What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a programme of practical, scientifically-supported teachings to reduce stress, facilitate relaxation and promote physical health and emotional wellbeing. Through sitting, walking, mindful movement improvisation to music, and meditation practices we return to our lives better equipped to manage daily or extraordinary stress situations. Programmes are tailored to suit the individual or group requirements. Mindfulness Meditation helps to reduce our stress levels and decreases the probability of heart disease; it promotes understanding of our body and our mind, and contributes to create for us a sense of inner peace. Mindfulness Meditation also helps to increase our potential to concentrate, and to be spontaneous and creative, and it encourages us to live in the here and now.
Studies have shown that Mindfulness Meditation activates the limbic system in the brain, which regulates relaxation, heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism and boost immune responses. It is proven that people who meditate make more rational decisions. Meditators do indeed activate a network of brain areas enabling them to uncouple negative emotional reactions from their behaviour, gaining in that way in emotional intelligence. By quietening the mind, we get a greater understanding of who we are. This can help releasing unwanted habits or unwanted patterns of behaviour. |