There are many benefits of meditation including stress reduction, clarity, decreased depression and improved concentration. The art of meditating has existed for over 2,500 years and is practiced by many people from all walks of life – from the dalai lama, Oprah Winfrey and celebrities to athletes and business CEOs. A study done by UCLA found long term meditators displayed better-preserved brains than non-meditators as they aged.
Derived from the Latin word meditari, meditation translates to "to think, contemplate, devise, ponder.” With over 23 types of meditation styles, how does a beginner start? Here are four popular and easy meditation types:
Body scan meditation
Focuses on tuning into different parts of the body. You can easily do this by starting at the crown of your head and going down all the way to your toes. Ask yourself how each part of your body feels as you slowly breathe in and exhale, noticing any sensations within the body. This method is great for people who find it hard to concentrate and is an excellent way to relieve stressful thoughts.
