The purpose of this article is to provide information on meditation techniques that show to cope with pain, or in some instances, possibly even overcoming pain with the use of techniques derived from Yoga meditation. The first thing that needs to be made clear is that meditation is not complicated, doesn't take a lot of time, and can be done by anyone.

Meditation is an age old healing and stress relieving modality practiced throughout the world, in virtually all cultures and all religions. Meditation is a contemplative technique for focusing your mind on a specific object or thought, for religious, spiritual or relaxation purposes and this often leads to feelings of great calm or peace in body and soul.

There are many different meditation techniques; in silence, with the aid of chanting, or listening to meditation music. Sometimes the focus of concentration can be on a picture or on the rhythm of your breath and posture. Whichever approach is used, you will need a quiet environment and a fixed period of time when you will not be interrupted. Next, choose the thing you wish to focus on, like your breath or a particular word or phrase, or a physical object, and get into a comfortable position (lying down is not a good idea as you might go to sleep). The goal is to achieve a state of 'mindfulness' - where you are aware of what is going on around you, but are detached from your immediate surroundings, almost in a light trance state. Most people’s experience with meditation is limited to this Alpha State; but there are two deeper states where the mind gets progressively stiller.

Meditation is an important spiritual practice among many religions, including Sufism, and Jewish and Christian mystical tradition, but is most closely associated with Buddhism and with yoga. Meditation is used in the context of Buddhist teachings to indicate the controlling and directing of one's mind inward in the quest for enlightenment. Although meditation can be done while walking, standing, sitting or lying down, usually emphasis is placed on sitting meditation or ‘zazen’.

There are a number of documented physical and psychological benefits to meditation, many of them arising out of a research project from Harvard Medical School Professor Herbert Benson. Studies have shown that even 20 minutes of meditation can help reduce blood pressure, heart and breathing rates, reduced muscle tension and slowed the metabolism. Sometimes when you have reached a deep state of meditation, you will begin to see swirls of colour, mental pictures, or internally hear a voice talking to you. Follow-on studies have shown meditation can help relieve stress and anxiety, headaches, migraine, fatigue, depression, insomnia and chronic pain.

As we become healthier, happier and realize greater self-awareness, the other benefits of meditation begin to follow naturally, for instance, improved mental functioning, greater intuition as well as greater access to unconscious resources and abilities. Traditionally meditation has been used for spiritual growth but more recently has become a valuable tool for managing stress and finding a place of peace, relaxation, and tranquillity in a demanding fast-paced world. The combination of daily meditation and yoga classes will bring you closer to a stress free life.

>> Read more about meditation benefits from a practitioner