Are you interested in Meditation?
	Then come with me as we explore the subject in more detail.
	Since 1980 meditation has played a huge part in my life. I have explored meditation in great detail and have found it to be a fantastic way of finding a place of peace and calm. If you have ever experienced stress, carried worries or fought fears or perhaps just looking for an oasis in your busy life, then meditation will be a huge help for you. Meditation can take you to a place of tranquillity where peace, love and grace are yours in abundance.
	Are you stressed?
	Stress is something each of us will have experienced at some point in our lives. If you are anything like me, with a six year old son who has enough energy for the whole nation, then you will have experienced stress at many times throughout your life. I am a wife, a mum (to a teenager as well as a six year old) and have a full time job. Life is not normally quiet - it is usually full of 101 things to do - all of which should have been done yesterday! Stress therefore is something that most of us have to live with. Of course, not all stress is bad - positive stress can motivate you to accomplish goals etc., but bad stress can lead to health related problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, headaches, insomnia, panic attacks, irritable bowel, back problems as well as depression and anxiety. In fact stress can affect us mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally.
	So...how do we deal with stress?
	There are many ways - so let me share a few with you. 1. Deep Breathing - When I was training to become an elocution teacher, I was astonished to discover that 50% of the nation breathes incorrectly. Half of us shallow breathe instead of breathing from our diaphragm. If we breathe incorrectly and 'shallow breathe' it can add further stress to our bodies. Deep breathing means we are using our diaphragm to breathe and therefore filling our lungs with air. If you feel stressed, make sure you take a couple of deep breaths and it will help to calm your body and help you feel more in control. Breathe in through your nose and then release the air slowly through your mouth. 2. Meditation - I have discovered meditation to be a huge help in a stress filled life. It is a fantastic way of helping us deal with stress. There are many different forms of meditation but I would not recommend any other than the one based on the Christian faith. This is the type of meditation I have used for years and have discovered that it works. It is the purest and most original form of meditation. Christian meditation is as old as the earth itself and has been practised by millions of ordinary people throughout the centuries.
	The amazing thing about meditation is that whether you have 20 minutes to spare or whether you only have 20 seconds, you can feel its benefits.
	There are many ways to meditate - on the Bible, on nature, objects, using chocolate (yes, you can even use chocolate to meditate) or using music and your God given imagination. I am going to talk here about the latter way. Some people find it easy to use the imagination and visualise a picture - others might struggle - if you belong to the latter section, then can I encourage you to keep pressing on through - because it is easier than you think. Let me explain what I mean.
		Close your eyes and bring back to your mind a familiar picture - like your bedroom or your lounge? Can you see it in your mind's eye? What about the last time you went on holiday? Can you remember it? Can you see yourself standing on that beautiful sandy beach? Can you see the sun shining? Can you feel the hot rays of the sun on your body? Can you see the blue sky above you and hear the noise of people having fun around you? Feel how relaxed you were at that point. If you can begin to bring these pictures back to your mind, then that is visualisation - using your imagination to see with your mind. I have three CD's (Peace Like a River, A God Encounter and Journey to The Cross), which use
	music, the imagination and the spoken word, which takes you on a journey that will ultimately lead you to a new and fresh destination. The meditations I have written are all based on the Bible and my prayer is that they will lead you to a new exciting place where it will be easy to get in tune with the creator of the universe and bring you to experience true freedom.
	3. Exercise - Physical exercise is very good for you. Not only does it help you to relax but it also releases positive endorphins into your body which help you feel happier - a great reason to exercise more. NGM, the charity that I work for, has many exercise classes running each week - pilates; dancersize; abba-aerobics etc., do contact NGM's fitness instructor, Zoe Wickham on 01454-414880 or email zoewickham@ngm.org.uk if you are interested in details of our courses.
	Walking is also extremely good for you. Regular walking strengthens the heart and lungs. You may not realise that 'power walking' in other words walking at a brisk pace can burn off the same calories as jogging or running. So get out there and start walking. If you happen to live near a park or in the country, then you have the added bonus of being able to get in touch with nature. Walking beside the natural beauty that God created can be great therapy and is a wonderful tranquilliser.
	However, let me give you some exercises that you may not learn in an exercise class. These exercises can be fun to do but will also help release stress and help you relax. Yawn - when you yawn you take in a huge amount of oxygen, which then helps the body relax. Stretching your face - as wide as it will go as you say the following vowels one after the other - A, E, I, O, U. Raise your shoulders to the ears. Hold for a few seconds, and then lower them again. Repeat this exercise a few times.
	4. Positive Words - we live in such a negative culture. When you receive five encouraging comments and one negative comment - which one do you remember the most? We all remember the negative. We find it easier to believe negative comments about ourselves than we do the positive. We need to try and build a positive word culture within ourselves. Speak to yourself and give yourself confidence. Speak to your reflection in the mirror and say 'I can do it'. 'I can make it'. 'I will succeed'. 'I am wonderfully and fearfully made - I am an amazing creation'. Remember words can destroy as well as build up - so decide to nourish and value yourself and those around you by speaking out positive words. You know how great you feel when someone gives you a compliment - so why not give a compliment out today. Prayer - Another way of using positive words is to develop the skill of prayer. Let me tell you what people have discovered prayer can do. In recent researches a university studied 4,000 over 65's who regularly attended church and found that going to church reduced blood pressure and the chance of strokes. Another independent study of 2,600 people showed that prayer improved the immune system and lessened depression/anxiety. Psychologists from Sheffield university and Ulster university studied church attendance, prayer and faith of 474 UK students and found that those who prayed daily or often and attended church were found to be less depressed and anxious and felt better psychologically than those who rarely prayed. So try praying regularly - it can really help you physically and spiritually.
		5. Smile and Laugh - You cannot smile without your body relaxing. The latest research tells us that laughter triggers the release of an anti-body called immunoglobin, which boosts the immune system. Scientists have discovered that laughter lowers blood pressure and massages the heart as well as other vital organs in our body. There's a proverb in the Bible that says 'A cheerful heart is good medicine but a broken spirit makes you sick'. So try smiling a lot more - it will help you to deal with stress and it will also brighten up other people's days.
	If you have any questions or would like to contact me please email me at nancy@nancygoudie.com or write to me at - Nancy Goudie, Caedmon Complex, NGM, Bristol Road, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 3JA. Tel. - (01454) 414880 Fax - (01454) 414812. Nancy Goudie
	Meditation CD's
	Peace Like a River   A God Encounter   Journey To the Cross     Meditations for Mind, Body and Soul. This recording will take you to a place of tranquillity where peace, love and grace are in abundance. Each journey will take you to a positive and peaceful destination. Use this CD daily and you will find peace like a river flowing through your soul.   My prayer is that this recording will transport you to Heaven itself and that you will encounter God through this worship experience.   A unique look at the central point of the Christian faith through the eyes of those who were actually there. This meditation CD will take you back 2000 years ago to discover what happened when Jesus died on the cross.   I also have a book called Nancy Goudie's Spiritual Health Workout that talks more on spiritual exercises including meditation.     To buy Nancy Goudie Merchandise Click Here