Meditation

[emattson]

The practice of meditation plays an important role in karate, at least in the school I attend. At the end of every daily basic exercise class, sensei includes a one minute meditation session.

Don't know if it's true, but I've heard stories of monks meditating 3 or 4 hours at a time while sitting alone in a small cell. That practice is certainly unhealthy. My Apple Watch, which is a certified Class II medical device, will accuse me of being a lazy couch potato if I don't stand and walk around at least every hour. Sitting too much and being sedentary increases the chance of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. People tend to suffer more anxiety and depression when sitting too much.
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/hea ... of-sitting

Isolation, spending too much time alone, is also unhealthy. Humans are meant to be social. We have deep needs for connection. AMA describes loneliness as a public health issue that affects people of all ages.
https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-car ... -isolation

"The BJS report that approximately 25% of people in prison and 35% of those in jail who had spent 30 days or longer in solitary confinement during the previous year had symptoms of serious psychological distress." (Medical news Today; What are the effects of solitary confinement on health?)
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articl ... nt-effects

I'm not against meditation. I'm just saying not to take it to extreme--two aspirins are good, but no more.

[emattson]

Basic daily exercise class, hosted by George Mattson, always end the workout by a one minute meditation.