Lengthen Telomeres and Boost Telomerase Through Meditation -

Telomeres and Telomerase have a vital impact on our cellular regeneration. In many studies, it has been proven that we can lengthen telomeres and increase telomerase through meditation and meditation techniques.

What Are Telomeres and Telomerase?

Telomerase is an enzyme that can make DNA using RNA as a template and can extend the length of telomeres on chromosomes. Telomeres shortening has been linked to cell death, aging, and potentially lengthening telomeres can extend our lives.

Telomeres are protective protein caps at the end of the strands of DNA within your body called chromosomes. During cellular division, telomeres will replicate themselves. Through this process, they will become shorter while the chromosomes actually divide themselves.

The cell cannot divide and multiply when the telomeres eventually become too short. This then links telomeres length to aging, slowed healing, genomic instability, and even an increased risk to die from heart and infectious diseases. Click here to learn more about how meditation can actually slow aging.

Scientific Studies

The University of California, Los Angeles, studied the benefits of yogic chanting by comparing the effects of two groups. Each group had a practice for 12-minutes a day at the same time for 8 weeks. Click here to go to our mantra category and find a mantra to begin chanting with.

One group had the practice of kirtan kriya, kundalini yoga chanting. The other group spent their segmented time relaxing to a soothing piece of music.

The yogic chanting group showed positive results that actually doubled the relaxation group. The benefits didn’t just stop there, actually, the kirtan kriya group showed an increase in cognitive function and telomerase activity. Learn more about the benefits of chanting here.

There is a direct correlation between stress and telomeres length. Which was found by Ellissa Epel and Elizabeth Blackburn in their 2004 study

Another study found that telomeres length can be lengthened by a healthy lifestyle. A study was led by Dean Ornish of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, California and the University of California, San Francisco.

The study was conducted between two groups of men diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer. over a five year period. The groups consisted of 10 men who were asked to cut out meat, practice gentle yogic breathing meditation, moderately exercise (walking 30 minutes a day, six days a week), and participate in weekly group therapy support.

The results of the telomeres on a type of white blood cell on the men keeping the same lifestyle habits had their telomeres shrink by an average of 3 percent while the men abiding by the healthy lifestyle had their telomeres grow in the same cells grown by 10 percent.

How To Get The Benefits

Meditation is a practice and not a one-size fit all. Therefore, do not be intimidated by the great benefits it can produce if done correctly. Simply taking the time to focus and calm the mind is the correct approach. Click here for five meditation exercises you can do at work.

In the study performed by Preventive Medicine Research Institute and UC, San Francisco participants were following yogic breathing also known as pranayama. This yogic technique is done to cultivate mental focus by anchoring the attention on the breath.

Prana translates to life force energy and ayama meaning to extend. Blockages and stagnancy will show itself within the patterns, rhythm, and depth of our breathing. When we direct our conscious attention here we can heal ourselves through this mindful meditation. An entrance into pranayama would with guided Ujjayi breathing.