Meditation is a combination of breathing, visualization and muscle relaxation. It is used to reduce stress and focus the mind. Meditation is being studied in a link to longer life spans and healthier people. It is, simply put, breathing with purpose. The person meditating focuses on her breathing as she inhales and exhales. Occasionally, the focus is directed and the person thinks about something she would like clarity on or positive thoughts leading to an expected end. It can be as brief as a few minutes to focus and relax the mind or it can be hours of deep and intentional breathing and thought.
A meditation instructor guides a person or people in meditation. The instructor takes the time to lead the person who wishes to meditate in exercises to clear the mind. Often meditation instructors are licensed psychologists and work through meditation to help the mind heal and restore a balanced state of being. Meditation instructors may be sought out to assist with physical well being issues, including high blood pressure, anxiety and stress reactions of the patient.
Certification allows the instructor some credibility. In many states, alternative medicine practitioners must be certified to practice. Many people who seek meditation instructors are suffering from illness or trauma. Others simply want to increase their health and well being in a relaxing way. Either way, the instructor needs credibility to ensure that the patient is getting proper care.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals offers an online course study of "Meditation Instructor Certification." The program consists of six courses that each cost between $125 and $150 dollars, as of 2010. All courses must be completed to attempt certification.
Canyon College of California also offers an online course study to become certified in meditation. This course is meant to be completed at the student's pace but has heavy instructor oversight and mentoring. The primary objective of this course is, "to prepare health care professionals, behavioral health specialists and lay persons to practice professionally in the area of meditation instruction, meditation therapy and related modalities, with sufficient knowledge for practice at a standard required by the current job and consumer market," the college's website says.
Course titles such as "Relaxation Techniques," "Meditative Therapy" and "Meditation & Mind Fitness" are not uncommon. Most certification courses last approximately six months and have strict requirements. Courses indicate that the potential student has a basic understanding of psychology and health care. These are to prevent potential risks to the patient.