Why is Yoga and Meditation Important for Healthy Living?

“Quiet the mind and the soul will speak.” – Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati

For years our history has been stolen from us, it is now time to go back and get it – “Sankofa”. The meaning of the word Sankofa – is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind. During my meditation time, I have an ancestral song that I play where I can literally feel my ancestors dancing with and around me. They are there to let me know that they are healing, guiding, and directing my steps along this journey called life. They are here when I call out to them for help, for comfort, and support.

Meditation and yoga are two forms that are known by mainstream right now as the go to for allowing yourself to be in the present moment. There are many other forms of self-preserving meditations that exist if you find that these two methods don’t work for you. Below I list a few others for you to consider and what the benefits are of each.

• Yoga – Reduces anxiety and anger, reduces the impact of exaggerated stress responses, assist with relaxation, sleep, and moods.
• Meditation – Enhances present-moment awareness, increase self-compassion, and strengthens a person’s ability to self-regulate.
• Heart Anchoring Technique (Created by Opus Peace)– Changes your relationship with uncomfortable feelings. Assist with decreasing fear of emotions and allows you to grow into who you are meant to be. This can be used when you need strength, courage, or patience.
• Healing Through Dance – Dancing can be a form of release. It releases endorphins that can help you feel pleasure and happiness. It can help you get in touch with yourself and your emotions.
• Reading Meditation – Reading inspirational books unlocks characteristics and states of mind within us that lend themselves very well to mindfulness and meditation. Books that offer daily inspiration are most effective.
• Journaling/Writing – Writing meditations are prompts that help you use the focused process of deliberate writing to encourage creativity and mindful concentration. Writing down your dreams and processing through them is a form of allowing the spirit realm to guide you regularly. There is an awesome book on Audible/Kindle/Amazon titled, “Dreaming on Both Sides of the Brain,” by Doris E. Cohen PhD that assist with dream interpretation.
• Cold Water Therapy – One of the quickest ways to bring our mind into focus on the present moment is through the sensory experience of cold water on our skin. Cold showers are a great way of using this human reaction to our benefit. At the end of my showers, I turn the water to cold and rotate my body under it for 30 seconds. This method aligns your chakras and causes you to bring your mind into awareness of the present moment releasing all of the negative energy from the day before.
• Grounding – Grounding meditation is a mindfulness practice that focuses on connecting with the present moment and establishing a sense of stability and rootedness. The fundamental idea behind grounding meditation is to anchor oneself to the physical sensations of the body and the immediate surroundings, promoting a deep sense of presence. This often involves techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, or simply paying close attention to the senses. Benefits of grounding meditation include reduced stress and anxiety, improved mental clarity, and an enhanced ability to manage overwhelming emotions.

There are other types of Therapy and Meditation that you can entertain if you are dealing with deeply rooted trauma. EMDR Meditation is a natural therapy that you can do with a Therapist that will allow you to tap into those deep dark places in your life and help you get in touch with your inner self. It also allows you to learn more about your behaviors, feelings, and moods. Hypnotherapy Meditation: a trained and certified hypnotist or hypnotherapist guides you into a deep state of focus and relaxation with verbal cues, repetition, and imagery; it is designed to bring you into deep relaxation and focused concentration. It is also an effective way to cope with stress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress.

Whichever form of therapy/meditation you choose, make sure it’s right for you, and it’s okay to explore more than one. With so much going on within our culture and society, healing and stability is essential as we move ahead on this journey. You may be the catalyst that will help to heal generations of hurt, pain, and trauma. Never underestimate the power you possess as a spirit being. You can manifest positive family dynamics just by offering up your daily meditations to those you love and care about. You are also able to tap into your ancestral spirit realm and seek guidance for everyday life concerns.

“Quiet the mind and the soul will speak.” – Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati

May you be led in spirit and in truth. Ashe’