Academics Plus Tutoring Center

Last month we reviewed a study conducted in China on the effects of IBMT (Integrative Body-Mind Training), a type of meditation that helped students reduce levels of stress, depression, anger, and fatigue, as well as improve attention and mood after only 5 days of practice.  Today, we’d like to bring your attention to an article in the NY Times that introduces a different type of meditation, Transcendental Meditation.  When compared to other stress reduction programs, one that involved transcendental meditation showed significant reductions in blood pressure, which is associated with longer life span and lower incidence of cardiovascular disease mortality.  I know, this isn’t exactly what high school students are concerned about at the moment.  But we don’t think it’s ever too early to start caring for your body; you know what they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” 

Nigel Kahn, who teaches transcendental meditation in Cape Town, is interested in implementing a meditation program in high schools. And why not? He mentioned amongst its benefits of stress reduction, relaxation, and prevention against heart disease that “it is easier than other techniques of meditation as it does not involve concentration or effort. It is non- religious and requires no change in lifestyle.”