Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness Meditation

Meditation and the Default Mode Network

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Default Mode Network

Default mode network are a multilayer, hierarchical network of neurons not some isolated regions of the brain. Understanding how meditation and DMN work together is central for understanding deeper levels of meditation. Here we present a basic model of DMN and its role in meditation. The DNM is active when one is engage in internal tasks such as daydreaming, envisioning the future, retrieving memories, and thinking others’ perspectives.The DNM releases unresolved tensions in our lives. The default mode network is more active for creative people. During wakeful rest, the brain consolidates recently accumulated data, memorizing the most salient information, and essentially rehearses recently learned skills, etching them into its tissue. Normally, default mode of humans appears to be that of mind-wandering. In my earlier article I have discussed about the effect of meditation on brain structure. In this article I discussed the effect of meditation on default mode network.

Impact of Meditation on Brain Structure

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Angular Gyrus

Effect of meditation on the brain structure can be broken up into two categories: short-term changes and long-term changes. In this article we focused our attention both on short term and the long term impact of meditation on brain structure. There are three types of meditation practices. The first is the Open Monitoring or Mindfulness … Read more

Anapanasati Breathing Meditation

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Anapanasati is the heart of satipatthana, the heart of all four foundations of mindfulness. Anapanasati means to feel the sensations caused by the movements of the breath in the body, as is practiced in the context of mindfulness. Anapanasati is a core meditation practice in Buddhism, as well as in many ancient Indian meditation teachings.  In order to … Read more

Mindfulness meditation- observing the beauty of nature

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Today is the autumn equinox – which means different things to different people. The word equinox comes from the Latin words for “equal night.” It is one of two days in the year when there is 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night and is the time of year that the harvesting of crops … Read more

Yoga and Meditation for Balancing the Insula of the Brain

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Insula of the brain is one of the most vital components of the brain which controls our health and wellness. Meditation along with yoga helps the insula to work efficiently. Researchers observed that greater right anterior insular gray matter volume the greater is the accuracy in the subjective sense of the inner body, and with the negative emotions developed by the mind. .. Insula continuously scans the physiological state of the entire body and then generates subjective feelings. In vipassana meditation, when we observe the bodily sensations, we activate our insula. Through awareness meditation we gradually develop more gray matters in the brain, which provides a framework that is higher than the normal insula. Insular cortex continuously receives signals from receptors in the skin and internal organs like gut, heart and the lungs.

Yoga and Meditation to Improve Brain Fitness

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Brain Fitness and Yoga The more complex the yoga posture, the more complex the synaptic connections. Just as yoga postures and exercises reverse the decaying process of the muscles, almost in a similar way they slow or reverse the process of brain’s physical decay. Yoga influences the brain on numerous ways. Yoga postures releases a … Read more

Meditation and Yoga for Improving Emotional-Intelligence and Leadership Skills

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Meditation and Yoga has an important role for building emotional-intelligence and leadership skills for corporate people as well as for the individuals in every social endeavor. Meditation and yoga improves our alertness, personal values and beliefs. They help building strength, character, good relationships with others, our connection to the Nature and beyond. Emotional intelligence brings compassion, love, sharing, caring and humanity to the business and work areas. ..
Our self-control, attention, and memory are all reduced by the excessive and chronic release of adrenaline in the system. Excessive stress deprives the brain of the oxygen needed to keep our thinking calm and rational. Thus excessive stress reduces our emotional awareness. Hence, with chronic stress we can’t focus our attention and we lose our ability to identify our own emotions and those of others….

Yoga trains us to pay attention specifically to the feelings in the body during the movement. For effective emotional intelligence we need to bring our awareness first to the body and then to the mind. Yoga prepares us for building body-intelligence. Body-intelligence includes the successful processing and interpretation of information from all our senses and responses.

Meditation increases self-awareness. It helps us to breathe slowly, which keeps us relaxed and allow us to listen better. With the increase of self-awareness we manage our behavior and we don’t say things impulsively that will get us in difficulty.

Brain Fitness with Yoga and Meditation

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Yoga and meditation improves brain fitness at four levels. First, it helps to develop new stem cells in the hippocampus; second, it improves the optimal blood flow in the brain, which enhances the cerebral metabolism; third, it encourages nerve cells to bind to one another; and fourth, it enhances the production of BDNF which creates new neural pathways in the brain. It is observed that regular systematic mental challenge by novel stimuli increases production and inter-connectivity of neurons and nerve growth factor. It also prevents cell death and loss of connections between neurons. The brain is capable of producing new brain cells at any age. Hence considerable memory loss is not an obvious result of aging. But just as it is with muscle strength, you have to use it or lose it. Our lifestyle, health habits, and daily activities have a huge impact on the health of our brain. Independent of our age, there are several ways through which we can improve our cognitive skills, prevent memory loss, and protect our grey matter. Yoga influences the brain on numerous ways. Yoga postures releases a plethora of hormones, all of which participate in aiding and providing a nourishing environment for the growth of brain cells. Most yoga postures increases heart rate, which pumps more oxygen to the brain.

Mindfulness Meditation for Beginners

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We are born from our mother’s womb, and our breathing starts as we cry. Our life starts with a breath. We all know that ‘breathing’ is essential to our survival. But not many of us know to breathe consciously and practice mindfulness of breathing. Conscious breathing opens up new levels of consciousness that helps us go … Read more

How to Meditate: 12 Simple Steps

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How to Meditate? There are numerous ways you can meditate. But here I am giving below just twelve simple steps for deep meditation. As you practice meditation, you will move into deeper realities of tranquility and calmness of life. 1.Time for Meditation Ideally speaking, early morning around 4:00 to 6:30 AM is the best time for meditation. However, … Read more