Meditation

 Two main types:  Inclusive  Exclusive  Four Common Elements A quiet location Specific posture Focused attention Open attitude  Two main types:  Inclusive  Exclusive  Four Common Elements A quiet location Specific posture Focused attention Open attitude

 Increases calmness  Induces physical relaxation  Improves psychological balance  Enhances overall health and well-being  Increases calmness  Induces physical relaxation  Improves psychological balance  Enhances overall health and well-being

 Mindfulness Meditation  Loving Kindness Meditation  Zen (Zazen) Meditation  Transcendental Meditation (TM)  Mindfulness Meditation  Loving Kindness Meditation  Zen (Zazen) Meditation  Transcendental Meditation (TM)

 Decreased oxygen consumption  Decreased blood lactate levels  Increased skin resistance  Decreased heart rate  Decreased blood pressure  Decreased muscle tension  Increased alpha waves  Decreased oxygen consumption  Decreased blood lactate levels  Increased skin resistance  Decreased heart rate  Decreased blood pressure  Decreased muscle tension  Increased alpha waves

 Reduces activity of the sympathetic nervous system (produces fight or flight response)  Increases activity in the parasympathetic nervous system (improves blood flow)  Reduces activity of the sympathetic nervous system (produces fight or flight response)  Increases activity in the parasympathetic nervous system (improves blood flow)

 Inclusive meditation  Conscious mind accepts all thoughts without judgment  Uses detached observation  Allows barrier of ego to dissolve  Helps keep you mindful in the present moment  Inclusive meditation  Conscious mind accepts all thoughts without judgment  Uses detached observation  Allows barrier of ego to dissolve  Helps keep you mindful in the present moment

 Inclusive Meditation  All thoughts are eliminated  Uses some form of Mantra  Focuses thoughts on one word  Brings inner peace and harmony  Inclusive Meditation  All thoughts are eliminated  Uses some form of Mantra  Focuses thoughts on one word  Brings inner peace and harmony

 Considered safe for healthy people  Do not use meditation as a replacement for conventional care  Learn from an experienced meditation instructor.  Tell your healthcare provider about any CAM practices you use  Not intended to postpone visits to health care providers  Considered safe for healthy people  Do not use meditation as a replacement for conventional care  Learn from an experienced meditation instructor.  Tell your healthcare provider about any CAM practices you use  Not intended to postpone visits to health care providers