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meditation is often misunderstood by those who do not practice it. Very often, I hear meditation referred to as, altered states of consciousness. That sounds more like intoxicants, rather than bringing clarity to a cluttered mind. Without going too deep into what meditation is, or is not, lets focus on one of the many things a daily meditation practice can do for you.

Meditation is commonly seen in many yoga classes, but it has been practiced by a variety of cultures, including Roman Catholic priests, as well as Japanese Samurai, who practiced a form of zen meditation. I mention this so you can see the full spectrum of meditation and its many facets.

There are many varieties and types of meditation, but the easiest form to learn is, breath awareness meditation. Compared to many other meditation techniques, this will enable anyone to experience the benefits of meditation in much less time.

At this point, lets consider that meditation and Yoga teachers often compare the mind to a monkey. Many thoughts are running through your brain, at the same time, and it is hard to control all of your impulses - let alone, sit still and meditate. So why go through all this trouble?

meditation has many rewards, and we will now consider one of extreme value. Through daily practice of meditation, you will release the unlimited potential of your mind. The ability to change, or alter the universe, starts as a single thought within your mind.

One human decided to harness the power of fire, and did he/she foresee the global warming effect? How could he/she imagine where we are now? This is just one of many thousands of examples of Karma - the law of cause and effect. Therefore, one seemingly small change, of any kind, will have a ripple effect on the universe.

Some of the seeds to change the universe, rests locked up in your mind, but you have the ability to shape the future by any small changes that you make. Lets say you have a friend, family member, or associate, who cares for you deeply, but, up to now, you have always taken it for granted. Can you imagine what would happen if you take the time to groom that relationship? The answer is you would have a loyal ally and all you had to show was kindness or appreciation.

You have the ability to alter your own personality and affect the world around you. Hopefully, your personality will always continue to change for the better; if so, this will alter everyone around you for the best.

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in north Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a yoga Business Right for You? For yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Sure, you get to go out shopping for new exercise clothing, but exercising through your pregnancy is beneficial in a variety of other ways. It helps you control your weight during pregnancy and makes it easier to lose weight after your baby is born. It keeps your muscles toned and flexible, for shorter and easier labor and delivery. You will also be less prone to suffer from depression, constipation, back aches and varicose veins.

Some forms of exercise or sports should be avoided by pregnant women. Swimming and water aerobics provide great cardio workouts and tone your body, while the water supports your weight, virtually eliminating stress to your joints. On the other hand, because water and snow skiing and horseback riding increase your risk of falling, you should avoid them. Cycling and stair-climbing provide good cardio workouts, too, especially if you use a stationary bike and add handrails to your stair-climber to reduce the risk of falling.

If aerobic exercise is part of your fitness regimen before pregnancy, you should be able to continue with it. Many gyms and clubs offer pregnancy aerobics classes. Theyre not only safe, but fun, and the social interaction with other pregnant women can be an additional bonus!

Kegel exercises strengthen your pelvic floor, which may help you have an easier birth by aiding in controlling your muscles during labor and delivery. You will be far less likely to have bladder leaks and hemorrhoids during pregnancy, and Kegel exercises are recommended to regain bladder control and aid in perineal healing after delivery. They are easy to do and can be done at any time, in any place, because no one will ever know youre doing them!

yoga is another way to help you stay fit during pregnancy. yoga relieves stress and pressure in your body, and you can safely practice it at home with a Yoga video for pregnant women. Avoid the more rigorous exercises and those that must be done lying flat on your back. In your second and third trimesters, lying flat on your back decreases blood flow to your womb, which is not good for you or your baby!

If youre already in the habit of running or jogging, you may be able to continue doing it during your pregnancy. Just be sure to ask your doctor if its safe for you. Walking is great exercise, too! Its easier on your joints than running and jogging, but still gives you a good workout. With all three exercises, do warm-up stretches, be sure to stay well-hydrated, dont allow yourself to become overheated, and wear comfortable, slip-proof shoes that provide the foot support you need.

If you dont exercise at a health club, its a good idea to have an exercise partner. A partner gives you someone to talk to, can spot for you so your not as likely to fall or strain muscles and comes in really handy during the later stages of your pregnancy when its difficult to get off the floor (or the sofa) without a helping hand!

Remember, before you start a pregnancy exercise routine, or make changes to your current one, always ask your doctor if its OK to make these changes. If at any time during exercising you experience dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, chest pain or vaginal bleeding, immediately stop. If symptoms persist, see your doctor.

Exercising through your pregnancy helps keep you healthy and fit! And did I mention that you get to go shopping?

Staying healthy during your pregnancy isnt as difficult as it may seem. You really can have a healthy pregnancy without pounds! You can look and feel better, have less stressful labor and delivery, and a quicker recovery time, with better muscle tone and less weight to lose after your baby is born! So get, and stay, healthy! I promise you wont regret it! Want to know the exact steps that will accomplish these goals? Click Here To Access Your Step-By-Step Fit Pregnancy Guide.