09 Sep Integrative Wellness Summit: Kristin Metheny
The newly formed Telluride First Foundation’s freshman conference is an Integrative Wellness Summit, Friday, September 11 – Sunday, September 13, 2015. The event brings together top experts in the fields of nutrition, longevity, and integrative healthcare, who plan to share the latest scientific findings and the great potential for enhanced, holistic wellness inherent in those discoveries and methodologies. Topics will include the impact of diet and exercise on longevity, methods for creating optimal brain health and performance, and the impact of food choices on body chemistry and mental and emotional states.
In addition to the top-tier speakers – keynote Deepak Chopra; nutrition expert Dr. T Colin Campbell (listen to his interview here); brain scientist Dr. Jill Bolte-Taylor (her story and podcast here); Ultraman Rich Roll (his podcast here) – on Saturday and Sunday, the Summit offers classes led by popular local instructors, including yoga, hiking, qigong, and guided meditation with Kristin Metheny.
If you are one of those people who knows in your heart meditation is good for you, but think you just can’t quiet the noise in your head long enough to reap the cascading benefits, you may want to give it a go with Kristin, a gifted intuitive.
And going forward, Kristin will also be posting regularly on Telluride Inside… and Out. Her series, “Guided Meditations for Home Practice,” begins at the beginning with answers to the question “Why Meditate?”
The full schedule for the Wellness Summit is here.
Kristin Metheny’s story below.
Why Meditate?
According to Emma Seppela, of the Center on Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University, there are at least 19 scientific reasons why a person should meditate.
It improves your Health:
•Increases immune response
•Decreases pain
•Decreases inflammation on the cellular level
It boosts your Happiness:
•Increases positive emotion
•Decreases depression
•Decreases anxiety
•Decreases stress
It boosts your Social Connection:
(Yes! – that’s right it actually increases your sense of connection to others.)
•Increases social connection and emotional intelligence
•Makes you more compassionate
•Makes you feel less lonely
It boosts your Self-Control:
•Improves your ability to regulate your emotions
•Improves your ability to be introspective
It changes your Brain for the better:
•Increases grey matter
•Increases volume in areas related to emotion regulation, positive emotion and self-control
•Increases cortical thickness in areas related to paying attention
It improves your Productivity:
(I know this may sound counter-intuitive, but it’s true!)
•Increases your focus and attention
•Improves your ability to multi-task
•Improves your memory
•Improves your ability to be creative and think outside the box
It’s nice that science has caught up to what many of us have felt and been benefiting from for years. And, don’t worry if you are still struggling with starting, or being consistent with, your own meditation practice – here are some tips to help:
• The goal of meditation isn’t necessarily to empty your mind of all thought (that is only one form of meditation). Often, when you first get started your thoughts are all over the place, and that’s OK. Focus on your breath and witness the mind chatter as it comes in – it usually has something to teach you. Eventually, as you allow yourself to notice your thoughts without reacting to them they calm down.
• Pick a form of meditation that works for you. (For an overview of different meditation techniques check out: http://liveanddare.com/types-of-meditation/) There are so many ways to go. Surely you can find an approach that is right for you.
• You don’t need to be in a seated position and completely still to meditate. According to Yoga International, meditation is achieved when the mind is clear, relaxed, and inwardly focused. You can also reach that state while moving, so, if you prefer try meditating on the go, simply bring your attention to how your body feels, watch your inner dialogue without judgment, and focus on your breath.
• Choose a designated time to meditate, working your way up to 20 minutes a day. Set an alarm on your phone for the same time each day to get into a routine. Experiment which time of day is best for your schedule – morning, midday, or evening.
• Don’t judge your meditation time! One day you may feel completely relaxed and in the flow and the next you won’t be able focus. Know that even if you don’t feel the connection in the moment, the process is having a positive effect on you.
Meditation is to your mind what a shower is to your body. You wouldn’t go without bathing and once you feel the benefits of meditating, you won’t go long without that either. It’s basic self-care that unfortunately most of us weren’t taught when we were young. But, it’s never too late to start experiencing the value of a meditation practice – every minute you put into it will pay off in spades!
About Kristin Metheny:
Kristin Metheny, intuitive and expert meditation guide.
Kristin Metheny is an intuitive, who assists people in connecting with their inner guidance, the truest source of happiness. Kristin teaches that we really can have it ALL. Our souls tell us we are meant to be prosperous, feel great, and live a balanced, beautiful life.
Kristin’s passion is to assist everyone in living their dreams – on purpose and completely fulfilled. To that end, she teaches intuitive arts and meditation classes and offers intuitive readings and coaching.
Kristin has been on her path, studying intuitive arts, since 2002. She holds an M.A. in Social and Organizational Learning.
Kristin leads a Guided Meditation with Intuitive Guidance class at the Telluride Yoga Center, Fridays at 11:00 a.m., and is a guest teacher at conferences, including the Telluride Yoga Festival and Telluride Integrative Wellness Summit.
For more information and to download Kristin’s free Grounding Light meditation, visit www.wisdomworking.com
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.