Meditation has been practised since antiquity. Across different faiths, cultures, and geographical borders; much like food, it takes on various guises according to cultural and geographic norms, yet it retains an essence and purpose common to all.

Even if we have no direct experience of meditation, most of us at least have some notion as to what it is. Although these notions may be wildly different, they could all also be correct.

In addition to the many different styles of meditation, various activities can be meditative such as yoga and tai chi but performing any task mindfully can also be. Eating a meal. Washing the dishes. Filling a dishwasher, less so.

There is however a factor common to all, as Daniel Goleman in The Meditative Mind writes:

"the need for the meditator to retrain his attention, whether through concentration or mindfulness, is the single invariant ingredient in... every meditation system"

The reasons as to exactly how the practice of meditation benefits the body are still speculation, but there is growing research that there are physiological changes made at a very fundamental level - even down to our genes.

Meditation is now widely used in clinical practice for benefits including reducing stress, anxiety, depression, headaches, pain, and blood pressure, but it is this retraining of attention that can help us specifically with regards to fitness and nutrition.

In terms of recovery, there are obvious benefits associated with deep relaxation. Learning to self-induce a state of rest and physical renewal allows the body to switch on the parasympathetic nervous system and aids (amongst other things) digestion, memory, fertility, immunity and circulation. It is essentially a regeneration mode.

 A study in Perspectives on Psychological Science, as reported in The Huffington Post, shows there are benefits in:

• body awareness,

• self-awareness,

• regulation of emotion and

• regulation of attention.

These have clear parallels to every facet of the Elements training system.
 

Living with Intent

In the process of behaviour change, it is our unconscious behaviours that can trip us up. Having decided what we want to achieve, the closer we can stick to the path, the more likely we are to succeed.

Unfortunately, many of our day-to-day decisions are made unconsciously. Rather than following the path we are more like leaves in the breeze.

We like to think we are masters of our destiny but in the thousands of decisions made daily, how many of them move you towards where you want to be? How many more are side-shows? 

Our thoughts and impulses hold sway over us only in that they go unnoticed. By learning to observe our minds we become aware of our whims and urges. Unnoticed, we don't choose our behaviour. With awareness, grows the ability to live with deliberate and conscious intent.

I am by no means an expert - an advanced learner at best, yet if you begin your own practice you will begin to notice the benefits almost immediately.

Needless to say, my monastic credentials are sorely lacking but, fortunately, this guy’s are not:

Andy Puddicombe, through the website (and phone app) Headspace, helps to demystify the practice of meditation. Through easy to understand explanations of what meditation is, and more importantly, what it isn't, you are guided through an introductory program in an easily accessible manner that will at the very least give you a good idea. This sort of guidance is invaluable.

If you have your own method already - then, of course, continue with it. If not, take a look. 

There are very few things we can do in life that have a bearing on all of it.

This is one of them.

Any line between body and mind is blurred at best, and the comparisons to training the body are obvious. With consistent, dedicated practice you cannot help but see results.
Developing this mind-body connection can exponentially increase our progress. When our movement practice, is balanced by our practising stillness.

Music is shaped only in part by sound and equally by silence.



Further reading:

Check out the website and get the Headspace app here.

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/relax--its-good-for-you-20090819-eqlo.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rick-hanson-phd/find-stillness_b_3599513.html?utm_hp_ref=meditation