All of us reach a point in life where we question our habits with regard to our health.  For me, it’s a weekly checklist; “What have I eaten? What exercise (besides yoga, of course) have I gotten? What have I done for my health that reflects both emotionally and physically on my body?”

 

At these crossroads some  may choose to adjust their diet, perhaps cutting out the fat, going organic and even becoming vegetarian.  Some may opt to join a fitness club, jog, bike or practice yoga.  Diet and exercise, good choices, all, yet what are we doing for our mind and spirit?

 

Much like a chain, our health is only as strong as our weakest link.  What more can we do to improve our overall wellness?  Strengthening our mental focus through meditation is one proven method. 

 

Along with lowering blood pressure, improving insomnia and sharpening mental focus (to name just a few), the regular practice of meditation can give you the capability to monitor and improve your physical health; to control pain and increase the awareness of your physical body enabling it to detect the very first signs of illness.

 

When we practice meditation during yoga, we are clearing our mind of every thought but that of our breath. By allowing our body’s respiration to take over and our mind to be led, we are bringing every fragment of our conscious self to a greater awareness of our body.  Practicing meditation prior to and after yoga further intensifies this awareness.

 

Heightened awareness brings about a sharp intuition of our body’s functions.  Wouldn’t it be better to meditate and practice sun salutations than to allow a “stiff neck” to evolve into a cold or flu?  Meditation opens the capillaries (small blood vessels) increasing the power of the restorative properties of your life blood, thereby promoting healing and vitality.