Meditation can be thought of as "quiet time for the mind". In meditation, there are a great variety of techniques, but the common thread in all forms of meditation is to focus scattered thoughts of the mind on a single point. The following basic meditation exercise concentrates on the breath. Wear loose clothing and make yourself comfortable in any position you choose, keeping your back as straight as possible as energy flows up the spine. Close your eyes and begin to breathe in a rhythmic pattern, feeling the cool air entering your body, warm air leaving your body. Such breathing helps to quiet the mind and relax the body. Fresh air and proper breathing are essential to one's overall health. Most breathing should be done through the nostrils instead of the mouth as this allows for air filtering leaving you less susceptible to illness. Many people deprive themselves of adequate oxygen by taking shallow breaths, resulting in a lack of vitality and low resistance to disease. Change the way you breathe and change the way you feel! Gradually, slow and deepen your breathing, bringing the air deep into your belly, then exhaling until your lungs are completely empty. At first you may have difficulty stilling the chatter in your mind, but with practice it will become easier. If a thought enters your mind, acknowledge it, release it, then return your concentration to your breathing pattern. If possible, begin by meditating at least 15 minutes per day, gradually increasing your time. Decide beforehand how long you will meditate so you won't be tempted to stop at the least distraction.

To breathe with color is a yoga exercise known as polarization. Establish your comfortable position, and if it is lying down make sure your feet are pointing south and your head is pointing north, to align with the earth's magnetic field. Your palms should rest face up with arms stretched out alongside your body. Begin to breathe in a natural rhythm, focusing on your breath, calming your mind and clearing it of unwanted thoughts. Feel yourself breathing the purest air possible. Hold a positive (healthy or happy) image of yourself. You can go through the entire spectrum of colors, or breathe for a particular healing quality. As you inhale, visualize the chosen color coming into your lungs, entering your solar plexus and spreading throughout your body. You can also imagine the color penetrating a specific part of your body, if it is a trouble area. As you breathe out, visualize the complimentary color. To energize yourself, breathe in a warm color, such as red, yellow, or orange. Breathe out a cool color, such as blue, green, turquoise, or violet.. To calm yourself, do the opposite by breathing in a cool color and breathing out a warm color. Visualize the incoming color as a positive current, the outgoing color as a negative current. By breathing in/out the two polar opposites, you are balancing your energy state. As you breathe imagine these polarized currents circulating through your body, one after the other, cleansing and purifying your body. Doing this exercise achieves a state of relaxation, deep concentration, and closer connection with your intuitive self.

Color affects all aspects of our lives, from the clothes we wear to our moods and energy levels. Describing people as "green with envy", "seeing red", "purple with rage", "yellow with cowardice", or "in a blue mood" is more truth based than is often realized. The color a person wears often reflects their unconscious choices for their energies, because the person has allowed their "feelings"or "intuition" to determine their color choice for the day. The following chart of color associations is designed to guide you in the color breathing exercise. Remember each person has his/her own unique energy system, so you may want to experiment a little to see which colors work best for you.

Red - Is a warm color, a stimulant. Breathe in red to rejuvenate, increase vitality, energy, sexuality, and will power. Red must be used sparingly as it tends to rapidly purify and can activate inflammations. Breathe out turquoise.

Orange - Breathe in orange to release energy trapped or blocked within organs (such as flatulence, congestion, cramps). Orange vibrations have a major effect on the etheric body, acting as an emotional up lifter to increase your feelings of happiness and fun. Breathe out blue.

Yellow - This colour stimulates the sensory and motor nerves. Breathe in yellow to increase your intellectual powers and objectivity in dealing with matters. Breathe out violet.

Green - Breathe in green to cleanse your system, to feel more balanced or centered, and to combat tumors. Breathe out magenta.

Turquoise - Breathe in turquoise to strengthen your immune system. Turquoise is also good for counteracting fevers and inflammations. Breathe out red.

Blue - This colour cools the system and affects the spiritual energies. Breathe in blue to aid relaxation and for an overall peaceful feeling. Blue also is good for insomnia. Breathe out orange.

Violet - Breathe in violet to help balance the physical and spiritual energies. Violet increases feelings of dignity, beauty, and increases self respect. Breathe out yellow.

Magenta - Breathe in magenta to assist in releasing obsessive images or thoughts. It is also considered an aura builder. Breathe out green.

White - It is a good idea to begin and end all color treatments by breathing white.

Color therapy, as presented in this article, is intended as a tool of meditation only. For diagnosis and treatment of serious illness, you should always consult a physician.