Oakmont Carnegie Library will offer a series of free meditation classes beginning next week.

The first class will be held Tuesday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m. Classes will be taught by Dr. Anjana Vijayvargiya.

Vijayvargiya, a pathologist at UPMC St. Margaret, recently shared her expertise during a class at Oakmont Carnegie Library. After an enthusiastic response, she decided to offer ongoing meditation classes on Tuesday evenings.

Eighteen years ago, Anjana Vijayvargiya, a self-described driven physician, couldn't control her own headaches or her neck, back and shoulder pain. Then, she listened to her mother.

"She suggested meditation, since medication wasn't working," Vijayvargiya said in a press release.

It helped, and she's been devoted to meditation ever since.

Practiced for thousands of years, meditation was once recognized as a means for understanding the spiritual and mystical sides of life. Today it's frequently used to reduce stress and create a tranquil mind.

According to the Mayo Clinic, there is an increasing amount of scientific research supporting the health benefits of meditation.

Speaking from her own experience, Vijayvargiya has witnessed examples of improved health conditions when patients included meditation in their regimen of care, especially for those with high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. It can also ease the anxiety and other effects associated with chemotherapy, she added.

Those who attend can learn meditation with simple techniques and recognize the peace, beauty and joy within. During the first half of the hour-long sessions, attendees will try to understand the subtle science behind meditation, and in the next half they will meditate.

Walk-ins are welcome and there is no fee to attend the sessions. No registration is necessary.

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