The benefits of meditations are not just hearsay…
They have been scientifically proven. In a fascinating study by Harvard-affiliated researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, it was discovered that participating in an eight-week mindfulness meditation program appears to make measurable changes in
- brain regions associated with memory,
- sense of self,
- empathy,
- and stress.
More details:
Participants meditated every day for an average of 27 minutes, and the analysis of MR images after 8 weeks found “increased gray-matter density in the hippocampus, known to be important for learning and memory, and in structures associated with self-awareness, compassion, and introspection. Participant-reported reductions in stress also were correlated with decreased gray-matter density in the amygdala, which is known to play an important role in anxiety and stress.”
Meditating as a group also has many benefits.
For one, being in a group studio setting cancels out all distractions. It is so easy to get sidetracked when you’re meditating at home, but in the studio you’ll be without your cellphone, email inbox, stacks of paperwork or piles of laundry. You’ll also receive knowledgeable instructions, allowing you to go deeper in your practice, and benefit from the energy of the group.
