AsiaSpa — November-December 2017

November/December 2017 AsiaSpa 79

After taking stock of everything we

feel, hear and sense, thoughts dissipate as

observations intensify – exactly the desired

outcome. I became fixated on the ‘light

show’ taking place in my mind, colours

and patterns filling the darkness. Michael

explains this in itself is a technique which

perhaps came naturally to me as a more

visual person. The idea that everyone may

have a meditation strategy unique to their

personality is encouraging, and I sense a

perceptible shift towards calm.

The second meditation session with

ESSENTIAL REBOOT
To address the mental and emotional health,
wellness liaison Michael Hallock created
Secrets of Meditation and Mindfulness,
tackling the immensity of the subject in
two parts. The first meditation involves
asking each other “What do you notice?”
and we take turns describing sounds,
sensations, feelings and thoughts settling
into seated positions, eyes closed. Sounds
simple, but repeating the question made
the session interactive, as opposed to
a guided meditation where zoning out
happens too easily.

Michael focuses on diaphragmatic

breathing, a crucial part of mental well-

being as thought patterns change according

to our breath. He helps me get used to

breathing into the belly, rather than the

chest, by imagining pushing against an

imaginary belt. To slow and lengthen the

breath, he recommends the humming

bee breath, or bhramari pranayama, to

reduce anxiety through the naturally

soothing effect of the humming vibrations,

especially before bed to improve the

chance of quality sleep.