Meet the Author of the book "Blissful Brain" (on sale at the Centre)

Understand - How important is meditation for our health and well being?

Is it merely a soothing relaxation technique with no long-term benefits, or is it in fact a vital healthcare practice that deserves wider recognition and higher public regard?

In this talk, Dr Shanida Nataraja explores the extraordinary research that shows practices such as meditation, tai chi and yoga are not only helpful in reducing stress; they may actually be crucial for good health and optimal brain functioning.

From the effects of meditation on blood pressure and depression to the latest insights from brain imaging studies, this book reveals the scientific evidence that proves meditative practices should be at the very heart of our healthcare system

Shanida Nataraja (PhD; University College London) is a trained neuroscientist who spent more than 5 years researching the neural basis of learning and memory. This research included a two-year postdoctoral position as a Research Fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.
With almost 9 years of experience in the healthcare communication industry, Shanida now works for a medical education agency that produces materials for physicians, nurses and patients across a wide range of different therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and mental health disorders.

Shanida is the author of The Blissful Brain: Neuroscience and Proof of the Power of Meditation (Gaia Books, 2008). The Blissful Brain is a guide to the scientific evidence that proves that meditative practices, such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, should be at the very heart of our healthcare system. Shanida regularly practices mindfulness meditation and Sivananda yoga, and has received basic instruction in Tai Chi and Chi Gung.

see a recent article in the Guardian Newspaper here: