Relaxation

When it comes to maintaining balance and recovering from episodes of stress we, we rely on a vital bit of kit called the parasympathetic nervous system. It is fundamental to keeping us calm. One of its many useful functions is to stimulate something called the vagus nerve, which calms the heart down after it has been overworked.

However, repeated stress inhibits our parasympathetic nervous system. As a result, the vagus nerve doesn’t activate to calm our heart back to its natural rate. Consequently, the body finds itself in a constant state of emergency alertness and we’re never quite able to relax.

When we meditate, we break through all the layers of inner resistance that hold us back from being able to truly relax. Our mind, body and nervous system gently settle down.

Beeja increases the alpha waves in our frontal lobes, which are associated with relaxation.

Physiological and biochemical changes take place which de-stress our bodies; including reduced plasma cortisol, deep muscle relaxation, reduced physical excitation and increased wakefulness. These effects are twice as strong as they would be during ordinary rest.

Another recent study found that Beeja meditation not only reduces stress via activation of the fight or flight response, it also increases the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which leads to us feeling more relaxed when we meditate. Beeja meditation reaches a state of deep relaxation up to 5 times as deep as the deepest point of sleep!

A meta-analysis of 146 studies looking at the effects of various relaxation techniques on anxiety found that Beeja meditation was 2½ times more effective than other forms of meditation.

The mantras used in Beeja meditation have such a soothing effect that our nervous system restores to its most natural equilibrium. The vagus nerve engages fully, our heart rate calms down, and all systems settle into a state of complete relaxation.

Within seconds of saying the mantra, our mind becomes more coherent and our muscles melt into a state of comfort we usually only experience with a massage or a hot bath.

Rather than feeling fidgety, we are content to sit quietly while the bliss chemistry triggered by meditation washes over our system.

After 20 minutes’ meditation, we feel fully recharged and completely ready to face the demands of our day or to embrace the evening or weekend, without the tensions of life overshadowing our experience.

We are relaxed but also fully engaged and alert.