This breathing technique is a very relaxing method and can be used as a quick stress reliever or for deepening your meditative state.

Sit comfortably in a chair or on the floor. Place your right hand over your heart, and place your left hand over your abdomen, just below your belly button. Rest your hands lightly, not firmly. You may reverse the position of your hands if you prefer.

Take a slow deep breath and concentrating on feeling the breath entering and filling you as you inhale. First, feel your right hand over your heart, rising as your …Click here to learn more about the Flowing Breath relaxation technique

Luminous Dimensions is a unique presentation combining stunning visuals with beautifully relaxing music. The animation by Michael DuBois is deeply meditative and is light-years beyond other animation videos we've encountered in the past. Combine wonderfully hypnotizing visuals with the soothing sounds of ambient music composed by Jeff Pearce and you have the perfect mix.

We encountered the Luminous Dimensions DVD more than a year ago. It immediately made it onto our Recommended Books & Videos list, and rightfully so. Luminous Dimensions is a blissful journey we feel you'll thoroughly enjoy. The DVD is a fantastic tool for relaxation, meditation, pain management, or shamanic journeying.

The music is delightful and has a very peaceful, calming effect. You may even want to leave the music playing in the background as you read, work, or do yoga, though we find the animation equally hard to resist! If you play the DVD for background music and happen to walk by the television, you may very likely find yourself entranced by the amazing eye candy this DVD offers.

The Luminous Dimensions DVD is available through Amazon.com and through the Numinations web site.

Affirmations can have a significant impact on personal devleopment and improvement. Best of all, they're easy to use and easy to tailor to your own needs and goals.

Make a list of five to ten phrases or short sentences related to areas of your life you wish to improve. Keep each phrase positive and in the present tense. For example, try to word your affirmations using phrases that begin with "I am", such as "I am overflowing with creativity" or "I am healthy and full of energy."

Avoid using phrases that contain the negative words "not" or "won't". Instead of phrasing an affirmation using negative wording like "I won't eat foods that are bad for me", try using positive present-tense phrases like "I eat healthy foods and feel energized."

Write down your affirmations and try to …Click here to learn more about creating affirmations for personal growth

Alternate nostril breathing has a very balancing effect, and also has been shown to increase whole brain synchronization. The technique has been used by meditators around the world for centuries.

Seat yourself in a comfortable position. The alternate nostril breathing technique works best when performed while sitting upright rather than lying down.

Using the thumb of your right hand, put pressure on the outside of your nose to close the right nostril. Inhale through the left nostril, counting to four.

Release the pressure on the right nostril and, at the same time, use your …Click here to read more about the alternate nostril breathing technique

This breathing technique involves giving each breath, both inhale and exhale, a specific count.

As you inhale a deep breath, think to yourself "1".

As you slowly exhale that breath, think to yourself "2".

As you inhale the next deep breath, think to yourself "3", and as you slowly exhale that breath, think to yourself "4".

Continue this count for a few minutes, increasing the count with each inhale and exhale until you reach a count of 50 or 100.

We recommend that this technique be used in conjunction with the Insight CD for relaxation, stress reduction, deep meditation, and many other benefits.

Finding a comfortable position to meditate in is one of the most important factors in achieving a deeply relaxing state, and one of the most frequently asked questions we are asked is, "How should I sit or lie down while I listen to my Insight CD?"

The best approach is to find the position that is most comfortable for you personally, because if you are uncomfortable while you listen, you'll be distracted from the meditative state. Sore legs, an aching back, and the tingling of "sleeping" feet will reduce your level of relaxation and, as a result, reduce the effectiveness of your meditation session. The more comfortable your physical body is, the deeper the meditative state your mind will achieve.

Meditating in an upright posture isn't required but it provides the best flow of breath and can help you stay awake even in the most relaxed states of meditation. There are a variety of seated positions that will help you remain comfortable. It is best to start by …Click here to learn more about comfortable positions for meditation