If you are new to meditation, you're in the right place. It can seem daunting to many, so let's make it really simple. If you're interested in learning more online or in-person, please reach out to us.
Meditation or forms of meditation are practiced all over the world. In the yogic tradition are the latter parts of the 8 Limbs of Yoga. The first are a system of social values, self-reflection practices, asana - the physical movement we know as yoga in the West, pranayama or breathwork... then forms of meditation including going inward (Pratyahara), Dharana (focused thought), and Dhyana (flowing meditation). You can read more about the 8 Limbs here.
Using the 8 Limbs to be able to reach a deep level of meditation is very useful to move the energy before coming to a place of stillness, however; it is not absolutely necessary. Within Dharana (focused thought), we find practices such as mindfulness (attention to sensations), prayer, mantra, and affirmations. Through practicing Dharana, we often will then find ourselves in a state of Dhyana, where our thoughts and intuition flows. When we are here, we are in a Theta or even Delta state. Our mind is able to integrate an incredible amount of information in a very holistic way. You can read more about Brainwaves here.
Now that we have a little background on what meditation is, let's get to the 3 simple tools for meditation. Take all pressure and expectations off of yourself - meditation is a journey that changes every day. I'd recommend beginning with 5-10 minutes in the morning, 5 minutes around lunch, and 5-10 minutes in the evening. Enjoy the experience!
1) Find a comfortable space where you won't be interrupted. Close your eyes and feel the connection between you and the Earth. This is called 'grounding'.
2) Begin to notice your breath pattern - just notice, and allow it to continue to flow as is.
3) Bring your awareness to your heart beat, and when you are ready, return to your breath flow. Allow yourself to be just as you are - here in this moment.
Some find it helpful to have sound healing music, such as Solfeggio or Binural Beats. You can find these on Spotify or Youtube, such as this. Within meditation there are many avenues to explore, including incorporating other tools of the 8 Limbs for what can be a deeper experience. Here is a really interesting article on how meditation changes our brains! If you have any questions or are interested in exploring further viturally or in-person, please email us.
In health and wellness,
Alex + Katie
