Meditation is an ancient practice that enables us to get in touch with the Higher Self, the innermost part of us.
Meditating is an act of mindfulness, with short- and long-term effects. It helps reduce stress and tension, improving memory. It helps to manage anxiety and panic, promoting concentration and sleep. It induces deep relaxation, promoting sleep.
By reducing stress, which often is the cause of insomnia, meditation also helps to improve sleep quality. It improves mood, it stimulates positive thinking, sharpening the relational approach to oneself and others.
What meditative practices we offer
At Luna Nuova, we practice two different, but complementary, disciplines during our Meditation sessions: mindfulness and Sophrology.
MINDFULNESS
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness, created by Jon Kabat-Zinn, is a modern practice that finds its roots in Buddhist teachings, although it is not linked to any religion.
The main goal of Mindfulness is the attainment of awareness of self and the surrounding reality, without enacting judgmental thoughts or attitudes, living in the Here and Now. Only by achieving such awareness the well-being can be gained. The normal consequence will be to learn observing, understanding and accepting the reality of the present moment and then detach from negative thoughts in order to control them, preventing them from negatively affecting your existence. This change leads to a substantial reduction in stress, improvement in life and social relationships, and can support us during difficult times.
What does it aim to achieve?
Mindfulness is based on seven Pillars: non-judgment, patience, beginner's mind, trust, non-effort, acceptance, non-attachment.
The attitude which we approach Mindfulness with is crucial. That is why if each Pillar is meditated on, cultivated and nurtured, it will effect a radical change in us, affecting personal growth and consequently our relationship with others.
Mindfulness is also defined as the capacity to bring forth a non-task-oriented mode of being. It is that capacity that lies in feeling, in perceiving. This capacity is related to the five senses, where the mind is the sixth sense.
Our Mindfulness Practices
We practice group Mindfulness, where everyone's needs will always be taken into account, with techniques and meditations suited to the class. However, listening to the individual remains important and every need will be accommodated. The energy of the group will make the experience even more intense.
SOFROLOGY
What is Sophrology?
Sophrology was conceived by Alfonso Caycedo in 1960. It is based on the union of body and mind and, although it was born in the psychological field, it has developed among the holistic disciplines.
It is based on four Principles: the integration of the body pattern that awakens feelings of vitality. It reduces tension, gives physical and mental well-being, eliminating stress.
Positive thinking based on the absorption of small pleasures - distracts from daily life - activates concentration, gives lucidity and creativity, offering a better perspective. The adaptability principle related to positive thinking helps in adapting behavior based on perception. It applies to both learner and sophrologist, making the session adapt to the learner.
The objective reality which gives awareness of others, of ourselves and of the environment, teaches non-judgment and objectivity. It prompts the sophrologist to constantly work on himself/herself and approaching learners objectively.
What does it aim to achieve
The benefits of dynamic relaxation are manifold, among several stand out:
Improvement at a physical and emotional level; Muscle, joint and vascular ailments are alleviated until they disappear; There is a recovery of generalized well-being and it promotes the sophrological state.
With Sophrology there is access to memory, increased perceptions and mental stimulation, learning to relativize, knowing and listening to in full acceptance.
Sophrology becomes a true way of life when practiced consistently.
Our Sophrology practices
A Sophrology group session is developed in three moments: Initial dialogue, Practice with dynamic relaxation, Final dialogue
In the Sophrology group we mirror each other, sharing and growing.
