Meditation
Clear the mind of daily clutter.

We often think lotus positions, "ohm" sounds and Indian yogis when we hear the word "meditation."

The practice may seem ambiguous, reserved for more spiritual people who listen to chime-y, drum-beating music and shop at New Age stores.

Many people who meditate may enjoy increased spirituality, but that doesn't mean meditation is unattainable for the layperson.

"Meditation's a way of controlling the mind," said Mark Devenpeck, who co-owns Irvine-based Triad Yoga, offering yoga, Pilates and meditation classes.

"A lot of people are doing it mainly for the stress reduction. If you can clear the mind, then the body will perform much better, also."

A lot of athletes now are turning to meditation, which helps them focus so they don't panic under pressure, he said.

"It doesn't matter what religion you subscribe to, what you do or who you are," said Dana Nellen of Laguna Niguel, who teaches yoga, meditation workshops and courses, and has been practicing meditation for 30 years. "Ultimately it's used to attain self-realization or to become one with God or the divine energy that underlies the universe.

"But you can use it to center yourself on a daily basis. It helps you detach and (step) back a minute from life."

Martha Jensen, a meditation facilitator with Patient Health Education at UCI Medical Center, teaches a "Meditation for Health" class sponsored by the hospital, where she discusses such benefits as relaxation and stress relief.

"When the body relaxes, it enables it to heal it itself," she said.

Other benefits of meditation, Jensen said, are increased awareness, improved sleep, a sense of well-being, mental acuity, immune system improvement and a sense of personal peace and calm.

Sound good?

Here are some tips on how to meditate from Nellen:

• Keep your spine straight, but you can sit or lie down. "You get in touch with your heart more easily when your spine is straight," she said.

• Breath is important because the mind, breath and body are all interconnected. "When you learn to slow your breathing down, you calm your mind down and it slows the nervous system and the muscles," she said.

• Sit on either wool or silk, because it holds the energy in the body.

• Wear the same set of clothes each time you meditate, because the energy builds in whatever you're wearing.

• Choose the same meditation spot, one you like. The energy also builds in the area of where you sit. "It becomes easier to get into the state of meditation," she said.

• Meditate every day, even if it's just five minutes to start with.

• Chanting or quiet and uplifting music may help meditation, depending on the person. Drum-based meditation music can help. "The drums are the sound of the inner self," Nellen said. "There are different sounds that evoke the inner self. ... They open your heart."

• Perhaps an inspirational picture like that of the Virgin Mary or Buddha feels right to you. Or you can have scented candles, incense or flowers to make it your sacred meditation place, but all are optional.

• Be completely present in what you're doing - whether it's eating or washing dishes - to meditate in everyday life. "There's a peace and quietness that really comes when you really give yourself to what you do," she said.

WHERE TO MEDITATE

Triad Yoga
2626 Dupont Drive, Suite A20, Irvine, 949-724-1479
Offers meditation classes every Sunday, 9-10 a.m., by donation. Co-owner Mark Devenpeck also teaches meditation in private sessions.