly for at least a year. Apparent changes were noted at the time of meditation. At the same time, the freshness gained by these waves, the body and mind gather enough strength to withstand external adversities.

If this was said in the mythological context, then perhaps it is not sure. But now science has also started to believe that meditation forms an invisible shield. Also, in that environment, this shield protects against infections surrounding the body. According to the experts, meditating twenty minutes daily should be done, then there are changes in the body that it starts to combat diseases and stress attacks. It does not require separate medical precautions.

In addition, during the research work, Herbert was attracted to attention by experimenting on the working of the cardiovascular system and the reciprocal relations of the emotions. Apart from this, he along with his colleague Dr. Wallace and his team tested about two thousand persons, who used to meditate regularly. Apart from this, he has presented the findings of the study in the book Response Medicine and Tension. At the same time, he has written that due to meditation, there is also an increase in the inhibition capacity of a person's skin. Along with this, within three minutes, the oxygen consumption rate decreases by sixteen percent within three minutes, although in five hours of sleep there is only eight percent reduction.

For your information, let us tell youthat an experiment similar to this was also done by Dr. Peter Fenwick of Madslow Hospital and Institute of Psychiatry, London. Along with this, he has written in his book 'Meditation and Science' that he examined the electrical activity of the brain of some people who had been practicing meditation regularly for at least a year. Apparent changes were noted at the time of meditation. At the same time, the freshness gained by these waves, the body and mind gather enough strength to withstand external adversities.

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