The Benefits of Standing Meditation
When we do standing meditation we are giving ourselves an opportunity to raise the potential and strength of our body, mind and spirit. There are several points to consider as we stand in the posture developed by Chinese Taoists known as 'Zhang Zhuan' ('Holding the Tree' in English & 'Ritsuzen' in Japanese) :
1. Posture
We learn to correctly align the body which helps to facilitate the free flow of energy around the body. If the body is not properly aligned then we will experience increased levels of tension as energy is blocked, especially in and around the joints, and muscles tighten. We can keep these alignments in mind during our everyday life ; when we are sitting at a desk or up and moving around.
2. Mindfulness
Holding a static posture and bringing our awareness into the present moment helps us to become more aware of what is occurring in our mind, body and environment. The body sends signals to the brain via the nerves so the less you move your body the less signals are sent which means less distraction for the mind, so helping to quieten and concentrate it. The more present we become the more our mind begins to settle and balance which leads to....
3. Stress Reduction and Increased Mental Clarity
You will find that you will become increasingly able to release thoughts and emotions instead of locking onto and identifying with them (and then getting stressed out). You are giving yourself the opportunity to allow a natural tranquility to arise. This inner tranquility balances and strengthens the mind which also enhances mental clarity. You will find yourself with an improved ability to read situations and people that present themselves to you in your life, and you will feel more comfortable in your body.
4. Whole Body Exercise
When we stand the whole body is being exercised. Moreover, it is being exercised in a gentle, unified way. Because you are not doing vigorous, aerobic-type exercise you are not burning lots of energy but, instead, increasing your energy levels by gathering energy and then storing any excess. Less stress is put on your heart and lungs. Your pulse stays in the normal range and you don't have to stop exercising in order to let you heart rest and to catch your breath. The standing meditation posture works the muscles, nerves and all the internal organs simultaneously.
5. Relaxation of Muscles
After aligning the whole body correctly and becoming more aware of where we are holding tension in the body we consciously relax this tension. Relaxed muscles facilitate a freer flow of blood and lymph, and freer movement and nerve flow. Tight muscles pull on the bones which pulls the body out of alignment ; this can lead to pain, stiffness, injury, wear and tear in the joints etc. This relaxation of the muscles (combined with proper alignment of the body and holistic movement) also allows a more relaxed power to manifest. The muscles can more easily loosen up and allow energy to flow through instead of straining to create physical power.
6. Internal Organ Massage
When we stand we relax the chest instead of sticking it out. We also relax the abdomen, allowing the abdominal organs to to drop. This allows energy to drop to the abdominal organs, producing the effect of increased internal pressure on the organs. Increased internal pressure causes the glands of the body to increase their secretions. Relaxation and correct alignment of the chest and abdominal area makes it easier to breathe more deeply from the belly which gives the abdominal organs a massage, making them healthier and stronger.
7. Blood Circulation
The blood is circulated around the whole body efficiently and effectively when we stand due to the effect of increasing the elasticity of the blood vessels, rather than by exercising the heart. The vessels start to expand and contract with more vigour which means less stress is put on the heart as it doesn't need to pump blood as strongly. Tight muscles impede the blood flow so the relaxed yet toned state of the muscles we cultivate when standing also assists in the circulation of the blood.
8. Core Reserves of Energy are Built Up
A lot of modern exercises and sports are strongly performance orientated. This means people often push themselves too hard during training. Moreover, the exercises they do work primarily on the muscles, the heart and lungs. All this leads over time to a depletion of the body's core reserves of energy. Long-term stress also severely depletes the body's energy. Core reserves will be needed when we get older to fight off potential internal organ problems and various health issues. Standing meditation helps to release accumulated stress and tension from the body. It strengthens the nerves and internal organs and then increases energy reserves. You will then have more than enough energy to draw on for any health emergencies etc.
9. Strengthening of the Nerves
Bringing your awareness into your body for longer and longer periods of time helps you to get in touch with your body and feel what is happening inside it and where. This gives you the ability to start to consciously release stress and tension. The work is accomplished through the nervous system, the intermediary between the mind and body, so the more you practice the more your nerves are strengthened and body awareness is enhanced.
10. Body Cells Change Shape
The shape of our body's cells becomes more elliptical when they are influenced by thoughts, feelings and emotions, which is the first step to disease. When we do standing meditation we give ourselves a chance to release stress, become more present and less caught up in our thoughts and feelings. This unlocks the impact of the thoughts and feelings on the cells, allowing them to return to their more spherical, natural shape facilitating healing and more ease in the body.
1. Posture
We learn to correctly align the body which helps to facilitate the free flow of energy around the body. If the body is not properly aligned then we will experience increased levels of tension as energy is blocked, especially in and around the joints, and muscles tighten. We can keep these alignments in mind during our everyday life ; when we are sitting at a desk or up and moving around.
2. Mindfulness
Holding a static posture and bringing our awareness into the present moment helps us to become more aware of what is occurring in our mind, body and environment. The body sends signals to the brain via the nerves so the less you move your body the less signals are sent which means less distraction for the mind, so helping to quieten and concentrate it. The more present we become the more our mind begins to settle and balance which leads to....
3. Stress Reduction and Increased Mental Clarity
You will find that you will become increasingly able to release thoughts and emotions instead of locking onto and identifying with them (and then getting stressed out). You are giving yourself the opportunity to allow a natural tranquility to arise. This inner tranquility balances and strengthens the mind which also enhances mental clarity. You will find yourself with an improved ability to read situations and people that present themselves to you in your life, and you will feel more comfortable in your body.
4. Whole Body Exercise
When we stand the whole body is being exercised. Moreover, it is being exercised in a gentle, unified way. Because you are not doing vigorous, aerobic-type exercise you are not burning lots of energy but, instead, increasing your energy levels by gathering energy and then storing any excess. Less stress is put on your heart and lungs. Your pulse stays in the normal range and you don't have to stop exercising in order to let you heart rest and to catch your breath. The standing meditation posture works the muscles, nerves and all the internal organs simultaneously.
5. Relaxation of Muscles
After aligning the whole body correctly and becoming more aware of where we are holding tension in the body we consciously relax this tension. Relaxed muscles facilitate a freer flow of blood and lymph, and freer movement and nerve flow. Tight muscles pull on the bones which pulls the body out of alignment ; this can lead to pain, stiffness, injury, wear and tear in the joints etc. This relaxation of the muscles (combined with proper alignment of the body and holistic movement) also allows a more relaxed power to manifest. The muscles can more easily loosen up and allow energy to flow through instead of straining to create physical power.
6. Internal Organ Massage
When we stand we relax the chest instead of sticking it out. We also relax the abdomen, allowing the abdominal organs to to drop. This allows energy to drop to the abdominal organs, producing the effect of increased internal pressure on the organs. Increased internal pressure causes the glands of the body to increase their secretions. Relaxation and correct alignment of the chest and abdominal area makes it easier to breathe more deeply from the belly which gives the abdominal organs a massage, making them healthier and stronger.
7. Blood Circulation
The blood is circulated around the whole body efficiently and effectively when we stand due to the effect of increasing the elasticity of the blood vessels, rather than by exercising the heart. The vessels start to expand and contract with more vigour which means less stress is put on the heart as it doesn't need to pump blood as strongly. Tight muscles impede the blood flow so the relaxed yet toned state of the muscles we cultivate when standing also assists in the circulation of the blood.
8. Core Reserves of Energy are Built Up
A lot of modern exercises and sports are strongly performance orientated. This means people often push themselves too hard during training. Moreover, the exercises they do work primarily on the muscles, the heart and lungs. All this leads over time to a depletion of the body's core reserves of energy. Long-term stress also severely depletes the body's energy. Core reserves will be needed when we get older to fight off potential internal organ problems and various health issues. Standing meditation helps to release accumulated stress and tension from the body. It strengthens the nerves and internal organs and then increases energy reserves. You will then have more than enough energy to draw on for any health emergencies etc.
9. Strengthening of the Nerves
Bringing your awareness into your body for longer and longer periods of time helps you to get in touch with your body and feel what is happening inside it and where. This gives you the ability to start to consciously release stress and tension. The work is accomplished through the nervous system, the intermediary between the mind and body, so the more you practice the more your nerves are strengthened and body awareness is enhanced.
10. Body Cells Change Shape
The shape of our body's cells becomes more elliptical when they are influenced by thoughts, feelings and emotions, which is the first step to disease. When we do standing meditation we give ourselves a chance to release stress, become more present and less caught up in our thoughts and feelings. This unlocks the impact of the thoughts and feelings on the cells, allowing them to return to their more spherical, natural shape facilitating healing and more ease in the body.