The NightWave Sleep Assistant is offered as an all-natural, non-drug device that is guaranteed to help you fall asleep. The NightWave uses a soft blue light that slowly brightens and dims to help establish a restful, deep breathing pattern. The light reflects off the ceiling and walls in a non-obtrusive manner and works by activating the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system through deep, relaxed belly breathing.
The NightWave is also a useful tool to reduce stress and anxiety at any time. Simply activate the slow "breathing" light and watch it for a few minutes. Conscously patterning your breath after the light will naturally release tension and create a calming affect in the body. Using the NightWave on a regular basis can reduce the frequency and severity of anxiety.
The NightWave offers a mode whereby the light pulses like a heartbeat at 60-beats-per-second. Watching the heartbeat light can subconsciously slow your heart rythm to this calming rate.
Once we received an inventory of the NightWave, I immediately took one home to test it. I oftentimes have difficulty getting to sleep, so I tried it in bed that night. I set the NightWave to the first mode where the light "breaths" for just 7 minutes. I dosed off to sleep sometime before the unit turned itself off and I stayed asleep throughout the night. Of course, I don't consider that a clinical trial, but I was happy with the effect and it seemed to work similarly for several nights in a row.
I also used the NightWave during my morning meditation. During the late spring month of June, the room is lit up quite early, so the light would not reflect off the wall. I simply placed the NightWave in front of me on a small table - it can rest on one end or side to point the light directly in your face or at the wall. I gazed at the "breathing" light for a few minutes. I found myself slowing my breathing and focusing on the "in" breath, the "out" breath, and the two points where breathing momentarily stops. I gently closed my eyes and continued this wonderful focus throughout the 20 minutes of my usual meditation.
During my next meditation, I put the NightWave into the Heartbeat mode. I gazed at the light as it pulsed like a calm, beating heart. I could feel my own pulse slowing. Most of us who meditate have learned that we can control our heart rate during meditation. The NightWave seemed to help me regulate my heart rate more quickly and achieve a calm state. Whether that was due to the light or my increased consciousness about my heart rate doesn't really matter. I feel that the NightWave had assisted me in having a great meditation session.
I think this is a great little product and will be helpful to anyone who has any trouble getting to sleep and to anyone who wants to deepen their meditation practice.
Thank you for reading,
Jay
If you would like to comment on this blog or have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Our newest addition to the Meditation Benches is the Pi to Go folding meditation bench. As with the regular Pi Bench, the Pi to Go features legs that are in the middle of the bench instead of on the ends. This unique design was created by Randy Crawford of Om Creations in Hillsboro, Wisconsin. Randy's design came about when he realized that the traditional meditation bench was restrictive, oftentimes forcing the meditator to assume an uncomfortable posture that cramped the legs and caused discomfort in the ankles and knees.
As you can see in the illustration to the right, the Pi to Go is simple in design yet has a sophisticated architecture. The feet are rounded at the bottom, which allows you to set the bench at any angle. This helps to position the bench so that the seat is perfectley parallel to your bottom. It's so comfortable, in fact, that we've found no need to offer any type of cushion for the seat. Generally, when you look at most other meditation benches, the angle of the legs is fixed. This causes either the front or the rear of the seat to "dig" into your bottom. The only solution is to put a cushion on the seat to alleviate the pressure. But, with both the Pi Meditation Bench and the Pi to Go, the angle can be set perfectly.
In the following illustration, you can see how the bench folds flat and, in a few steps, assemble into a sturdy bench to support you during meditation.
At first look it seems complicated, but it actually assembles in just a few seconds. And, the result is a very comfortable bench.
There are so many great features about the Pi to Go bench. It has a great look because it is made with select hardwoods with beautiful grain. The finish is done with hand-rubbed Tung Oil. The hardware is sturdy and firmly fixed to the wood. This is a bench that looks good, supports well, and will last for many, many years.
In today's blog, I want to introduce you to Dr. Marsha Lucas. Marsha Lucas, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and neuropsychologist, and has been practicing psychotherapy and studying the brain-behavior relationship for nearly twenty years. Prior to entering private practice, she was a neuropsychologist on the faculty at the Emory University School of Medicine. She currently practices in Washington, DC. She is the author of an upcoming book about mindfulness, the brain, and relationships. Her writings also appear on her blog at PsychologyToday.com. However, you can also visit her ReWire Your Brain for Love website.
The following is a video by Marsha. In this video, she responds to the question, "I've heard that meditation is good for you, but how can I do it when my brain is so busy?" Please watch the video...
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