By Sarah Gebeke Smriga

Bhakti Wellness Center August 2013 Newsletter – Short Article

Meditation works to lower stress, increase your immune function and provide an overall sense of well-­‐being. It’s an ancient practice that is gaining attention by scientists, because it leads to significant and measurable stress-­‐reduction properties. A recent study published by CNN claims meditation is a therapeutic powerhouse, with far-­‐reaching influence on both psychological and physical health.

As the stress load continues to increase for the majority of Americans – the side effects of stress continue to take a toll. High blood pressure, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and weight gain -­‐ to name just a few. Practicing meditation will greatly reduce stress levels over time and improve overall heath.

According to the Mayo Clinic meditation helps with gaining a new perspective on stressful situations; increased self-­‐awareness; reducing negative emotions and helps with physical conditions such as: allergies; anxiety; binge eating; depression; fatigue; high blood pressure; pain; and sleep problems.

Neuroscience has proven that meditation changes the brain chemistry and assists with decreasing pain.

Children see huge results as well. Meditation increases attention spans in children and even increases math scores over a one-­‐year period, as indicated by an Education Journal study.

It’s highly beneficial to supplement your at-­‐home meditation practice with a meditation class lead by an instructor to provide structure and build your skill set. At Bhakti Wellness Center, Sarah Gebeke Smriga offers meditation classes based on ancient meditation arts. She has received hundreds of hours of training to teach classes to a variety of students: children as young as five years old, professionals seeking stress release, adults interested in quieting the mind and increasing creativity levels, and others seeking improved quality of physical health.

Contact sarah@truesanctuary.com to set up private instruction or to attend a group meditation class.