NPR's Science Friday had a segment a few weeks ago on Meditation and the effect it had to lower stress. This was noted by the decrease in cortisol in the body, the stress hormone. The specific technique used, was to have the person meditating stay as completely present as they could. One typical way is to focus on the inhale-exhale breath or even count the breaths, along with other ways such as visualization.
It was suggested as a daily routine, and the results were significant and long lasting.
It made us realize what a 'routine' we have with the Astanga practice ~ a set sequence we come to regularly, in which we not only watch the body and breath, but we ultimately count the movements of the body and count the breaths ~ an absolute meditative practice to keeping the mind present.
Learn it, be it.
