Learning to relax and manage the stress in your life is an important step toward better health and an improved quality of life. Through the use of meditation, guided imagery, and relaxation techniques you can gain a greater understanding of both the stress response and the relaxation response, increase your sense of self-awareness, and make lasting positive changes in your life.
Meditation
In general, the focus of meditation is on silence and stilling or clearing the mind. It is also about creating a state of calmness and peace within our mind, body, emotions, and spirit.
Many forms and methods of meditation are being utilized today. Two of the most common forms, which are based heavily in scientific research, are focused-attention or mindful meditation and open-monitoring meditation.
With focused-attention or mindful meditation you focus on one thing and you keep bringing your attention back to that focal point whenever your mind wanders. Typical focal points for this type of meditation are your breath, sensation in your body, and an object outside your body.
Open-monitoring meditation simply involves observing everything happening around you without reacting or getting caught up in it.
In theory meditation is pretty simple. However, most people today are living very busy lives and are bombarded constantly by stimuli from the advancement of technology, making what should be a simple practice a very challenging one.
Many forms and methods of meditation are being utilized today. Two of the most common forms, which are based heavily in scientific research, are focused-attention or mindful meditation and open-monitoring meditation.
With focused-attention or mindful meditation you focus on one thing and you keep bringing your attention back to that focal point whenever your mind wanders. Typical focal points for this type of meditation are your breath, sensation in your body, and an object outside your body.
Open-monitoring meditation simply involves observing everything happening around you without reacting or getting caught up in it.
In theory meditation is pretty simple. However, most people today are living very busy lives and are bombarded constantly by stimuli from the advancement of technology, making what should be a simple practice a very challenging one.
iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation
iRest stands for Integrative Restoration, and is a modern-day adaptation of the ancient practice of Yoga Nidra. iRest is a form of mindfulness meditation and self-inquiry that research shows effectively reduces PTSD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and chemical dependency; while increasing health, resiliency, and well-being. The U.S. Army Surgeon General has listed Yoga Nidra, based on research with iRest, as a Tier 1 approach for addressing Pain Management in Military Care.
iRest is practiced and taught by thousands of people worldwide in a range of settings, including military hospitals, correctional facilities, domestic violence shelters, community centers, yoga studios, schools, and medical, health and centers,
iRest is a completely guided practice, in which you are led into a state of deep relaxation and meditation, while remaining aware and alert. When practiced regularly, iRest enables you to meet each moment of your life with an unshakable sense of ground and wellbeing.
At A Reiki Life Academy® Nancy Bunt offers iRest meditation in small group format as well as one-on-one private sessions. Click here to learn more about Dyad Co-meditations one-on-one.
iRest is practiced and taught by thousands of people worldwide in a range of settings, including military hospitals, correctional facilities, domestic violence shelters, community centers, yoga studios, schools, and medical, health and centers,
iRest is a completely guided practice, in which you are led into a state of deep relaxation and meditation, while remaining aware and alert. When practiced regularly, iRest enables you to meet each moment of your life with an unshakable sense of ground and wellbeing.
At A Reiki Life Academy® Nancy Bunt offers iRest meditation in small group format as well as one-on-one private sessions. Click here to learn more about Dyad Co-meditations one-on-one.
Guided Imagery
Guided imagery is a variation on traditional meditation that uses the power of your imagination and incorporates all of the senses to help relax the mind and body.
Traditional guided imagery starts with a single relaxation technique that is followed by one or two additional relaxation techniques; and these techniques are simply tools to give the body more optimum conditions for which healing can occur. They elicit the relaxation response in the body, and through the use of metaphors connect with the mind more deeply.
Guided imagery is simply putting your imagination to work for you. With a practitioner's voice guiding the process, you are lead through an imaginary experience including all the senses in order to enter into a deeper state of relaxation.
Guided imagery is a good transition into meditation. Most people struggle with sitting in silence and connecting to their inner voice, guidance, or spirit. The most common complaint people have about meditation is that their mind is just too active. Guided imagery gives the mind something to do or focus on until someone can actually begin to hear and understand their inner voice.
Traditional guided imagery starts with a single relaxation technique that is followed by one or two additional relaxation techniques; and these techniques are simply tools to give the body more optimum conditions for which healing can occur. They elicit the relaxation response in the body, and through the use of metaphors connect with the mind more deeply.
Guided imagery is simply putting your imagination to work for you. With a practitioner's voice guiding the process, you are lead through an imaginary experience including all the senses in order to enter into a deeper state of relaxation.
Guided imagery is a good transition into meditation. Most people struggle with sitting in silence and connecting to their inner voice, guidance, or spirit. The most common complaint people have about meditation is that their mind is just too active. Guided imagery gives the mind something to do or focus on until someone can actually begin to hear and understand their inner voice.
Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation techniques include things like progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), gentle movement and breath connection, and various breathing techniques - all of which are designed to enhance the bodymind connection.
The body and the mind are constantly communicating through an intricate two-way communication system, and cannot be separated. The body expresses to the mind and the mind expresses to the body. A change in either the mind or the body causes a direct and immediate change in the other. They bodymind connection, and techniques that re-establish the awareness of the connection to the bodymind, will support your ability to relax at will and bring a greater balance to the nervous system. The bodymind connection allows you to actively participate in the process of discovery, recovery, and personal transformation, as well as become more self-expressive, calm, and grounded.
The body and the mind are constantly communicating through an intricate two-way communication system, and cannot be separated. The body expresses to the mind and the mind expresses to the body. A change in either the mind or the body causes a direct and immediate change in the other. They bodymind connection, and techniques that re-establish the awareness of the connection to the bodymind, will support your ability to relax at will and bring a greater balance to the nervous system. The bodymind connection allows you to actively participate in the process of discovery, recovery, and personal transformation, as well as become more self-expressive, calm, and grounded.
Benefits
Stress has a huge impact in causing and exacerbating many illnesses. Any condition that is caused or exacerbated by stress may be helped by a well-designed mind-body approach. Here are some of the common benefits to using meditation, guided imagery, and relaxation techniques:
- Better focus and concentration
- Less anxiety and depression
- Less stress
- More creativity
- More compassion for yourself and others
- Better memory
- More gray matter (slowing the aging of the brain)
- Enhanced confidence
- Less illness / more resiliency
- Reduced pain
- Improved sleep and sleep patterns
- Reduced need for medication
- Less side effects to some medical treatments
- Stronger immune system
- Enhanced well-being and enjoyment of life
One-on-one sessions
There is no single technique that is best fore everyone. I customize all sessions to the needs of the individual. You may have an area of focus in mind, however it's not necessary. I will conduct an intake with you prior to your appointment and create a custom session specifically for you.
Some of the most frequent areas of focus people request are:
Some of the most frequent areas of focus people request are:
- Breathing techniques and relaxation exercises for stress reduction and management
- Self-esteem & Confidence
- Body Image
- Pain Relief
- Manifesting
- Past Life Discovery
- Energy/Chakra Balancing
- Fertility, Pregnancy, Childbirth
- Yoga Nidra / iRest®