Meditation practices have been around for years. We give you some techniques to beat stress

Originally the goal was to help individuals deepen their understanding of the sacred & mystical forces of life. And for many, meditation continues to be a spiritual and religious practice. Variations of meditative practices are found in all of the World's religions.

Several different forms of meditations exist. Meditation can involve movement of complete stillness. Here are some different types of meditation to help you lead a stress free existence.

Concentration meditation involves focusing your attention on a single object. Objects of meditation can include your breathing, an image you visualise in your mind or a real image you look at, such as a candle flame or sacred icon. One purpose of concentration meditation is to help you focus your attention and concentrate. If you have a lot on your mind and find you're having trouble concentrating in your everyday life, take a break to meditate and return to your project refreshed. Here are some examples.

• Breathe deeply: If you're a beginner, consider starting with this technique. Breathing is a natural function that you won't have to consciously learn. You simply pay attention to your breathing - how it feels when air enters or leaves your nostrils. Don't follow it down to your lungs. When you feel your attention wander; gently return your focus to your breathing.

• Scan your body: When using this technique, you'll focus your attention on sensations, such as pain, tension, warmth or relaxation in different parts of your body. Combine body scanning with breathing exercises and imagine breathing heat or relaxation into and out of different parts of your body.

• Repeat a sacred name or phrase: A mantra is the name of a sacred deity or a sacred phrase that you repeat silently or aloud. You can create your own mantra, if you'd like. Mantras are the building blocks of transcendental meditation. Examples of religious mantras include OM.

• Exercise your imagination: A related practice is guided imagery, in which someone's voice, whether taped or live, directs you through a visualization exercise. Once you reach a state of deep relaxation, most likely through meditation, you create a visual image of whatever the person directing the exercise suggests. Perhaps it's a peaceful place, such as a garden, where you feel calm and safe. 

Meditation in Motion: A Conscious blend of body and mind

Meditation that includes movement can be spontaneous and free-form or involve highly structured, choreographed, repetitive patterns. This type of meditation may be particularly helpful if you find it hard to sit still. The following are examples:

• Yoga involves a series of postures, during which you pay special attention to your breathing - exhaling during certain movements and inhaling with others. You can approach yoga as a way to promote physical flexibility, strength and endurance or as a way to enhance your spirituality.

• Tai chi involves gentle, deliberate circular movements combined with deep breathing. As you concentrate on the motions of your body, you develop a feeling of peace and tranquility.

• Qi gong arises from ancient China. Similar to Yoga and Tai Chi, it integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused attention.

Egyptian Meditation

It is a form of moving meditation that developed in medieval Egypt; you'll walk or dance in a rhythmic fashion while chanting. You can merge this with any faith tradition and focus on any sacred object or deity. If you don't consider yourself spiritual or religious, you could focus on an aspect of a phenomenon, such as birth or nature, and chant words or phrases symbolic of that phenomenon.