Kindness - Australia Yoga Meditation 4221

Kindness is not just an ethical behavior; it is also a healthy one. Being kind to others will make you healthier and happier. Research shows that unhappy people can mimic the kind behaviors of happier people and become happier themselves as a result. Nature has wired our brains to reward us for good behavior. This makes sense because kind behaviors benefit all of humanity.

Kindness Helps Everyone

Kindness helps the giver, receiver and the witness to kindness. Being involved in an act of kindness, even passively, will increase the levels of serotonin (a neurotransmitter than improves mood) in your brain. This chemical reaction can be compared to runners high and is sometimes called "helpers high".

Size Does Not Matter

Whether the act of altruism is large or small does not matter. The brain responds to any act of goodness with a rush of endorphin-fueled euphoria followed by a period of long-lasting serenity. The same brain chemicals that cause these good feelings also reduce pain, benefiting those who suffer from chronic conditions like fibromyalgia.

Fake It

It also does not matter if the act is genuine or feigned. Smiling is a good example of this. Even smiling by yourself, when no one else is there to receive it will physically change the chemical makeup of your brain and boost your mood. Just watching a movie displaying kind behaviors can give you the health benefits of kindness.

Better Health

All of these good feelings have a positive affect on your overall well-being. The positive emotions you feel because of being kind will reverse feelings of depression, isolation and hostility. The result is less stress and a healthier immune system. Your body will be better able to recover from illnesses like ulcers, stress-related asthma, fatigue and insomnia.

There are many things you can do to benefit from kindness:

1. Smile
2. Watch a move displaying kindness
3. Give compliments
4. Be positive
5. Hold the door for a stranger
6. Give up your place in line
7. Give blood
8. Volunteer
9. Write a thank you note
10. Smile at strangers
11. Say, "hello" and "have a nice day"

Because being kind is easy, there is no reason not to take advantage of this healthful behavior and the physical and emotional benefits it has to offer.

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President Obama - Namaste hands - Australia Yoga Palm Beach

President Obama offering respects while on a 
visit to India.

Most Hatha yoga teachers begin and or end their classes in this same way. Ideally, Namaste should be demonstrated both at the beginning and also at the end of class. This lovely practise is the perfect way to finish a yoga class. The mind is less active and the energy in the room is more peaceful. 

The teacher initiates Namaste as a symbol of gratitude and respect toward the students and her own teachers and in return invites the students to connect with their lineage.The hands pressed together at the heart centre is known as Anjali Mudra or Namaste hands. The head is also bowed as a sign of respect and humility.

Namaste is also used as a greeting but It is more than a form of greeting it has a very special significance, a spiritual purpose and meaning.

Here's a nice explanation of the meaning of Namaste.

Namaste

The gesture Namaste simply acknowledges the truth that there is a Divine spark  within each of us. The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. Nama means bow, as means I, and te means you.  Therefore, mamaste literally means "bow me you" or "I bow to you." 

In the West we greet people by shaking hands. Displaying a sense of goodwill and friendship in that way.

Different cultures use their own unique forms of greeting like, namaste or anjali mudra, shaking hands, what ever the form of communication or gesture maybe, when a person connects with another, their comfort level increases. 

A greeting from a friend for instance, or a family member may bring back happy memories. Also, if we follow social psychology, we become aware of the many benefits that result in the body and mind when we feel accepted or understood by another person. 

Even though one may think that a deep conversation can have these effects, the simple truth is that a gesture like namaste, a hand shake or even more so a hug creates those feelings of acceptance and compassion that can sometimes be difficult to find in our modern world. 

Thus, when we experience these things, we become more relaxed, happier, our attitude tends to improve. As a direct result of these things, our heart rate becomes more relaxed and over a period of time, lower heart rates and increased time spent being happy can actually lower blood pressure and have a very beneficial effect on heart health.