What Happens to Your Brain During Focus Meditations

Focus meditations involve a voluntary and sustained attention on a chosen object.

When your thoughts begin to wander from the chosen object, the goal is to recognize this has happened quickly and without judgement, and then to return attention to the original focus.

Examples include focusing on your breath, a part of the body, or a strong visual image, word, or phrase. 

Focus meditations are good for:

• Reducing distractibility

• Increasing sustained attention

• Reducing mind wandering

• Improving concentration and focus

• Increasing self-monitoring

• Improving cognitive self-awareness

• Developing mental stability

Studies examining brainwave patterns during Focus meditation practices have found increased communication between the front and back of the brain in the gamma frequency as well as increases in gamma and beta2 activity.

Beta waves are between 12-30 hz and are associated with activated states, like processing-thinking and planning. Gamma waves are between 35-45 hz and are associated with sharp focus, like feelings of creativity, insight, and integrating information. 

Focus meditations can help those who have:

• ADHD

• Cognitive decline in old age

• Mild traumatic brain injury

• Memory problems

Want to Improve Your Concentration?

Join our 6-week Focus NeuroMeditation class! 

The class meets every Thursday from 3:00-5:00pm beginning February 18. Register today to claim the early bird rate of $140 - that's less than $25 per class!