155: Meditation for the Real World with Ann Swanson
Can you believe this is Episode 155 already? Time really does fly when you’re having fun. And we’re going to have fun today because we’re talking about meditation! My guest is Ann Swanson, an absolute expert in the neuroscience and research behind meditation and author of the new book “Meditation for the Real World”. I love geeking out over the science of things, as you know, and Ann provides lots of science. But she’s also able to make meditation available to everyone for everyday practice in very real and accessible ways. I really enjoyed talking with Ann.
Can you believe this is Episode 155 already? Time really does fly when you’re having fun. And we’re going to have fun today because we’re talking about meditation! My guest is Ann Swanson, an absolute expert in the neuroscience and research behind meditation and author of the new book “Meditation for the Real World”. I love geeking out over the science of things, as you know, and Ann provides lots of science. But she’s also able to make meditation available to everyone for everyday practice in very real and accessible ways. I really enjoyed talking with Ann.
Ann came to meditation through yoga and she wasn’t a naturally ‘chill’ person so she didn’t take to meditation easily at all. What she found is that maybe she wasn’t using the right technique for the right situation which is something a lot of people struggle with. So Ann defines the differences between mindfulness, which is a real buzzword right now, and meditation. Mindfulness is a technique used in meditation but generally speaking, meditation is simply focusing in a relaxed way. Ann really worked at combining East and West, taking the ancient practices that have been available for so long and integrating some of the most cutting-edge research on brain tissue and neuroscience into her practices. Talking with Ann is so amazing because she dispels a lot of myths surrounding meditation and in doing so, makes it much more accessible. We talk about how it doesn’t have to be spiritual, the benefits of five-minute meditations as opposed to hour-long sessions, decreases in stress hormones and increases in key immune factors, building strong habits, and the easiest meditation which is what she calls the five senses meditation. Ann’s advice is research-based, easy to follow, focused on creating physically safe spaces and grounded in the benefits to health and brain function. I loved talking with Ann and I think you’ll love listening to our conversation just as much as we loved having it.
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About Ann Swanson:
Ann Swanson is the author of the internationally bestselling books SCIENCE OF YOGA and MEDITATION FOR THE REAL WORLD, which illuminates the fascinating science behind meditation with step-by-step practices to help you find peace in everyday life. Ann wasn’t a naturally “chill person,” and meditation didn’t come easy to her. Overcoming chronic pain and anxiety led her to India to study yoga, to China to explore tai chi, and to earn a Master of Science in Yoga Therapy. Ann blends cutting-edge research with ancient wisdom, resulting in realistic techniques.
Order her new book at MeditationForTheRealWorld.com for exclusive bonuses available to podcast listeners.
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Learn more about Ann Swanson:
- Website: MeditationForTheRealWorld.com
- Book: “Meditation for the Real World: Finding Peace in Everyday Life” by Ann Swanson with illustrations by Michelle Mildenberg Lara
- YouTube
Learn more about Dr. Michelle Tubman and Wayza Health:
- Website: www.wayzahealth.com
- Follow me on Facebook and Instagram
- Email Michelle: michelle@wayzahealth.com
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