Meditation for Weight Loss – How Yoga Helps You Lose Weight

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Sometimes, you just need to hush and take a chill pill.   So many of us are so caught up with our physical health, that's it's easy to forget about our spiritual health.

Dr. Martha Lynn of the Awaken Whole Life Center, appeared on Tuesday's FOX 4 Morning Show to explain what meditation really is and what are the benefits of doing it on a regular basis.

Meditation is an important practice for the mind, body and spirit.  According to the American Institute of Stress between 75 percent and 90 percent of all general practitioner visits are stress related.

Meditation is an emptying or concentration of the mind -- emptying of thoughts or concentration on one thing.  Meditation involves mindfulness which brings one's complete attention to the present moment.

Self-regulated attention -- mindfulness is non-judgmental, conscious awareness of our thoughts, feelings and surroundings.  Mindfulness practice replaces judgment with curiosity, openness and acceptance.

Hundreds of thoughtful studies have been done on the benefits of meditation and mindfulness.  A few of the benefits are:

• Lowers oxygen consumption
• Decreases respiratory rate
• Creates emotional balance
• Increases blood flow and slows the heart rate
• Leads to deeper levels of relaxation
• Lowers blood pressure
• Decreases muscle tension
• Reduces distress
• Changes our brain. The cells and neurons in the brain are constantly making new connections and disrupting old ones based on responses to stimuli.

The Awaken Whole Life Center will host a pop-up wellness event in connection with Living Wellness Kansas City. It will be held from 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3.  Go to to register.

Be sure to pick up the September/October issue of Living Wellness Magazine. It's on store shelves now.