Yoga and Group Meditation Events
Re·lax - to relieve from nervous tension (1)
In our always-need-to-be-busy society, we often overlook the value of relaxation.
What is relaxation and is it really that important?
Yes! At GSUW, we believe that releasing stress is vital to the well-being of humanity.
Relaxation occurs when we relieve ourselves of tension. If we don’t do this, we end up in a chronic fight-or-flight state. Fight-or-Flight is the inappropriate activation of the sympathetic nervous system which results in autonomic dysfunction (2). Simply put, stress will cause disease. Stress, like snow, is heavy and accumulates. If we stay stuck in one state, the falling snow will pile on and around us. If we unconsciously accept flight-or-fight mode as our baseline, the snow piles until caving in and smothering us. Then, we become faced with the strenuous task of either digging ourselves out or succumbing to its weight. Ask yourself, how heavy is your snow pile?
Humanity heals, overall, by first healing our individual selves. And, I think we can all agree that for the sake of our humanity, we could benefit from having some more relaxation in our lives…
Global Symphony for a United World invites you to partake in our yoga and meditation programs. Our non-profit organization is wholly devoted to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment where people can be present and feel comfortable releasing the weight of our everyday life experiences.
Why yoga and meditation?
Fortunately, there is a strong and positive correlation between practicing breathing and mindfulness-based exercises and reducing stress. (3) For example, research studies show that when children practice breathing and mindfulness exercises, like yoga and meditation, they demonstrate a decrease in stress levels with an increase in attention span and memory. These benefits are not just unique to children, however. Adults' experiences with yoga and mediation share reflecting results. According to a study by Brown and Gerbag, “yoga breathing (pranayama) can rapidly bring the mind to the present moment and reduce stress”. (4) Conscious breathing exercises, like pranayama, have been clinically proven to aid in the treatment of mental illnesses like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Yoga and meditation practices allow us to compassionately relieve ourselves from mental, physical and spiritual suffering.
Yoga as an art form
At GSUW, we envision a world where art transcends boundaries, connecting individuals and communities in a shared journey of healing and growth. However, to define art is like trying to define love. It is ultimately subjective. Although, objectively speaking, art is an expression of the self and, believe it or not, so is yoga.
Yoga, while ultimately a philosophy, is often perceived solely as a form of physical fitness but, like art, yoga involves the mind, body, and spirit of the whole human. Malinverni states in her article, “We express ourselves by placing the body in different positions”. (5) Every pose carries an intended energy or essence that we embody. For example, by drawing a cobra or warrior with our bodies, we are painting that specific energy onto our life’s canvas. Yoga, as a form of art, is self-expression through conscious movement.
In Dr Aglaia Zafiroudi’s research article, “Yoga as an art form”, Zafiroudi describes the practice of yoga holistically as a connection where the mind, body, and soul merge and act in unison. To her, yoga is an art form like dance, music and painting. She states, “it is a creative action that transforms humans” (6) This reflection defines the purpose of art as being what transforms us. Therefore, as we practice yoga with the intention to heal, we utilize yoga as more than just fitness. Yoga becomes expressive, like a paintbrush or a pointe shoe. It becomes an artistic tool.
Reference
1 “Relax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relax. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
2 Curtis, B.M. and O’Keefe, J.H. (2002) ‘Autonomic tone as a cardiovascular risk factor: The dangers of chronic fight or flight’, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 77(1), pp. 45–54. doi:10.4065/77.1.45.
3 Valentini, M. and Raschi, E. (2023) ‘Yoga and meditation benefits in developmental age: At school, to relax the body and mind’, Lubelski Rocznik Pedagogiczny, 42(2), pp. 181–193. doi:10.17951/lrp.2023.42.2.181-193.
4 Brown, R.P. and Gerbarg, P.L. (2009) ‘Yoga breathing, meditation, and longevity’, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1172(1), pp. 54–62. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04394.x.
5 Malinverni, E.L. (2017) Yoga: The ultimate self-expression. | elephant journal, Elephant Journal. Available at: https://www.elephantjournal.com/2017/02/yoga-the-ultimate-self-expression/ (Accessed: 17 February 2025). 6 Zafiroudi, A. (2021) Yoga as an art form, Salachi. Available at: https://www.salachi.com/en/yoga-as-an-art-form/ (Accessed: 16 February 2025).
7 Green AA, Kinchen EV. The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Stress and Burnout in Nurses. Journal of Holistic Nursing. 2021;39(4):356-368. doi:10.1177/08980101211015818
8 Mantzios, M. and Giannou, K. (2014) ‘Group vs. single mindfulness meditation: Exploring avoidance, impulsivity, and weight management in two separate mindfulness meditation settings’, Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 6(2), pp. 173–191.doi:10.1111/aphw.12023.
9 Matiz, A., Fabbro, F. & Crescentini, C. Single vs. Group Mindfulness Meditation: Effects on Personality, Religiousness/Spirituality, and Mindfulness Skills. Mindfulness 9, 1236–1244 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-017-0865-0
10 Pascoe, M.C. et al. (2021) ‘Psychobiological mechanisms underlying the mood benefits of meditation: A narrative review’, Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology, 6, p. 100037. doi:10.1016/j.cpnec.2021.100037.
The power of mindfulness meditations
Mindfulness-based programs that target stress reduction demonstrate improvements on an individual’s emotional regulation, present awareness, and positive thinking. In a study that examined the effect of mindfulness meditation on burnout and stress in nurses, it was concluded that meditation significantly improved all aspects of burnout by increasing resiliency. (7)
Now, meditation practices can be performed in either solitary or group settings. There are unique benefits to both, such as increased weight loss and decreased avoidance in group therapy compared to solitary (8); and increased maturity in solitary therapy over group therapy. (9) That said, both individual and group therapy practices demonstrate significant improvements to mindfulness resulting in decreased feelings of stress and tension. Specifically, by decreasing stress reactivity on a mental and physical level through the practice of meditation, overall stress will decrease and mood will improve. (10) Whether you resonate with meditating alone or with a group, mindfulness meditations can provide relief from everyday stressors. At GSUW, our intention is to offer an opportunity for people to authentically express themselves and build genuine connection within a safe space. Our group meditation and yoga programs will be led live online and in-person by conscious, trauma-informed, and compassionate humans who are committed to fostering therapeutic and inclusive environments. We also recognize that meditating in a group may not resonate with everyone or you may simply be unable to attend a scheduled group session. If this is you, fear not! Members have access to recorded guided meditations that can be accessed 24/7 from anywhere in the world!
