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Benefits Of Yoga And Meditation Essay

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Would you spare 20 minutes of your day if it helped you sleep better, stay healthier, be more focused, and work better? Then maybe it’s time to get your yoga on!
Yoga and meditation may primarily be paths to inner contemplation and enlightenment, but they have several physical and psychological benefits too. For those over 40, spending time on the mat can rejuvenate the body and mind in several ways. Let’s take a look at five of these.
#1 Yoga Helps You Sleep Better
Harvard Medical School researchers concluded during a recent study that a simple yoga practice can reduce chronic insomnia problems. The study brought together a group of 20 chronic insomniacs, and found that sleep efficiency, total sleep time and other sleep quality indicators …show more content…

This also translated into improved performances in reading comprehension tests, which are part of the Graduate Record Examination (G.R.E). The study found that average G.R.E. verbal scores rose by 60 points, thanks to the course.
Where Do You Start?
If you aren’t all that enthusiastic about twisting yourself into a pretzel, don’t worry. Hatha yoga and asanas aren’t the last word on the yogic path. There are several online, guided meditations you could begin with instead. Isha Kriya is a popular option, and takes about 12 minutes to complete. The UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center has a list of guided meditations too, though they are audio-only modules.
There are also a few general guidelines that will ensure you get the most out of your practice.
Wear Loose-fitting Clothes
Skip the skin-tights and figure-hugging stuff and choose something which gives your body room. Tight clothes can be a distraction while you are meditating or practicing and could end up playing spoilsport with the whole experience. Organic garments are generally recommended by most texts on yoga, and are said to be more supportive for your practice than synthetic

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