Mantra Repetition Increases Well-Being

Teaching your clients how to begin a mantra practice may offer them a simple tool to relieve stress and anxiety and to improve quality of life. Certain meditation techniques use repetition of a word or phrase, known as a mantra (or mantram), to aid in quieting the mind and restoring calm. Mantra repetition requires no special equipment and can be used anywhere; the practice is done silently, does not disrupt others and costs nothing.

Researchers in San Diego conducted a small, preliminary study to determine whether using a mantra was an effective and feasible way to improve well-being among healthcare workers, a population known to have high levels of stress. The study was published in The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing (2006; 37 [5], 218-24). Sixty-two employees from the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System participated in the trial. Subjects received The Mantram Handbook by Eknath Easwaran and attended five 90-minute classes over a 5-week period. Class topics included choosing and using a mantra; practicing one-pointed attention; slowing down; and applying these skills for stress management. In the first and last class sessions, subjects filled out self-report questionnaires concerning stress, anxiety, anger, quality of life and spiritual well-being. Participants also recorded how much mantra practice they did daily.

Data evaluation revealed that using a mantra on a regular basis improved feelings of well-being. In addition, researchers found that high mantra users experienced greater levels of improvement than low mantra users. Study authors were encouraged by these findings, since mantra repetition is portable, easy to implement and inexpensive, making it an attractive and realistic option for healthcare workers.

The study had a number of limitations: it was not randomized, there was no control group, and the sample size was small and 87.5% female. As stated by the authors themselves, more research is warranted.

This research underscores the importance of staying current with educational advancements in the field. The more you refine your expertise, the better able you are to help others connect with wellness on multiple levels. Make the 2007 Inner IDEA Conference® an integral part of your strategy. Located in Palm Springs, California, September 7-9, 2007, this invitation to transformation will be rich in program diversity, offering you the opportunity to explore many different types of education alternatives. Last year’s event was sold out and received a satisfaction rating of 98% from attendees. The 2007 conference is going to be an unforgettable experience, register now.

With more than 130 diverse and creative program topics to select from, the opportunities for self-exploration and discovery will be endless. Some topics offer deep inner focus, with programs such as yoga, meditation, Pilates and Gyrotonic® exercises. Other programs offer new ways to become highly interactive, offering skills such as coaching and learning enhancement. Download the 2007 conference brochure (PDF).

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* More than 45 Pilates sessions that include beginner to advanced training.
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*Inner IDEA Conference note: Session 192 has been changed to the following title: “Intensive Overview-Pilates.”
This session is not a representation of the Romana’s Pilates Certification Program.