Before You Try To Meditate...

I recently received a question through my website from someone looking for tips and advice to learn how to meditate.

There are SO MANY great ways to learn how to meditate. When I was first learning meditation and stress relieving techniques, I relied on my breath to help guide me to a peaceful place, physically, mentally, and spiritually, before getting into the deeper layers of a meditation.

I recommend exploring some common yogic breathing techniques before trying to meditate, because steadying your breath helps to calm your thoughts and releases tension in the body. A great breath to learn is dirgha breathing which is a 3-part complete yogic breath. Another useful breath to learn is ujjayi breathing which is an ocean-sounding breath that can help to increase your concentration with an internal focus. When you are able to send your awareness to your breath, you are making a choice to let go of outside distractions -- distractions might include excessive worries and stress, which are usually the obstacles and road blocks in the way of you finding your inner peace and happiness.

You could also start out really simple by just closing your eyes and as you breathe in say silently to yourself "calm" inviting in calming energy and when you breathe out say in your mind "peace" sending peace outward.

Meditating is all about focusing your attention in a way to accept what is, without judgement or attachment.


YOUR MINDFULNESS PRACTICE:
Experiment with a few basic breathing techniques, and find one that works best for you! There is no one "right way" of breathing or meditating. Whichever one helps you relax and remain focused on the present moment is the best choice for you!