Carly McDowell from the MEDITATION BASE explains Vedic Meditation.
1. What is Vedic Mediation?
Vedic Meditation is a natural and effortless mental technique that is practiced for 20 minutes twice a day. It works to neutralise stress, enhances the body’s natural ability to heal and promotes a deep state of rest. The benefits of this daily practice then flow in to our everyday lives as we gain more awareness, clarity, creativity and become more centred.
2. I know you teach yoga, how does mediation fit in with your yoga practice?
Yes I love teaching yoga as it’s been a passion for over 20 years now, however I personally find this specific meditation technique to be invaluable for anyone looking to gain the benefits of a calmer, less stressful day to day mental state whether they have interest in yoga or not. It’s easy to learn and easy to incorporate into your own life without having to get to a class. You can practice on the bus on the way to work, on a flight travelling, at the beach, just about anywhere you can sit comfortably and take 20 minutes.
3.I often here people say ” I can’t mediate” I just can’t sit still. What would you say too them?
It’s a common belief and expression that “I just can’t sit still” or “I can’t stop thinking, therefore I can’t meditate”, however Vedic Meditation doesn’t require you to ‘switch off’. Often other techniques become stressful by nature of straining to do just that. VM uses a mantra (word or sound) which acts a vehicle to de-excite the busy mind and take you deep below the layer of thoughts that we are experiencing constantly during the day. The mind is naturally drawn to the mantra so the technique becomes effortless. This meditation practice is for everyone, whether you have tried meditation before or not and after the course you will most certainly be confident in the the fact that you can meditate and you have an amazing tool for life.
4. There seems to be a lot of research on the benefits of mediation coming out. What are the proven benefits?
According to the World Health Organisation, Stress is the health epidemic of the 21st Century and for most people being stressed is the new ’norm’. A recent study stated that 75% of Australians have admitted that stress has adversely effected their physical health and that half of those suffering stress were also suffering anxiety.
Studies show that meditation is proven to be the most effective antidote to stress and to heal the body naturally. Vedic Meditation balances the nervous system and is scientifically proven to combat stress and fatigue. Additionally the pre-frontal cortex of the brain is optimised and functions more coherently which therefore leads to a host of benefits including being more flexible, focused, less reactive and more ethical in our thinking and behaviour.
There is a wonderful documentary called ‘Heal’ that I would recommend to anyone seeking more about the benefits of meditation and the body-mind connection from neuroscientists through to world renowned spiritual healers.
5. Where do you teach?
I teach privately from my home, otherwise I’m flexible depending on the need.
For any questions or details on my courses you can connect with me via email: carly@meditationbase.com.au or through Instagram: @meditationbase.
