Meditation In Love

Embracing the Healing Art of Focused Relaxation

Focused relaxation is a valuable aspect of total wellness; however a majority of people are not sure what that is. It may be due to the large number of definitions and explanations associated with the term or the inability to distinguish fact from fiction. Realizing that, "the public may often be confused by the rapid developments in behavioral medicine and what can be outlandish claims for treatments from less-than-scrupulous practitioners," a group called simply "the institute" was formed in 1983 as a middle ground between the public and health professionals to offer responsible advice, distinguishing between the proven and the hyped, as well as the efficacy of relaxation techniques.Focused relaxation has two main components: mental and physical. Physically, the muscles throughout the body begin to release tension. Mentally, the mind is quieted and focused inwardly on the body and breath at that very moment, a state of mind is then created in which stressors, negative self-talk, and other worries can be eliminated from the mind. When both body and mind are purposefully relaxed, it is possible to enter a deeply restorative state.The term "Focused Relaxation" is actually a wide umbrella that covers numerous modalities, such as, but not limited to yoga, tai chi, meditation, prayer, visualization, guided imagery, biofeedback, progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing exercises, and Qi Gong. Many consider relaxation as simply sitting still or not having to do anything taxing or exerting. While that is a form of relaxation, it does not produce the healing health benefits of the more purposeful and focused exercises.In a report by Paul Lehrer of Rutgers Medical School in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research he asserts, ''Just feeling relaxed may not be the same as being truly relaxed physically.'' The act of systematically focusing attention and awareness is a process that decreases the wear and tear on the mind and body from the challenges and stressors of daily life.Many of the techniques practiced today only mildly resemble their original forms. As with many Western practices, people adapt the principles to suit their own sensibilities. Author and researcher Mark Singleton asserts: "As elements of relaxation therapy were assimilated into the lexicon of Modern Yoga, they helped to create a new conceptualization of the function and goal of yoga itself, both in India and the West."Practices that combine mental awareness with movement, such as Yoga and Tai chi are often described as "meditation in motion" and perhaps more accurately "medication in motion." The slow rhythmic movements stand in stark contrast to the fast paced Western lifestyle of busyness. These types of activities force the mind to focus on breathing and being fully immersed in the current moment. It allows the participant to turn down the constant mental chatter and mentally relax while physically engaging in these slow movements.Many people find it increasingly difficult to slow down and focus within. This simple fact makes it a worthy practice. Learning to harness one's personal energy and to calmly focus within is a valuable skill for managing hectic times of stress, which is recognized as one of the leading causes of preventable illness. Fostering an ability to slow breathing and reduce the heart rate through practiced relaxation techniques can be extremely restorative, allowing one to think more clearly and calmly.Author and renowned speaker Brian Tracy discusses the results of over activity: "Most people are so busy rushing back and forth that they seldom take the time to think seriously about who they are and why they are doing what they are doing. They engage in frantic activity, instead of thoughtful analysis." In his summation he points out an all too important lesson, "[People] get so busy climbing the ladder of success that they lose sight of the fact that the ladder may be leaning against the wrong building."Through exploring and embracing the benefits of focused relaxation therapy one can begin to experience personal clarity and reduce potential illness from stress related conditions. It is all part of balancing the exertion and recovery cycle. Most wellness practitioners only discuss the exertion portion, however when properly balanced, it is the recovery portion that allows the exertion to be considered and carried out. In the weeks to come I will explore this concept further, so you may decide for yourself if this could be the missing part of your wellness routine. This is Part II of a five-part series on the benefits of Focused Relaxation.