Making Life A Celebration!

According to MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association), "living with neuromuscular disease (NMD) involves specific challenges — some physical, some strategic, some structural — that can create stress and contribute to changes in both physical and mental health. Research shows that meditation, mindfulness, and similar stress-reduction techniques can especially help with cardiac and respiratory health." 

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Breathing Exercises & Meditation for NMD

Breathing exercises and meditation are an amazing tool for improving the state of both physical and mental health of people (both young and adult) with Neuro Muscular Diseases (NMD) such as Muscular Dystrophy. Here is an excellent article on benefits of meditation for NMDs on MDA website. 

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Respiratory Health Benefits: Breathing exercises are shown to improve the pulmonary function that includes lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange. According to Lung Help-Line respiratory therapist Mark Courtney, If practiced regularly, breathing exercises can help rid the lungs of accumulated stale air, increase oxygen levels and get the diaphragm to return to its job of helping you breathe.

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Mental & Emotional Health Benefits: Stress, anxiety, depression, fear, sadness, anger, loneliness, and self pity are just some of the emotions that are experienced by many people with Neuro Muscular Diseases. All of these emotions can be reduced markedly with the daily practice of breathing exercises and meditation. 

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My personal experience: 

A daily 20 minute practice of powerful breathing exercises followed by a short meditation has helped my mental and respiratory health immensely. I have been practicing SKY Breathing Exercise and Sahaj Samadhi Meditation for over 9 years. Here are just a a few of the benefits that I have personally seen from my daily practice:

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• Great boost in energy levels and stamina

• Strengthened diaphragm and increased lung capacity 

• Significant reduction in stress & anxiety

• No longer need anti-depressants or muscle relaxants

• Feeling of deep calm and peace throughout the day

• Feel light on my feet and able to walk for longer distance   

• Great Improvement in sleep - no longer need sleep aids

• From depressed to upbeat and enthusiastic

• No longer have chronic physical pain  

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Clinical Research: 

There are over 100 research studies done on the benefits of SKY breath Meditation on physical and mental health including significant reduction in stress and anxiety levels, increased energy, and improved lung function.