Ketzat Ohr - Mental Development Through Awareness Training

07/07/2024

FIVE BENEFITS OF MEDITATION FOR STUDENTS
1. Increased Focus
Although it is not understood why, studies have shown that meditation increases the ability to focus for longer sustained periods. This benefits students in many ways, including being able to pay attention in class longer, thus improving the chances of material retention. In addition, meditating students have a higher success rate in taking quizzes and exams.
2. Improved Memory
A study in the Harvard Gazette reports that after an 8-week meditation study in which participants meditated for 27 minutes each day, MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Images) showed an increase in grey matter in the hippocampus region of the brain that is responsible for learning and memory. An enhanced memory allows students to retain more information, which of course, lends itself to better test scores. A good memory means an increased ability to juggle many different ideas and thoughts at once.
3. Reduced Anxiety and Stress
According to an article from the National Institute of Mental Health, stress can cause digestive issues, headaches, insomnia, depression, and anger, among other symptoms. Under chronic stress, people may suffer from more viral infections like the flu. Tragedies, traumatic events, and even minor failures can cause an onset of stress that seems never-ending. This is especially true in teenagers and college or yeshiva students, who go through emotional rollercoasters due to hormonal changes.
4. Reduced Fatigue
A Wake Forest University School of Medicine study showed that brief meditation sessions (within 4 days) reduced fatigue and increased attention. Meditation can help reduce the fatigue felt by the significant life event of going away to school and being bombarded with incredible workloads.
5. Immunity Boost
Unfortunately, with the lifestyles that many students have, illness is difficult to avoid. Exercise, a healthy diet, and a regular sleeping schedule are all important to sustain a healthy way of life. Additionally, research from the National Library of Health shows that even a short-term meditation training program can provide significant measurable changes in participants' immune systems.

30/06/2024

Your breath is the gateway to your inner self. Join me on this incredible journey of self-discovery.

24/06/2024

WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR?
When you woke up today, did you ask yourself “What am I grateful for today?”. If the answer is no, then have you ever asked yourself, “Why not?”.
The answer is the DMN, the Default Mode Network – the part of the brain that goes into action when we are at rest, when we are not working and/or engaged in an activity that demands thinking or action. In the prefrontal cortex of the brain, we ruminate about the past or the imagined future, and obsess about the parts of our lives that are not to our liking.
When our DMN is active, we tend to find fault with ourselves and with everyone around us. We overthink and our thoughts seem to take on a life of their own. And the most heartbreaking thing is that we believe the thoughts in our head are true. The belief in the truth of our thoughts often trigger feelings of fear, anxiety, anger, and/or depression. If we are feeling these disturbing emotions, we may want to escape them by engaging in some addictive behavior like eating, drinking, taking drugs, or reacting with rage to the small frustrations in our life.
What can we do about it? Research has proven that mindfulness meditation and deep, slow breathing can slow down the activity of the DMN. Not only that but any activity that engages our brain and body, even for a short time, can significantly reduce DMN activity. Things like painting a picture, listening to calm, meditative music, going for a walk in nature, reading an engaging book, and/or aerobic exercise can also help. The idea is to be proactive when faced with the seemingly relentless onslaught of negative thoughts.
When we change our minds to a more positive state, it is easier to be grateful for the many blessings we have in our lives. And that creates the positive emotions of joy, happiness, and serenity that we long to feel.

13/06/2024

Are you looking for a new way to heal yourself?

04/06/2024

PREPARE FOR SHAVUOUT IN A UNIQUE WAY WITH BREATHWORK!

12/05/2024

SEEING THROUGH THE FIVE LAYERS OF THE SOUL

These practices can help you to grow spiritually and become more aware of G-d in yourself and in the world.

1. Seeing Through Nefesh (Life force of the body)
The nefesh is the container of the soul in a way similar to the way the Hebrew letters are the container for the spiritual light that shines into them from above. At the same time, they are the life force that creates material reality. Focus on one letter and hold your attention on it. See is as a container for spiritual light.
2. Seeing Through Ruach (Spirit)
When you see an event, look to see how this event can inspire you to serve Hashem better. If a person sees death, he can take the lesson that every person’s life comes to an end and use his time to the fullest. If he sees someone win the lottery, he can realize that true wealth is internal, not external.
3. Seeing Through Neshama (Soul)
When a person sees a thing in creation, he sees the glory of Hashem in that thing. That is the neshama of the thing. This is rooted in the Kisai Hakavod – the Throne of Glory.
4. Seeing Through Chaya (Life source)
Every moment the world is coming into being, and the next moment it is going back to nothing. This process is constantly repeating itself.
Exercise: As you breathe in feel that you are breathing in life force from the source of Chayus. As you exhale feel that this chayus is leaving you like death and you are returning to your Source. - Rav Abulafia
5. Seeing Throught Yechidah (Oneness of G-d)
Imagine the infinite light shining inside of you, in the center of your heart. Then see it expand until it fills your chest, then your whole body, around your body, fills up the room, surrounds the house, the neighbourhood, the city, the country, the continent, the world, the solar system, the galaxy, until it keeps expanding infinitely….then reverse the process.

08/04/2024

Take a mental health break. I am offering a six-hour mindfulness workshop this Friday, April 12th in Jerusalem. This is an opportunity to disconnect from the stresses we are under as individuals and as a nation and connect to your authentic self - your soul. This practice will bring peace to your spirit and contribute to the awareness of G-d in Israel and the rest of the world.
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29/11/2023

21/11/2023

Save the date. Tomorrow night. Discover a way to tap into your innate sense of wellbeing and joy.

22/08/2019

I am excited to be offering this five-week course in mindfulness in preparation for the High Holy Days. You can call me for more information and I will be happy to speak to you about how this practice can help you achieve your goals.