Ever planned a vacation down to the last detail, only to realize that you hadn't planned for spending several hours on an uncomfortable airplane seat with limited entertainment? One option is to sleep instead. Or… it would be, but you forgot to buy an airplane travel pillow. Perhaps you didn't forget this step. Perhaps you bought a travel neck pillow, but now that you're putting it to use, it's somehow making things worse rather than better (we bet we can guess which type you bought: read on to find out). What's the point of these things anyway? Finding a good travel-size pillow isn't easy, especially when shopping online. These things need road-testing in very specific circumstances, and it's hard to...
While they both have similar goals, the two differ in terms of method and style. While yoga consists of physical exercises, meditation is a conscious mental state. Both have the same benefits for the mind and body. Meditation has many advantages over yoga, and is highly recommended for people looking to achieve a deep spiritual state. However, you should choose one over the other based on your own personal preferences. This article will compare the two. Yoga is a form of physical exercise There are many benefits of yoga, including increased immune system function and reduced stress. Both physical exercise and meditation help to build the body's immune system, and yoga is known to improve the functioning of...
The basic idea of meditation is to bring your attention back to your breath, and then repeat that action until the timer goes off. This works your attention muscle, and you will soon notice improvements in your concentration and attention span. If you are new to meditation, here's a quick guide to get started: Guided Meditation If you are new to meditation, guided meditation is the perfect way to get started. These recordings offer step-by-step instructions to help you start. You can also purchase books or a video to practice meditation at home. Guided meditation is not as difficult as it seems; all you need is the right set of tools to get started. To get started, here are...
As humans, we are attuned to and project energy. The term energy is often used to describe levels of alertness and a lack of fatigue, but it is also commonly used in a more spiritual sense. Spiritual energy is referenced in many ancient cultures and religions and can be described as inter- and intra- personal forces, flow, or essence. You have observed and felt these energetic forces before. For example, when you visited a place and suddenly felt uneasy or anxious without an apparent reason. Or, when you visit a feel-good spot, your shoulders drop, your mind becomes quiet, and you begin to breathe more easily. This can happen anywhere. It could occur while visiting a particular space, a new country, or when...
In kindergarten you would spend more time seated on the floor than a chair. Kids are always on the floor – coloring, reading, playing - but as children age, they move to a table, then a desk, and before you know it, they are spending 7 hours a day seated in an office. Your standard desk and chair scenario wreaks havoc on your posture, muscle mass, and back. It’s why so many of us are in pain and hunched over. Even after a long day at work, you come home, eat dinner at your kitchen table and then move to a chair or sofa in your living room to watch TV. We don’t often spend time seated on...
When you sit on your meditation pillow, close your eyes, inhale and exhale – what happens? Many people are familiar with the benefits of meditation, how to do it, and where to do it, but few really understand what happens during meditation and the stages you go through. Yes, it stills the mind and relaxes us, but there is more to it. A meditative state happens in stages. As you let go of all the distractions and your mind stills, you reach more profound levels of meditation. The fact that there are stages of meditation is predominantly undisputed; however, there are conflicting opinions on the number of stages and what happens in each. When looking at meditation...
We’ve all heard stories and folklore about the full moon... people start acting bizarre, have sleep troubles, and emergency rooms are in overdrive. But, moon-related insomnia (read more on our blog Does the Moon Affect Your Sleep) isn’t the only side-effect of the moon’s power! By aligning with the moon's phases, you can feel more aligned and even manifest your greatest desires. The moon is said to have feminine or yin energy which involves both receiving and surrendering. Throughout history, cultures and religions have practiced various rituals aligning with the moon’s phases. Today more people are practicing their own modern moon rituals and spiritual and metaphysical shops are selling a range of books, candles, and crystals to channel...
You went to bed early, fell asleep quickly, and had a great night’s rest on your buckwheat pillow. But, after your alarm goes off, you feel groggy, confused, and entirely out of it. How does this happen? We assume that when we have a good night’s rest, we will wake up feeling refreshed and energized, ready to take on the day - but this isn’t always the case! This groggy state is referred to as sleep inertia. Sleep inertia is a phenomenon that results in feelings of drowsiness, cognitive impairment, disorientation, and grogginess that occurs after waking, even after getting adequate sleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, it is more common in those with alternative sleep schedules...
There are many appealing qualities of a meditation practice - one being that you can do it any place at any time! Meditation doesn’t require fancy equipment, an expensive membership, or an expert trainer. It is often described as a state of mind or a heightened level of consciousness that provides you with a range of benefits such as improved sleep quality, reduced anxiety, and increased focus. Meditation is an ancient practice that has grown in popularity and is now practiced worldwide. And although you don’t need anything to meditate, some accessories or tools can help enhance it. These tools, like a meditation pillow, can deepen your meditation, allowing you to meditate longer or reach your meditation goals, whether that be...
I used to be one of those people who questioned friends who said they “loved running.” I just didn’t understand the appeal. It felt uncomfortable and, quite frankly, a bit boring. That was until I decided to run my first 5K. The challenge and the fact that I had never really tried it intrigued me. After I started wearing proper running gear and training, running felt entirely different and now I, too, am someone who loves to run! If you want to lace up and take on running, you’ve come to the right place. I will share tips and tricks from professional running coaches and seasoned runners. But, before we start moving, let’s get you in the right gear!...
Exercise that focuses on both the body and mind is increasing in popularity due to the holistic benefits it provides. For example, in yoga, you may begin your practice on your meditation pillow, focusing on your breath and clearing your mind. This is followed by postures and movements that increase flexibility, stamina, and strength while simultaneously increasing circulation. Tai Chi is another excellent way to strengthen the connection between mind and body. It has a long history and is considered an art form or moving meditation that provides many health benefits. The practice of Tai Chi originated in China and was also known as Shadow Boxing. The term, Tai Chi, was first referenced during the Zhou Dynasty between 1100-1221 BC. It...
Benjamin Franklin said there are only two things that are certain in life: death and taxes. Although true, I could add another to that list of certainties, and that’s my cup of coffee in the morning. Coffee is the one thing I can count on. Often in life it can feel like a new curveball is thrown your way every day. You wake up after a great sleep on your latex pillow and your schedule quickly goes out the window. Conflicting family schedules, kids, and daily responsibilities are all competing for our attention. But, before your day goes array, your morning can be peaceful. Depending on when your alarm goes off (or your kids wake up), you could enjoy...
