Meditation Series: The "Love Hormone"

This is the first of many, short blogs focusing on easy-to-do meditations.  Often, meditation or mindfulness practice, seems only for the elite or seasoned yoga practitioner, when really anyone can do it.  Hopefully this series will support you in your meditation practice.

The Heart

Often we dwell in and focus on the mind.  The brain’s electromagnetic frequency is smaller than that of the heart.  The heart is contained within a fluid-filled sac called the pericardium, attached to the diaphragm.  The heart travels up and down as we exhale and inhale, riding the movement of the diaphragm.

The “Love Hormone”

Feelings of love, kindness, and connection come from the release of the hormone oxytocin.  This hormone is released during childbirth, breastfeeding and orgasm.  If none of those are accessible to you, then simply meditating on the emotions of love and connection can trigger the release of this hormone.

The Meditation 

Sit in a comfortable position, upright in a chair or cross-legged or kneeling on the floor.

Place the hands, palms on the chest, one on top of the other.  Place the hands anywhere on the chest, wherever makes sense to you.

Close the eyes.  Imagine the movement of the heart moving up and down on the waves of the diaphragm as you exhale and inhale.

Mentally repeat words of kindness, love, and joy as you imagine the heart inhaling and exhaling.  Whatever that means to you, imagine the heart can breathe, inhale and exhale. 

Do this for 1-3 minutes to increase feelings of love, kindness, and compassion.  If a person or a situation comes up as you are doing this mediation, include them in your meditation.

Yoga in the World

Studies show that Oxytocin is also released in response to positive social cues and so, to get more love, give more!  Offer a hug to your friends, offer encouragement to those around you, give a random thank you card, smile at a stranger!  All of these promote feelings of connectedness.