The Beginners Guide to Meditation

It’s All About Focused Attention.

Meditation is a practice where we focus our mind on a single concept, object, or mantra and train ourselves to become aware of our thoughts. In meditation, we learn how to not only control our minds, but also, how to gain some peace of mind. In general, it’s about focusing on something and clearing out distractions. There are many different types of meditation practices, including guided meditation, mindfulness meditation, mantra meditation, and even movement meditation, like yoga.

So, let’s break down how to get started!

First, find a place to sit quietly. Choose somewhere comfortable, free of distraction, and quiet. If you’re doing a guided meditation you’ll probably want your phone nearby to play it, but for other types of meditation try to leave the tech behind! You can choose to sit upright or lie down. Just make sure you are comfortable and close your eyes. You may choose to have your palms facing up and open, in order to receive, or facing down, for a more grounded intent.

Focus on your breathing and try to slow it down. Breathe deeply and evenly. Take long, deep breaths. Try to keep your stomach relaxed and your back straight. Don’t worry if you can’t calm your mind completely. Just keep trying until you feel calmer and more focused.

Tips For Success

Before starting any meditation session, make sure you set your intention— know exactly what you want to achieve. You may want to think about a goal you would like to accomplish. Maybe you would like to get rid of anxiety or anger. Or maybe you just want to improve your concentration. Whatever your reasons are, write them down before beginning the session.

Another tip is to make sure you are alone. Try to avoid having people around while you are meditating. If you have kiddos at home, aim for before the kids get up or after they’re asleep for the night. If you’re worried you’ll fall asleep, but can’t miss something important, set an alarm!

The Best Time To Practice Is…

Whenever you think of it! The practice of meditation is just that… practice! No one is perfect, the stars don’t always align, and sometimes you may only have a few minutes to focus your breath. That is GREAT! If you meditated, you did great. If you thought about meditating, you still did great. If you’re reading this, guess what… you’re already doing great.

Be kind to yourself, start the practice slowly, give yourself grace, and allow your mind to finally relax and heal. We’re rooting for you!