The art of sitting still: Tri-state residents embrace meditation practices amid pandemic – telegraphherald.com
Posted: February 13, 2021 at 10:54 pm
Yoga, reiki and other forms of Eastern therapy methods have deep roots in China, Japan, India and other parts of Asia, with philosophies and schools of thought often stretching back thousands of years.
But these methods of treating body, mind and soul with a variety of physical and mental exercises or, in the case of reiki, using the bodys energy to heal itself have found their way into the Western world in the past 100 years or so.
Jeff Wright is a yoga teacher from Platteville, Wis., who has been teaching in the tri-states since 1985. He said that even almost 100 years later, yoga wasnt trending all that much.
It was a different kind of thing back then, he said. It wasnt as popular as it is now.
Wright began studying meditation with a professor at University of Minnesota in the late 1960s. He pursued the art of meditation for many years and thought the physical practice of yoga would be a good addition to his routine.
I thought it would really help to learn yoga and keep practicing it if I taught, he said. If you teach something, youre motivated to learn more about it. Its been 50 years that Ive been interested.
According to The Good Body, a website that collects research and case studies on health, the number of people practicing yoga has tripled in the past eight years. Those people arent just looking for spiritual enlightenment. The top reasons cited include relief from stress, anxiety and depression and a desire to improve energy, memory and focus.
However, in addition to the physical, moving practice of yoga, Wright also has a passion for stillness something he has been cultivating for more than 20 years.
Ive really simplified what I do and what I think helps people the most, he said. With COVID, Ive stopped teaching physical yoga. Im really focusing on stillness practice. Its just being still and letting the brain do what its going to do.
Wright emphasized that, like any good habit, its important to practice daily, even though we might not always want to do it.
Its like sleep in that way, he said. We need a reintegration of our minds but in a wakeful way. A lot of stuff goes into the brain, and its not always pleasant, so we dont always look forward to it.
Wright meets with two stillness groups per week, one at Rountree Gallery in Platteville and one at Body & Soul Wellness Center and Spa in Dubuque.
He also believes the act of being still is a perfect practice for what he calls formal public sitting (FPS).
FPS is based on two premises: One is that sitting, relaxed and wakeful for at least 20 minutes a day, unguided, allows us our natural mental health, he said. The second is that when doing this practice around others, they feel inspired by your stability and may join you as well. When many practice together, there is peace.
The core elements of yoga, particularly the act of stillness, is really very natural, Wright said.
You see animals in nature doing this all the time, sitting still for periods of time, he said. Its really a very natural thing for all beings to do. Its a turn-off for a lot of people that think that its something so exotic.
In fact, Wright said the process is not at all intimidating but simple. Theres nothing to learn, and the whole group is in and out in an hour.
We sit for 15 minutes, then we walk and loosen up a bit, then sit for another 15 minutes, then do it again, he said. Then, we chat for about 10 minutes, and then were on our way.
While Wright admitted the demographic for yoga has been middle class White, he would like to see diversity in his stillness groups.
Ive had so few minorities, he said. Id love to see a broader spectrum of people. This isnt a big, splashy idea, but its so useful. I just think there are so many other people who are missing these benefits.
Wright said sitting still doesnt have to mean doing nothing. In fact, he encourages those who need to keep busy to do whatever they want to do.
You have to give yourself time to get to those intuitive insights in your mind, he said. That may mean reading or spacing out in front of the TV. Its doing whatever works for you.
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, such self-care and wellness practices have seen an uptick.
Rachel Harwood, owner of Perfect Zen in Dubuque, has been a reiki master for more than a decade. Reiki is a form of energy healing and can be used for both physical and emotional healing.
When people ask me what reiki is, I try to get them to understand that their body is full of energy, and we carry those through all of our experiences, she said. When you get an emotional response in your body, thats an indication that you have fully processed it. If you dont feel any tension or emotion, thats an indication that youve fully processed it, that youve moved past it.
Harwood uses a variety of methods in her practice, including sound massage and sound meditation, using singing bowls and tuning forks to pick up imbalances with discrepancies in sound.
I can hear it, and my client can hear it, she said.
While meditation focuses on breath and mind visualization, sound meditation brings the focus to atonal sounds using singing bowls, chimes or bells.
Body & Soul and Center of I Am in Dubuque boast similar offerings.
The sound tools help to entrain the vibration of cells and help them vibrate back to where they should be, Harwood said. Its an amazing way to balance the nervous system. When were in a state of stress, our body isnt in a place where it can rest or heal.
Harwood emphasized that our bodies are designed to heal themselves.
Were accepting of the Western model of medicine having things done to us and taking medicine, and that will fix you, she said. But we have much more power over our bodies than we realize. We have more control than we give ourselves credit for.
Brittany Wagner is a nurse from Ridgeway, Wis., who works at Upland Hills Hospital in Dodgeville, Wis. She has been a client of Harwoods for several years.
Ive been going to Rachel for more holistic therapies such as reiki and sound healings, she said. Theyve all been a great complement to my mental and spiritual health, especially while working in the pandemic.
Wagner also practices clarity breathing with Harwood, a method of breath work that can help access the subconscious.
It can take you to a million different places, Harwood said. It can be great for people who arent afraid to go there.
Wagner said the breath work she has done has greatly improved her personal and professional lives.
Its brought me a sense of balance and stillness, she said. Its in that stillness that I am able to reset and find some mental clarity and stress reduction.
Wagner said the work she has done with Harwood has made her feel more grounded as a nurse, wife and mother. It also gave her the confidence to step out of her comfort zone and be part of a medical mission in Guatemala.
I never would have had the confidence to do it if it werent for the medical and spiritual training Ive had over the years, she said.
Harwood also teaches yoga to school children at Challenge to Change in Dubuque. Teaching these methods of relaxation and stress reduction to young children has been rewarding for her. Harwood said Challenge to Change yoga programs are in more than 200 schools this year, compared to just 14 a few years ago.
We teach them mudras, which is a way of holding their hands or fingers to show how theyre feeling, she said. Youll see kids walking around the school holding their hands in these mudras. They are recognizing that this is something they need, and theyre connecting with that intention.
Harwood would love to see everybody learn yoga at a young age and thinks it could positively impact the course of their lives.
I believe that we all have access to connect with our inner knowing. Why wouldnt you want to know how to better understand how to connect to yourself? she said. Yoga is about tuning in and realizing what youre feeling. Theres a lot we can learn, and a lot that we can do if we pay attention early enough.
Originally posted here:
- 7 types of meditation: What type is best for you? - February 13th, 2021
- How to Meditate with Anxiety - Mindful - February 13th, 2021
- A Beginner's Guide to Meditation | Learn the Basics of How ... - February 13th, 2021
- 12 must-know meditation tips for beginners - February 13th, 2021
- 11 Best Meditation Apps 2021 - Free Meditation Apps for ... - February 13th, 2021
- New Jersey | Vipassana Meditation Center Dhamma Dhar - February 13th, 2021
- Loving-Kindness Meditation | Practice | Greater Good in Action - February 13th, 2021
- Meditation | UMD Health Center - February 13th, 2021
- Movement, Meditation & White Space: Health Coach Says Give These A Try When Facing Pandemic-Related Stress - CBS Denver - February 13th, 2021
- Qigong Meditation: For Beginners, Techniques, Benefits, and More - Healthline - February 13th, 2021
- MasterClass Announces Class on Mindfulness and Meditation - Yahoo Finance - February 13th, 2021
- Doctor's Order: There is power in meditation - Daily Herald - February 13th, 2021
- Smart Health: I Tried MindTravel's Silent Walking Meditation and It Reignited My Zeal for Mindfulness - Everyday Health - February 13th, 2021
- Columbia wellness studio hosts night of art and meditation - ColaDaily.com - February 13th, 2021
- Shark self care: Meditation | The Current - The Current - The Student-Run Newspaper of Nova Southeastern University. - February 13th, 2021
- This Netflix meditation series calmed my anxiety and kicked off my family's meditation journey - Motherly Inc. - February 13th, 2021
- Amazing Benefits of Morning Meditation - Gildshire Magazines - February 13th, 2021
- Nomadland: Read The Screenplay For Chlo Zhaos Meditation On The American West - Deadline - February 13th, 2021
- Meditations for Hitting the Pandemic Wall | Seriously? - North Coast Journal - February 13th, 2021
- Meditation Market 2021 | Covid-19 Impact Analysis and Industry Forecast Report Till 2027 | Simply Better Apps, Smiling Mind, Inner Explorer KSU | The... - February 13th, 2021
- Find peace in troubled times with Northwich meditation centre - Northwich Guardian - February 13th, 2021
- LaKeith Stanfield on 'Judas and the Black Messiah': I should've done some meditation, and some therapy, to prepare for something like this' - Yahoo... - February 13th, 2021
- 10 different types of meditationand which one is right for you - Gwinnettdailypost.com - February 3rd, 2021
- The Best Meditation Apps to Download Right Now - HarpersBAZAAR.com - February 3rd, 2021
- Meditation Market In-depth Research Covering Share Analysis, Industry Overview and Forecast | Key Players Simply Better, Apps Smiling, Mind Inner... - February 3rd, 2021
- How to Start a Meditation Practice if You Hate Meditating - WebMD - WebMD - February 3rd, 2021
- Five meditation apps that can help your child to relax - The Indian Express - February 3rd, 2021
- 5 Best Meditation and Yoga Gear You Can Buy From Uneedum - Kev's Best - February 3rd, 2021
- Meditation, the highest sadana - The Hindu - February 3rd, 2021
- Taking the Edge Off Best Meditation Apps for 2021 - Parentology - February 3rd, 2021
- Yoga nidra is an easy, fail-proof alternative to meditation - Insider - INSIDER - February 3rd, 2021
- Ask an Expert Relax and de-stress with meditation - Cache Valley Daily - February 3rd, 2021
- Hunter McGrady on How She's Taking Care of Her Mental Health During the Pandemic - POPSUGAR - February 3rd, 2021
- Review: 'The Dig' Is a Gentle, Hazy Meditation on the Fragility of Life and the Ways It Lingers On - ourcommunitynow.com - February 3rd, 2021
- Starbucks Is Offering Rewards Members Free Meditations To Pair With Their Coffee Break - Delish - February 3rd, 2021
- I Couldn't Stay Still and Focused, So I Started Meditating on the Move Here's How - POPSUGAR - February 3rd, 2021
- Wellbeing webinar: improved brain function via meditation - Epigram - February 3rd, 2021
- Kevin Hart And His Comedian Friends Want You To Meditate With Them - TheThings - February 3rd, 2021
- Student org promotes peace and mindfulness through meditation - The News Record - February 3rd, 2021
- Starbucks Offers Rewards Members Free Meditations To Go With Their Coffee | 106.7 Lite fm - iHeartRadio - February 3rd, 2021
- Cindy Crawford on Turning 55, Upping Her Meditation Game and the Under-Eye Product She Stores in the Fridge - NewBeauty Magazine - February 3rd, 2021
- Meditation Chime Sales Market Projections, Growth Rate, Challenges, Opportunities and Forecast by 2026 | Woodstock Chimes, TM Thamelmart For Beautiful... - February 3rd, 2021
- Kevin Hart Invades Headspace And Your Meditation Will Never Be The Same - Forbes - January 25th, 2021
- From Harry Styles to Kevin Hart: New Content Studios Are Selling Meditation and Sleep With Stars' Help - Hollywood Reporter - January 25th, 2021
- Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has his own way of meditatinghere's what he does - CNBC - January 25th, 2021
- A Chance Meeting In Bali Sparked This Celebrity-Favorite Meditation Brand - Forbes - January 25th, 2021
- Just breathe: How meditation is helping the world keep calm and carry on through lockdown - The Sunday Post - January 25th, 2021
- Healthier Together: meditation for stress relief - fox13now.com - fox13now.com - January 25th, 2021
- Samantha Akkineni enjoys bliss post her meditation session; Tells fans to make it a part of their life - PINKVILLA - January 25th, 2021
- Filling Our Hearts with Love Through Meditation - TAPinto.net - January 25th, 2021
- The science behind meditation - COVER - COVER - COVER - January 25th, 2021
- Sven Tennis Day 9 Hard Lockdown at the Australian Open Meditation, Spin Class and the Power Shot Maker - 10sBalls - January 25th, 2021
- New Deep Learning Discovery Paves Way for AI Interpretation of Brainwave Data - PR Newswire India - January 25th, 2021
- Orgasmic meditation - What is orgasmic meditation? - cosmopolitan.com - January 25th, 2021
- Meditation Market With COVID 19 Impact Analysis| Leading Players In-depth Analysis Research Report Foresight to 2027 KSU | The Sentinel Newspaper -... - January 25th, 2021
- A beginner's guide to meditation - RTE.ie - January 25th, 2021
- Whats The Buzz NY - Mark Stephens Author , Hypnosis and Meditation Master - BlogTalkRadio - January 25th, 2021
- How Headspace is helping users cope using meditation amid COVID-19 - Yahoo Finance - January 25th, 2021
- Global Meditation Singing Bowl Professional Survey 2020 by Manufacturers, Regions, Types and Applications, Forecast to 2026 - KSU | The Sentinel... - January 25th, 2021
- 'Promising Young Woman' crackles and burns as a meditation on revenge and grief - North Texas Daily - January 25th, 2021
- How Will Global Yoga And Meditation Accessories Market React from 2021 Onwards? NeighborWebSJ - NeighborWebSJ - January 25th, 2021
- Mindfulness Meditation Application Market by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast To 2026 Breethe, Stop, Breathe& Think,... - January 25th, 2021
- Global Meditation Singing Bowl Market Size, Share and Revenue Strategy 2026 NeighborWebSJ - NeighborWebSJ - January 25th, 2021
- Designing a Meditation Room That Supports Your Mind, Body, and Soul - California Herald - January 25th, 2021
- An Unexpected Meditation on Aging and Human Connection in THE MOLE AGENT on POV, Monday, January 25 at 9:30 pm - WOUB - January 25th, 2021
- Global Yoga And Meditation Accessories Market 2020: Trends, Market Share, Industry Size, Growth, Opportunities Analysis and Forecast to 2026 Murphy's... - January 25th, 2021
- Make it through 2021 with one of these top-rated meditation apps - New York Post - January 19th, 2021
- Covid-19 accelerated the worlds embrace of meditation apps - Quartz - January 19th, 2021
- 10 Best Places for Guided Meditation Online in 2021 - Healthline - January 19th, 2021
- What meditation app is best for you? - Quartz - January 19th, 2021
- Focus on mental wellness in 2021 with these five meditation apps | TheHill - The Hill - January 19th, 2021
- How Headspace and Calm led the boom in meditation apps - Quartz - January 19th, 2021
- Musical Meditation and Celebration of Tu B'Shevat - jewishboston.com - January 19th, 2021
- Meditation for the Masses | The 21st Show - WILL News - Illinois Public Media - January 19th, 2021
- Im a Meditation Teacher, and This Is How I Use 5 Minutes To Let Go of Something Each Day - Well+Good - January 19th, 2021
- Why Wellness and Meditation Apps Need More Diverse Voices (Literally) - Well+Good - January 19th, 2021
- Muse S review: meditation and sleep wearable is no dream come true - Wareable - January 19th, 2021
- Sounds of silence & some noise make for the perfect meditation at "Angelic Roots" - WDJT - January 19th, 2021
- I started hosting daily meditation sessions on YouTube: How an assistant professor at U of T is helping himself (and his subscribers) get through... - January 19th, 2021
- I Recommend Meditation: The Headspace Series On Netflix Will Help - knue.com - January 19th, 2021