BUSTED: 6 Common Mindfulness Myths

As yoga studios and meditation centers pop up on nearly every city block and mindfulness practices make their way into some of the biggest corporations in the country -- includingGoogle, Apple and, yes, even AOL -- mindfulness has become a buzzword both in and out of health circles. And we now have the research to back it up: The extensive physical and mental healthbenefits of mindfulness-- including stress relief, increased focus and improved sleep -- are becoming increasingly well-documented.

But what do wereallymean when we talk about being mindful and engaging in the practice of mindfulness meditation? In simple terms, mindfulness is the deliberate and targeted awareness of the present moment. It is frequently practiced and cultivated through meditation, but it also extends beyond that practice. Still, there are a wealth of misconceptions around mindfulness, from the idea that it's a religion to the notion that it involves sitting cross-legged and emptying the mind of negative thoughts. Click through the slideshow below for six common myths about mindfulness -- and why they're wrong.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.