ROSELAND These are among the upcoming events at the Roseland Free Public Library, 20 Roseland Ave.:

Guided Meditation with Robin Tucci

Spiritualist, inter-faith minister and Reiki master Robin Tucci will lead a special guided meditation class at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 12 followed by a presentation called "Break Bad Habits & Create Good Habits." In addition to her extensive studies in Eastern philosophies and religious belief systems, Tucci is certified in kineseology, Jin Shin Jyutsu Is and reflexology.RSVP at http://www.roselandpubliclibrary.org.

Get active with a group fitness activity at 10 a.m. Mondays in the librarys community room. Weekly program features a 45-minute low-impact walking workout (streamed on video). Ideal for beginning fitness levels. Participants should bring a towel and water bottle.RSVP at http://www.roselandpubliclibrary.org.

Lee Bergman, a Roseland resident and accredited Tai Chi Chih instructor, returns with her Tai Chi Chih classes every Tuesday. Beginners start at 9:30 a.m. and returning students start at 10:30 a.m. Classes end March 24. There will be no class March 17, and a makeup day, if needed, will be March 31. Cost is $70 for all 10 classes. Tai Chi Chih is a series of gentle movements based on ancient wellness principles of the Far East. To register or for information, contact Bergman at leebergman7@hotmail.com.

The library now offers Zumba Gold workouts streamed on video at 10 a.m. Wednesdays. Workout is 45 minutes and includes warm-up and cool-down periods. Bring a towel and water bottle.RSVP at http://www.roselandpubliclibrary.org.

New: Chair Yoga with Danielle Massa

Certified yoga instructor Danielle Massa will lead the librarys weekly chair yoga classes. This gentle form of yoga can be done while sitting, and some poses can be done while standing and using a chair for support. Class runs 35 to 45 minutes and includes some aromatherapy with oils. RSVP at http://www.roselandpubliclibrary.org.

Mindful Coloring For Adults

Escape the stress of everyday life and color your troubles away at 1 p.m. Tuesdays. Included are herbal tea, snacks and meditative music. RSVP at http://www.roselandpubliclibrary.org.

Dance, sing and move along with videos streamed on a screen at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Suitable for ages 6 months through preschool.This week will have a Dr. Seuss theme.

Story time featuring songs and books for ages 6 months and up meets every Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m.

New: Educational Free Play

Light yoga suitable for children ages 6 months through preschool will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays.

A creative combination of stories and art for toddlers and young children at 11 a.m. Thursdays. This week will have a Dr. Seuss theme.

Photorealistic Drawings on Exhibit

An exhibit of new photorealistic pencil drawings by Jerry Winick, art teacher and proprietor of Pencilworks Studio of Little Falls, will be on view through March during regular library hours.

Take the librarys online survey by Tuesday, March 31 to help us better serve our patrons and you will be entered in a prize drawing. Open to cardholders who are Roseland residents. Survey is on the librarys website at http://www.roselandpubliclibrary.org.

Donations Wanted for Book Sale

Please donate any unwanted books, DVDs or CDs to the library for the Friends of the Roseland Free Public Library Summer Book Sale, which is set for June. Donations are being accepted now. Please remember to bring your donations inside the library during regular hours.

Artists and photographers are invited to display their artwork in the community room. Original artwork and photographs may be for sale. Exhibits will last for six weeks and include an opening reception hosted by the library as well as publicity. For information, call (973) 226-8636.

Need help with a tablet, laptop, cell phone or other portable device? Stop by on any Monday between 6 and 9 p.m. and get advice. No RSVP needed.

Homebound Delivery Service

Are you a patron who is a Roseland resident and stuck at home because of a physical condition? Call (973) 226-8636 to arrange for having books delivered to your home.

Roseland residents ages 18 and older who have a valid library card may borrow a personal mobile hotspot from the library. Loan period is 14 days. Check for details at http://www.roselandpubliclibrary.org.

Zacs Hacks Computer Help

Library assistant Zac Cascio is available to show patrons the basics of Microsoft Word, Excel and other tech resources from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Fridays. Learn how to safely and effectively navigate social media; create resume templates, letters and spreadsheets; use valuable cell phone, iPad and Kindle features, such as calendars and more. RSVP is required. This is drop-in instruction, not a formal class.

Libby App and Hoopla Help

Libby is an app that gives Roseland Free Public Library patrons access to ebooks and audio books: https://resources.overdrive.com/meet-libby/. Patrons also may download free digital music, ebooks and television shows with Hoopla (hoopladigital.com). Library assistants are available to get patrons started or to help with these apps. No appointment necessary, but call (973) 226-8636 to make sure an assistant will be available.

Online Event Registration

Patrons may register for library programs online. Go to the website at http://www.roselandpubliclibrary.org and look for the Event Registration box on the top right. If you do not see the event you are interested in there, call (973) 226-8636.

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Guided meditation Thursday at Roseland library | The Progress Lifestyles - New Jersey Hills

Three years ago, Jhen Aiko recorded Trip, a psychedelic musical journey through how drugs helped her cope with her brother's death. Her new album, Chilombo, continues to seek healing, and finds Aiko grappling with grief in a new wayusing crystal alchemy sound bowls. She swears by them so much she features the sound healing instrument on every track of the album.

At a listening session for Chilombo, Aiko says she began studying sound therapy a year and a half ago to add more intention to her music. Leading up to Chilombo, Aiko released a string of passionate singles: the fiery post-breakup energy of "Triggered," and "None of Your Concern," followed by a lesson in seduction on "P*$$y Fairy (OTW)." The singer used a singing bowl tuned to a D note, which she says helps the sacral chakra responsible for pleasure and intimacy.

Aiko isn't the only R&B singer turning to sound bowls as a form of meditation. In a recent interview, SZA revealed she's not only practicing sound healing, but using crystal bowls in her new music, too.

"You pick whatever note comes to your mind naturally, and you imagine it squeezing out of your body," the Ctrl singer told Rolling Stone. "I feel like 10 times better already."

But what exactly are sound bowls, and why are R&B's most prominent stars suddenly using them in the studio? Eric Mellgren, a teacher and facilitator of sound guided meditation at Los Angeles's Unplug Meditation Center, helped VICE decipher if the practice is legit or just another wellness industry scam. After talking to Mellgren, I was curious enough to set up a session of my ownbut we'll get to that later.

So, what are sound bowls? Native Americans and Australia's Aborigines have used sound to treat various ailments for generations. Now the music world is finally catching up to the practice, using frequencies and vibrations to reduce stress and anxiety.

Terms like 'frequencies' and 'vibrations' can feel laughable, given how the wellness industry has turned healing crystals into a billion-dollar industry that promises gemstones can heal what ails you. Even Kevin Garnett's character in Uncut Gems believed an Ethiopian black opal, worth $3,000 per carat, was helping him on the basketball court. But, according to Mellgren, frequencies and vibrations aren't just buzzwordsthey're the foundation of sound meditation.

"[Sound baths] are a more targeted way to introduce vibrations and frequencies to the body," he told VICE. "I'm trying to raise any vibration that might not be operating at an optimal level. Frequencies and vibrations help relax the tissue and open up the blood vessels which create a relaxing feeling in your body. When you're relaxed, you tend to heal faster."

Tibetan bowls, which are metal, release two frequencies. Striking them at the rim, rather than the bottom of the bowl, will produce different notes which emit different frequencies. Crystal bowls, like the ones Aiko uses on Chilombo, vary depending on which gems are infused in their glass. Most bowls are infused with crystal quartz, which is said to help restore energy, but when SZA wants to feel cleansed, she reaches for her selenite bowl, and when she wants to feel loved, she grabs a bowl infused with morganite.

How does it work?According to Mellgren, the science behind sound bowls is pretty similar to music theory. "It's like dealing with all of the white keys on the piano until you start incorporating sharps and flats," he said. Like any instrument, the key is knowing which bowl to play to emit the right response.

"What ultrasound [therapy] is actually doing is increasing tissue relaxation, local blood flow, scar tissue breakdown, which reduces swelling and help inflammation," he said. By definition, ultrasounds are "high-frequency soundwaves," so the logic is that sound bowls produce a similar outcome. "What the vibration is actually doing is helping to break up that stress, anxiety, and muscle tension in the body. It slows down your brain waves and gets you in a meditative state where healing can occur."

SZA and Aiko's interest in sound bowls is particularly interesting because they have more in common than their day jobs. Aiko's brother Miyagi died in 2012, and SZA's grandmotherwho is featured on her debut albumdied last June. Sound bowls are said to reduce stress and anxiety, but they may also have the potential to help process grief. Mellgren says the bowls acts as a filter, allowing you to release emotions you've been harboring.

"The vibration is literally digging in there and allowing grief, sadness, and depression to come out whether it's in laughter or tears," he said. According to him, the important part is that there's a release.

Does it actually work?Experts within the wellness industry praise sound bowls and other trendy practices, but many of their claims are hard to prove. There isn't a lot of definitive research on this type of sound therapy, so I thought I'd try it for myself. I scheduled a 60-minute sound bath at Upper East Side's MNDFL Meditation.

Our instructor assured us this was a "judgment-free zone," and that by committing to the session we'd already earned the right to release our feelings. His voice was calm as he guided the group through deep breaths. It was the first time that I felt conscious of my lungs, like maybe I'd been doing this breathing thing wrong all my life. He struck the bowls and sound filled the room, and my body too, flowing from my eardrums down to my fingertips.

My first meditation session wasn't perfect. For a chronic overthinker like myself, it was hard to quiet my thoughts. I didn't know the facilitator would be surveying the room, playing instruments slightly above our heads. I laughed in ways I haven't since childhood. It was like pretending to sleep when your mom checks on you. Certain sounds resonated with me more than others; just when I doubted the legitimacy of the sound bath's effects, the instructor played a new note, and suddenly my mind went blank.

Just before we wrapped, the instructor asked us to think of someone we love and to smile at them to show gratitude. It was difficult to flash a smile in a dark room even though I knew everyone's eyes were closed. Then, we were asked to show gratitude to ourselves, our support systems, and to the world.

We opened our eyes and without thinking twice, my cheeks were tear-stained. For 60 minutes, the stresses of daily life and even the panic of coronavirus were irrelevant. SZA and Jhen Aiko just might be onto something.

Kristin Corry is a staff writer for VICE.

This article originally appeared on VICE US.

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I Tried a Sound Bath, the Latest Obsession of R&B Singers Like Jhen Aiko - VICE

If this was said in the mythological context, then perhaps it is not sure. But now science has also started to believe that meditation forms an invisible shield. Also, in that environment, this shield protects against infections surrounding the body. According to the experts, meditating twenty minutes daily should be done, then there are changes in the body that it starts to combat diseases and stress attacks. It does not require separate medical precautions.

In addition, during the research work, Herbert was attracted to attention by experimenting on the working of the cardiovascular system and the reciprocal relations of the emotions. Apart from this, he along with his colleague Dr. Wallace and his team tested about two thousand persons, who used to meditate regularly. Apart from this, he has presented the findings of the study in the book Response Medicine and Tension. At the same time, he has written that due to meditation, there is also an increase in the inhibition capacity of a person's skin. Along with this, within three minutes, the oxygen consumption rate decreases by sixteen percent within three minutes, although in five hours of sleep there is only eight percent reduction.

For your information, let us tell youthat an experiment similar to this was also done by Dr. Peter Fenwick of Madslow Hospital and Institute of Psychiatry, London. Along with this, he has written in his book 'Meditation and Science' that he examined the electrical activity of the brain of some people who had been practicing meditation regularly for at least a year. Apparent changes were noted at the time of meditation. At the same time, the freshness gained by these waves, the body and mind gather enough strength to withstand external adversities.

If this was said in the mythological context, then perhaps it is not sure. But now science has also started to believe that meditation forms an invisible shield. Also, in that environment, this shield protects against infections surrounding the body. According to the experts, meditating twenty minutes daily should be done, then there are changes in the body that it starts to combat diseases and stress attacks. It does not require separate medical precautions.

In addition, during the research work, Herbert was attracted to attention by experimenting on the working of the cardiovascular system and the reciprocal relations of the emotions. Apart from this, he along with his colleague Dr. Wallace and his team tested about two thousand persons, who used to meditate regularly. Apart from this, he has presented the findings of the study in the book Response Medicine and Tension. At the same time, he has written that due to meditation, there is also an increase in the inhibition capacity of a person's skin. Along with this, within three minutes, the oxygen consumption rate decreases by sixteen percent within three minutes, although in five hours of sleep there is only eight percent reduction.

For your information, let us tell youthat an experiment similar to this was also done by Dr. Peter Fenwick of Madslow Hospital and Institute of Psychiatry, London. Along with this, he has written in his book 'Meditation and Science' that he examined the electrical activity of the brain of some people who had been practicing meditation regularly for at least a year. Apparent changes were noted at the time of meditation. At the same time, the freshness gained by these waves, the body and mind gather enough strength to withstand external adversities.

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These are the amazing benefits of meditation - News Track English

Charles Warner | The Union Times Sally Summers sings Sign Us With Ashes during the Ash Wednesday Community Service at Grace Methodist Church on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the start of the 40 days of the Lenten Season, a time of preparation for Christians through prayer, doing penance, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins, almsgiving, and self-denial. Its institutional purpose is heightened in the annual commemoration of Holy Week, which commemorates the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, beginning on Palm Sunday when Christ entered Jerusalem, through His crucifixion on Good Friday, and culminating with His resurrection on Easter Sunday.

UNION What would give up for Lent? What should give up for Lent?

Lent is a six-week period that begins with Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later before Easter Sunday. It is traditionally described as lasting 40 days, the number of days Jesus Christ spent in the wilderness before beginning His earthly ministry and during which He faced and rejected three temptations offered Him by Satan.

The institutional purpose of Lent is to prepare Christians through such things as prayer, doing penance, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins, almsgiving, and self-denial. Its institutional purpose is heightened in the annual commemoration of Holy Week, which commemorates the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, beginning on Palm Sunday when Christ entered Jerusalem, through His crucifixion on Good Friday, and culminating with His resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Locally, Lent is celebrated at Grace United Methodist Church which hosts a service each Wednesday during the Lenten Season. Each service is lead and the Lenten message delivered by a different minister from a different church in Union County. After each ceremony, worshippers adjourn to the Grace Methodist Social Hall where they will enjoy a meal prepared by church members.

This year, Ash Wednesday was February 26, and, as it has for many years, Grace Methodist held its annual Ash Wednesday Community Service that day.

As in previous years, the service included the Lenten Meditation, the sermon delivered by a local minister. Wednesdays Lenten Meditation was delivered by Rev. David Bauknight, Pastor of Grace Methodist Church, who began by telling a story about the confrontation between a priest and a mugger during Lent.

The priest was walking down an alley at night in a bad section of town when a mugger steps out of the shadows behind him and puts a knife to his back and demands all his money. Terrified, the priest turns around, opening his coat to give the mugger what he wants. In doing so, he reveals his clerical collar. The mugger, realizing hes dealing with a man of God, steps away, apologizing profusely, saying he doesnt want the priests money. The priest, however, does reach into his pocket and offers the mugger a cigar. The mugger, however, says he cant take the cigar because hes given up smoking for Lent.

Bauknight then spoke about how that when people think of Lent they often associate it with giving up something, usually something they enjoy. He said while this is true it often leads people to view Lent as something unpleasant because they are giving up fun things. However, he said that this is a misunderstanding of Lent which he said is best illustrated by the phrase spring has sprung, which he said is a good time we can be part of. Bauknight said the purpose of Lent is to remind us of the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, a time of purification and preparation that Christ underwent in preparation for His ministry on earth in which He preached and taught about humanitys relationship to God, bringing the message that God cares for each and every one of His children.

Lent, Bauknight said, is time we think about what God is asking of us to bring us closer to Him through Jesus Christ, a process that He assists us in by sending His children comfort and guidance through His Holy Spirit.

The question remains, however, what would you give up for Lent? Or, better yet, what should you give up for Lent that would draw you closer to God? Bauknight made some suggestions about what we can give up for Lent.

Grumbling

Bauknight suggested that something we can give up for Lent would be grumbling, pointing to Ephesians 5 which calls upon us to be giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 Minutes In Bed

Bauknight also suggested giving up 10-15 minutes in bed and instead spending that time in prayer, studying The Bible, having a devotional, things that can help give us a better understanding of Gods love for us and what He wants for us.

Finding Fault

Bauknight also suggested giving up finding fault in others, pointing out that while constructive criticism is a good thing, everyone has faults and that each of us hopes others will overlook our faults so each of us should do the same for others.

Speaking Unkindly

Bauknight also suggested giving up speaking unkindly of others and instead speaking of others in ways that are kindly and uplifting.

Hatred

Bauknight also suggested giving up hatred of others and instead practice loving one another, pointing out that love covers a multitude of sins and so each us should be generous in Christian love for others.

Worrying

Bauknight also suggested giving up worrying and instead turning the things that are worrying us over to God and live for today and let Gods grace be sufficient in helping us through the challenges of life.

TV

Bauknight suggested giving up TV one evening a week and instead using that time to go visit someone who might be in need.

Spending

Bauknight suggested giving up buying anything but essentials and instead using the money to give to others who are struggling with obtaining the necessities of life.

Judging Others

Bauknight also suggested giving up judging the appearance of others according by the standards of the world and instead look at others as Christ looks at all of us.

Giving up these things, Bauknight said, is in keeping with the spirit of Lent, bringing us to a closer understanding and appreciation of all that Christ has done for us including His suffering and sacrifice on the cross and enabled us to truly prepare ourselves for the sheer job of Easter morning when Christ rose from the dead in triumph over death, hell, and the grave.

Lenten Season is continuing and so are the Lenten Community Services at Grace Methodist Church. The next service will be held today (March 4) at noon with the Lenten Meditation delivered by Rev. Lee Moseley of Union Presbyterian Church.

Each Lenten Service in the Grace Methodist Sanctuary is followed by a $7 lunch in the church social hall. Todays menu features chicken casserole, green beans, fruit salad, rolls, dessert, tea & coffee.

The remaining services will be held on the following dates with the following ministers leading worship and the following menus served those days:

Wednesday, March 11

Speaker Father Mike McCafferty from St. Augustine Catholic Church

Menu Baked Ham, potato salad, green beans, sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, rolls, dessert, tea & coffee

Wednesday, March 18

Speaker Rev. Merritt Wentz from Bethel/Duncan Acres UMC

Menu BBQ w/buns, baked beans, coleslaw, potato chips, pickles, dessert, tea & coffee

Wednesday, March 25

Speaker Rev. Robbie Stollger from First Baptist Church

Menu Meatballs w/sauce, copper pennies, brown rice, dessert, tea & coffee

Wednesday, April 1

Speaker Rev. Jeff Farmer from Sardis UMC

Menu Pork Loin, Asian slaw, sweet potatoes, rolls, dessert, tea & coffee

Wednesday, April 8

Speaker Rev. Dr. A.L. Brackett from St. Paul Baptist Church

Menu Fried chicken, green beans, macaroni/cheese, biscuits, dessert, tea & coffee

Charles Warner | The Union Times Rev. David Bauknight, Pastor of Grace Methodist Church, delivers the Lenten Meditation during the Ash Wednesday Community Service hosted by the church. Grace Methodist hosts a series of Lenten Services during Lent, the 40-day period that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends just before Easter. During his Lenten Meditation, Bauknight spoke about the things people can give up for Lent that can help draw them closer to God such as grumbling, worrying, hatred, and judging others.

https://www.uniondailytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/web1_thumbnail_20200226_120244.jpgCharles Warner | The Union Times Rev. David Bauknight, Pastor of Grace Methodist Church, delivers the Lenten Meditation during the Ash Wednesday Community Service hosted by the church. Grace Methodist hosts a series of Lenten Services during Lent, the 40-day period that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends just before Easter. During his Lenten Meditation, Bauknight spoke about the things people can give up for Lent that can help draw them closer to God such as grumbling, worrying, hatred, and judging others.

Charles Warner | The Union Times The Ash Wednesday Community Service hosted by Grace Methodist Church on Ash Wednesday (February 26) featured the singing of hymns including Have Thine Own Way Lord and What Wondrous Love Is This! Those attending also took part in the Call To Worship and Prayer In Unison while also enjoying the performance of In The Hour of Trial during the Prelude and The Glory of These Forty Days by Organist Tommy Bishop.

https://www.uniondailytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/web1_thumbnail_20200226_120357.jpgCharles Warner | The Union Times The Ash Wednesday Community Service hosted by Grace Methodist Church on Ash Wednesday (February 26) featured the singing of hymns including Have Thine Own Way Lord and What Wondrous Love Is This! Those attending also took part in the Call To Worship and Prayer In Unison while also enjoying the performance of In The Hour of Trial during the Prelude and The Glory of These Forty Days by Organist Tommy Bishop.

Charles Warner | The Union Times Sally Summers sings Sign Us With Ashes during the Ash Wednesday Community Service at Grace Methodist Church on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the start of the 40 days of the Lenten Season, a time of preparation for Christians through prayer, doing penance, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins, almsgiving, and self-denial. Its institutional purpose is heightened in the annual commemoration of Holy Week, which commemorates the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, beginning on Palm Sunday when Christ entered Jerusalem, through His crucifixion on Good Friday, and culminating with His resurrection on Easter Sunday.

https://www.uniondailytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/web1_thumbnail_20200226_120608.jpgCharles Warner | The Union Times Sally Summers sings Sign Us With Ashes during the Ash Wednesday Community Service at Grace Methodist Church on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the start of the 40 days of the Lenten Season, a time of preparation for Christians through prayer, doing penance, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins, almsgiving, and self-denial. Its institutional purpose is heightened in the annual commemoration of Holy Week, which commemorates the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, beginning on Palm Sunday when Christ entered Jerusalem, through His crucifixion on Good Friday, and culminating with His resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Charles Warner | The Union Times Kathy Stepp has a cross drawn on her forehead by the Rev. David Bauknight of Grace Methodist Church during the Imposition of the Ashes that concluded the Ash Wednesday service hosted by Grace Methodist last Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the six weeks leading up to Easter Sunday. Each year Grace United Methodist Church hosts a celebration of Lent with a service each Wednesday for the duration of the Lenten Season. Each service features a different minister from a different church in Union County delivering the Lenten Meditation. Bauknight delivered the Lenten Meditation last Wednesday and the Lenten Meditation at todays service will be delivered by the Rev. Lee Moseley of Union Presbyterian Church.

https://www.uniondailytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/web1_thumbnail_20200226_122557.jpgCharles Warner | The Union Times Kathy Stepp has a cross drawn on her forehead by the Rev. David Bauknight of Grace Methodist Church during the Imposition of the Ashes that concluded the Ash Wednesday service hosted by Grace Methodist last Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the six weeks leading up to Easter Sunday. Each year Grace United Methodist Church hosts a celebration of Lent with a service each Wednesday for the duration of the Lenten Season. Each service features a different minister from a different church in Union County delivering the Lenten Meditation. Bauknight delivered the Lenten Meditation last Wednesday and the Lenten Meditation at todays service will be delivered by the Rev. Lee Moseley of Union Presbyterian Church.

Grace Methodist hosts Ash Wednesday service

Charles Warner can be reached at 864-762-4090.

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The priest, the mugger, and Lent - Union Daily Times

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Falling Asleep free meditation for natural sleep ...

Transcendental meditation (TM) involves sitting with eyes shut for 1520 minutes twice a day while saying a mantra. The practice has several advantages for mental health but, until now, it was unclear how those effects came about.

TM differs from other meditation practices in that it does not require concentration or visualization.

Instead, TM practitioners come up with a mantra, which is a word or phrase that has no real meaning.

The practitioners silently think this mantra, allowing the mind to naturally transcend, while both the mind and body remain awake, yet relaxed.

Most people can learn TM in a few months, and benefits from regular practice may include reduced feelings of stress and anxiety in a persons everyday life.

Research has found some evidence of this. A 2013 study, appearing in Military Medicine, listed TM as a feasible treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in active-duty military personnel.

Similarly, a study appearing in The Permanente Journal in 2014, concluded that a TM program was effective in reducing psychological distress in teachers.

A 2016 study from the same journal found significant reductions in symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and depression in prison inmates who practiced TM.

With benefits seen in a relatively short period, one field of study has dived deeper into TM to find out exactly how it helps.

Now, new findings published in Brain and Cognition point to measurable functional effects in the brain of TM practitioners.

The study took place in the Molecular Mind Laboratory of Italys IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca and involved 34 participants.

Of the volunteers, 19 had to complete two 20-minute TM sessions a day for 3 months one session in the morning and one in the evening.

The remaining 15 participants continued with their usual daily routines.

At the beginning of the study, the researchers used psychometric questionnaires to measure how well each participant could handle stressful situations.

All participants also underwent a functional magnetic resonance imaging test (fMRI) to assess brain activity and functional connectivity between various areas of the brain.

At the end of the 3 months, each participant underwent another fMRI test and filled in the questionnaires again.

After 3 months, the participants who practiced daily TM perceived feeling markedly less stress and anxiety.

Specifically, following TM practice, the group of meditators reported a reduction in psychometric scores reflecting perceived depression, anxiety and stress in opposition to resilience and social skills, the authors write in the paper.

Results from the fMRI scans also showed that the reduction of anxiety levels is associated with specific changes in the connectivity between different cerebral areas, such as precuneus, left parietal lobe, and insula, which all have an important role in the modulation of emotions and inner states, says first author Giulia Avvenuti.

However, none of these changes [were] observed in the group that did not practice TM, Avvenuti points out.

Pietro Pietrini, study coordinator and IMT Schools director, says these findings raise further questions about the link between the brain and the mind.

The fact that [TM] has measurable effects on the dialogue between brain structures involved in the modulation of affective states opens new perspectives for the understanding of brain-mind relationships, he says.

The results may also indicate just how quickly TM can have a tangible effect on the brain and the feelings of individuals.

Organizations such as the David Lynch Foundation which co-funded the study encourage people with trauma or individuals who experience high levels of stress in work and education environments to practice TM.

The organization will likely use the results to amplify their work across the globe.

This work adds to the growing body of evidence in support of this form of meditation. It also raises other questions.

As Pietrini explains, his teams findings extend the results of recent research suggesting that drug therapies and psychotherapy leverage on the same biological mechanism.

Future research may, therefore, look at different ways of targeting these biological pathways.

Read more:

How transcendental meditation alters the brain - Medical News Today

Ease your mind, soothe your soul and connect with your inner self with a little help from these easy-to-use meditation apps.

Its widely known that regular meditation can help you feel less anxious, more focused and better able to handle the stresses of the day. But even more remarkable,researchers at Harvard, Yale and MIT suggest that practicing meditation could actually increase the size of the brain in areas responsible for sensory processing and attention. Thats pretty exciting news for people who suffer from ADHD, sensory processing issues, anxiety disorders and an overwhelming stress load.

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Whether youre new to meditation and need help starting a practice, or just interested in deepening a meditative study, try these apps to help you chart a course on your journey to well being.

Aura

Cost: free basic, premium memberships from $5.99 per month and up

If you feel like your life is way too hectic to meditate, or you just feel chaotic and have trouble remembering to stop and take time for yourself, the Aura app is for you. This mindfulness-oriented system offers thousands of diverse meditations, life coaching sessions and inspirational stories from some of the worlds most renown therapists and coaches. With options ranging from 3 minutes to an hour, youll have no trouble practicing self care with this one.

Download Aura

Calm

Cost: free, premium subscriptions/memberships from $14.99 and up

Called the Happiest App in the World by the Center for Humane Technology, this award-winning app is the top pick for beginners and people suffering from insomnia and anxiety. Filled with guided meditations, soundscapes, Sleep Stories and programs for breathing, stretching and relaxing, the Calm app has it all. Guided meditation sessions range from 3 to 25 minutes, and Calms exclusive Sleep Stories feature talent from iconic voices such as Matthew McConaughey, Bob Ross and Leona Lewis.

Download Calm

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Buddhify

Cost:$4.99 monthly or 29.99 annually

Buddhify can help even the busiest people find time for meditation, and it offers a beautiful collection of guided meditations for every mood of the day. This empowering family-run app focuses on mindfulness and encourages users to customize their own meditations. Sessions range from 4 to 30 minutes, and categories include Work Break, Walking, Waking Up, Stress & Difficult Emotion, Going to Sleep and much more.

Download Buddhify

10% Happier

Cost:$99 annually with a seven-day free trial

Who knew it could be so easy to feel 10 percent happier. Based around the New York Times best-selling book, the 10% Happier app will help you discover how to lead a calmer, lighter and happier life through a variety of guided meditation, powerful teachings and practical life lessons.

Download 10% Happier

RELATED:How womens poor sleep can increase risk of heart disease

Insight Timer

Cost:Free, premium membership offers 30 day free trial and $60 per year

Featuring the largest library of free guided meditation on the planet, Insight Timer features over 30,000 different sessions to choose from, specially curated meditations for children, music tracks, and inspirational talks from powerful speakers like Anthony DeMello and yogi Sadhguru.

Download Insight Timer

Make 2020 your year to shine by combining a meditation practice with a regular fitness routine. Thesenew workout studios in metro Atlantawill help you take your health and wellness to a whole new level.

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Keep calm and manage stress with these 5 meditation apps - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Headspace - The Wake Up

How long does it take for you to pick up your phone after you wake up in the morning? A minute? Two? Does it even take that long before you're scrolling through the emails that accumulated overnight or the social media that's piled up?

Most of us are trapped in a cycle of addiction where we're in permanent FOMO and scrambling to catch up as soon as possible every day. Headspace has been trying to get its users to slow down and take just ten minutes each day to disengage, reflect, and be a little more mindful.

But reminders are dismissible, part of the background noise, so Headspace is doing something different. It's finding its users where they're spending their spare minutes.

Getting sucked into a never-ending spiral of viral videos is a mindless activity, something that we do when we're bored, tired, or simply overwhelmed. In a case of "hidden vegetables" Headspace has launched "The Wake Up" a new feature that combines short, informative videos with mindfulness practices.

Each day, there's new Wake Up content designed by Headspace to help its members start their day on a mindful note. The 3-5 minute videos are informative or thoughtful, focusing on five key elements of living more mindfully: meditation, sleeping, moving, eating and playing.

So far the videos all follow the same pattern, a short intro to get you hooked and then a breathing exercise that helps you focus. After that the video continues and things are wrapped up with an animation and a lesson that ties in to the session. It reminds me of the "Moral of the story" bits that would play at the ends of 80s cartoons (but without the lasers and giant robots...see if you can do something about that Headspace).

The content is varied. The first segment I saw was about glass blowing and, honestly, I don't remember the lesson. But it did get me to break the cycle of hitting my phone first thing in the morning and starting to scroll. The meditative guided breathing helped me ease into my day rather than the usual pre-coffee jumble that I force my brain into when I jump right into work.

Today's Wake Up was about decluttering and, while I feel a bit seen (my office is still recovering from the holiday rush), it got me thinking about how the act of decluttering has a mental effect as much as a physical one.

The videos are well done, engaging while not being preachy or heavy-handed. Really, my only wish with the new Wake Up feature is that I could set a time for the notification to pop up (right now the notification activates at the same time for everyone). If it was the first thing I saw on my lock screen when I got up early in the morning, it would be even more useful.

It's a great move for Headspace and something that I think will help them find a user base beyond those that might not have time or aren't interested in traditional meditation.

In addition to The Wake Up, Headspace has also introduced Move Mode. Its meant to help you strengthen your mind while you're strengthening your body and features 28-day courses that guide you through quick workouts, mindful cardio runs, and rest day meditations.

The first series is led by British Olympic diver Leon Taylor and was developed by high performance expert Brandon Marcello PhD in close partnership with Headspace co-founder Andy Puddicombe. US Olympic volleyball player Kim Glass is also part of Move Mode and while she doesn't have a workout series of her own yet, she's featured in several of the individual workouts. You'll also find the rest of Headspace's workout-focused meditations in the new Move category in the app.

I'm really enjoying how Headspace is growing and adapting. With the addition of last year's Sleep category, the Nike Run Club collaborations, and the new Wake Up and Move features, it's clear that Headspace wants to give us every opportunity to try and find the balance we need to be our best.

If you haven't yet, download the Headspace app and sign up for a free trial. You can also check out their website for more information.

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Headspace Is Using Your Viral Video Addiction To Get You To Meditate More - Forbes

Another trap many organizations fall into is believing that the introduction of a mindfulness program can make up for significant underinvestment or inattention to employees actual working conditions, Dr. Worline said.

She recalled visiting a major hospital system to help with a unit of doctors who were dealing with an increasing error rate in their work. After she ran a session for the team focused on compassion and restoring meaning to medicine, she discovered that the unit was short seven staffers and many employees were working double shifts.

They very rightly said to me, You could sit here and talk to us about compassion all day long, its not going to make a difference in our stress levels, Dr. Worline said. No wellness management is going to work until you fix the working conditions for people there. In that case, wellness programs were a Band-Aid over a gaping wound.

Still, Mr. Israel, the meditation expert, is confident that as stress levels in the workplace increase, so will the demand for this kind of programming. Last year, at a hospitality design conference in Hollywood, Fla., he presented in front of hundreds of people from the industry.

Ninety-five percent of the people in the room had never meditated or done any of this before, and it was risky for the organizer to book me, but people loved it, he said. In these more traditional spaces where people are not in New York or Los Angeles, theyre starting to open up to this stuff.

And through these sessions, some of them are finding practices they can replicate on a more regular basis. Mr. Santulli, the office manager at WayUp, said he would look into hosting a weekly mindfulness session for the whole staff.

Stress and anxiety has been a big part of our life, and everything gets overwhelming sometimes, he said. This was the first time in a long time that I let go of this list of things I have to do, even for a moment.

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Can Wellness Heal the Workplace? - The New York Times

With virtual reality headsets, some clients are now being not just pampered in place but transported.

The new Kohler Waters Spa in Chicago is on a bustling street in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. But once inside, clients can find themselves a spot on a private beach, along a quiet mountainside or even inside a dark, comforting cave.

Well, thats if they fork over $95 for a 50-minute virtual reality pedicure (a traditional 50-minute pedicure there is $79).

It was perhaps only a matter of time before virtual reality was elevated from the gamers basement to the marble-lined, lavender-infused realm of luxury self-care.

Wellness has become a huge marketing term to attract those guests who want to not just have a beauty result at the end of their service, but want to feel relaxed, calm and now, increasingly so, de-stressed, said Patricia Heitz, a spa consultant in Delmar, N.Y. Virtual reality, she said, is taking that wellness service to the next level by transporting the guest to a place of inner peace and calm.

People receiving pedicures have long read fashion and gossip magazines or, more recently, poked at their phones. But while clients at Kohler stare off into a sunset, waterfall or relaxing scene of their choice, they also get to choose a meditation to accompany the view as they chill out in massage chairs and get their nails buffed.

And some spas are offering V.R. as a treatment unto itself.

At G20 Spa & Salon in Boston, customers pay $45 for a 30-minute guided virtual meditation. They pop on a V.R. headset while sitting in a reclining chair and choose a guided meditation along with an environment, like the Northern Lights or a forest.

Its gaining popularity, said William Engvall, the assistant spa director at G20, where the V.R. meditation has been on the menu since 2018. An average of five to 10 people a week visit the spa specifically for the guided V.R. meditation, he said.

A similar setup awaits visitors to Esqapes Immersive Relaxation, a V.R. meditation center in a Los Angeles office building, where clients can visit a garden, a desert, a Moroccan resort or snowbank cabin while sitting in a massage chair ($45 for 30 minutes).

V.R. and the extrasensory components are a key component of the treatment, said Micah Jackson, the C.E.O. of Esqapes. Giving the mind something to focus on, rather than letting it wander freely, is one of the tenets of meditation, he pointed out.

Adding virtual reality to the menu is also relatively low-cost for spas; an investment in equipment is required, but not the labor of extra aestheticians or staff, said Kate Mearns, the director of spa and wellness at LIVunLtd Spa & Wellness, a wellness service provider for residential and commercial buildings.

Because of staffing shortages, spas are looking for services that dont require licensed therapists, Ms. Mearns said.

Virtual reality allows spa guests to heighten their spa experience in a more D.I.Y. service setting, she said.

Many of the spas are using Guided VR, a service of Cubicle Ninjas, a digital agency in Glen Ellyn, Ill. Staff members there came up with the idea five years ago during a particularly bad winter, when they started hanging out on virtual beaches.

Our team didnt want to leave, said Josh Farkas, the C.E.O. and founder of Guided VR.

They decided to create guided meditation V.R., and started offering the service to dentists, elder care centers and spas.

The spas pay $150 to $300 per month per headset based on the size of the spa, and Guided VR provides the headset license, hardware setup and relaxation content.

When we built the B2B side, we thought that dentists, doctors and elder care would be a much bigger market, but spas are the most interested and willing to adopt, Mr. Farkas said.

Perhaps this is because spas are accustomed to charging for add-on services; if not milk and honey in the pedicure water, why not a trip to paradise?

A virtual reality experience at the beginning of a facial bumps the price up to $555 for 100 minutes from $350 for 90 minutes (the cost of a comparative standard facial at the same spa) at Qua Baths & Spa in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

The extra time at the beginning is devoted to a virtual relaxation, the aesthetician helping with the relaxation by touching the clients body in time with the meditation. Then the goggles are removed and the facial portion of the service begins.

This really allows the guest to be in that moment, to really relax, said Kristin Carpenter, the director of spas and salons for Caesars Palace.

But some people think V.R. has no place in settings traditionally devoted to pampering and spiritual escape.

Mary Bemis, the editorial director for Insiders Guide to Spas, believes that virtual reality and all the gadgets that come with it dont belong inside a spa.

In an all too virtual synthetic world, spa culture provides a high-touch, utterly human, unduplicatable experience, Ms. Bemis said. In a world of counterfeits, the gold-standard spa experience is that which is real, not virtual.

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Do You Honestly Find Spas Kind of Boring? - The New York Times