Meditating for seizures? Join me.

I want to be successful at meditating because the evidence based research is overwhelmingly in favor of meditation.  Meditation can help with: weight loss, reducing chronic stress, helping to manage stressful situations, depression, managing cardiovascular disease (yep!), for recovery from illness, managing wellness, managing family, balance your hormones and so much more.

Meditation can help with reducing seizures.  In the journal entitled “Modulation of cardiac autonomic balance with adjuvant yoga therapy in patients with refractory epilepsy”, the yoga group showed significant improvement in parasympathetic parameters and a decrease in seizure frequency scores.  The authors conclude that “the data suggest that yoga may have a role as an adjuvant therapy in the management of autonomic dysfunction in patients with refractory epilepsy”.   Breathing and mindfulness are included in yoga practice.  Yoga may not be practical for many, but meditation can be done anywhere and anytime.

Everytime I read about the positive effects of meditation I think ‘I need to commit’.  But the true story is, I suck at meditation.  I’ve tried in the past to sit quietly, legs folded, hands in a receiving position, focusing on a white sheet of paper.  It lasts about 3 seconds before thoughts come in like a hail storm. ‘I could go for a run’, ‘did Lainey take her lunch?’, ‘I could use a new pair of shoes’…you name it, I think it. Anything and everything but that white sheet of paper.  I usually get up from my meditation attempt and decide I’m bad at it and quit.

So here I am announcing that “I commit to meditating!”.  BUT, in order for me to be successful I know I need to approach meditating differently.  In other words, no more me sitting on a pillow hoping for the white sheet to work miracles.  Rather I’m treating this as if I’m training for a marathon.  I have to start slow; with tools that will make me successful.

So I’ve chosen two free meditation audios and I’ve reviewed them both.  The first is 10 minutes long and is guided by a female instructor.  She tells me what I need to hear and I’ve tried it and found it to be soothing and helpful.  The second meditation is guided by an Australian male,  17 minutes long (a little lengthy) but soothing and supportive as well.  No white sheets required and I seem to retain greater focus.  YES!

This is where I need your help.  I need to create a habit and I believe too that you will benefit whether you are experiencing seizures or are the loved one that provides the love and support.

Will you join me? For 10 minutes a day for 10 days?  Here’s the scoop:

1. I’ve included two links for guided meditations in this blog.
   1. Cultivating Peace and Joy  (Aussie male and 17 minutes long)
   2. A long list of other meditation options.
   3. Sending Love (Female and only 10 minutes long)
2. You need to set 10 minutes aside for yourself to do this.  It can be at home, in the car, sitting outside or inside.  YOU Choose!
3. You’ll need your computer, or your smartphone and ear plugs if you choose.
4. I’ll post throughout the 10 days appreciating your input and invite you to post and share as you please.

Sound do-able? Are you in?

If so we’ll begin this Wednesday October 15th, 2015.  (By the way you are never too late to join)

Looking forward to it and looking forward to hearing from YOU!

Be well,

Lynn