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Ed Yeates ReportingA University of Michigan study shows two ten-minute meditation sessions per day in a public school setting reduces stress in children and teens.
In a Salt Lake City home neighborhood adults and teens practice a widely accepted technique for meditation - the same used in the randomized pilot study at a Detroit middle school.
There, researchers from the University of Michigan found that two ten minute sessions per day not only reduced stress, but promoted emotional stability. Within the study group was found less verbal aggression, anxiety, even loneliness.
Some young people in the Salt Lake gathering who have been doing this for several years with their own parents and friends, say the practice does make a difference.
Jamie Shields, High School Student: "Wake up in the morning and go home at night and just meditate. And you just forget about everything, and stress just rolls off and I'm able to focus more what I'm working on - homework, studying in school. I can stay more alert throughout the day."
Madison Stephens, Junior High School Student: “It helps us be a lot nicer to each other and it helps me do a lot better with school.”
Ali Stephens, Junior High School Student: “I don’t get mad at my friends or my family and stuff. And it just takes away all my stress.”
Based on the Detroit experiment, a small but growing partnership of parents, teachers and physicians at a news conference today called for schools around the country to offer transcendental meditation breaks each day.
It wouldn't be difficult. It requires no expensive equipment, no special outfits or footwear. In fact, you can do the two ten minute sessions in street clothes. It doesn't take a lot of practice. Meditating is easy to begin meditating, easy to quit.
Randall Tolpinrud, Meditation Group: "The individual experiences the quieter, quieter state of the thinking process. A relaxed more settled state of the mind until the mind experiences the deepest state of rest possible."
Since groups around the country claim meditation is not a religion or a philosophy - nor does it require any change in lifestyle - it would be an appropriate stress reliever in the schools.
The Sprague Branch Library is offering a free introductory presentation on the Transcendental Meditation Program tomorrow (Thursday) night at 7:00. That location is 2131 South 1100 East, Salt Lake City. For more information, call 801-359-8686 or toll free at 1-888-LEARNTM.
