Articles by Tara Thorne
Mind
The transformative power of pranayama
While the practices of meditation and deep breathing have been around for thousands of years, scientists have only recently begun to document...
More inspiring stories
Mindful escapes with Billabong Retreat
In the fast-paced and demanding world we live in, finding moments of stillness and calm can be challenging. In an attempt to find a little peace...
Mythbusting: Gut health
If you want to get your gut in order, Dr Will Bulsiewicz is the expert to help you sort out fact from fiction. This is the gut-health cheat sheet...
Plant-based recipe inspiration
Pad see ew
Who doesn't love a big bowl of steaming noodles? Try this healthier version of one of our favourite Thai dishes.
Chargrilled vegetable salad with couscous, spiced coconut yoghurt and almonds
Add a layer of smokiness to your vegetables with this chargrilled salad.
Tzatziki pita pockets
Tzatziki is a Greek staple, and the perfect creamy and zingy addition to any savoury meal.
Butter bean smash with roasted mushrooms
Creamy beans with a hint of lemon are the perfect base for delicious, garlicky mushrooms.
Meatless meatballs with marinara sauce
If you didn’t know better, you’d swear that these vegan meatballs were made with meat. You can add any herbs and spices you like to this...
Baked gingerbread porridge with caramelised pecans
It actually tastes like gingerbread men! Slice it up and take it to the office, or stick it in lunch boxes for a simple snack on the go.
Apricot custard tart with Persian glaze
This beautiful custard tart can be adorned with any stone fruit you please. We’ve used apricots, but peaches or nectarines would be wonderful,...
More inspiration from our mindful collective
Natural sleep oils
Spraying sheets and pillows with calming scents can be a wonderful aid to slumber
To wander with no purpose
The next time you go for a walk, discover the wonder of the everyday world around you
Let it glow
A skincare routine can be a way to nourish yourself inside and out
Seeking the silver lining
When the clouds converge, practise gratitude for the smallest of glimmers, and learn to dance in the rain.
The transformative power of pranayama
While the practices of meditation and deep breathing have been around for thousands of years, scientists have only recently begun to document their positive impacts. In a world where stress is ubiquitous, the need for calm has never been more pressing.
Modern scientific findings are validating what ancient mystics knew thousands of years ago: when practised regularly, meditation and deep breathing can significantly enhance our overall health and wellbeing. What’s even more exciting is that science is now suggesting that these practices have a very real impact on our stress responses, as scientific literature continues to document the physiological changes that occur when we practise meditation and deep breathing.
Due to their many health benefits, these techniques are fast becoming part of holistic and functional health professionals’ protocols for achieving and maintaining optimal wellness – which is good news, since it’s needed now more than ever. At no other period in history has stress been as pervasive as it is today.
A look at the basics
While there are numerous forms of meditation, they all share a common goal: to quieten the internal chatter of the mind and create a sense of peace, calm and tranquillity in order to enhance both mental and physical wellbeing.
Of particular interest in today’s society is mindfulness meditation – also known as insight meditation – which has its roots in vipassana, one of India’s most ancient forms of meditation. This particular style – which focuses on non-judgmental awareness of sensations, feelings and state of mind – appeals to a wide range of people from various cultures and religions, and is now one of the most popular meditation techniques practised in the West.
Similarly, deep breathing exercises are becoming known for their powerful stress reducing benefits. Deep breathing helps to instantly balance our sympathetic (fight-or-flight) nervous system with our parasympathetic (rest and digest) response. It’s a very powerful stress reduction tool you can implement in any place, at any time, for free. Ever feel your breath quicken and become shallow when you’re stressed? Or perhaps you even hold your breath periodically throughout your busy day? These are all symptoms of an activated fight-or-flight system, and increased stress in the body.
Diaphragmatic breathing – which is also referred to as abdominal and belly breathing – is probably the most commonly known breathing technique in the West. This type of deep breathwork allows you to fully fill your lungs as the lower belly rises, which is something people seldom do.
Finding calm
Taking time out of your busy day to breathe deeply can do wonders for your overall sense of calm. Moreover, implementing a daily meditation practice, even five to 10 minutes, can dramatically relieve symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression.
We are fortunate that today we have access to apps such HeartMath and Headspace and devices such as Muse that are making these stress reduction techniques easier to implement than ever before. When it comes to fighting against the sometimes overwhelming demands of modern day life, meditation and deep breathing are viable options that are free and simple to implement, but have very real and deep benefits to our overall health, happiness and wellbeing.
More inspiring stories
Mythbusting: Gut health
If you want to get your gut in order, Dr Will Bulsiewicz is the expert to help you sort out fact from fiction. This is the gut-health cheat sheet...
Mindful escapes with Billabong Retreat
In the fast-paced and demanding world we live in, finding moments of stillness and calm can be challenging. In an attempt to find a little peace...
More inspiration from our mindful collective
Natural sleep oils
Spraying sheets and pillows with calming scents can be a wonderful aid to slumber
To wander with no purpose
The next time you go for a walk, discover the wonder of the everyday world around you
Let it glow
A skincare routine can be a way to nourish yourself inside and out
Seeking the silver lining
When the clouds converge, practise gratitude for the smallest of glimmers, and learn to dance in the rain.
YOUR INPUT