14 DAY TRIAL // According to a team of researchers in Singapore, brain power alone is fairly capable of helping an individual increase their core body temperature.
More precisely, these scientists claim that meditating might just be the answer to keeping warm in winter without having to rely too much on central heating and woolly sweaters.
The conclusion that meditating makes it possible for an individual to keep their body temperature well under control was reached after the scientists analyzed the ways in which the bodies of Tibetan nuns responded to various meditating techniques.
Thus, the researchers came to understand that, by means of controlling their breathing and with the help of mental imagery, these nuns were fully capable of keeping their core body temperature at a steady 38 degrees Celsius (roughly 100 degrees Fahrenheit), sometimes even more.
The technique of controlling one's breathing in this manner is referred to as vase breath, whereas the practice of focusing on a mental image of one's spine being engulfed in flames is known as concentrative visualization.
According to Daily Mail, the bodies of the nuns who resorted to this meditating technique on a regular basis were so warm that the women managed to dry wet sheets wrapped around their bodies in sub-zero temperatures.
The same source informs us that, once this meditating technique (i.e. g-tummo meditation) was taught to several volunteers, the latter also succeeded in using it to up their core body temperature.
“The participants whom I taught this technique to were able to elevate their body temperature, within limits, and reported feeling more energized and focused,” Professor Maria Kozhevnikov told members of the press.
“With further research, non-Tibetan meditators could use “vase breathing” to improve their health and regulate cognitive performance,” the professor further added.
The researchers believe that, with the right training, those working in harsh environmental conditions might use such meditation techniques in order to keep warm.