How many times have you reminded yourself to take a deep breath when youre upset?

That advice has roots in meditation and can be a building block to a healthier, happier, more mindful life. Meditation is an ancient practice that gained momentum in the 1960s and '70s but never went mainstream. Thats beginning to change now with celebrities, corporate executives and health and education experts touting new studies on its benefits.

Patti Spadaro of Houston is living proof. Personally, I can say a regular meditation practice has brought tremendous benefit to my life, she said. Spadaro is a busy mom and owner of Sri Yantra Yoga, which offers meditation classes.

I feel very happy these days, she said. Im feeling good emotionally, mentally and physically. Meditation has made me a better person and a better parent. Spadaro dove into meditation eight years ago when her kids were young and now uses it daily to help manage stress and feel more confident. Ive even used meditation in the dentist chair and it really helped during the birth of my second child, she added.

Shannon Hemmingson of McMurray studies meditation at Sri Yantra Yoga and started meditating 15 years ago because she felt rested and calm after yoga classes. She says meditation allows her to let go and simply be. Like anyone else, I have a full-time job, a spouse, children, a house and aging parents, Hemmingson says. There are times when I wonder how I am going to be able to get through the day. I have learned that I cannot carry all of that around with me. I meditate and get on with my day and try to be present wherever I am.

How it works

There are different types of meditation and techniques, but all center on the ability to focus your mind. John Bruna has a background as a counselor and school teacher and now runs meditation and mindfulness workshops. He said the starting point is to clear your mind, concentrate and put your mind where you want.

Meditation is a tool to really start living the life you choose, Bruna explained. Most of our lives are on autopilot. Theres stuff to do and we have lists in our heads. With meditation, you can train your mind to be present in what youre doing and be aware.

In other words, meditation is a tool you can use to become more mindful and focused. Bruna added, You walk into a room and forget why you walk in there. Your mind is not present in the situation. Stress, worries, fears, concerns all of those are in the mind. You cant sleep at night because your mind is busy. In those cases, your mind is running your life. Meditation allows you to train your mind to attend to what you choose.

Meditation is the practice of quieting your mind from the messages and repeated thoughts you play in your head. What is real is the present, Hemmingson added. Accessing this space is what meditation is about. We are pulled by distraction in our minds and from the 24/7 access to television, texts, emails and social media. It is important to recharge. Thats one reason the meditation movement is gaining momentum as people seek solace and a way to unplug from their electronic devices and the related stress.

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The new meditation movement

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Politicians have claimed mindfulness, which is used to reduce stress and anxiety, could help inmates become better citizens once they leave jail.

They have said the meditation lessons would help prisoners learn skills of gratitude, appreciation and personal balance.

Labour's Chris Ruane helped introduce mindfulness into the Houses of Parliament and it is currently adopted by around 115 MPs and peers.

He said prison officers and inmates should learn together while the approach should also be extended to police officers and military personnel.

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If it works with big beefy marines, I think it could work with British prison officers

Labour's Chris Ruane

The Vale of Clwyd MP added that Google, Apple and other top international companies use mindfulness as do the US Marines.

He told the Commons: "If it works with big beefy marines, I think it could work with British prison officers."

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Prisoners should have MEDITATION lessons 'to reduce violent behaviour'